At some point grandfather became a machine gunner, which meant he was part of an eight man team that operated a Vickers machine gun. One man would carry the gun, another the tripod and the rest would be carrying belt boxes (the bullets). It was water-cooled (thatŐs the jug at the front of the illustration). It would shoot 450 to 600 rounds per minute.
Percy's Story
Back in Oshawa, Canada, Percy Slade, the fourth youngest brother joined the 15th Canadian Battalion (also known as the 48th Highlanders) and was sent to France. He was 19 at the time, 5 ft. 4 inches, 135 pounds and listed his trade as a farmer. He became the batman (or orderly) to Regimental Sergeant Major Fred Gledhill (who was made RSM at the amazing age of 19). Percy was wounded in the leg on Oct. 10th, 1916 and returned to duty in May of 1917.
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