No 4564. 10 Plat C Coy 3/5 Leicesters, Belton Park, Grantham. Lincs.

Oct 4^th 015

Dear Rev Walters,

            This summer has been full of varied experiences to me.  It has indeed been a most wonderful summer.

            The miles I have travelled, the scenes I have witnessed; the people I have met with.  I have had days of pleasure & days of pain; days of courage & power; & days of weakness & despair.

            Such a summer fills one with amazement.  Today finds me in a county of historic interest & beauty.  Old Country Houses & wonderful woodlands.  There are hills & glens, streams & lakes, wonderful bye-roads bounded on either side with fruit-bearing trees, fruit that will never be plucked because there are none to pluck it.  Another marvellous feature of Lincolnshire is the wonderful assortment of wild flowers.  The scabus abounds everywhere, & the field are dressed in the color of blood.  Poppies abound in countless numbers.

            Truly it is a county of beauty.

            I have travelled many many miles along these wonderful country lanes, but I have not met with a dozen able-bodied men.

            There are many old people.  Even the dear old women dig potatoes & prepare their produce for the market.  There is often a touch of pathos as we pass through the villages.  Eyes are wet; tears are falling, telling us that sons or grandsons have gone to the war.

            To the war men must go.  The place of young men is in the ranks of heroes, not that there are not heroes in civil life.  There are heroes everywhere.

            Strife & war must be ended; & to end war & give a lasting peace, every man of today must place himself upon the altar of sacrifice & be determined to do his best.

            Truly this is not the time for chasing butterflies.  It is a time of serious couse juence, which not only involves us, but future generations.  Many victories have been won by armed war, but I know a Book of love & peace which has won more victories than armed war, & if men knew and realised what that Book means to them, war would cease, & men & nations would live in peace.

Well, Sir: – I trust that you are well & that the spiritual work in your Parish is progressing.  You must know that I love Whitwick but who does not love the place of his birth?  And that is why I am so interested in its welfare.  My own health has been most wonderful & today finds me (as soldiers say) in the pink.

I do pray God to grant you much grace in the fulfilling of your most responsible duties.

The Preacher stands above the soldiers, one prepares for war, the other prepares for peace.

I am doing what I can for the soldiers I sing with them, I pray with & for them.  In our Hut there are 28 men & out of the whole lot there are only 3 professing Christian, in fact, as I write this letter the men who are gambling by my side will ask me to pray for them.

Rev Walters, I ask for your prayers.  It is no light task to pray among men of evil, & in such a work I cannot stand alone, therefore I ask you to pray for me.

I do pray God to bless you & your family, & the work of your Parish.  I must close.

I shall be delighted to hear from you & when I can come home on furlough I will attempt to get on the 3^rd Sunday of the month so that I may once again attend that inspiring mens services.

                        I remain

            Yours most respectfully

                        J W Brotherhood

S.P Excuse pencil.  No pens or ink available

Good-bye til we meet again.

In envelope addressed to Rev T.W. Walters, Vicar of Whitwick, Whitwick Vicarage, Leicestershire.

Letter postmarked Grantham 10 AM 5 Oct 15

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP, LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

4^th OCTOBER, 1915.

847 – INSPECTION OF ANIMALS FOR CASTING –

            The District Remount Officer will inspect the animals reported on by Brigadier General E.C. Coke for casting or exchange at his recent inspection, on Wednesday next, 6^th inst. at 2 p.m.

The animals must all parade together near Headquarters 103^rd Brigade.

Care is to be taken that each animal’s age is shown on Army Form B. 164.

The following is a list of the animals:-

102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE                      No. of

ANIMALS

20^th (S) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers

(1^st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH)                                               1

21^st (S) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers

(2^nd TYNESIDE SCOTTISH)                                              3

22^nd (S) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers

(3^rd TYNESIDE SCOTTISH)                                              1

Lieutenant A.P. Ker, 20^th (S) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1^st Tyneside Scottish) will attend.

848 – BOUNDS –

            The orchard and meadows of Mrs. Jemmett Browne on the East side of the Longbridge Deverill/Warminster Road near the Church at Fox Holes – are placed out of bounds for troops of this Brigade.

849 – DIVISIONAL ORDERS – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Divisional Orders 293, 294 and 296 of 3^rd October, 1915.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, MAJOR,

BRIGADE-MAJOR,  102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

On back of sheet O.C., C Coy.

SHIPS ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Officer Commanding Troops.

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

3.10.1915

PART 3, No 13.

No. 59.  DUTIES FOR TOMORROW, the 4^th OCTOBER 1915.

            Captain of the Day:              Capt. G.J. Miller.

Next for Duty:                                   Capt. E. Whiting.

Subaltern of the Day:          Lieut. S.W.E. Styles.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. A.W. Liefeldt.

Officer of the Guard:            2^nd Lieut. A.C. Harrison.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. C.W. Reid.

Officer in charge of Prisoner of War: Lieut. W.D. Henry.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. W.  N. Brown.

COMPANY FOR DUTY                  “D” COMPANY

No. 60.  OFFICERS’ LECTURE.

            There will be a lecture to Officers by Capt. J.R. Leisk at 12 noon tomorrow.

This will be held on the Navigating Deck.

All Officers to attend.

No. 61. DRILL.

            Parades:

            These will be carried out as usual during the week.

J.G.W. Evans

CAPTAIN.

SHIPS ADJUTANT.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP, LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

3^rd OCTOBER, 1915.

841 – DISTRICT COURT-MARTIAL –

            The District Court-Martial directed to assemble in Brigade Order No. 820 of 27^th September, 1915, of which Major A.G. Niven, 21^st (S) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (2^nd Tyneside Scottish) was President, is hereby dissolved.

842 – STANDING DUTIES –

            With reference to Divisional Order No. 288 of 2^nd October, 1915, the 21^st (S)

Bn.  Northd. Fusiliers (2^nd Tyneside Scottish) will furnish these duties therein mentioned.

843 – CORRESPONDENCE –

            With reference to Divisional Order No. 289 of 2^nd inst., Motor Cyclist Orderlies have been detailed to collect correspondence between Brigade Head Quarters and Divisional Head Quarters – as follows:-

Arr.      Dep.  Arr.      Dep.             Arr.    Dep.                 Arr.      Dep.

            9-5      9-10    11-35  11-40             4-5     4-10                 7-35   7-40

            Commanding Officers having direct correspondence for Divisional Head Quarters will forward same so as to reach Brigade Head Quarters at least 10 minutes before the times of departure.

844– SIGNALLING COURSE, WEYMOUTH –

            With reference to Divisional Order No. 291 dated 2^nd October, 1915, the Officers Commanding 20^th (S) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers (1^st Tyneside Scottish) and 21^st (S) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers (2^nd Tyneside Scottish) will each detail one sergeant to attend this course of instruction and forward the name of Non-commissioned Officer selected to Brigade Head Quarters to-morrow the 4^th inst.

845 – SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDERS – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Salisbury Training Centre Orders 881 and 882 of 2^nd October, 1915.

846 – WAR OFFICE LETTER –

            The following War Office letter is published for information:-

War Office,

London, S.W.

121/Supplies/420 (Q.M.G. 2.)

Sir,

            I am directed to inform you that complaints have been received that Units and Drafts are taking rations in bulk when embarking at Folkestone, which causes delay in detrainment and embarkation, and takes up considerable space in transports.  I am therefore, to request that you will be good enough to issue instructions to all Officers Commanding Units, that arrangements should be made for units and drafts to carry the rations for the day of embarkation in their haversacks.

In cases where the personnel of Units is despatched via Folkestone, their transport being sent from another port, instances have occurred in which, in spite of orders to the contrary, bicycles have been taken to Folkestone for embarkation.

I am to request that instructions may be circulated impressing on all concerned the fact that this is not to be done in future, but that all bicycles are to be sent with the transport.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

(sgd) R. Stuart Worthley.

Director of Movements.

***

T.L.B. SOUTRY, MAJOR,

BRIGADE-MAJOR, 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

SHIPS ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Officer Commanding Troops.

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

2.10.1915

PART 3, No 12.

No. 57.  DUTIES FOR TOMORROW, the 3^rd OCTOBER 1915.

            Captain of the Day:              Capt. T. Ormiston.

Next for Duty:                                   Capt. G.J. Miller.

Subaltern of the Day:          Lieut. K. Keith.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. Style.

Officer of the Guard:            Lieut. Hertzyl.

Next for Duty:                                   2^nd Lieut. Harrison.

Officer in charge of Prisoner of War: Lieut. A.W. Craig.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. W.D. Henry.

COMPANY FOR DUTY                  “C” COMPANY

No. 58. CHURCH PARADES:

Church of England.

            Holy Communion – 7 a.m. – 1^st Class Lounge.

Morning Service for

1^st S.A. Infantry – 9.30 a.m. – Forward

Evening Service for

3^rd S.A. Infantry        – 6 p.m. – After Promenade Deck.

Roman Catholic:

Morning Service – 9.30 a.m. – Starboard Side of Boat Deck.

Company Commanders are requested to see that Church of England members of their Companies are down on the Fore Deck and Fo’castle Head by 9.25 a.m. for the Morning Service and by 5.55 p.m. on the After Promenade Deck for the Evening Service, and see that Roman Catholic members are on the Boat Deck by 9.25 a.m.

Officers will take up their position at the Forward end of Promenade Deck for the 9.30 a.m., and after end of the Boat Deck for the 6 p.m. Parade.

J.G.W. Evans

CAPTAIN.

SHIPS ADJUTANT.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP, LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

2^nd OCTOBER, 1915.

835 – R.A.M.C. ORDERLY OFFICERS –

            The following is the detail of R.A.M.C. Officers for week ending OCTOBER 9^th, 1915:-

SUNDAY OCT. 3^rd.                          Lt. F.J. HENRY   (3^rd Tyneside Scottish).

MONDAY OCT. 4^th.             Lt. J. MUIRHEAD (4^th Tyneside Scottish).

TUESDAY OCT. 5^th                         Lt. F.J. HENRY   (3^rd Tyneside Scottish).

WEDNESDAY OCT. 6^th                  Lt. J. MUIRHEAD (4^th Tyneside Scottish).

THURSDAY OCT. 7^th                      Lt. F.J. HENRY   (3^rd Tyneside Scottish).

FRIDAY OCT 8^th                              Lt. J. MUIRHEAD (4^th Tyneside Scottish).

SATURDAY OCT 9^th                       Lt. F.J. HENRY   (3^rd Tyneside Scottish).

These Officers will be on duty from Reveille on the day mentioned till Reveille on the following day.

636 – SICK LEAVE –

            Lieutenant R.B. Macfie, R.A.M.C., has been granted 10 days sick leave from to-day.

Authority A.D.M.S. 34^th Division.

Lieutenant F.J. Henry, R.A.M.C. will act as Senior Medical Officer of the Brigade during his absence.

837 – ASH-BINS –

            With reference to Salisbury Training Centre Order No. 873 dated 1^st October, 1915, Officers Commanding Units will indent accordingly.

838 – SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDER – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Salisbury Training Centre Order No. 874 of 1^st October, 1915.

839 – EXTRACTS FROM DIVISIONAL ORDERS–

1/10/1915.

LECTURE –

            All Brigade and Battalion Machine Gun Officers will meet the Divisional Machine Gun Officer at 103^rd Brigade Head Quarters at 5-30 p.m. on Monday 4^th October.

Divisional Order No. 277.

BOUNDS –

            The village of Corton is placed “Out of bounds” to all troops of the 34^th Division on Medical Grounds.

Divisional Order No. 279.

840 – DIVISIONAL ORDERS – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Divisional Orders 280 and 281 of 1^st October, 1915.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, MAJOR

BRIGADE-MAJOR,  102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

On back of sheet C Coy.

G Branch

HQ 1 Corps District

BAOR

Monday 1 October

My dearest Maz

 I have just returned from my little holiday which has been most successful and am feeling a trifle weary after the 7 hour journey – we left Brussels a 2 ocl and I got back to the mess at 9 ocl – I have so much to tell you that I think I shall have to write this in two instalments, the second one tomorrow – before I tell you all about my journey to Zoute and Brussels I must thank you for your most welcome letter written just after you had got back from Bournemouth – I was very pleased to hear how well the car behaved coming back and that the holiday was such a good one, it will have done you such a power o’ good – Pari by now will be a full blown civilian and I am writing him a short note anon – I hope you received my p.c’s – I sent them via a letter to Eileen, I’m not sure what the drill is for sending p.c’s so thought it safer to send them that way.  I set off from here at 8.30 am on Wednesday and when I got to Brussels was told by the concierge at the flat that the Hanisons were still in Zoute so back into my jeep I got the next stop, at 5.15 pm was Zoute itself – I got a tremendous kick out of seeing the Bruges clock tower on my left and a signpost reading Knocke 13 km.  The Hanions and Maurice were delighted to see me and were all in excellent form – the old man was better and I met him out for a very slow walk on two sticks going up the Avenue Elizabeth when I got there – I dumped my bag and sent the driver plus jeep back here.  We didn’t go out in the evening so my first tour d’exploration was on Thursday morning when I walked down passed the Golf and Tennis club, the hotels we knew so well, Links (sic !), Golf, Tennis, St Andrews etc to the Place d’Albert brought some p.c’s and returned as it started to rain, feeling very depressed by what I had seen – before the place was liberated there had been quite a bit of shelling etc and as a start the Pro shop and cloakroom buildings were both completely razed to the ground, the 17^th and 18^th holes just wilderness of long grass and barbed wire – opposite the ‘centre’ court has shaggy grass growing all over it and the kiosk has stopped a shell of some sort and has collapsed sideways – moving down, the Links Hotel which was opposite the St Andrews is just a neat pile of stones and everywhere there is that uninhabited and barbed-wired look about – however all, nearly all, the villas on the sides of that Avenue, remember Les Hirondelles? – they are all, again nearly all, untouched and are being lived in – the place d’Albert itself is no more, just a lot of sand (the Boche had just a huge concrete pill-box in the centre – now demolished) and the Carlton and the Hotel the other side of the square all just empty, bricked up windows and completely uninhabited – I am enclosing a photo of the Carlton – no bricked up lower windows, no glass above and battered condition – all the Hotels right along the front are the same and holes have been knocked in the walls so that there was internal access all the way along, thus forming part of the West Wall.  Thank goodness they hadn’t been so thorough in Normandy!

Tues.  I have just finished lunch after a busy morning at the office and a real field day of letters including two most welcome ones from you, one from Pari and two from Elli who so successfully carried out my mission.  So very many thanks for your letters dated 25^th and 28^th – what a lovely day you had on the beach, no one wishes he could have been there more than I, perhaps in 1947 I may be, one never knows!  I believe Isaacs is making another statement this evening though it will be of no interest to BAOR officers.  Yes.  I fear your tennis days this year are drawing to an end and these last few days, cold and wet, have been a sharp reminder that the summer is over.  I played golf every day I was away and the 9 holes at Zoute are not at all bad – we went over to Siska (remember the children’s play grounds?) and had a waffle tea before playing, in the rain, 16 holes.  Germaine played 9 with us and came back and picked us up – the holes are all at the far end of the course, one being the ‘windmill’ hole and are in fair condition.  On Friday, in slightly improved conditions we played 18 holes after tea and both matches I beat Maurice by the last putt on the last green.  The H’s were in great form and gave me excellent food, and made me very comfortable in their very charming villa which looks out onto the 17^th green.  On Saturday Maurice and I caught a train for Brussels at Bruges and after lunch chez M we went up to Waterloo where he and I were beaten in a very close 4 ball – beaten by some quite exceptional putting.  I wasn’t playing quite so well as I was at Zoute where I really played quite well, but was satisfied.  In the evening he and I went to a film ‘La Belle de Mexico’, not a very good show.  M was due to tee off in the usual Sunday competition at 12.45 so we had an early lunch and I borrowed some clubs and put in a little practice before going back into Brussels for tea – I met M by arrangement at 7 ocl and gave him a good dinner at an ‘officers’ only’ hotel and afterwards we went to a very good Music Hall show.  I spent Monday morning shopping and you will be pleased to hear that the cake tin will soon be on its way back to you.  After a good lunch we set off at 2 ocl and so home.  Now, Maz dear, I must close and get back to the office (I am already 15mins late!).  Much love to you, and to Pari and Elli.  Much love

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

PS  Many thanks also for ECS and the papers received this morning.

In envelope headed ‘O A S’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 3 OC 45.  Signed P.C. Benham.    

On front of envelope Written Oct 1^st 1945 rec Oct 5^th 1945 (8)

On back of envelope Major P.C. Benham, G Branch, HQ 1 Corps District, BAOR.

SHIPS ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Officer Commanding Troops.

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

1.10.1915

PART 3, No 11.

No. 53.  DUTIES FOR TOMORROW, the 2^nd OCTOBER 1915.

            Captain of the Day:              Capt. Lieut. J.T. Bain.

Next for Duty:                                   Capt. T. Ormiston.

Subaltern of the Day:          Lieut. E.A. Davies.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. K. Keith.

Officer of the Guard:            Lieut. T.O. Priday.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. Hertzyl.

Officer in charge of Prisoner of War: Lieut. C.B. Parsons.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. A.W. Craig.

COMPANY FOR DUTY                  “B” COMPANY

No. 54.  OFFICERS’ LECTURE.

            There will be a lecture to Officers by Capt. T. Ormiston at 12 noon tomorrow.

This will be held on the Navigating Deck.

All Officers to attend.

No. 55. PHYSICAL DRILL.

Para. 36 of Ships Orders, Part 3, No. 7, is hereby cancelled, and there will be no Physical Drill on Sundays.

No. 56. LETTERS:

            Letter bags will be provided later on for letters for South Africa.  Letters need not be stamped, but must be franked with the writer’s name.

J.G.W. Evans

CAPTAIN.

SHIPS ADJUTANT.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP, LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

1^st OCTOBER, 1915.

829 – DIVINE SERVICE –

            Troops of the 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade will parade for Divine Service on Sunday the 3^rd instant as follows:-

CHURCH OF ENGLAND 10 a.m. on the Parade Ground of the 20^th (S) Bn.

Northd. Fusiliers (1^st Tyneside Scottish).

ROMAN CATHOLICS 10-15 a.m. in the lines of No. 15 Camp.

PRESBYTERIANS 9 a.m. in Y.M.C.A. hut between Nos 14 and 15 Camps.

Markers for Church of England Troops to report to the Brigade Major on the above named ground at 9-45 a.m.

830 – DUTIES –

            The Battalion on duty for week ending October 9^th, 1915:-

21^st (S) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers (2^nd Tyneside Scottish).

****

next for duty:-

22^nd (S) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers (3^rd Tyneside Scottish).

****

831 – REVEILLE & RETREAT –

            Reveille will be at 6 a.m., and Retreat at 6 p.m., until further notice.

832 – FIRE DIRECTION & FIRE CONTROL –

            With reference to Divisional Order No. 269 of 30^th September, 1915.  The Officer Commanding 20^th (S) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers (1^st Tyneside Scottish) will provide the necessary accommodation for Major Jackson and will make the required arrangements as regards lecture room – miniature range – fatigue party – etc.

Officers Commanding Units will forward a list of the Officers who will be detailed to attend the class to Brigade Head Quarters forthwith.

833 – SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDER – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Salisbury Training Centre Order No. 867 of 29^th September, 1915.

834 – DIVISIONAL ORDER – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Divisional Order No. 272 of 30^th September,1915.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, MAJOR,

BRIGADE-MAJOR,  102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.