This cache is placed just off the path into a lovely grassed area or you can sit just outside on the benches and watch the world go by.
Henry Walker (AKA Harry)
Always reffered to as Harry, was born in August of 1895 at Ravenstone to Mr & Mrs George Walker and the family lived on Main Street. After leaving school Harry became a miner at the South Leicestershire Colliery at Ellistown. He was a chorister at the local church and was also a Sunday School scholar. He was one of the First 50 enlisting in Coalville in August 1914 into the 5th (1/5th) Leicestershire Battalian with the other 49 recruits. He spent nearly two months under canvas on the High Tor of Charnwood Forest, also training at drill hall in Loughborough and the Institute at Thringstone. In early 1915 he embarked to France from Coalville Station.
It was in the early hours of 2nd July 1915 that Harry norrowly avoided death in the infamous Trench 50, near to Hill 60 in the lethal Ypres Salient. A whizz bang landed and only the zigzag nature of the trench saved his life. A few hours afterwards, ninteen year old Harry lost his life. Harry on guard duty had raised his head a little too far and he slumped to the bottom of the trench. Friends rushed to help him but it was evident that he had died within seconds.
The image shows Harry in the exhibition, created by Granville School Academy, Woodville.
First 50 Heroes The Coalville Heroes Series celebrates the first fifty volunteers from our area to take part in the Great War of 1914-18. Each geocache commemorates a real volunteer and describes his activities during the Great War. This cache was placed by First50 with kind permission of the landowner. The GAGB are helping to coordinate this series. Please get in touch if you would like to be involved.