Page 12 - Life in Langham 1914-1919

Neighbours on Well Street

Prince, Rowett, and Nourish. Three of the 'lucky' families in

Langham whose children returned from the war.

Mrs Prince lived in this house with her son Charlie and daughters

Gladys, Gwendoline and Emily.

Gladys later married Tom Nourish.

Charlie Prince was thirteen in the 1911 census

so he cannot have been very old when he went
to war.

Mrs Prince received the following official

message on February 24th 1917:

The 1st Anzac Corps Commander has awarded the Military

Medal to CW Prince, R.F .A., for the following act of bravery:-

On January 31st 1917, whilst under heavy shell fire and in

extreme danger, assisting his Commanding Officer in

extinguishing a fire which broke out on an anti-aircraft gun

lorry [caused by a shell bursting ten feet away], and in

removing live rounds of ammunition to a place of safety.

Their cool behaviour and prompt action saved the complete

destruction of the gun lorry and some 800 rounds of ammunition, some of which were

actually exploded.

(Signed) WN Adams, Captain, R.F.A. (T), "O" Anti-aircraft Battery.

Needless to say, everyone in Langham is proud of this brave young soldier, who is well under

20 years of age. He was employed by Lord Ranksborough for some time before he was called

up. His mother has received many hearty congratulations on her son's noble example.
Grantham Journal March 3rd 1917

Annie Prince sent away

for a poster which

depicts a lucky escape,

the tube in which it was

delivered is to the right.

A relation of the

Nourish's had a similar

experience when a

bullet passed through

his bible and struck a

tin which was in his

pocket. See the poster:

“Mother Your Bible Saved Me”