Corporal Edgar Ewart Boot, 58972

  • Batt - 30th Reserve Company
  • Unit - Machine Gun Corps
  • Section - 5th Battery
  • Date of Birth - 1894
  • Age -

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Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article – Friday October 23rd, 1914

DO YOU KNOW

That fifty of the Coalville Territorial recruits have been selected to make up the 5th Battalion Leicestershire about to go abroad?

(Edgar was one of these Famous ‘First Fifty’ as they would be forever remembered – only 22 would return)

Coalville Times article – Friday October 30th, 1914

LOCAL NEWS

Fifty of the Coalville Territorial recruits who have been selected to make up the 5th Battalion for France received their clothes yesterday preparatory to leaving for Luton to-day (Friday).

Coalville Times article – Friday October 30th, 1914

COALVILLE TERRITORIALS LEAVE THIS MORNING
ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF

Fifty of the Territorial Reserves selected to make up the 5th Battalion at Luton left Coalville for that place by the 9 o’clock train this morning (Friday) amid scenes of great enthusiasm. The railway station, bridge, and approaches thereto, were crowded with hundreds of people, and the Coalville lads had a much hearty send-off. The crowd included the Vicar, curate and many of the leading residents of the town and district. The Territorials looked very smart in their new uniforms and before they left they found in their pockets packets of cigarettes and chocolates, a pleasant surprise which a number of Coalville ladies and gentlemen had thoughtfully prepared for them. While waiting for the train they and the crowd sang “It’s a long way to Tipperary” and other popular martial airs, and the train left amid ringing cheers.

Coalville Times article – Friday November 6th, 1914

LOCAL CHIT CHAT

Several of the Coalville friends of the fifty Territorial Reserves who left here for Luton last Friday have received letters which show that the men are in excellent spirits. Upon arrival at Luton they were allotted to various companies and were billeted at houses in the town, being supplied with warm blankets, and the food was stated to be good and plenty of it. It is just possible that they may have left Luton by now, as a letter received from one of them yesterday, stated they were mobilising on Wednesday and were expected to leave for an unknown destination. Since arriving at Luton on Friday they have had gun practice, several long marches and engaged in mimic warfare.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 23rd, 1915

COALVILLE TERRITORIAL’S EXPERIENCE

Private Edgar E. A. Boot, of the 5th Leicestershire Territorials, son of Mr Arthur Boot, of Park Road, Coalville, writing to his father, says they were spotted by a sniper, with the result that one of them got his heel taken off. “A little after that, another of our chaps was on guard, and he just got up to have a look round when he got one through his cheek. Of course, he died very shortly afterwards.”

Coalville Times article - Friday October 22nd, 1915

COALVILLE SOLDIERS IN A BAYONET CHARGE

LEICESTERSHIRE TERRITORIALS EXPERIENCE

TWO GERMAN TRENCHES CAPTURED

Letters received in Coalville by friends on Tuesday, state that Pte. Cyril Bradshaw (Gutteridge Street), Pte. T. Usherwood and Lance-Corporal Usherwood (Highfields Street) three of the first 50 Territorials who went from Coalville and other local soldiers had just been through a bayonet charge in which they captured two German trenches. They are glad to say they came through all right and are now resting. Private Edgar Boot, son of Mr Arthur Boot was also in the charge and is now in hospital in Manchester, sick. Unfortunately, news is to hand of several losses, including Capt. Hastings, of Ashby, and Lieut. Moss of Loughborough.

Coalville Times article – Friday January 14th, 1916

One of the “Coalville Fifty,” Pte. Edgar Boot, son of Mr A. Boot, of Park Road, is at home on leave this week, after having been in hospital for three months, through being badly gassed by the enemy. He has not yet quite recovered from the effects of the gas, but is reporting himself at headquarters on Monday next.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 14/12/2017

Leicestershire Project Findings
  • Birth Place - Coalville
  • Other Memorials - Millfield Recreation Ground Hugglescote

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