1535: Frederick Henry Dyer (diary; letters; cards; photographs)

<p dir="ltr">Frederick Dyer enlisted in the army in 1909, joining the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (Xth foot), Leytonstone. </p><p dir="ltr">He was discharged in May 1914 and recalled as a reservist in August 1914. He was a Pte - Army No. 8640. </p><p dir="ltr">He kept a diary which gives the following information: <br>-13th August 1914. Embarked with the BEF on SS Norman, arriving in France on 14th August. <br>-14th - 16th August. 18 hour train journey to arrive at French barracks. <br>-20th August. Waiting for artillery to arrive. <br>-23rd/24th August. Battle of Mons. Big battle. Many wounded and killed. <br>-25th. All day and night march. <br>-26th. Big battle. Major TooGood wounded. <br>-27th. All day and all night march (26 miles a day) <br>-27th. German village shelled. <br>-31st August - 5th September. Divisional training. <br>-10th - 12th September. Inspection from 3rd Division. <br>-14th September. "Great Retirement" - Organised retreat - the Lincoln's suffered many losses. <br>-15th - 19th September. Army manoeuvres besieging the German positions. <br>-20th - 26 September. In trenches waiting for the Germans. <br>-20th October. Receives a parcel from his girlfriend. End of diary. </p><p dir="ltr">There is evidence from letters that he had been wounded by 3rd December. Notes written during a 'big battle' - 1st Battle of Ypres, were found with messages 'If he should die.' </p><p dir="ltr">He was badly wounded during 1st Battle of Ypres, with a bullet wound between the spine and the shoulder blade. There are photos from this period. </p><p dir="ltr">Frederick Dyer was invalided out of the army on 2nd August 1915. His Major wrote him a letter of recommendation for any future employers. </p><p dir="ltr">He was awarded three WW1 medals: 1914 Star, Mons bar, and 'Pipsqueak and Wilfred'.</p>