FRYER, Oscar Harry

Oscar Fryer was the son of James Fryer of Market Harborough and lived at ‘St Helens’, Claughton Road, Dudley. He attended Claughton School and volunteered for the Worcester Territorials. After training he served in the 1/7th Battalion who went to the Western Front in March 1915. They were stationed at Hébuterne on the quiet sector of the Somme during the rest of 1915 where their task was to prepare for the 1916 Battle of the Somme. They went into the front line for its second phase and on 13th August they took over trenches at Ovillers including the important Skyline Trench which had been much fought over. Their main attack occurred on the 21st August when the fighting continued into the night without gaining new ground. Private Oscar Fryert was killed in action on that day. He was 20 years of age and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He is also commemorated on St. John’s, Kates Hill, and Claughton school Memorials.