Among the keswick lads injured in the big advance at La Boisselle is private Tom Thwaite, Northumberland Fusiliers, second son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Thwaite, Barrons Yard, Keswick.
He was injured in the thigh and right hand by shrapnel and lay for twelve hours before coming round. He is now in hospital at Portsmouth and write cheerfully to his parents expressing satisfaction at having got through when so many of his mates went down. He had to face the Prussian Guards, but he does not speak very highly of them. Jack Peet, Hendersons Court, was in the same company, and nothing has been heard of him since the great battle.
The fourth son, private Ernest Thwaite, enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery, soon after the war broke out, writing from France last week, he says " we aren`t half giving them steel; we are under fire but we can do it " The eldest son private Robert Thwaite, is in the London Rifles. The third son Frank was in the local Territorials when the war broke out, and went to Mandalay with the 1/4th Border Rgt.
The fifth son Alfred joined the 4th Borders, but was discharged due to physical infirmity that prevented him passing for foreign service. The sixth son Fred is married and joins the forces at Carlisle today . The seventh son Harold, has just turned 18, he has attested and is looking forward to the time he is called up, the remaining children are daughters.
The father is employed at Banks and Companys Pencil Mill ( Birbecks ).