Help

I would really appreciate it if those that find my blog interesting would go to their local library and request my book. It is very hard for new authors to find a publisher and if they, like I did, self-publish, book outlets, such as libraries, bookstores and other sources of distribution turn their backs on the diamonds in the rough.

Therefore I must call on my fellow compatriots to help me tell my grandfather's story by asking libraries and bookstores if they carry "The Great Promise" by Frederick L Coxen

ISBN:  1463702930
Published by CreateSpace

Thank you

Joining The RFA 1905

I was born in Twickenham in 1888 to Richard Enos Coxen and his wife Alice. My father was a sailmaker by   trade so he needed to be close to the Thames in order to service the ships. Later we moved to Battersea where our family expanded to seven children.

In order to continue my education I decided to join the Royal Field Artillery in 1905 and in 1907 I received both my third and second class certificate of education in composition. At that time I was serving in the 55th Battery

By 1909 I held the rand of Bombardier and was a signalman. I was in Ireland  in the summer of 1909 training on how to use the new field telephones when my picture was taken.

My plan was to obtain an education and training so that I could leave the regular service and join the RFA reserves. By 1911 I had served the required six years of regular service but before I left, I received my Assistant Instructor's Certificate for Signalling.

With more time on my hands I joined the Electrician's Union and became an electrician. I was living with my family at 28 Berkley Street and meet the love of my life who happened to live at 32 Berkley Street. In 1912 we were married in the Perish Church in the Perish of St Mary Lambeth, London.

In 1913 my wife and I were blessed with a baby girl we named Doris and we moved to 93 Rectory Lane, Tooting Bec Commons.

The news papers were filled with talk of war in Europe and after the Arch Duke was assassinated it seemed certain that there would be war between Germany and France. Parliament and the people were against going to war to support France but when Germany invaded Belgium we were all in for supporting a neutral country, besides, if France lost the war German forces would occupy the French ports along the English Channel.

We I came home from work on August 4th my dear wife told me that Parliament declared "General Mobilization", which meant that we were at war with Germany.

JOURNAL ENTRY

August 4th
“General Mobilization”, will it be declared? This was the thought with me all day, after my dear wife first gave me the news. But then I could not believe it, until we walked to the post office and saw the official declaration.Then I knew I would have to leave my home and dear ones — for “Where”, that was my one great thought. Until then I never realized what it all meant.
With the conflicting thoughts of my dear ones, along with fascination that I was going to participate in a “real scrap”, my mind was in a real whirl, and was so until I left home the next day for Newcastle on the Tyne. And then — “Where?”
On August 5th I was to report for duty, so my wife and dear baby daughter walked with me to the train station where I was to catch the train to Newcastle.  
 

I can't believe it

I'm giving away access to my book to those that are interested and very few have responded. Let me refresh everyone's memory.

Follow this link in order download the PDF file. The Great Promise

Free Down Load of The Great Promise

I decided to offer free downloads of THE GREAT PROMISE to the first 800 people. The only thing I request is that those that download the book please review it and post their review on their facebook page, tweeter, or on this blog site under comments. If you really like it, please ask your librarian to order it. Thank you and enjoy.

 To down load the book go to my web site  wwone100yearanniversary.com and click on the "released book" tab on the menu. Find the PDF button and click on it and save it to your computer.

Enjoy.

Interesting Career

I've been trying to piece together my grandfather's military career and it has turned up some interesting things. He served in the Royal Field Artillery from 1905 to 1919 but his duties varied.

• From Aug 1914 to 1915 he served the 40th battery, 43rd Brigade.
• He received a field commission to 2nd Lt
• In May 1916 he was sent to review the AA batteries around Liverpool and remained with them until Nov 1916. During this time he acted as Adjutant of the defense batteries.
• With AA experience he was called back to the RFA and sent to Paris to command an AA battery
• In early 1918 he was loaned to the newly formed Royal Air Force to manage payroll. While with the RAF he wore a RAF uniform and was trained to fly. He was also promoted to Capt. The RFA requested his return but the RAF said that he was too important in his current position so they refused. 
• His career ended in 1919 when the RAF was disbanded. 
• Attached are some documents

Western Front Association

Just received an email from the London Branch of the Western Front Association showing their speakers for 2013. I'm on for Sept 5th. Now I have to create a 45 minute presentation and find a way to pay for the trip. This is an exciting opportunity to promote my book, tell my grandfather's story and donate his documents to the Imperial War Museum.

While in London I want to visit the National Archives to perform a search of the 43rd Brigade's diary and to see if there are any documents on the 40th battery.

I'll also be united with my second cousins, which will be marvelous. Perhaps I'll meet a few others I've been in contact with through various website and blogs.

Could it be?

I posted a request on "Great War Forum" for anyone that may have had a relative that served in the 43rd Brigade, 40th battery RFA. Today I checked to see if I received a reply and was again impressed with the depth of knowledge.

A member added the following response:
I have a few names of men in 40th Bty in 1914
Shoeing Smith George Henry Beardmore  49286    
Gunner Harry Bloor 70835    
Saddler Staff Serjeant Thomas J Boyton  19980    
Serjeant Percy Bramwell 33916
Driver William Brittain  73069    
Lieutenant  D J  Handford    
Driver George  Hillyard  73070    
Corporal George James  Hodge 42275
Gunner  Christopher Johnson 2725         
Gunner  Harry  Walsh 74411 

Then he added:
Having done a little checking 40th Bty was created in 1913 from what had been 148th Bty during the reorganization of Brigades and some of them can be identified in the 1911 census records of 148th Bty - then stationed at Woolwich - I can see that Boyton, Bramwell and Hodge [see above] were all serving in 148th Bty in spring 1911.... as was Driver William John Glew ...and Driver Frank William Taylor

Suddenly a thought struck me! Could William John Glew be Bobby Glue? Since my grandfather referred to Percy Bramwell as George, could he have used Bobby instead of Billy? Then what about the Driver, Frank William Taylor. Might this be Pudgie Taylor?

I replied to his post by giving him the particulars about the death of Bobby Glue and that he and Pudgie Taylor died in one of the battles of Ypres. I added that I believe it might have been the first battle of Ypres since my grandfather's letter stated that he lost his friends within the first few months of the war.

In my grandfather's journal he states the "Hodge" (his lube off-man) was killed. 

Wouldn't this be a find!!!