Skegness Magazine

Struck by a Shell in a Dug-out

Source: Skegness, Mablethorpe and Alford News 1915

In a letter to his parents at Halton Rectory, Spilsby, Lieut, H. C. Disbrowe, 1st Lincolns, tells how Capt. E. M. Grantham, of that regiment, was killed at the front.
His death was officially announced on Friday week.
The letter dated 28th February, 1915 states:-

“I am afraid I have a very sad tale to tell.
Yesterday I was in a dug-out with Capt. Grantham, a sergeant-major, and two telephone orderlies. About four o’clock in the afternoon four shells came along. The first just missed the dug-out.
The next two dropped right in almost simultaneously, and Capt. Grantham was killed instantaneously. Two men were hit badly. I, sitting opposite to Capt. Grantham, was stunned for a minute or two, and more or less buried. However, when I came to, the first thing me eyes fell on was the poor captain. He never stirred.
The shell must have dropped right on him.
The men were very cut up about it, and some of them wept when they saw the captain.”

Captain EDWARD MASON GRANTHAM

1st Bn., Lincolnshire Regiment who died age 45 on 27 February 1915.
Son of Col. and Mrs. Grantham of West Keal Hall, Spilsby; husband of Frances Evelyn Grantham, of West Keal Hall, Spilsby, Lincs.
Remembered with honour

Commemorated Bedford House Cemetery. Enclosure No: 3. A.5.

WEST KEAL WAR MEMORIAL
The clock in the church tower was installed in May 1930 to the glory of God and to the dear memory of Edward Mason Grantham. Captain, Lincolnshire Regiment who fell at Ypres on 27th February 1915. It is a gift from his wife and children. Peace and goodwill to all mankind.