206041 Private Frank William Perfett British Army 2/5th Btn Lincolnshire Regiment from:Arnold, Nottingham The above named was my grandfather who died after the Second World War. At the outbreak of WW1 it is not known whether he tried to enlist or not. But due to his job, a signalman on the Great Northern Railway, he was considered to be in a trade/profession that was of national importance. It is recorded that he enlisted as a 'Lord Darby's' man and wore an armband with a red crown affixed. Sometime in 1917 he enlisted in the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment and after training, he he was posted to the 2/5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment part of the 59th (North Midland Division)and he joined them near Arras, northern France. The Battalion Diary entry dated 1st & 2nd March 1918 indicates that the Battalion was at a place named Ecoust St Mein. At 4.00am, 21st March 1918, the Battalion was now part of the 9th Division and encamped at Mory. There had been intermittent gunfire through the night but at 4.00am this became more intense and there was no doubt that the front line was now taking in heavyfire from the German artillery. This was to be the start of the German offensive on the Hindenbrg Line and known as the 'Kaiserschlact'. At 5.00am the Battallion was ordered immediately with other units to their allotted positions in the support line third system which ran east of the Vraucourt-St.Leger road. At 12.00noon the 2/5th Lincolnshire with the 4th Leicesters were ordered to occupy the second system trenches. It is known that he was in the front line near to the village of Epehy. At some time during the next few days, my grandfather was severley 'Gassed' and was returned to Battalion HQ and subsequently returned to England. He was demobilised in 1919. During my time with grandfather, he always seemed to suffer with his chest. He also had pox marks on his face but dismissed them.
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