From the Bexhill-on-sea Observer, Saturday May 8 1915
BEXHILL ENGINEER SAVED BY A PRAYER BOOK
This prayer book was pierced by a German bullet when carried in the breast of Sapper T. Errey.
Last week we published a brief statement to the effect that Sapper T. A. Errey, one of the Bexhill members of the Engineer Company, had been wounded in the head during the course of the fighting.
We are now enabled to publish some further particulars of the affair, which go to show that Sapper was struck in the eye, and the organ has since had to be removed in Charring Cross Hospital on Wednesday last.
Just before this, the gallant soldier had a couple of narrow escapes.
While engaged in laying mines on Hill 60 felt something strike his chest, and upon making an examination found that he had been hit by a bullet which had, however, embedded itself in a prayer book which he was carrying in his breast pocket.
Had it not been for this he undoubtedly would have been seriously wounded, if not killed. The prayer book was one of a number which were given to the Bexhill Engineers before they went away from the town by Mr C. H. Fowler of Broad Oak Dairy Farm, Little Common.
The photograph above shows very clearly where the bullet pierced the prayer book.
The second escape that Sapper Errey had was when a shell burst and killed and wounded so many of the Engineers outside their billet. He was talking with Sapper Henshaw only a few minute before, and after the shell had exploded turned round and found his friend lying dead on the ground.