THE lives of First World War soldiers have been saved by pocket Bibles, bundles of letters from home, wallets and even bullet-stopping cigarette cases – but one Barrovian was spared from death by a Christmas cake.

Harry Nock, who was born in Goldsmith Street but spent most of his adult life in Canada, had carried his mum’s cake around for ages as a “reserve” in case his military rations were held up.

At the end of July, during the early weeks of the Battle of the Somme, Pte Nock, number 29052 was with the Furness men of the 1/ 4 th Battalion of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment when a group of soldiers was caught by German artillery.

What happened was described in the battalion’s official history which was written by Lt-Col Walter Wadham and Cpt J. Crossley.

The battalion had been at Meaulte, near Albert, on the Somme.

It noted: “On the night of 30 th/31 st July the battalion marched north and took over trenches on a line running south betweenTrones Wood and Guillemont, relieving remnants of the 30 th Division.

“In taking up position we were heavily shelled, losing 2/Lt Lincey and three other ranks killed and 12 wounded.

“Out artillery bombarded heavily all day, and we spent the day digging in, including a shallow German trench in their old line.”

Lt C. E. Lincey and L/Sgt William Steele Inman, 22, of Dragley Beck, Ulverston, were both buried close to where they had been killed at Flat Iron Copse Cemetery, Mametz.

Pte Nock was one of the wounded and was awarded a Silver War Badge to reflect his wartime injuries, as well as the Silver War medal and Victory Medal.

He described what happened to him – and the role of the Christmas cake – in an article in the Barrow News on August 19 in 1966.

Mr Nock, then of Selkirk Avenue, Hamilton, Ontario, said he still carried shrapnel in his body from 1916.

A century ago he served alongside Ulverston friend Bill Hemsley and the pair of them decided to keep the old fashioned Christmas Cake – containing silver threepenny pieces - which had been sent out by Harry’s mother as they were ordered forward.

The article noted: “Harry grabbed the cleanest sandbag he could find, stuffed the cake into it and slung it over his shoulder as they marched towards the front line trenches.

“Nearing the front line, the King’s Own came under heavy fire from the German artillery, and without warning a heavy German shell landed among Harry’s group of men.”

Pte Hemsley found his pal among the wounded, dragged him clear, revived him and helped carry him to the nearest stretcher bearers.

In 1966 Mr Hemsley said: “Harry’s wounds were dreadful. How he lived was a miracle.

“There was a tremendous hole in his back but the cake inside the sandbag had taken the initial blow.”

Surgeons at Fazackerley Hospital, near Liverpool, operated and removed currants, raisins, pieces of cake and threepenny bits from his body – later presenting him with what they had found on a plate.

As a youth, Mr Nock lived in Melbourne Street, Hindpool and went to school in the old mission hall in Clive Street.

He left school at 14 and started at Barrow Hoop Works – working from 6am to 5.30pm for two shillings (10p).

Mr Nock emigrated to Canada in 1913 but with the outbreak of war returned to Barrow to work in the shipyard.

He left the yard without permission, enlisted in the army at Ulverston and was given a uniform which was two sizes too big.