Book recommendations about the crucified soldier

[Phil Wood]

Newbury Weekly News, 1 July 1915 – Local War Notes

Private Arthur George Annetts, of the Royal Highlanders, Canadian Contingent, called at the “NWN” office the other morning to chat over his experiences. He is a Newbury lad who went out to Canada four years ago and enlisted when the war broke out. He came to England with the 13^th battalion and went to France in February. He has shared in the gallant services of the Canadians, taken his turn in the trenches, been shelled by Germans, been in furious charges and desperate fights. He recalls that fact that on Easter Sunday he was present at a celebration of Holy Communion in a convent, and jsut at the conclusion a Jack Johnson tore through the roof, smashing the building. He was in the trenches at Ypres, and was in the fighting line when the Germans resorted to gas fumes. Once a shell burst close by, killing 12 of his comrades, had and another being buried to the neck in earth, but he escaped injury then. He confirms the story of Canadians being crucified by the Germans, he himself having seen two of his comrades nailed to doors by their hands and feet. At La Bassée, his platoon was heavily shelled. He sprained his spine and was hit in the shoulder by shrapnel. For three days he laid in a wood until they drove the Germans back and rescued the wounded. He was treated in field hospitals, shipped over to England, and sent to Fishponds Hospital at Bristol, which he was able to leave on Friday. He is now convalescing at Newbury.

[Ken S.]

Thank you for posting that. According to his service records he had been in hospital with an illness and was discharged to duty a week prior to the battle. Regarding his claim that he was "three days... in a wood" -- this is certainly not what he told a medical board. I can't find anywhere on his service record that he was reported as missing.

Newbury Weekly News, 1 July 1915 – Local War Notes

Private Arthur George Annetts, of the Royal Highlanders, Canadian Contingent, called at the “NWN” office the other morning to chat over his experiences. He is a Newbury lad who went out to Canada four years ago and enlisted when the war broke out. He came to England with the 13^th battalion and went to France in February. He has shared in the gallant services of the Canadians, taken his turn in the trenches, been shelled by Germans, been in furious charges and desperate fights. He recalls that fact that on Easter Sunday he was present at a celebration of Holy Communion in a convent, and jsut at the conclusion a Jack Johnson tore through the roof, smashing the building. He was in the trenches at Ypres, and was in the fighting line when the Germans resorted to gas fumes. Once a shell burst close by, killing 12 of his comrades, had and another being buried to the neck in earth, but he escaped injury then. He confirms the story of Canadians being crucified by the Germans, he himself having seen two of his comrades nailed to doors by their hands and feet. At La Bassée, his platoon was heavily shelled. He sprained his spine and was hit in the shoulder by shrapnel. For three days he laid in a wood until they drove the Germans back and rescued the wounded. He was treated in field hospitals, shipped over to England, and sent to Fishponds Hospital at Bristol, which he was able to leave on Friday. He is now convalescing at Newbury.

[Phil Wood]

Thank you for posting that. According to his service records he had been in hospital with an illness and was discharged to duty a week prior to the battle. Regarding his claim that he was "three days... in a wood" -- this is certainly not what he told a medical board. I can't find anywhere on his service record that he was reported as missing.

It's always difficult to judge just how tall such tales might be. Just thought it would be of interest. He survived the war but his brother is on the Newbury war memorial.

[seaforths]

In the fog of war, there must also have been a fog of paperwork. I quoted a book some posts earlier. When he did escape and make it back to England they paid his accompices but not him. Quite simply, he had been declared dead and they were just about to inform his wife of that. Fortunately, his wife had received letters from him in the prison camp showing he was very much alive. It took some time for the postal service and evidence to arrive, so that he could prove who he was and therefore collect his pay.