Keep the Home Fires Burning - detailing wartime life in the towns and villages mentioned.

NBT 1915 Oct. 19th Tue.

In a letter from the Reverend L. Hamilton, a Church of England Chaplain, the widowed mother of Private Archie King has been informed that her son is severely wounded. The Reverend states that Private King had passed through hospital, and had asked him to write to her, adding; “You will, I hope, in a day or two, get some good news of him.” Following the letter then came an official intimation that he had passed away. Stating that he was in the best of health, the day before he was wounded Private King had written to his mother saying;

“I am writing this letter in the trenches, and our big guns are bombarding the German trenches, so you can tell it’s a bit noisy, for they are blowing them all to pieces. I cannot think how they can live in it. I don’t think they can for long. Wouldn’t I like to see you all! What a happy day when I do come home if the Lord spares us, as I hope He will, but we must put all our trust in Him. As I said before, this is my place out here, and won’t I be able to tell you something when I do come home.”

(Private King, of the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, died from his wounds on September 23rd, 1915, aged 28. The son of Mrs. S. King, he had been born at Tilsworth, of which village he was resident.)

NBT 1918 Aug. 13th Tue.

Having now been promoted to full Corporal, William Piggott, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Piggott, of Tilsworth, has written to his wife, who is staying with his parents at Tilsworth. With the letter was enclosed a certificate from his Commanding Officer, recognising his good work during an attack. It reads;

“No. 23,271, Lance-Corpl. William Piggott, Royal West Kent Regt. I have read with very great pleasure the report of your Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander regarding your gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field on 28th June, 1918. J. Ponsonby, Major-General, Commanding --- th. Division.”

Having served 13 months in France, Corporal Piggott was transferred to Italy, and came home on leave after five months. He then returned just before Easter, but on reaching Italy was sent back to France.

(Formerly of the Buffs, Corporal Piggott was killed in action on the Western Front on September 27th, 1918. Born at Totternhoe, but a resident of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, he was aged 30, and during his military service had been awarded the Military Medal.)