How A #Lancaster #WW1 #Soldier Had His Life Saved By His #Wallet - Interview with John Murray (2014)

John Murray tells the story of his father Edwin, who's life was saved by his wallet whilst fighting on the battlefields of France during World War One.

Edwin Murray was the son of Lancaster Castle's stationmaster and grew up in the city along with his two brothers and four sisters.

At the age of 18, he signed up for the war effort shortly after its outbreak in 1914 along with his older brother Albert.

He joined the King's Own Royal Regiment and as a member of "C Company" he was sent to France in 1915.

During the conflict on the Western Front, Edwin was struck by a piece of shrapnel.

Remarkably, he survived as the shrapnel was deflected away from his heart by a wallet that he kept in the breast pocket of his tunic.

Edwin was still badly wounded as the shrapnel penetrated his lungs and his back.

However, there was no doubt that the wallet, which contained messages from his mother and photographs of his sisters and his comrades, saved his life

In an interview with The Bay's Amy Scarisbrick, John Murray tells us more about his father's remarkable story. Audio is property of The Bay Radio/CN Group and has been uploaded for portfolio purposes. Interview recorded in June 2014.