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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment
Pte. Frederick Charles Perry
British Army 2/20th Btn. London Regiment
from:Woolwich
Fred Perry 1st Left, front row
My Grandfather Fred Perry was a Private in the 2/20th London Regiment during the whole of the First World War, he had some close shaves but survived. He served in France, Salonika, Palestine & Egypt, some of his early training was done at Braintree in Essex.I have one of the letters he wrote during the war with a bullet nick at the top of the page where a bullet went through his pack & notepad, it hit the chap next to him, a very close shave. I also have his dog tags & his Christmas tin from the Princess.
His platoon Sergeant was a chap called Heddle Nash who became a famous Opera singer after WW1, Fred told my father that Heddle had a beautiful voice & often sang to the men to keep their spirits up.
Text of Freds letter dated May 4th 1918 :
My Dear Ma, Just a few hurried lines to say that I am quite OK in the pink still. I am very sorry I have been unable to write you a letter for some time but we have been busy so to speak, once again but I have sent off field PC’s which I hope you got alright. Well we had plenty to do just lately, too much in fact. You will be sorry to hear that my pal Arthur Lunn who was wounded in Salonika and has only recently rejoined us has been wounded again but am pleased to say it is a cushy one, poor old chap caught it in the leg again jolly bad luck isn’t it ? Glad to say that Bob Hadlow is quite ok. This is a souvenir piece of writing paper as the mark you see along the top is where a bullet went through my writing pad, in fact it went through my whole pack and spoilt everything inside. Unfortunately the handle of the razor (krupp) which Ken and Dora sent me was broken but still I must think myself jolly lucky I think.
I am glad to say I received your parcel quite safely containing the biscuits, chocolate and condensed milk etc. and thank you ever so much for same, I would have written earlier only have not had the opportunity. I went with a party sight seeing round the old part of Jerusalem about 2 weeks back which was very interesting and made one think. I saw Calvary the spot where the Lord was crucified and also the place where his body was laid afterwards. Also the 6 stations where he rested with the cross leading up to the spot. We went inside the Mosque of OTYAR where they used to hold the sacrifices. While we were going there we met the pilgrimage going to (Nebi Musa) Moses’ Tomb a proper Eastern affair with their symbols and two or three juggling about with swords merrily everybody had some instrument to make a noise with and plenty of banners flying a proper Shemozzle so to speak.
By the way we had a signal office in the monastery by Moses’ Tomb once. Well I have seen some sights and various places since we have been in this part of the country and can say that I have swum in the Jordan not to say the parts of it I have drunk although nearly as muddy as the Thames when one is really thirsty I don’t think there is any doubt as to whether the water is pure or not. It is a wonder we haven’t all had fever. I wouldn’t mind just a little slight touch of malaria now so as to get down to Cairo for a rest again.
Well I hope you are all quite well as we haven’t received a mail lately but are expecting one any time now. How are James and Douglas getting on? As lucky as ever I hope. Please tell Eileen I will be writing her another letter shortly. I must close now so with fondest love to all and best wishes to everybody.
Hoping you are all ok.
I remain your loving son Fred. x
Jsicouol, Somme
Soldiers playing Football -Salonika, Greece
Soldiers playing Football -Salonika, Greece
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