G.P.17247 A
WAR OFFICE
The undersigned…Miss Dillon L.C.
(description)…….Female Driver
being employed on Active Service, is hereby authorised by the Secretary of State for War to drive a motor car, lorry or bicycle, when on Government duty.
Secretary of the War Office
L.Dillon
Signature of Holder
Available from 20-9-17 to 21-10-17
On reverse
HUTMENT SUB-DEPOT
& DEPOT TRANSPORT
NO 1 Res. M.T. Dept, Grove Park S.E.
V.E. To***** 2nd Lt
Date 17.10.17
Tel Lee Green 1820
Extension 12
A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel September 1917
Embossed notepaper headed:
Christ Church Vicarage
North Finchley N and struck through
61 Marine Avenue
Hove
Sussex
Undated September 1917
Darling,
After a quick but slumbersome journey I arrived with the rain at Brighton, and found Mother & Father here. I am staying with them. I surprised them with the amount of my luggage but I was determined to enjoy mufti for a few days but of course I had to travel down in uniform.
I do hope you were not very tired after the unwelcome attentions of our night visitors. On my way back Mr. Jordan ran me in for riding without a light. It would have been amusing if he had reported me to the Superintendent whose house I had just left. However the offer of a cigarette accepted appeased the official anger at such wanton smashing of the laws of our country, and I gained my bed in my own home and not the local lock-up.
Brighton bores me, but I am glad to be with my people once again and away from their duties.
My plans are as follows – subject to alterations and revisions, of course, by a higher authority – your ladyship. I leave here Monday morning, and arrive in town to entertain the Colonel if possible graced by female society – if not well he must go without.
Then I await your majesty’s commands. What I should like would be go to some sea-side place – not like this London-by-the-sea with a desert of asphalt peopled by a nomadic tribe from the East. How would you like it? Perhaps some good Samaritans could be inveigled into chaperoning you at such a place. I don’t like to suggest it in case I annoy people by troubling them so much.
I could book rooms at a hotel somewhere if it were possible and enjoy another week by the sea.
However I am probably expecting too much.
Please give my love to Mrs Cross
With much love to you dearest & kisses (paper)
Ever your
Arch.
Sunday Evening Same Address
My Dear Brother Sid,
I am sorry I have kept you waiting for so long for a letter but as you will see we haven’t moved yet but expect to move Friday now. I hope you have been keeping well I am very well myself.
We are having lovely weather down here but of course it’s a bit cold for canvas life at night times.
I had a nice parcel from home the other day, it was jolly fine.
We have a new Captain, and he’s a bit of a blighter, he don’t half keep us busy.
I had a letter from Dad the other day from his new job in London I suppose he is doing alright up there, I guess he was sorry to leave Crayford though for some things. I shall be jolly glad to get off the East Coast. I am fed up with it. We had night operations last week down in the trenches by the coast.
We were down there until 11 o’clock and it rained nearly all the while. I hope when we get to Canterbury it will be better.
Still I make up for all the bad times with that chap that comes from Cranbrook. We have some fine times together down Harwich.
I have stopped in this Sunday on purpose to write letters as there seems little time during the week now it gets dark so quick.
Well Sid I don’t think I have any more news this time, you might just write before Friday and let me know how you are getting on.
I will write as soon as I know where I am if we move this week.
Well Goodbye Sid hope this letter finds you in the best of health.
I remain
Your Affec Brother
Frank William
Hope Ted is still alright.
With cover to Mr S.K. Springett, 29 Bath Road Dartford Kent
Postmarked HARWICH 5 PM 17 SP 17
SUPPLEMENT TO FIRST ARMY INTELIGENCE SUMMARY No 977.
(From G.H.Q. Summary)
GERMAN TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.
The following information is given by prisoners as to the enemy’s method of treating any of our men who fall into his hands:-
A prisoner, from the moment of his capture, is treated with studied courtesy, given cigarettes, food, wine, etc., and housed as comfortably as circumstances admit.
No souvenir-hunting is allowed, his arms only are removed, and his private property is for the time being scrupulously respected.
As soon as possible, he is removed to the rear by car, his escort comprising men who can talk English and listen to all conversation.
The huts in which prisoners are housed are fitted with listening apparatus.
When all examinations are completed and the prisoner is evacuated, his good treatment comes to an end. Any apparent or real discrepancy in his evidence which is discovered is made the excuse for systematic ill-treatment.
The essential point is the uniform and studied good treatment of prisoners for so long only as any information is to be got out of them, the object being to induce a feeling of comfort and friendliness.
EMPLOYMENT OF TUNNELS BY THE GERMANS.
Prisoners, captured by the French during the fighting at VERDUN in August, have given the following information regarding the tunnels built by the Germans on the left bank of the MEUSE: –
The CORBEAUX TUNNEL was intended, during quiet periods, more for the circulation of troops than as a shelter. Nevertheless, it accommodated permanently a regimental H.Q., a battalion H.Q., the H.Q. and personnel of a Minenwerfer company, an important aid-post, and the field kitchens of one battalion and of the machine gun company of the regiment.
During the preparatory period, two companies of infantry were quartered by day. These companies were surprised by the French attack on the 20th August and remained in the tunnel.
The CUMONT – MORT HOMME TUNNEL accommodated permanently a regimental H.Q., two battalion H.Qs., an aid-post, and field kitchens.
During the French bombardment, both tunnels became crowded with wounded and stragglers from various units.
The bombardment resulted in most of the entrances to the tunnels being blocked. In the CORBEAUX TUNNEL, a length of 6½ feet collapsed through a direct hit, although there was a thickness of 46 feet of earth overhead at this point. In the CUMONT – MORT HOMME TUNNEL, all the occupants were more or less asphyxiated by the gas produced by the high explosive shell. Isolated, and cut off from supplies, the garrison were surrounded by the assaulting French troops and offered little resistance.
In the CORBEAUX TUNNEL, the commander of the 24th Res. Inf. Regt., and his staff, a large number of officers, and more than 700 other ranks were captured. 600 prisoners were captured in the CUMONT – MORT HOMME TUNNEL.
Conclusion. – The conclusion drawn from a study of the use of tunnels by the Germans in the CHAMPAGNE fighting (see Supplement to First Army Intelligence Summary No. 877, dated 8/6/17), applies equally to the above cases. Tunnels cease to be effective when bombarded with heavy shell; they then become mere man-traps.
-0-0-0-
R.S. RYAN Lieut. Col.,
General Staff, First Army.
16-9-17.
WEATHER REPORT. – From mid-day, September 16th to mid-day, September 17th;
Wind. – S.W. 10 to 15 m.p.h.; probably changing to South or S.E.
Weather. – Mainly fair at first perhaps some drizzle later. Morning mist or fog; warm; fair visibility.
Temperature. – Day 68 degrees, night 54 degrees.
Sept 16th 17
My Dear Father
Just a few lines to thank you very much for your nice parcel, & letter received to-day.
I was getting anxious to hear from you as it seemed sometime since I got a letter & the Pictorial did not arrive this week; but I am glad you are all merry & bright & in the best of health.
The cake was a very nice one also the biscuits, & chocolate. I am glad you sent strawberry jam it is a change from what we get issued & paste is always very nice the fags came just in time as I had run out for the time being.
I wanted to write to you to-night as we have got a blooming route march on to-morrow & I might not get a chance before the letters go in I will add a bit more if I get time.
Please thank Lily Warman for her nice letter glad they are all well.
Pleased to say I am A1 have had some good times lately in a quiet way of course.
Well au revoir am just going to clean my pop gun up & turn in to kip; shall have to be up early in the morning; one thing we get an extra hour as the clocks are altered to-morrow so good night.
Your devoted
Son
A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 9 September 1917
Brighton
September 9th 1917
My dearest love,
Thank you so much for your letter, which cheered me up tremendously. Tomorrow being Monday Mother & Father go to Worthing and I propose travelling to town by the 9.40 a.m. arriving at Victoria at 11.10 – if I don’t miss it.
When I arrive I will phone to you and ask what you propose doing
I think I am a bit better and I hope by now I am more presentable than I was and that you will not mind being seen with me.
We have had a quite easy time here and though the weather has not been all that it might have been, it has not been at all bad.
How are you dear? Quite alright I hope. I shall have to talk seriously to you when I see you about something – it requires a little explanation – all my fault I know – but then I am like that – guess what it is.
Give my love to Mrs Cross.
With all my best love dearest & kisses
Ever your
Arch.
Letter from F. Smith 7 September 1917
Sept 7th 17
My Dear Father
Thank you for the Pictorial received yesterday, about two days earlier this week.
I saw in one of the papers that you have had some sports &c in the village of Wood Green. Did you see anything of General French I was wondering if you invited him to tea as he might have given you a tip when the war was going to finish.
What sort of weather are you getting in Blighty it is very nice here now. We went for our summer holidays to the seaside on Monday, about 20 from each company 100 altogether we left about 8.30 A.M. in motor lorries & arrived about 12 o’clock. It was a very quiet spot but still it was nice to get a day’s holiday & have a look at the sea & boats the first since I left England; the only part was it made one long to be over the other side. We had free beer & tea & there was a canteen there left about 6.30 P.M. had a very good time the ride was very enjoyable.
How did you enjoy yourself at Southend? I had a parcel from Albert this week & a letter from Ciss to-day. I see by the papers you have been having several air raids lately.
I suppose you still go to the West End occasionally how is everything looking up there?
Cannot think of any more news to tell you this time.
Hoping you are still as merry as ever & in the best of health.
Glad to say I am A1.
Please remember me to all whom I know including Miss Dimond & Darvills.
I shall be glad to hear from you soon.
With much love to you all
From your devoted
Son
Letter from F. Hammond 7 September 1917
7.9.17
BEF
Dear F & M
Just a line to let you know I am jogging along nice and quietly. The weather has been much more settled lately but last night we had the usual thunderstorm. We have been having sports in the village and football is in full swing. The cinema show is also going strong. I went the other night it was really good. Our concert party are giving a show tonight so you will see we are having a rather lively time just now. Otherwise there is nothing to relate. The war seems to be jogging on as usual. It looks very much like another year’s campaign before it will be over so may get another Leave before it finishes with a bit of luck. Did you have a good time on your Holidays. How’s Par’s allotment going on. I suppose he will soon be preparing it for next year. How’s the Lawn looking now. Does the implement of torture do its work OK.
Suppose Gladys will have settled down again to her studies. I suppose she’s been having a good time. How’s Jack going on I shall have to drop him a line as I owe him a letter. Still I might be able to see him before very long. Well I think this is all this time. Hoping you are all OK
Cheerho Gus
Letter from F. Springett 7 September 1917
FOR GOD, FOR KING & FOR COUNTRY
Y.M.C.A.
H.M. FORCES ON ACTIVE SERVICE
Sept 7th 1917
My Dear Brother Sid,
Just a few lines in answer to your letter of a few days ago. I was so pleased to hear that you were quite well as I am still in the “pink”.
Glad to hear that you have a little more work we never get out of a job down this way. Ha Ha.
I am sorry the rain spoilt your trip but I guess you enjoyed yourself alright.
You got wet inside “eh”. Sounds bad.
Dad wrote and told me about his job in London, it will be jolly fine for him.
We are moving this week Sid, I guess I shall be closer home, if the rumour is right.
Do not write you hear from me again please.
It as been very wet down here this last night or two. The rain simply pours in the tent so you can guess how pleased I shall be to get out of canvas and off the East Coast too.
Well, Sid you must excuse this short letter as I haven’t much time to spare so I will say Goodbye.
I remain
Your Affec Brother
Frank
With cover to Mr S.K. Springett, 29 Bath Road Dartford Kent
Postmarked HARWICH 7.45 PM 7 SP 17.
Letter from S Vicker Smith 2 September 1917
“Shepley Glen”
58 Hopwood St
Hull
2/9/17
Dear Friends
How are you? We are in the pink. Still managing to live although the D____d Germans would not let us if they could help it. I suppose you had an idea that the Zeppelins had given us a visit, they did, but I imagine that the Devils were more frightened than we were, at all events, they did not stay to drop any love tokens over the city. I saw one very high and the search lights got him I fully expected that they would manage to bring him down. Unfortunately they did not. He was too high for them to reach. Since then we have got some guns that will fetch them. They will reach much higher. There is no chance of going to bed. A great many are out for seeing the fireworks.
It is really a splendid sight. There was at the very least ten searchlights at work and the only beautiful night during August. The guns kept boom boom boom and the flashes every time it was better than Belle Vue. Unfortunately they dropped a few shells at a village called Hedon five miles out of the city and knocked a Catholic Church and a Primitive Chapel about and injured one man, but most of the shells fell into the sea or on spare land and they then skiddadled our boys were after them in their planes but I think the Zepps had to good a start. Our aero planes were all over the spot what a lot of them. We see fleets of them many a time. It is beautiful to see them sailing majestically through the air in daylight. There is never a day but we see some of them. It would be a grand sight for some of the people in Stockport.
I may say we do not have to go about the streets in darkness the same as we had in Stockport. The lamps are lit as usual but all lights must be extinguished when there is a warning and the warning comes always a few hours before they arrive. So that we have them on toast. We only want to kipper them then or roast the Swines.
I’ve not had my holidays yet and don’t seem to have time but shall have to spare a bit soon. It’s nothing but work. Oh for the OB days. Of course it won’t be bad when the war is over and we get everything into shipshape and somehow I don’t think that the war will last long now. I am of the opinion that Austria will climb down soon, in that event it would hardly be any use for Bulgaria & Turkey to continue, then we should have Germany on toast, and that’s the roasting time if only we can get them alone, we shall soon smash them and my opinion is and has been for a long time that they will have to fight at the last alone.
Shep is in France. He sends us some very nice news. I may say that he had a temporary commission offered to him but refused. He told them that he considered that as an old soldier he should have a permanent commission or remain as he is, but in his last letter he states that he thinks it is only a question of time and that very shortly. I do hope that it may be the means of him coming home again. The wife is bearing it bravely, but she cannot help but worry, and tell the truth I have a fear, though I don’t let her know, I’ve got to buck her up.
It makes me think now more than ever, if only our Government in the past had only listened to those who believed it would come, what a lot of lives (the Cream of the Country) and what a lot of money would have been saved, but no they considered that fifty or one hundred millions was throwing money away in needless armaments. Now it seems into nearly eight millions per day. I believed this would come a long time before I saw you and am extremely sorry that I was right. If only we had had half a million men to put into Belgium at the first they would not have got far and we should have been on their own ground directly and another two hundred thousand to smash the Turks on land before they started with the fleet but we had not the men and all told at first we put 50 thousand to face over one million Germans it was simply sending those boys to be slaughtered but although the mistakes have been many let me say that the Gentlemen who have had and who have it still in hand are doing wonders and whatever faults may have been committed I venture to suggest that no Country could or has done better and they are out to win this war. We have not won yet but we shall win and I am certain that lying, spying murderous devils of Germans know that they are on the verge of ruin in every sense and I hope none will be ready here as our allies to give them peace until we have knocked them to pieces.
I hope you will excuse me going off in the manner I have but I mean every word, yes if they have to send for one and all the done up old foggies the doctors think we are we might surprise some of those reptile Germans of Central Europe. I for one would have a try. It would be more lively than trying to re enter a Penny Red. How this I.B. gets on my nerves. I feel now that I detest it, yet I’ve got to do it to buy War Bread and Government Beer and both give one the tummy ache. A pint of G Beer that costs 6d & tastes like coloured dish water with a flavour kippered eye water, if you know what that is. I’m sure I don’t and the bread why it has a taste of a musty mouse trap. I think we should be better if we went same as old Neb of the long nails did “*** went out into the fields and eats grass.” I suppose it was fresh. I might try it myself only my nails are not long enough and there are too many cats around here that it might have a much more enhanced flavour than I have already told you of.
Now then I must dry up excuse all the Tommy rot. There are some friends just come to cheer us up by stating that the baby’s got the measles and has cut a double tooth with a sausage machine and the whole friends who have died and haven’t died and those who are going to die and they have just been to the cemetery to cheer them up. “What OK we shall feel as happy. Never mind it’s not as bad as a Zepp & Beechams. I don’t want either but the pill firm are suffering because they don’t sell many when the Zepps have done their work. They make *****. Best love & kind regards. First to the ladies & last to the men
Sincerely Shep
Wife sends best.
The Bay Museum & Research Facility 