SECRET.                                                                                            Copy No. 18

25^th Feby 1917

20^TH DIVISION OPERATION ORDER NO. 137.

Reference Maps: – 1/100,000 Sheets 11, 12, 17, 18.

1. The Fifth Army last night gained considerable ground, and are reported to have already occupied MIRAUMONT, PYS and many German trenches between GUEUDECOURT and SERRE.

From the information of prisoners, they have heard   that the Germans         contemplate a general and gradual retirement in this area to the         HINDENBURG Line, which runs from the neighbourhood of LENS, in front       of CAMBRAI and DOUAI to ST. QUENTIN, which line they were to have         reached by March 25^th.

The prisoners further report that all water supply is being destroyed, and     dugouts, where possible, mined.

1. Strong Officer’s patrols will be sent out during the night to ascertain whether any of the German trenches in front of the MORVAL and LESBOEUFS Sector have been vacated and will gain all ground which may have been vacated by the enemy.

1. The B.G.C. LESBEUFS Sector will get into touch with the B.G.C. 14^th Australian Brigade (H.Qrs at T.13.c.1.1.) on his Left flank.

It is particularly important that touch be maintained with the 5^th Australian             Division, and that any ground gained by them shall be linked up with our         Divisional front.

1. The B.Gs.C. MORVAL and LESBOEUFS Sectors will inform Divisional Headquarters by wire at what hour these patrols are going out, and the route they are taking.

Artillery barrages can be arranged to cover their movements if necessary.

ACKNOWLEDGE.

1. McD Haskard

Lieut. Colonel,

General Staff, 20^th Division.

Issued to Signals at 4.10 p.m.

Copies to –

No 1.  XIV Corps.                  8. 59^th Inf. Bde.          16. A. A. & Q.M.G.

2.    29^th Division.               9. 60^th Inf. Bde.          17. Divl. Train.
   3. 5^th Australian Divn 61^st Inf. Bde.         18. Camp Commdt.
   4. XIV Corps R.A. 11^th Durham L.I.   19/23. Retained.
   5. XIV Corps H.A. Signals
   6. R.A. 13. A.D.M.S.
   7. R.E. 14.  A.D.V.S.

George Ryan’s letter home dated 25 Feb 1915

9^th Middlesex

Barrackpore

Bengal.

India.

25 Feb 1915

Dear M & F,

Thanks for your letter dated Jan 28^th.  I received the Text Book from Mr Ayerst by the same mail.

I note that you’ve sold a pair of my shoes.

I think we are going to Jaffapore in a day or two’s time to do our firing. It’s 2 or 3 miles from here.  I expect we shall be there 2 or 3 weeks.  We shall live under canvas.  I’m not looking forward to it; it will be very hot out on the range, & the light is so strong, very trying to the eyes.

I went to Calcutta yesterday afternoon with C.A.S.  We had a nice time except that it was rather short.  You want a week there really to see the place properly, only of course, you want the “brass” & that’s the stuff we don’t see much of out here.  What little we do get, nearly all goes on grub – suppers, jam etc.  By the way jam is 8^d a 1^lb tin, marmalade 7½ ^d.

Calcutta seemed a little bit like home, electric trams, motor cars etc but the majority of the population is black.  We went to a music hall in the evening, but we only saw pictures.  I suppose they only have variety turns now & again.  The house was practically empty.  We got a rupee seat half price – 8^d.  we got back to Barracks just after 11.0.

They are still sticking to the rumour that we are leaving India next month.  In fact they say now that Kitchener stated in Parliament that all T. were to be withdrawn from India.  But of course you’ll know more about that than we do; you get more reliable news.  If we are going to move we ought to have been told officially by now.

Hoping you are all well,

Love to all,

George

I suppose you see Cousin Ellen now & again & tell her all the news. I have not written to her since we landed.

SECRET                                                                                             Copy No….21

22^nd February 1917

20^TH DIVISION OPERATION ORDER NO. 136.

Reference Operation Order No. 135, para. 2 (d), of 3^rd instant.

The relief of the B.G.C. 59^th Infantry Brigade, in command of LESBOEUFS Sector, by the B.G.C. 60^th Infantry Brigade on the 24^th instant, is postponed till further orders.

Similarly, the relief of the 59^th M.G. Company and T.M. Battery by the 60^th M.G. Company and T.M. Battery is also postponed.

R.A. Thornton Capt

for Lieut. Colonel

General Staff, 20^th Division.

Issued to Signals at 3.45 pm

Copies to recipients of O.O. 135.

Letter to F.W. Lanchester 20 February 1919

On embossed Secretary of State for the Royal Air Force notepaper

Air Ministry
Strand W.C. 2.

20th February 1919

Sir,

In the absence of Lord Weir I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th inst., and to state that it is regretted that owing to Lord Weir’s departure we are unable to trace copy No 4 of Mr. Titcomb’s Report. I am, therefore, forwarding to you copy No 5 for your retention.

I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
H.S. Neville
Captain.
Private Secretary to Secretary of State.

F.W. Lanchester Esq.,
41, Bedford Square
W.C. 2.

George Ryan’s letter home dated 18 Feb 1915

1945 “D” Co

9^th Middlesex

Barrackpore

Bengal.

India.

18 Feb 1915

Dear May,

Thanks very much for your letter of 21 Jan with the photo enclosed.

Yes. I got the parcel safely as I’ve already written.  The things were in as good condition as when they left you, thanks to the tin box.  It’s the only safe way of sending things out here.  A fellow received a parcel; or rather the remains of one, this week in a cardboard box.  The contents, what was left of them, mince-pies, cake etc, were all smashed & some cigarettes were damaged.

Guard here is about the same as at Dinapore, in fact they say the Magazine post is worse. I have not been on that post myself yet.  There’s a native village just behind it.  There’s generally a row going on there from 8 – 10 p.m.  After that of course the jackals & hyenas insist on giving their “concert” gratis, & there are dozens of fire-flies about, they look like small stars floating about.

My watch dropped off my bed the other day; it’s refused to go since. I’ve been wearing it on my wrist as I can’t wear it on a chain except in my trousers pocket & it takes about a minute to get it out from there, with my tunic & equipment on.  I shall take it to Calcutta when I go but if it’s going to cost much to put right I shall buy a proper wrist watch if I can get one at a reasonable price.

We’ve been digging trenches this week, a very suitable occupation in this climate. It doesn’t suit me, I’ve got a blister on each hand already.  One thing about it if I can’t get a job as clerk when I come back I might stand a chance as “Sanitary Inspector” or a Road digger or something of that sort.

Has the “egg hand” seen you home yet. I wish I was able to come & meet you; you would be able to say then that your brother was waiting for you.

Yr loving brother

George

George Ryan’s letter home dated 18 Feb 1915

Barrackpore

Bengal.

India.

18 Feb 1915

Dear Edie,

Thanks for your letter dated 14 Jan which I received last Friday, 12^th Feb, a day after the mail had gone out.

We are beginning to settle down here now. It seems to get hotter every day, but we are still working hard.

We’ve seen a few snakes since we came here, only small ones though. Another fellow & I killed one a few days ago, it was 20” long& as thick as your finger.

Hope you are getting on with the piano I wish I had the chance of keeping on with it. I expect I shall have forgot nearly all I ever knew by the time I’m able to start again.

I have not written to you before as I don’t suppose it matters who I write to, I suppose each letter goes round the house just the same.

Remember me to Mr. Clark,

Yr loving brother

George

George Ryan’s letter home dated 18 Feb 1915
Barrackpore
Bengal.
India.
18 Feb 1915

Dear M & F,

Thanks for your letter of 14 Jan. I’ve acknowledged each one of your letters so perhaps you can tell whether I’ve received them all or not. I know I didn’t receive any for 3 weeks after Christmas but since then I’ve had one each mail either from you or May.

Yes that tale about the bullocks, or rather Buffaloes is quite right. C.S. & I were walking across from one barrack to another. It was a funny thing but just as we got near this heard of buffaloes I said to C.S. “Ump! I don’t like the look of these things.” However we kept on & just as we were passing them one of them ducked down his head & charged at us knocking C.S. over & sending me sprawling. I kept on my legs but neither of us were hurt. They are quite quiet as a rule but both of us have given them a wide berth since.

We’ve been issued out with a hair brush, 2 boot brushes, 1 button brush, clothes brush, a pair of socks, a flannel shirt, a fine sweater & another kit bag. They seem very good things too. The shirt is thinner than what you made but nice & soft & the jersey is a very good one, quite heavy. Perhaps you think it’s not much use out here, but it’s fine to put on after coming back from a route march when you’ve changed your shirt.

There’s a fine church here, much better than the one at Dinapore, better clergyman too, it’s almost like being at home the Sunday Evening service. The vicar has opened an old school-room as a reading room. There’s a good piano there so we have musical evenings. 3 or 4 young ladies sang songs the other night.

I should have thought Mr. C could have taken M. & Edie for 25/-. I asked you in one of my letters what he did about the 10/-, balance of my lessons. I suppose it was in the letter from Aden. I said I expect he kept that as I gave him no notice. I told you not to say anything about it unless he mentioned it.

Glad you are getting a few eggs now. They are cheap here. We get a couple hard-boiled now & again instead of porridge for breakfast & we can buy a couple fried at the supper bar for 6 pice (1 ½ d)

Well I think I’ve done very well this week writing to each of you & saying something different in each.

Hoping you are all well & jogging along alright.
Yr loving son
George

Letter to Miss Dillon 17 February 1919

WAR OFFICE

LONDON S.W. 1

17^th February 1919

All further communications on this

subject should be addressed to – the Secretary

War Office

London S.W. 1

and the following number quoted.

            I desire to place on record my appreciation of the splendid services rendered by all officials and members of the Women’s Legion Motor Drivers during the War.

It is now nearly four years since your President, the Marchioness of Londonderry, first proposed that the services of women should be utilised in connection with the transport services.  The numbers have steadily increased, and to-day you form an important and for the present an indispensable part of the Military organization at Home.  There have been times when it would have been almost impossible to carry on without your valued and ungrudging service.  Knowing, as I do, what this has meant to the Army particularly and to the nation generally, it is a great pleasure to me to be the one to express your country’s appreciation.

I would take this opportunity of saying that in the state of transition from War to Peace conditions your help is still urgently needed, and I appeal confidently for a continuance of your loyal service, trusting that only very urgent grounds will induce you to ask for your release at present.

J.S. Cowans

General

Quartermaster-General to the Forces

To all Officials and Members

of the Women’s Legion Motor Drivers

GD1929    5000    2/19  HWV(P)  H3024

Report of Drifters off Mudros 14 February 1919

C.O.

D “Northesk” II No 2022

Mudros.

Feb 14^th 1919

A.P.Office.

H.M.S. “Europa”

The following changes in the personnel of crew of H.M.D. “Northesk II” No. 2022.

1. Williams Tel discharged to “Europa”
2. Smith O.S.             “ “ “Europa”

Both discharged A.M. Feb 14 1919.

R.H. Palmer.

Lieut. R.N.V.R.

George Ryan’s letter home dated 11 Feb 1915

9^th Middlesex

Barrackpore

Bengal

India.

11 Feb 1915

Dear M & F,

Thanks very much for the parcel, which I received yesterday. I didn’t expect to get it so soon.  The pudding isn’t the first I’ve tasted this year, but of course it was the best.  Both the pudding & the cake were alright, none the worse for the journey.  The cake smashed up a bit when I cut it, but that’s a sign of good quality isn’t it?  Tell May, as far as I can see, the cherries on top are intact.  The cigarettes are A1 quite a treat, the tobacco ditto repeato.  The handkerchiefs will be very useful, as one or two of my old ones are showing signs of wear, in other words split almost in two.  In fact I’m using one now as a cleaning rag.  Also tell May the piece of rag you put in will come in very handy, she seemed to think it wouldn’t be of much use.  If she would like to know all particulars I’ve torn it in half; one half I’m using as a tea cloth, (I like to wipe my knife & fork etc, myself, then I know it’s done properly) & the other half I wrap my bread in.  (We are given a pound loaf in the morning & have to keep half of it for tea).

I didn’t have to pay any duty on the parcel as I expected. Apparently that new order comes into force, that soldiers pay no duty.

Well, we got back here from Ishapore last Sunday. We had a very easy time there, I would not have minded the job for good if we had had a few things with us, as we had a chance of mixing with the English people a bit, that’s more than we can do here.  I didn’t have a chance of going over the Factories but perhaps I shall next time, if we go again.

We’ve been put through it slightly since we got back here; a four mile run before breakfast, drill, sham battles, etc 9 – 12. Then two afternoons a week we go for a route march at 4.0 p.m.  We went for one on Tuesday, between 7 & 8 miles.  We got back soaked, trousers, tunic & all.  It does take it out of you, it’s too much in the hot sun.

The barracks here are not quite so handy, there’s a second floor to them but the beds are a little more comfortable, the corrugated iron being replaced by interwoven strips of iron.

I forgot to tell May last week I made my first attempt at darning socks – the last week we were in Dinapore. So my socks lasted well, didn’t they.  I made a very good job of it, but I don’t think the darns looked quite so neat as yours.  I couldn’t get on with putting my hand down the sock, so I pushed a tobacco tin down & did it that way.

We have not got the letters here this week yet. The mail boat was 3 days late, then ours will be another day later still as they’ve got to be forwarded on from Dinapore.  It’s a nuisance keep changing our address.  I expect a few weeks after you’ve got this address we shall have shifted again.

Hoping this will find you all well,

Yr loving son

George

This is the last sheet of that lot of paper you gave me I can’t get any more till the canteen opens this afternoon. But I think you will be able to read this alright.