I was returning home from school one day when I saw an old gent with a huge telescope on a tripod looking out at Mounts Bay he asked me if I would like a look and of course I did. It was focused on what was obviously a ‘Man of War’ way out on the horizon, as I watched I saw puffs of smoke as the guns fired and then spouts of water as the shells pitched in the sea miles ahead. There was no other ship visible and the gentleman suggested that they were firing at a German submarine. I was quite thrilled to witness this but I never heard any more about it. As a small boy there wasn’t much excitement, nor did we look for it, but we made our own fun. I remember we would run out of the house to see a motor car or motorbike go by, for almost all vehicles were horse drawn. Now I reckon children would do the same to watch a pony and trap pass by.
On Easter Day 1916 my father’s only brother William Henry was killed in action at Arras. His army career ending as it did must be a near record in time for he was not a very fit man and when he left Ludgvan for Bodmin to have his medical he said ‘ I’m no use to the army, I reckon I will be home tomorrow.’ True they did not make him a soldier as such but he was assigned to an officer as his ‘batman’ This officer was immediately recalled into action at Arras, of course Uncle went with him without any training whatever and in just under a fortnight of leaving home for his medical was killed. We received a letter from him long after the news of his death, he always smoked B.D.V cigarettes and the silk flag which was in each packet he saved for Bill and I he enclosed some in this last letter which It also contained what I am sure was a little white lie which was ‘don’t worry about me for I am miles from any fighting’