THE father of local historian Philip Jarvis was one of those who fought in the battle.
Philip, who organised a vigil at the war memorial in the Peace Gardens at 12noon today (Friday) said: “My late father, Kenneth B Jarvis served with the Warwickshire Regiment during the Battle of the Somme.
“He never spoke about it or told me anything about his experiences, all I know is that he was invalided home before returning to join the army of occupation in Cologne.
“During the last war, because of his wartime experience, he was a sector warden for the ARP (Air Raid Precaution).
“He was educated at St Stephens School which was then in Archer Road.
“His first job after leaving school was with the law firm Whiteley & Pickering as an office boy, he then had a brief spell at the Royal Enfield Cycle Co.
“After the war in 1924 he joined Ernest Clarke who was the founder of Clarkes Spring Manufacture, then in 1932 he was appointed company secretary.
“He retired in 1964 and died in 1975.”
