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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 148

Pair: Reverend P. F. Foottit, Royal Army Chaplains Department, who was nicknamed the 'Duckboard King' for his eccentric habit of riding a motorcycle over trench duckboards at high speed; he was also a talented artist who painted many watercolours of the trenches and No Man's Land

British War and Victory Medals (Rev. P. F. Foottit.), good very fine (2)

Percival Frederick Foottit was a graduate of Durham University and later Lincoln Theological College. Having been ordained in 1912 he became a Curate in the Diocese of Bristol and joined the Royal Army Chaplains Department in 1917. Serving in France from 20 May 1918, he served in the trenches, where his odd blend of watercolour painting and thrill-seeking high-speed adventures earned him his affectionate nickname.

Continuing in service until 1920, Foottit returned to Bristol and was made Rector of Burton Pedwardine the next year, a position he held until 1930. As his father and grandfather had both been Rectors of this parish it was his 'gift' - although unusually he left in 1930 only to return in 1936: it is uncommon for Rectors to patronise the same parish twice. Foottit died in 1961; sold together with copied research comprising photographs, an M.I.C. and a typed biography.

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Sold for
£190

Starting price
£60