Wesley Garner Frier

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Wesley Garner Frier
Audrey Gatward’s Uncle

My Uncle Wes, my mother’s older brother, was a real gentleman. He joined the Leicestershire Regiment on 11th September 1914. In July 1916 the Leicestershires took a leading role in the battle of the Somme and Uncle Wes was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery in this battle.

The citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry in action. After his company had suffered severely he rallied it under heavy fire and led it against parties of the enemy still holding the wood. He set a fine example of courage and devotion to duty.”

It appears that Uncle Wes became something of a celebrity during the war with various articles about him appearing in The Melton Mowbray Times. Uncle Wes received his medal from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 26th September 1917.

He was promoted to Company Sergeant Major after the battle of the Somme and although he came through this battle unscathed, he was wounded at some point and as a result, had a metal plate in his head for the rest of his life.

Uncle Wes lived on Thorpe Road Melton Mowbray and worked in the wages office at Holwell Works. I thought he was lovely and as a special treat during the school holidays I accompanied him in the pay car as he went round the iron ore mines in the Vale of Belvoir handing over packets of money to the miners. I remember he was a keen golfer and cricketer.

The original exhibition display: Wesley Garner Frier