Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article, Friday 2nd October, 1914:

"COALVILLE MEN IN THE FIRING LINE

INTERESTING LETTERS FROM THE FRONT

WHITWICK MAN EAGER TO CUT THE KAISER’S MOUSTACHE

FORMER WHITWICK SCOUT-MASTER WRITES

CONTRADICTING A RUMOUR

Private S. E. Perry, of the G Company of the Leicester Regiment, S.R. Purbrook, Fort Camp, near Portsmouth writing to his father, Councillor S. Perry, of Silver Street, Whitwick, says:

“I was surprised to learn that bad reports respecting the food, etc., at this camp had been going about in Whitwick. Let me say at once that there is absolutely no truth in the statements. There is plenty of good food issued out here every day and the officers look to it that every man gets his fair share. We are not by any means over worked and are practically free every night at five o’clock. We get bacon for breakfast every other morning (bread and butter and cheese other days), meat and potatoes every day for dinner, bread and butter and jam every day for tea and we always have plenty left for supper. Considering that we came up here prepared to suffer any hardships, or even death, for the sake of our King and country it is really surprising that we are treated so well. We each have two blankets, and despite the bitterly cold nights, manage to keep warm and to sleep well. The only grumbling which I hear in this camp is because we are not rushed off to Berlin to “cut the Kaiser’s moustache.” Hope you will contradict the untruthful reports if you hear anyone talking of them.”

Coalville Times article - Friday October 29th, 1915

Interesting Letter from Sergt. S. E. Perry

Sergt. S. E. Perry, of the 8th Leicesters, in France, writing to his father, Mr S. Perry, of Silver Street, Whitwick, on October 18th says:

“We have to be very careful indeed as to what we put in our letters. Of course, it is necessary, all this precaution; but really, I think the censorship is carried a bit too far. Don’t you?

No doubt the good people of my native town are terribly grieved at the death in action of some of its brave young soldier heroes. The people at home no doubt feel it more than we do out here. A soldier who is daily facing death soon loses all trace of sympathetic feelings. I think ours will be a different world after this war. Men will have a different outlook on life – a broader view. Husbands who have left their wives and children to fight for them – will go back to their homes, some day, with loving feelings in their hearts never there before. Sons will adore their parents and the military training they have received will make them obedient and submissive to their betters.

I’m happy to think that you favour conscription. I manage to get a fairly good idea of events happening in England and it seems to me that the present method of recruiting is nothing more than a resort to the old system of Press Gangs; only in these modern days the weapons used to press men into service are slightly different from those in the old days. Men are urgently needed; but if men will not voluntarily come forward why press them to become volunteers. It would be far better in my opinion, to make them real conscripts than force them to become moral conscripts, which is exactly what is happening. Men are not joining now because of their desire to fight, but because they are ashamed of what may be said, if they don’t. Moral conscripts!

I hardly believe that my former comrades who have failed to join the colours are cowards. I cannot imagine any Englishman not wanting to fight for his country and yet that is the conclusion which everyone will come to if the ‘slackers’ are not very quick in deciding.

We are fighting against a nation who are evidently as brave and as clever as ourselves, and what is more – they seem to be united. Do not worry for me, dear dad, I shall pull through this alright and who knows? I may reach my cherished ambition, prove myself a great soldier in which case the war will have proved a boon instead of the reverse. I refuse to look on the other side of the possible. I am out to win. I am heart and soul in my work and endeavour to instil some of my regular training into the men of this new army. I have great cause to bless my instructor, Sergt. Stone at the School of Arms. The training had there has proved invaluable.

Remember me kindly to all my friends. I often think of the old days and wonder if everything is just as of old. It seems a long time since I was living at home and the future looks even further away, but I am quite confident that all will end well for you and me and although thousands of men have died fighting and thousands of homes have been wrecked through this horrible war, I feel convinced that I shall return in safety and our home will be just as I left it, many, many days ago. Goodbye, dearest dad, your deserved boy.”

S. E. Perry

Coalville Times article - Friday August 18th, 1916

Sergeant S. Perry, of the Leicestershire Regiment, son of Mr Samuel Perry, of Silver Street, Whitwick, has just arrived home from Bury hospital, and is making fair progress towards convalescence. He was in a great charge which the Leicesters made on July 14th, when they achieved their objective in driving the Germans from their trenches, which they afterwards held, though, as the lists have since proved, there were numerous casualties. Sergeant Perry was hit in three places by shrapnel, receiving many wounds over the right eye and on his right arm and leg. Before the war he assisted his father in the tailoring business and was a popular resident, particular with the younger element, since for several years he was the master of the Whitwick Troop of Boy Scouts. Many friends in Whitwick will wish him a speedy and complete recovery. Sergeant Perry informed the writer that several lads from Coalville and district were in his company when they captured the German trenches on that memorable fourteenth of July.

Coalville Times article - Friday March 23rd, 1917

Many friends will congratulate Sergeant S. E. Perry, of the Leicestershire Regiment, on having been granted a commission. The gallant officer has had much active service, and has twice been wounded. He is the son of Mr S. Perry, of Silver Street, Whitwick, where he was very popular before the war as Scoutmaster. Lieutenant Perry is now at home on leave, but is expecting orders shortly on being posted to a regiment.

Coalville Times article - Friday March 29th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

2nd Lieutenant S. Perry, son of Mr S. Perry, of Silver Street, Whitwick, and a former master of the Whitwick Boy Scouts, has been gassed, and is now in hospital.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 09/09/2017