The interview was conducted by Age Exchange in partnership with The University of Essex and The First World War Centre –University of Hertfordshire –as part of the Children of The Great War project. Harry Boater came from a family of seven in Canning Town, East London. On Nov 23 1914 he enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery and served in France from July 17 1915 to Oct 25 1917, and again from July 8 1918 to Feb 9 1919. During the Second Battle of the Somme in August 1918, Harry was Gassed with Mustard Gas, which later led to him receiving a Pension. On another occasion, while in charge of a gun, the gun jumped on firing and he was caught by it, receiving facial injuries from the hand spike. He was discharged on March 10 1919. Harry was photographed on horseback at Merville, this was copied by ‘a French lady’ for a painting which is now in the family. In the interview his daughters talk about the character of their father, and his enthusiasm for life. A joint project between Age Exchange, the University of Essex and the Everyday Lives in War FWW Engagement Centre, University of Herts. For further information, please contact Everyday Lives in War, https://everydaylivesinwar.herts.ac.uk/ || || Harry Boater on horseback || Henry Harry Boater || Photograph || || Photograph || Henry Harry Boater || Harry Boater in uniform || || Henry Harry Boater || Other || tags belonging to Harry Boater

Frederick Fox was the grandfather of Margaret Usher. He was born in 1867 and died in 1920. He was a whitesmith, making fancy welded gates, finials, etc., but branched out into making armoured fire doors. He patented a trapdoor to fit into woollen mills. He also extended his work to produce base-plates and exhaust manifolds for naval ships and metal floor plating for ships. He was based in Bradford during the war and came under the Ministry of Munitions, Admiralty and War Office. Frederick Fox had 2 sons. Herbert Fox born 1895, joined in May 1916. His father appealed to the Ministry of Munitions to have his son released and returned to work in the engineering works, and by the 3rd July 1916 he was released. He always said he had a safe war compared to life in the trenches. Edgar Fox, born 1899, joined after finishing his apprenticeship. Possibly too young? He joined in 1918 so wasn't in fact under age. He was Private 178455. Edgar was Margaret Usher's father. He found army life and the work routines very strange and alien to his prior experiences. Both sons served in the war. Both joined the family business. Copy book of original letters from Frederick, hand written replies copied by his daughter into the same book, and perhaps maybe a third person after Frederick became ill. The contributor inherited the book from her father. Also copies of letters to a gentleman called Arthur, who possibly worked for Frederick Fox. Jack Price (photographs) is the brother in law of Edgar Fox, who went to the Isle of Wight to recover from a mustard gas attack. The only casualty the family suffered in the war was Earnest William Richard Casburn who died 7th May 1918. W E Price, discharged due to injury (c1917), only able to work light duties. He joined the Police Force and became a Superintendent in Somerset. Edith Jessie Fox (nee Price), worked looking after wounded soldiers in convalescent homes, based in Clifton-on-Dunsmore, Stetchford, and elsewhere, but took some of the photographs at the airfield. || Copy book of war letters, May 1916 - July 1916. Collection of photographs, including other family members (names on the backs) - Jack Price & others. Collection of photographs, all unknown persons, but all Bradford men. Scanned images on laptop desktop (one set of glass plates to be provided later). Noble cross award for Edith Jessie Fox. Photo album of family members, Price family photographs, including Edith as a nurse. Autograph book belonging to Edith Jessie Fox (nee Price). || || Letter || Frederick Fox || Copy book of war letters, May 1916 - July 1916 || || Official document || Noble cross award for Edith Jessie Fox. || Edith Jessie Fox. || || Collection || See 'story' & 'summary description of items' for the following collection of images || Frederick Fox/Edith Jessie Fox (nee Price)

Both my grandfathers were involved in the First World War as far as I know. I know more about Frederick Dalby, who signed up in 1915 and was demobilised in 1919. As a child, I spent a good bit of time in his company and used to quiz him up on his memories. This was further facilitated by a large pile of 'Illustrated War News' magazines that lay in a corner of the sitting room in Dunlaoighre, Co.Dublin. In retrospect, these were the 'CNN' of the day - war reporting of a 'propaganda' nature for the folks back home. I think they were published on a weekly basis with lots of B/W photos and diagrams along with accounts of various fronts and battles. My grandad, I'm sure humoured my questions and chatted without revealing too much of the difficulties of war to a boy less than 10 years of age. His father was from a shoe making background and Fred was assigned to the Royal Artillery as a saddler. I think the various artillery regiments changed a good bit, he told me he was in the Royal Horse Artillery but his cap badge is that of the Royal Artillery and his service record which is damaged mentions Heavy Artillery Leicester. Either way, his job was mantaining and repairing the tack used by the horses to drag the large guns around. Being handy at leather work, he often made various objects, including the pistol leash pictured here. He also told me that he a good 'nixer' in converting army boots into lighter football boots for the lads when they were back resting and played soccer matches for to fill the time. He was promoted to Corporal in 1919. He told me once that he resisted promotion as he didn't wish to be responsible for other men's lives but it's also possible he was promoted near end of hostilities to improve any army pay/ pension? He served mostly in what he called Mesopotamia or modern day Iraq and also in Egypt. I have some passes for him to visit Cairo and a race programme for Basrah Spring Races. He survived relatively unscathed except for contracting malaria according to his army record. We went down town (Dunlaoighre) nearly every day to buy the paper etc. and on the way, he would often stop at other houses to chat with veterans who might be out sitting in their front gardens if the weather was fine. There were 3-4 of these gentlemen and they were generally missing arms, legs and were often pretty deaf. One chap a few doors down sat on his two stumps on a blanket - I was always a little afraid of them. || Photos of: 1. Frederick Dalby on horse. 2. An ammunition box, for wearing on a belt. 3. Cap badge of Royal Artillery. 4. Corporal stripes. 5. A leather lanyard he made. 6. Programme for Basrah Spring Races, 2nd Day, Saturday April 6th 1918. 7. A 'Turkish' pipe. || || Saddler Frederick Dalby on horse || Photograph || Artillery || Transport || || Ammunition box leather || Artillery || Transport || || Artillery || Turkish pipe souvenir || Transport || || Cap badge Royal Artillery || Artillery || Transport || || Corporal stripes Frederick Dalby || Artillery || || Leather revolver lanyard, made by Fred Dalby. || Manufacture || Artillery || Leather revolver lanyard || || Basrah Spring races - programme April 6th, 1918. || Basrah Spring races - programme || Artillery || Trench Life