PICKERING, H.S., 34 Lichfield Street, Gateshead, Durham.
Enlisted N.C.B. February 16th, 1915, aged 15½ years as a Bugler. Went to Bamburgh, then Saltfleet, Chapel St. Leonards, Skegness and Alford. At each of these places I served as Headquarters Bugler. At Alford I returned to the Company for ordinary duty, and on May 3rd, 1918, when the Battalion was at Burton Constable, I went on draft leave. On May 19th forty of us left for France with C.S.M. Cook at our head. We all joined 1st Northumberland Fusiliers in the line, Cook still being S.M. I stuck the trenches for six weeks until I was gassed on La Bassee Canal. I was one month in hospital, six weeks in convalescent camp at Trouville, and then passed B2 at the Medical Board and sent to look after prisoners of war at Havre, where I was promoted to full corporal. Demobilised May 7th, 1919.