Dedicated to the memory of all the men and women of Bridgnorth, Shropshire, who died during the two World Wars.
SOLDIER'S EXPERIENCES IN THE TRENCHES [Bridgnorth Journal, 30th October, 1915]
Pte S Packwood, who last year left a situation in Bridgnorth to join the 10th Batt. Worcestershire Regiment, and is now serving with the machine-gun section in France, writing a few days ago to a friend in this town, says:
"Since writing you last I have been in the trenches for four days, and go in again tomorrow at a different part of the line. Last time in the Huns gave us a good dose of "Minnies", as they are called; whales would be more appropriate. They sent us 20 or more in an hour and each one lifted up about two tons of earth, so you can guess what the parapet and several dug-outs were like. We had a gun emplacement blown up, but the gun was not hurt. Quite a few fellows were buried, and some went "west". You see "Minnies" coming through the air like large German sausages, and as they get near they take the shape of shells - about 290lbs of very high explosive. This is only one of the many things to contend with. Still, we keep smiling, and I never wish to see fellows in higher spirits than all ours are."
This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg. For news of updates follow @BridgnorthHeros on Twitter.