executed.18th manchesters

[mack]

pte 9814 harry,toplis bardsley.C.coy

i didnt go over the top on the 1st july because i was in the transport section,we were taking bombs+ammo up to the front,we couldnt dismount from the mules because if we did,they would turn round and take off because of the shell fire,we had to sit up on our mules while everyone else was taking cover,two young lads from my lot,ingham and longshaw,came back suffering with shell shock,they were later executed for desertion,our RSM tried to get them let off,but there was no hope,he was a hard man and a veteran from the boer war,but he broke down in tears when they were shot

pte 9814 harry,toplis bardsley,18 lloyd st,heaton norris