1862 J James

1/5 Leicester Regt

Transport Sec

Dear Mr,

            Just a few lines to say I got your letter, and was very pleased with it, i am going on nicely up to now, i had a letter from Miss Hunt, but i am sending a letter, we are having some rain, but never mind, we can stand it, we are having to keep our eyes open they are shelling in the next field to us, i hope we are going to win, but they are a bit hot some times, all the send there best love to you, and all there Friends, I think this is all this time, i will write again in a other week,

From  A Soldier Friend at the Front.

In envelope addressed to Rev T.W. Walters, Vicar of Whitwick, Leicester Rd, Whitwick, Leicestershire.  England.

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE T 46  26 JY 15

PASSED BY CENSOR 405 in triangular cachet in red.

25^th July 1916

Operation Orders for Gas Attack of –

1. Section Commanders will ensure that sections are organised into the necessary emplacement crews and orderlies.
2. Sections will parade at 5.45 p.m., ready for transport to trench head.
3. Parade in fighting order.
4. Sections will be inspected and watches synchronised.
5. Spanners and connection accessories will be carried by sections in labelled sandbags.
6. Brassards will be carried, but may not be worn until the front trench is reached.
7. On reaching front line, stores well be distributed, cylinders tested, connections made (finger tight only).
8. Officers will identify their approximate signal dug-out and report their arrival by sending wind message to O.C. COY.
9. Zero will be fixed before proceeding to the line, and discharge will take place without further warning unless wind conditions prove unfavourable.  If no postponement message is received, section commanders will carry on at their own discretion, discharging or not doing so at given zero.
10. As soon after zero as possible a message will be sent to O.C. Coy.

Discharge —-

No discharge —-

• Should no postponement occur, all connections should be made spanner tight at least ½ hour before zero.
• After discharge, or receipt of postponement message, pipes will be disconnected as soon as it is safe to do so (sprayers to be used if discharge has occurred), and will be returned to the dug-out, remaining there under guard detailed by the section commander.
• Wind messages should be forwarded to O.C. Coy., at 9 p.m., 10 p.m., and half hourly afterwards.

All wind messages, and other essential messages should be marked

PRIORITY.

1. The following codes will be used:

Wind Direction:

N  N.N.E. NE  E.N.E  E

0      1       2       3       4

E.S.E  S.E.  S.S.E.  S.

5           6        7       8

S.S.W.  SW  W.S.W.  W

    9       10       11       12

WNW   NW   NNW

   13      14     15

Velocity:  0 – 2 m.p.h A.

     2 – 6 m.p.h. B.

     6 plus          C.

1. Section commanders are entirely responsible for the final order for discharge, which is left entirely to their own discretion.
2. Arrangements for connections, accessories and all material are attached.

• Material –

Connections and parapet pipes –

The amount at the disposal of each section is shown, tabulated.

The whole will be carried in by infantry carrying parties.

Two reliable men (1 cpl.) and two pioneers from each section must parade outside workshops at 12 A.M. to check section material and place it in groups ready for loading .  They must parade again at 1.15 p.m. for loading and will proceed on lorries to trench head and guide infantry parties carrying connections, to their respective sectors.

They will be instructed whether to deposit their stores in a given dug-out or at emplacements.

Spanners and small accessories –

These, at the rate shown tabulated below, will be placed in labelled sandbags and carried up with sections.

Vermorel Sprayers –

These are provided, at the rate of 1 per bay, by Infantry Brigades 188 (&189).  One infantry man will be attached to each bay to work sprayers. 

He must be instructed in his duties.

Other stores, such as double male ends or adjustable wrenches can be drawn against receipt in the workshop.

Return of Spanners etc

being used in the trenches

25.7.16

Section	Universe	Box	Y.S.	L.S.	Clamps	Staples	Extra Staples
43	22	22	11	11	22	77	33
44	32	22	1	11	22	77	33
46	32	22	1	11	22	77	33
47	28	22	5	11	19	77	33
48	32	22	1	11	11	77	33
29	29	22	4	11	11	77	33
Total	175	132	23	66	107	462	198

Bottom of page torn off.

No 4564 5^th Leicesters Hut A 3

Enteric Depot, Dukes Hill Camp Woldingham Surrey.

July 25^th 016

Dear Rev Walters

            I have been considering what to write to you about, & seeing that you are a minister I thought I could not do better than give you my ideas regarding “Religion & War”, because these are the two fundamental topics of the Day, & many are asking the question “Is there and agreement between Religion & War?

Religion & War are contrasts, & as such claim the attention of men.  No person goes through life without the problems of Religion & War appealing to their soul.  At a first glance there seems to be no connection between the two, but I think they have the same relationship, as between Humanity & Divinity.

Between the human & divine there seems to be a gulf until the human realises that life is Divine, & that Divinity can so encompass Humanity that it is lost in the immensity of the life of God.

Just so is the connection between Religion & War.  “Truly the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence & the righteous take in by force.”  Today more need to be told that there is war.  The immensity of the struggle baffles human thought. Europe, once garbed in the beauty of spring, is stripped of her glory & today is saturated in blood.  Humanity is bleeding, & we see anew the scene of the Crucifixion.

Two forces are opposed to each other, & both armed to the teeth.  What does it all mean?  Why have war? It just amounts to this – “The righteous are taking the kingdom of heaven by force, & are endeavouring to plant it within those kingdoms which has misunderstood life, & have misinterpreted the Laws of Divine Justice.

“The Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence”.  Is there not a just & true connection between Religion & War.  War at its best is no “Good Business”, because it chiefly results in death & despair, yet, after all, force of arms may be necessary expedient to bring home the truth to the rebellious.  What I mean is this, & such a thought shows the fundamental connection between the two.

We believe that Germany is appointed to learn, through this terrible war, that there is a power above the state that works for righteousness, & that those who seek His Aid must allay themselves with Eternal Laws of truth, justice, & mercy.

Therefore to prove my opening statements I am asking myself a few questions, & I shall endeavour to answer them as far as possible in the light of scripture, so that we may really know what scriptures teaches us regarding Religion & War.

First of all then: Is it not possible to meet opposing physical forces of evil, with Spiritual forces which are infinitely more powerful?

To my mind the first call of life is, A defence of the defenceless & weak, yet I think the answer can best be given by those who have battled against those physical forces of evil which has found a manifestation in a degraded humanity.

National emotions & problems are never borne by the individual.  To the individual are two Divine commands given, one command effects him as an individual, the other command affects him as the subject of a King, & a unit of a nation.  To the individual the Divine command is:- “If you are smitten on the one side of the cheek, turn the other also”, but in national affairs the Divine command to the individual is: – “Submit yourselves to every ordnance of man for the Lord’s sake; whether it be to the King as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, & for the praise of them that do well.”  1 Peter. 2.13.14.

To my mind the great silence of the Scriptures regarding such problems as – “Should a wronged nation retaliate, or what course should an individual adopt after he has been smitten by an enemy on both cheeks”, is a matter of conscience, as God moves the nation or individual so should they act.

Defence of the right, if it causes death, is not murder.  For instance, I do not think for one moment that a person would be justified in standing aside, & not staying the hand of the murderer or robber who had come to ill-treat or rob their people, rather would it be a greater sin to allow an enemy to crush our people & ill-treat our loved-ones, than to put forth all our Spiritual. Moral, & Physical powers to stop the enemy from carrying out his evil designs.  And does not the same law apply in a national sense?  I think so.  Religion bids us go forth to do our duty, & commands us to use our Spiritual, Moral, Social, & Physical powers to repel an unscrupulous enemy whose sole design is greed & whose aim is to dominate the world without having regard to God & His eternal laws of Justice & Love.

If what I have said is true, then is not Religion a vital necessity in the life of a nation?

The nation that knows the true value of religion, the nation that honors God most, is the nation that offers the highest service to humanity, & displays the full meaning of the sacrifice of Calvary.

The great mistake many people make today is: – They seem to realise that the “Sacrifice of Jesus Christ” only affected “Jesus Christ Himself” insomuch that the “Sacrifice Himself” only fully realized the meaning of His Own Death when He suffered for the world.

Tis true “That God only knows the love of God”, but what I have learned is this:- Christ knew – He understood our state, & Offered Himself once for all, for the sins of the people, that all might be saved”, & that the saved should realize & truly know what that death meant.

The death of Christ was a sacrifice, not an individual act alone, to begin & end with the individual.  That Death was a revelation, revealing to us this fact; that the way to life is the way of sacrifice & sacrifice is Divine; therefore our Religion is the outcome of “That Wonderful Death”, thus it is a nation’s most valuable asset.

We too learn the full meaning of sacrifice when we do as Christ did, give ourselves for others, which is a heavenly service.  The remarkable feature about this war is: – that at the present moment seven Christian nations are engaged in the most deadly & destructive war that the world has ever witnessed, nations representing 3 great divisions of the Christian church – Greek, Catholic, & Protestant.

Is it not a fact that the Christian Religion has been the ostensible motive of many of the bitterest Wars?  I think so!  And on the one hand it shows the value of religion as a thing worth fighting for. & yet, on the other hand, it is sad that such a great part of the so called Church of God is blind to its own destiny.

I am here reminded of a remark made to Abraham Lincoln during the American War.  Said one to Lincoln “I hope the Lord will be on our side, Lincoln replied “About that I am not at all anxious my only concern is that we should be on the side of the Lord”.

Thus it is a vital necessity for the well-being of a nation that God & Religion should be pregnated in its life, for where God is known & adored there is victory.

The right knows no defeat; it may have its struggles; its trials may be immense, but it surges on & on, till it becomes enthroned, not only in human hearts, but on the mount of God.

Truth has well said:- “Right is might & as such it can be evidenced in Religion & War, but what we pray for is:- that the time may be near when right need only be evidenced in Religion & War becomes a thing of the past.

But we must look beyond.  The future must appeal to us if we have any vision whatever.  Thank God we can see the dawn of a New Day, & “The World’s New Hope” stands resplendent in heavenly majesty urging us on to mightier effort.

Such a mingling of blood as is shed today becomes a sacrament, & the near future will see its fruits.  No sacrifice is in vain, glory always bestows her rewards, though she makes a stern demand on the sons of men.

We are now witnessing the sowing of the seed in the anguish of the nations but those that come after – what harvest shall they reap, what fruit shall they gather, when new heaven & new earth shall rise before them in all their splendour.

“Hope on, Hope ever!  though today be dark, the sweet sunburst will smile on thee tomorrow”.

Thank God today we hear the Voice of the New Humanity, & realize that Heaven lies about us.

And now I come to my last thought, & it is this:- Is a Christian justified in taking up arms in view of the saviour’s teaching “Thou shalt love thine enemies.”  Today we have many conscientious objectors, & they reveal a diversity of opinion regarding Christ’s teaching to men.  But such persons seem to me to have a one-sided view of religion.  They oftimes forget that chastisement & stern punishment is akin to love.

Love is not abstract, it is real, & objective, capable of many interpretations.

It is a Father’s heart of love that compels God to sometimes deal drastically with His children, & it is from a heart of love & sympathy, that Christian people defend the weak & helpless & keep back “the enemy from our gates”.

Of course “conscientious objectors” have a right to live, but they have not a right to their opinions where truth & justice is involved.

Still, there is an incident in our Saviour’s life that has given me an endless amount of thought, & it is this: – The 1^st time Christ sent out His disciples he said, Take one coat each, but not scrip or purse, & you will get your living by the way.

The 2^nd time he sent them forth He said:- Sell what thou hast, & buy a sword.  Now, as followers of Jesus Christ what need had they of a sword?  Was not the Divine Presence sufficient for them?  Methinks the Master knew of their perils & needs, or Peter would never have been girded with a sword at his Master’s trial.  The mystery of the Scripture is, the work left to conscience.  And so I believe today that the brave men who are giving their life for their Country are revealing the Christian Spirit, & the fathers & mothers who, in sternly consenting to duty, have not withheld their sons, even their only son they also are repeating in their self-surrender the Mystery of the Cross.  A touching story is recorded of a youth who has since fallen in battle.  When in the trenches he desired a comrade to convey a message to his home “Tell them” he said “how sorry I am to have given them so much trouble, but that I will try & make some amends by doing my best for England.”

“To him who loveth much, much is forgiven “Out of common danger human kinship grows & unites in the bonds of a common sympathy.  Therefore to stand for right & truth is to render to God & the world a noble service.

I am pleased to tell you that I am now doing well, & as soon as I can come home I will call upon you.  I do sincerely pray that God will abundantly bless you & your work in the coming “Mission of Repentance & Hope.  I pray that many may be turned to God & find in Him a refuge in the time of storm.

If you have the time I should be pleased to hear from you as soon as possible.

From your Sincere Friend

J.W. Brotherhood

To Rev Walters.

S.P. If there are slight mistakes anywhere in my letter it is because of it being rather, & I am in a great hurry.  J.W.B.

In envelope addressed to Rev T.W. Walters M.A., Vicar of Whitwick, Whitwick Vicarage, Leicester-shire.

Letter postmarked CATERHAM VALLEYS SURREY 26 JY 16 also on the back COALVILLE LEICS 27 JY 16.

Crest of the High Commissioner of

Union of South Africa.

32, VICTORIA STREET,

WESTMINSTER, S.W.

25^th July 1916

Dear Colonel Purcell,

            I have your letter & will be very pleased to arrange for the safe custody of the Flag & Shield presented to you last Friday, I can receive them whenever you send them up.

How splendidly our men have fought & borne themselves in the very kernel of the greatest battle of the war – yet how heavy the toll taken.  Delville Wood will be a proud & solemn name for ever in South African history.  It concerns me to learn that you expect to go over soon, knowing how you will be missed from your present responsible command.  If you go, you will add perk spirit & zeal to our small force, – small in numbers but in valour & purpose great; & you will have the earnest wishes of all South Africans with you & your officers & men.  I trust that a very high percentage of our recent casualties may prove to be not serious or ********** ***** but even so the losses are very heavy.

With best wishes & ****** regards

Yours sincerely

W.P. S*******

.

In envelope addressed to Lt. Col. Purcell, D.S.O.

South African Infantry

Bordon

Hants.

Postmarked LONDON OFFICIAL PAID but date unreadable.

At foot of envelope  HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA and the round cachet thereof.  In pencil on envelope “Flag & Shield”

and

Rubber and Connections being used in the trenches.

25.7.16

Sec	Fourway	Twoway	Single	Para pipe	Remarks
43	52	2	2	55
44	52	2	2	55
46	52	2	2	55	Connections given require 56 *** pipes
47	52	2	2	55
48	52	2	2	55
29	52	2	2	55
Total	312	12	12	330

V. Lefebure

Capt RE

Note on back:- Sap 15 to Right Flank of Angres I will not be reoccupied until Lt Beesley has reported it clear to O.C. Right Company at the latter’s H.Q.

24^th July 1916.

ARMY ORDER.

VII. – LEAKAGE OF MILITARY INFORMATION. – There is reason to believe that information concerning operations is being conveyed by officers and men of the British Army in the Field to their relatives at home, either personally, by letter or by telegram, and that in some cases, a code has been elaborated to facilitate the communication of information which would otherwise be stopped by the Censors.

It is to be regretted that at this stage of the war it in necessary to explain to all ranks that the sole object of the field censorship and of all the other steps taken to prevent the leakage of military information is to secure substantial gains with the least possible loss.

Each officer or man who privately transmits information (even to those on whose discretion he may have the most complete reliance) inevitably facilitates the task of the enemy’s agents and indirectly sacrifices the lives of his comrades.

This fact should be impressed on all officers and men, so that all ranks may co-operate to ensure that the progress of the Army is not imperilled or rendered more costly by the criminal folly of a few individuals, who if discovered will be severely dealt with.

=======================

By Command of the Army Council.

(Signed) R.H. BRADE.

Note. – A copy of this Army Order will be issued to every officer serving in the Army, who will bring it continually to the notice of those serving under him.