22812 Rfn W.J.C. Brown

C Co 24^th (R) KRR

North Camp

Cambois Nr Blyth

Northumberland

July 28 1916

My dear M^r Walters,

            As I have a half hour to spare, I feel that I cannot spend it to any better advantage than by writing to you.

            Since I wrote to you last little of importance has happened, and days have passed with their usual monotony.  I have now been in the Army twelve weeks and have passed through my preliminary drills which certainly were very monotonous and wearying, but which however have to be experienced.  I also have “fired my course” returning to the camp here from the Ranges at Whitley Bay two weeks ago.  The weather condition during the fortnight there were not at all favourable, but we had to make the best of the circumstances prevailing, Whitley is quite an attractive sea-side resort frequented by Novocastrians to a great extent, and, our stay there provided us with quite a pleasant change from our usual routine here.  We were very sorry to turn our backs on Whitley.  I expect to have my bombing course during the next few weeks, then my first and final leave of six days, after which I can prepare for “yonder” as it is called in the camp.  I am greatly looking forward to my visit home, as I believe, my people are doing.  Unluckily, the leave is restricted here to a great extent, and only 36 hours are allowed to us, and that short time would be of little or no use to me as I am about 250 miles from home, and the train service is very poor from Blyth to Coalville.

The battalion is at full strength now, and is composed partly of Londoners and partly of Northerners.  The different countrymen agree exceedingly well together and practically the only grievance among the Londoners is that they have been sent so far from home and are not allowed sufficient leave to enable them to get home.  The majority of them are married men.  The battalion is a reserve one and drafts are sent from it as they are required.  About seventy men have been sent to date, and we are expecting that a draft will be sent out almost every week.

We have a very fine set of officers both commissioned & non-commissioned, and many of them have experienced warfare on one front or another, and so we get a very good training from men who have had practical experience, and who know what will be expected of us.

Our chaplain is quite a thorough man and quite popular amongst us.  He carries out his work in a very able manner.  There has already been one confirmation for us soldiers in the district, and there is to be another one on Tuesday next by the Bishop of Newcastle in Blyth.

The weather has improved greatly this last week, and the camp has dried up after the long spell of wet weather we have experienced.  We are all very pleased it has done so, as it was beginning to smell very unhealthy, and would have caused sickness amongst us had it continued very much longer.

I trust that everything is going well at Whitwick and that you are enjoying the best of health.

With very kindest thoughts

believe me

Sincerely & respectfully yours

Cecil Brown

P.S. I shall be pleased to receive a magazine for August if you have one to spare.

In envelope addressed to The Rev T.W. Walters, Whitwick, Lester.

Letter postmarked BLYTH 29 JY 16. 11.15 AM.

27 July 1916

Telephone 7538 Victoria

5, Vincent Square Mansions,

Westminster,

S.W.

Dear Colonel Purcell,

I was so sorry not to find Mrs Purcell at home yesterday when I called.  I hope she will call to see me when she is in London.

I hope I made it clear to you that I did not come to make enquiries into your administration but to ascertain whether the War Office were providing properly for the S. Africans.  Who *** all the *** *** come from a hot to a cold country & that they receive so little pay.

Therefore I did not come so much to tell you what I had been doing – but to find out – if I could – from yourself – whether you were satisfied with the arrangements.

After seeing you I saw some other men of the Scottish (well educated & *****) who said that nothing could be better than the food itself – but it was quite spoiled in the cooking & that I ought to have been there at dinner time to see it.  This *** *** I am reporting to yourself not to the War Office.

They also told me that the Quebec Barracks – where I went – was *** quite recently & *** it was the Alexandra Park Bks which were **** **** that the soldiers had been & some was still there – but that all the men were now being moved into ** Quebec & that men would be sent to the Alexandra until the men came from “German” East.

So – if again S. Africans are sent to the Alexandra again I shall complain to the War Office – as that will be their doing not yours.

Many thanks for the kindness with which you received me

Yours sincerely

Marian T Mason.

In envelope addressed to Colonel Purcell S. African Forces Bordon Hants.  Postmarked LONDON S.W.  3.15 P.M.  27 JUL 16.

Flanders

July 27^th 1916

My dear Harry,

I received Ethel’s parcel and letter on the 25^th.  There were no letters that day.  Yours came yesterday.  I sent Ethel a postcard yesterday which will probably arrive at the same time as this letter.  This is the first opportunity I have of writing and thanking you for the parcel.  The butter arrived in the pink of condition and at a very opportune moment.  The cake disappeared so quickly that there is no doubt as to its popularity.  The books, toothbrushes & ginger are all coming in very handy.  It was very sensible indeed of you to take the twelve days.  I hope you both have a decent little holiday.  If the weather is the same as ours you couldn’t have it better.  There must be no doubt about your going to the sea side.  Go.  This time I am in the front line and we have had a warmer time of it.  There has been any amount of shell activity.  Rifle grenades, which have a small danger zone, have been very common.  Trench mortars I believe they have visited us once daily.  They are huge things and as dangerous as the largest of shells.  They are very high explosives & vary from 15 lbs to 200 lbs. I think.  When they are coming over we get out of our dug-outs & watch for their arrival.  I believe trench mortars are the only things you can see coming over.  They look like tremendous black sausages.  Aerial torpedoes and Silent Lizzies also abound.  The former have three explosions.  We send a little stuff over & get quick returns.  Fritz & Co are very cute.  They send one or two trench mortars & we are out of our dug-outs when they start rifle grenades, silent lizzies and the torpedoes – quite a shell salad.  A rifle grenade burst on the wall opposite our dug-out entrance, pushed one of our chaps right inside &  shook up the other two.  I was on duty elsewhere at the time & didn’t have any as close as that.  Of course every one of us has a tale of a bit of shell being only a few inches off & other narrow escapes.  I’ve had a couple of rifle grenade bits rather close myself.  The middle of last night however was the tit-bit.  I am not allowed to say what we did but anyway it resulted in a very hot bombardment.  The light from explosion flashes, star shells, signals & smoke made it like daytime.  There is no doubt we upset them considerably.  We were very affectionately disposed towards the bottom of the trenches.  I was on duty all day yesterday also almost all night so I am very tired this morning.  How did you find out where Bernard was?  I guessed that is where he would be.  I am wondering if you have any idea of our locality.  I tell Mother very little & often mention things to you that I might tell her but which escape my mind at the time I write, so tell her if there is anything you think she would like to know.  Whilst we were out last time three of us went to a town very close to our camp & followed your advice by having a bottle of rattling champagne between us.  Needless to say we like it very much.  We had a meal there, each bought an aluminium ring made from part of a German shell & several other things in the eating line.  We did champagne in style by having cigars at the same time & propose a similar outing at a very early date.  The last time I heard from Mother – four or five days ago – she was at Ross and seemed quite well.  Olive was still away at Neyland.  The Colonel caused a notice to be issued to each company about commissions.  If you eventually obtain a commission four & a half months have passed since you applied for it.  The next five lines in the original are censored out.  The applicant has to be prepared to spend a couple of months in a Young Officers School & pass examinations.  The next three lines in the original are censored out.  Now what do you think of it?   Very few people want to be left half an hour longer in the army than possible; although I suppose it’s O.K. in peace times.  What on earth is to prevent a man resigning his commission?  How can they?  I suppose they would make you swear volumes.  I have not applied yet but I expect I shall.  It is said that in the event of nearly everyone applying it is most probable we would be turned into an O.T.C.  Now I will write a few lines to Ethel & wish you goodbye

            Yours as ever,

                        Alan.

My dear Ethel,

Thank you very much for the parcel.  I have told Harry it arrived in perfect trim.  The writing pad affair is great.  We had an extra pocket made in our tunics & it was then discovered it was useless for the purpose intended, namely of carrying the second gas helmet, and the wallet just fits the pocket nicely.  I don’t care if the ginger is good for me, I like it.  Very few of my chums like it but I make them have some now & then.  It was a great pity the screen went.  You must swot up the prices of everything in future.  Still you don’t want to have to cart out more furniture than you can help until you are fixed up, although, on the other hand, antiques are rarer in England by long chalks.  From time to time I see a few odds and ends that I think I would like over here but I don’t seem to think they are much good & in any case it is impossible for me to get anything & store it or send it home.  There are any amount of things you ladies would find handy in the household such as casseroles, fruit preserving jars & all sorts of sticks that cannot be obtained in England.  In many little ways I have noticed but forgotten they have an advantage over us.  I wonder where you are going.  I do hope it’s a decent place near Cardiff.  Would you like to be in a small county town or a fairly large town?  In several of the French shops the proprietors have to be beaten down & whether they know we soldiers know it or not I don’t know.  If I want a thing I give them whatever they ask.  I am not at all keen on haggling with a French dame on something that costs a franc.  I was very amused the other day.  A fellow in some other battalion went into a shop for some tooth paste & I heard the lady say one franc four-pence.  The chap hum and har’d & finally offered her seven-pence halfpenny.  The lady explained that as the article cost one franc two-pence she was far from accepting his offer.  Consequently there was no business.  Another time we were in a shop trying to get a ring to fit one of us & we were speaking in (our own) French & every ring was tried on but one couldn’t be found to fit so we said we were sorry & suddenly the demoiselle jerked out “Nothing doing” in a very comical fashion.  She showed us a helmet her forefather had won in some battle some years ago.  At a “bijouterie” (jewellers) an article would be purchased for one franc.  In a little shop the same article cost one franc two pence.  In such a case we told the old dame that we had bought a similar thing cheaper & she said where.  We told her & she replied “Oh! yes, at the jeweller’s.”  She has to go there for the purchase.  They don’t seem to have our retail & wholesale way at all.

Well, I think I have come to the continued in our next part, so must close remaining with much love,

            Yours affectionately,

                        Alan.

On Active Service envelope addressed to Mr & Mrs. H. R King, Munmore, Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin.  Ans^d 6/8/16.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 28 JY 16.  Hexagonal Passed Field Censor 3274 cachet.  Signature of front probably W.G. Shaw.

W.P. Heyworth

———————————–

Parapet Pipes

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.

AIR RAIDS.

Instructions for O’s. C. Trains.

In the case of the “ALARM” being given whilst the train is still in this yard, the O.C., Train will instruct all men to detrain and double to the fields beyond the Y.M.C.A. Rest Camp at the end of the Triage.

No attempt to rejoin the train must be made until the “ALL CLEAR” signal is given.

Os. C., train are responsible that the men are kept together as much as possible and that they all rejoin the train at the same time.

FRENCH ALARM.  All lights go out and all traffic ceases.

BRITISH      “         Several shots fired from A.A. guns.

Abbeville.      ALL CLEAR Bell tolling in the Town.

D.K. C****

Major

D.A.D.R.T.

———————————–

Receiver 20 14 watches

Nos

26700F                      17862F

26085F                      18686F

23554F

26230F                      Number struck through.

21930F                      Number struck through.

25842F                      Number struck through.

18081F                      Number struck through.

23631F                      Number struck through.

23313F                      Number struck through.

23553F

25820F

18303F

22/9/16                       R.M. Beesley 2/Lt. R.E.

——————————-

ALL SERVICES

Inventory of Plant, Tools, Instruments &c issued

for use on the Works (or Record of Requisition).

46 Section

Received 20/8/16

Description

57 Fourways, 2 twoways 2 singleways

Parapet pipes Straight 55 bends 52

                        Tools

25 Box Keys DE

27 Universal with ***

8 L Keys

1 Y    “

2 S.E   “

12 Clamps

85 Staples

                        Signature unreadable

                        23/8/16

France Thursday

27^th July 1916

My Dear Harry & Ethel,

            I received your two letters today & am getting an answer ready for post tomorrow.  With regard to the lady in question you will remember that towns often bear ladies’ names.

            I received your parcel the day I posted my last letter but as we are now allowed to post only one letter per day I was not able to let you know I had received it before.  I am glad to say it arrived in very good order and I thank you all very much indeed.  I am now writing on the paper you sent & smoking your cigarettes.  About the lemonade – there was no sugar with the mixture & as I can’t get any here I had to do without.  It was rather bitter but certainly quenched the thirst.

            We are still fairly active here and I hope to hear of some good results shortly, and as you say if the cavalry had a good chance we might get some interesting reading.

            I today received a letter from Alan, he appears to be making periodical visits to the trenches, but unless he is concerned in a “push” or “show” the danger is not so very great.  A lot of the infantry say that would not have our job at any price, as after a spell in the trenches they do get a rest.  Alan apparently gets plenty of opportunities of spending money as there are canteens and shops of a sort in his vicinity, but such conveniences do not reach us, neither is there any sign of a Y.M.C.A.  We certainly did start a canteen of our own in a tent but a stray shell some weeks ago blew it sky high & since then it has withered away (the canteen I mean).  The worst of it is that I have plenty of money (about 40 francs and a pound note) which I am dying to burn.

            I should imagine that the Germans did expect to hold their positions for ever judging by the solidity of their dugouts, but for myself I don’t like their system of such deep dugouts (some of them I believe go down as far as 30 ft) as there is the danger of getting buried in case a shell hits the roof, which has happened in many cases.

            You are certainly getting on very rapidly now and in another week or two should hear where your new post will take you.  I hope however your holiday will not be interrupted and that you will have a good time at Rush.  When we witnessed the cavalry manoeuvres there some years ago it certainly did not strike me that I should ever be playing that game.  I am glad you are getting better weather and hope it will hold up for your holiday.  There are all sorts of insects here but not too troublesome.  Our present dugouts though are overrun with rats and mice.

            With regard to the question of destiny (? identity)I can only say that you can say what you like in your letters – mine are censored.  I did not mean Ada or anyone I met in Ireland.  Think hard.

            I can quite understand and your trouble in finding something to write about but my position is worse as I am full of information that I am bursting to impart but have to restrain myself.  I have very nearly filled four pages which I hope will satisfy you but I am very much afraid of the quality.

            Yours,

                        Bernard.

In envelope addressed to Mr & Mrs Harry R King, Esq., Munmore, Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin. Ireland.  Ans^d 6.8.16

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE T.47.  30 JY 16.  Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3447.  Signed J.W. England.

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.