Soldier Record

My Granddad, Harry Millward, died when my mother was three. Like so many World War One widows, his wife Nellie, and daughter Laura were reduced to tremendous poverty after his death. Granny tried to open a chocolate shop - spent all her money on stock - and it melted in the sunshine on the first day.

Mum and Granny moved South because Mum was offered better pay in Southsea than Bury. One of Mum's great sadnesses was to be only child. We have a battered suitcase of photos taken just before he went, cards from the front, the Death Plaque (the widows penny), medals, his tin that contained Rowntree chocolates from the Queen, which still has his pencil in it. There's the scroll from the King and the messages of sympathy from Bury council. Very precious memories.