Pte Basil Griffin (1878-1966) served in France with the Royal Berkshire Regt (No 28172). A market gardener of Manor Road in 1911, he had a wife and two sons and he enlisted when 38 years of age on 26th June 1916, having previously served in the Volunteers. A Bible presented to Basil by the National Bible Society of Scotland in 1916 whilst on active service is still in the family. His name and address of 2 Sandys Avenue, Wickhamford, were added long after the war as the houses on Sandys Avenue were not built until some time later.
Basil served the latter part of his time in the Labour Corps (No 96680) and was discharged on 23rd February 1919 having still been in France that January. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
We are grateful to Bob Griffin (Basil Griffin’s grandson) for allowing us to publish the above photos.