Framed British Document/certificate

[yellow]

Ron,

I certainly wouldn't lose any sleep over this. There are many British collectors who have never tried to return anything to families and have boxes full of emotive material.

There are no photographs in his records but if you would like one there is a chance there may be one in a local newspaper. You could write off to the local reference library in Wales quoting the date of death in your letter.

We also have another record called a Battalion War Diary. If you look at the specific dates of interest in that diary concerning Private Pugh you may uncover how exactly he was killed. Chances are he will not be mentioned by name but will be listed like this: OR's Killed: 4 . That tells us four other ranks including private Pugh was killed on that day.

There is something a mystery concerning Private Pugh. Why is his records he is first listed as wounded and then killed? To be wounded and then die of those wounds he should of been listed as DOW (Died of Wounds).

[Patrick Dempsey]

Ron,

I certainly wouldn't lose any sleep over this. There are many British collectors who have never tried to return anything to families and have boxes full of emotive material.

Ron,

i too agree.

If things were ever to return 'home' i suspect they would simply be sold or disposed of with undignified haste...sad, but this is how things have become over here.

I lament the change.

You have it, and honour him, and that is wonderful.

Images of the medals can be seen if you click here.

As an aside, have a look at some of the postings of fellow member 'Darrell' here in this forum. if you will pardon a moment of nationalistic pride, the art of the British medal has no real peer.

[Ron C.]

Pte. Albert Pugh's new home

I don't know if any of you remember Pte. Pugh; however, if you recall, I said that if any family member or relative, who could produce proof of such, would "come forward" and request Pte. Pugh's document I would send it to them.......and, if not, Pte. Pugh would have a "new home" with me. Sufficient time, I think, has passed and the offer is gone. While the room is not as yet finished, since Steve has not been back for many weeks now, and I suppose I am going to try to finish it by myself (very slowly because at 71 I can't do what I could when I was only 40or 50 (even 60 ); however, I am doing things now a little at a time. In fact I just came up from the basement, where I selected Pte. Pugh's "new home".......here it is. I hope he would like his new home and family, since my son, who is now 13, says he will have a home with him when I am gone.

Ron

[Bond]

The 1st BN RWF took part in an attack near Delville wood towards Guillemont and Ginchy. The commander's diary, Lt-Col Stockwell records for 3rd September 1916;

"4.30pm Message from Lt Findlay to say he is dug in with about 30 men opposite Hop trench and about 40 yards from it. Enemy pressing.
Later message from LT Cartwright that he is in a trench with the Warwicks (regiment), but does not know its name. Closely engaged. Very few of our men.....91st [brigade (on the left] Bombing officer came in and said his men would not stand, and enemy were pressing into Delville wood. Pushed up Warwicks and reserve bombers to take over...

6pm...The situation in Delville wood is serious and there is no one to keep the Boche out - the brigade on our left did nothing and are very shaken. Seized all available men of all my battalions and on my own responsibility pushed them up to hold the line of Delville wood and prevent penetration.

9pm. Divisional General orders us to be relieved and to move with all men we have and take Ginchy, which he says is unoccupied....I have no men left. We can, when relieved, muster [from four battalions] about 120 men and four colonels - it is madness.

After two days fighting, the 1st battalion came out of the line. There were only 42 men in the rifle companies, but later, when men trapped in no-mans land had been recovered, the casualties were found to amount to 249, more than half their strength.

Extract from That Astonishing Infantry The history of the Royal Welch Fusiliers 1689-2006 by M. Glover & J.P.Riley p136.