大象传媒

Historian Jonathan Catton has a particular interest in World War One, his grandfather Percy served as a corporal in the Royal Field Artillery.

As a child Jonathan recalls playing with his grandfather's three Great War Medals.听 He only knew Percy for a few years as he died when Jonathan was young.

Jonathan has been following Percy's history as a Thurrock soldier with information he's found in local newspapers and by talking to members of his family.

Percy initially joined the Territorial Army, when war was declared in 1914 he joined the Royal Field Artillery in Grays.听 He spent five years away from Thurrock - spending time in Gallipoli, France and Ireland.听 During his time in service he was billeted in High Wycombe where he met Ada Drake who he later married.听 Percy was shot in the last year of the war and then taken as PoW.听 He returned to the UK in 1919.

Jonathan has been keen to find out more about the man behind the medals - where he went and where he fought.