Grandads Maggots

A Memory of Pontefract.

I was a Brownie as a young girl and a very accomplished one too. I had an armful of Badges which had been ever so carefully sewn all the way down the sleeve of my uniform by my Mother.
As a Brownie i took part in the Remembrance day service each year. All the Youth organisations took place along with the Colliery bands and of course those who had fought in the wars and survived and current members of The KOYLI. The Kings Own Light Infantry
I remember feeling very proud as we marched. As a KOYLI Survivor of WW1 my Grandfather would be stood waiting at The War Memorial. I don't think I truly understood what it was all about but my Grandfather had told me of his 6 black horses who pulled the Maxam gun, who he slept with and cared for all the way through those dark years! His pride in them and his absolute devastation at not being allowed to bring them home after the war. As he stood and remembered his fallen comrades I have no doubt in my mind that he also remembered his beloved team of blacks. Indeed when he was buried his coffin was carried on the Maxam gun carriage. It was pulled by a team of six and members of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry fired volleys of shots over his grave as he was laid to rest. I have his Obituary and The funeral write up which were placed in the newspaper of the day.
My favourite memory of my Grandad though was playing with his buckets of brightly coloured maggots!! -He was a keen fisherman in later life- I thought they were amazing and ran my fingers through them happily!!!!