Page 6 - The Spirit of Christmas 1940

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THE SOLDIER & THE STATION
I feel it is important, before jumpimg into the story, to explain
two major factors of the story and the real influences behind them.

Firstly, and to me most importantly, the soldier, Rifleman
William Snow. He was a very real soldier who served in WW1
as described later in this book and as stated, he was killed on the
date and during the battle also mentioned. How do I know all of
this? because he was my grandmothers uncle, Unfortunately very
few relatives of William remain today so I felt it would be fitting
to pay tribute to him by immortalising his name within this book,
albeit in a ficticious story.

But to me, William Snow has been more than a mere influence
for a book character. I first came upon him some years ago after
my sister carried out a search of our family tree. She mentioned
to me that she had found somebody who had served in the army
during the Great War and wondered if I could use my military
connections to research him. Well, I found the lot. The big clue
being the cemetary where he was buried. William lies in La
Neuville British War Cemetary, Corbie, France. This was just one
of the many graveyards used for those who fell during the Somme
campaign.

William was born in Smethwick, Staffs in 1894 and joined 11th
Bn Rifle Brigade. He was just 22 at the time of his death while

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