July 24^th 17

Dear Father

Just a few lines to thank you very much for your parcel received yesterday; also for Jessie’s welcome letter.  The contents as usual are very nice I know I shall enjoy them all; the cake is or rather was very good as it is all gone now.

Well there is not very much in the way of news to tell you, but I will do my best.  Please tell Ethel Wrigley’s is just what I want it is grand stuff when one is on the march we can get it out here but I never think to buy any until I want it then of course it is too late.  I will write to young Winnie the first opportunity have been going to do so for sometime.

I bet Jack is glad to get home again, & that he is keeping well.  He is having a long stay but of course not too long I bet the time goes too soon.  They make a great fuss about taking names for leave in this mob, in the end they only send one or two for about ten days.  I have not been out long enough although time is getting on five months I might stand a chance in another four, but I hope to be home before that.

Where do you all think of going for your summer holidays?  I should like to come with you but Mr. King said he cannot spare me at present I hope you will have a good time.

I received the 10/- note safely it was very welcome I answered it at once so no doubt you have got the letter by now but in case not I thank you very much.

I am at present engaged as officers servant have been on the job just over a week now. It has several advantages as we escape the majority of parades we only turn out on special days but it is a good rush then.  He has been in England for sometime but was with the Battalion before everybody says he looks after his servants well but I cannot say at present as I have had to buy several things for him that is where your 10/- came in handy but I know I can have it when I am in want of it.

There was a parcel waiting for me when we came to this place from Southend which was July 4^th nearly three weeks now have not heard anything since have you had any news I hope they are well.

I had a nice parcel from Ciss last week. The air raid was very close to them I hope you have not had any more visits lately.

The weather is very nice at present I expect good old Blighty looks a treat now.

How is Mr. & Mrs. Darvill & family I hope they are all well & all others whom I know.

Well I think I must stop now.  Glad you are all in the best of health pleased to say I am A1.

With much love from

Your devoted

Son

Sunday

22-7-17

My dear Father and Mother

Gladys’s letter of the 11^th was most amusing I can imagine Ma saying “What have you brought now?” and poor old Pa saying in a very meek voice a lawn mower, then I suppose Ma would say “Well we don’t want any more rubbish” in about a fortnight she would say it cuts the grass very nicely.  Well we are still by the sea and very pleasant too we had rather an unwelcome visitor this morning in the form of a 5.9 shell but he didn’t go off so it doesn’t matter.  Things are quite noisy here but we don’t get very much of it.  It would be rather a novel wedding accompanied by confetti in the form of bombs.  Still such things are very common here and one gets quite used to it.  Glad you received the cheque OK.  I had a letter from Hilda tonight saying Gladys had arrived.  I suppose she will know more about the family than I do for I have never seen Pa. I can imagine Ma **tting off to the plot and then giving Pa such a lot of valuable advice.  The only thing is if ever Ma starts pulling my leg I shall ask her if she has had any enlargements lately.  That is her week spot.  I like Gladys quiet suggestion that she will welcome any tray cloths I would like to send , well the first opportunity I get I will send her some the joke will be she will never finish them.  We are a long way from the place where I brought the last but I may be able to do a bit.  At the present moment I am the proud possessor of a German cap badge don’t for one moment imagine I have been busy killing Boche Oh No just found the helmet you know.  I had a Field Card from Gus tonight it has taken 5 days to come so no doubt he is a very long way off.  I am still waiting for his address and am damned tired of asking for it.  I would love to have seen Pa wrestling with that lawn mower.  It does keep him busy.  I am *** what with the clock and other little details does he find much wrong with the bicycles lately.  How’s the gramophone going now?  I do hope you are buying a lot of records.  I shall want to play it a lot when I come home.

It is a long time since I had a letter from Bill.  I hope you will buck him up.  The Major tells me he has recommended me for promotion today but I am not very confident.  It did not take Dolly long to get married perhaps she wanted to make sure.  Well this is all at present, mind that lad doesn’t get into trouble with that lawn mower.  I suppose he finds the oil very expensive now.  I am as brown as a berry, in fact you won’t recognise me when I come home for my moustache makes a very good disguise.  I have a little puppy now which was borne in the trenches so I am keeping it for a souvenir.

Well Cheer Oh!

Fondest love

George

A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 19 July 1917

B.E.F.

July 19^th 1917

Dearest,

Many thanks indeed for all your letters. They arrived in a bundle owing to the disorganisation of our mail consequent upon the move here.  You must punish me severely for not writing to you more by neglecting to send me any news if I behave like this again.

Thank you too darling for your kind messages. I value your congratulations much more than the promotion.  After all it is only an acting captaincy and liable to be lost at any moment.

I am very glad you enjoyed Mr Cross’ visit. I had a most kind letter from him the same mail that brought all yours.

After all your hard work you will be very glad of a holiday. Mind you have a good rest and recover from the effects of your toil as a farm labourer before I come home on leave.

Please thank Mrs Lowe for her kind messages & tell her I am sorry not to have had the letter!!

How is the picking getting on? And how is Maude behaving herself?  Look after her well and send her home in good condition.  I hope you will have a good holiday with Mr & Mrs Cross.  You will be returning home I suppose about the middle of August.  What a long time you will have been away!

Well! Reg is married I suppose. I hope he will keep or be kept quiet now for a bit.  Miss Scarfe is engaged and Humph too, I hear, to a nurse.  He has not taken long has he?  What’s the matter with everybody?

The Major has returned I am glad to say so I have come down to the wagon-lines for a bit of a rest and I am not sorry. Still I have plenty to do looking after the horses and carting the ammunition every night which is a long job.  Like Messrs Paice & Cross we have been forcibly ejected from our lines by the Boche and we have had another camp to construct, and horse lines to make and water troughs and harness sheds to erect.

Mother has guessed where we are. I wonder if you can.  We have had an extraordinarily busy time.  I don’t get the comparative luxury of Headquarters now but still at present I have a tent and a camp bed which is a lot more than a wet corn field which is all we get in the gun line.

The weather has been very bad lately but to-day it is gloriously fine. Just fine for an afternoon of tennis or bathing.  The latter I might get if there were less to do.

I hope you are both keeping well. Give my love to Maude and thank her very much for her letter which I will answer as soon as I can.

I am longing for leave and a time with you. I hope when I do get away the weather will be fine.  I am just living on for that time.  What a long time it seems since my last leave.

With all my love, darling

And many kisses

Ever your

Arch.

F.S.P.C. 14 July 1917.

I am quite well

I have been admitted to hospital sick wounded and am going on well.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your letter dated telegram  parcel

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you lately for a long time.

Signature only: Arch

Date July 14 1917

Addressee Miss Muriel Cross C/O Post Office, Eardiston Tenbury Wells Worcester   Postmark ARMY POST OFFICE 18 JU 17.

A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 16 July 1917

B.E.F.

July 16^th 1917

My darling,

Forgive my long delay in writing to you. I am awfully sorry.  Thank you very much for your letter of the 11^th.

I have never been so busy before.

We have moved and travelled for five days or rather nights – usually starting at 1 a.m. and getting into camp 11 a.m. Then we had camp to make and horses to groom and feed & then pack for the next day’s move.  We arrived at this place at 9 a.m. and immediately I had to go with the Colonel reconnoitring positions which took us all day and we moved into action that night.  We were up all night building gun pits etc and the next day I spent ranging the guns from the O.P. as also the following  two days.  The Major is still away so I have been in command.

We have lived in a cornfield for two nights with no cover at all and to add to everything it poured with rain during the 2 nights and the Boche, sand-flies, & mosquitoes do not leave us alone – all this with numerous returns for headquarters have annihilated my correspondence – so you will forgive won’t you darling. I literally have not had a moment.

I will try and write you a proper letter tomorrow.

I am glad you enjoyed Mr Cross’ visit.

Forgive more now.

With all my love & kisses

Always yours

Archie.

FIELD SERVICE POST CARD

To T. Smith, 24 Palmerston Rd, Bowes Park, London N22 England.  Postmarked Field Post Office 20.  16 JY 17.

I am quite well

I have received your letter dated 9^th July Regd

Letter follows at first opportunity

Signature only. A. Smith.  Date  July 15^th 17

July 16^th 17

Dear Father

I am writing to thank you very much for the 10/- note received yesterday; it came as a pleasant surprise.  We have been paid more regularly lately but money is always useful I did not change the other one until last week.

Have you seen anything of the air raids lately, I hope not as they do not give a very enjoyable time.  I heard from Ciss the other day they certainly came too close there to be pleasant but it was a good job none of them was hurt.

We are still at the same place & not having a bad time we do not have so many hours on parade as we have been getting.

What do you think of the war news lately I don’t think you & Mr. Fillary will have to go I fancy it will be settled before then; I don’t think it will last long now by the look of things the Russians are doing very well again.  I am looking forward to soon being back in good old Blighty again.

The weather has been rather changeable lately but still very nice not too hot.

Have you heard from Albert Taylor lately I hope he is well I should like to write to him if you know his address.

I am glad to say I am very well & I hope you are jogging along merry & bright & that you are all in the best of health.

I think I am dried up for news now so must finish off.

With much love from

Your devoted

Son

P.S. I should be glad of a tin of Harrisons if you get this before you send a parcel but otherwise there is no hurry as I still have one full tin.

FIELD SERVICE POST CARD

To T. Smith, 24 Palmerston Rd, Bowes Park, London N22 England.  Postmarked Field Post Office 20.  16 JY 17.

I am quite well

I have received your letter dated 9^th July Regd

Letter follows at first opportunity

Signature only. A. Smith.  Date  July 15^th 17

REPORT ON RAID BY 4/5^th L.N.L. REGT.

on NIGHT 14/15^th JULY 1917

———————

PRELIMINARY.

15^th July 1917

1. The 4/5^th L.N.L. Regt. (O.C. Lieut. Col. C.L. Harford) carried out a silent raid on the E.F.L. trench from N.11.a.42.63. to N.6.c.74.43. last night, 14/15^th July.

1. “B” Coy (4 Offrs. and 123 O.Rs.) was selected to carry out the enterprise.

1. The objects of the raid were as follows:-

(i)                 To kill or capture enemy sentry groups or patrols.

(ii)               To secure identification.

1. Considerable movement has been seen and heard along the area to be raided for some weeks past. Patrols had located the following during the 6 days preceding the enterprise –

8/9^th …. NEBULA…..N.5.d.95.20…. Large wiring party working opp. this                                                     point, also to left and right.

8/9^th ……NED ……………..Voices heard and flares sent up from E.F.L.                                                        about N.11.a.50.80.

10^th …….NECK ………… …Enemy patrol heard in E.F.L. opp. N.5.d.05.25.

11^th …….NECK …………. …Flares sent up from head of NECK LANE.

11^th …… NEBULA …………. Enemy wire badly smashed – no enemy seen.

10^th …….NEBULA………….14 of enemy met in N.M.L. coming towards                                                       O.Ls. from NEBULA

12^th ……..NECK …………….N.5.d.90.05.  Voices heard in E.F.L. and flares                                                  sent up.

12^th …..…NEBULA………….N.6.c.30.30. – 3 separate parties were seen in                                                    E.F.L. and flares sent up.

12^th ……..NECK ……….…. N.5.c.00.20. – Metal being dumped and men                                                      seen in E.F.L.

11^th ……..NED ……………. Wiring party located at N.11.a.40.60.

13^th ……..NEBULA ………. Wiring party at N.6.c.45.40.

13^th ……..NEBULA …….….Sentry group at N.6.c.30.20.

12^th ……..NED ……………..Flares sent up from left and right of                                                                    N.11.a.40.60. and M.G. fired on patrol.

1. (a) It was therefore decided to attack the enemy all along his line at different points; this procedure obviated the possibility of a heavy enemy barrage, and it was hoped that one party would succeed in distracting the enemy’s attention from the operations of other parties if contact was obtained.

(b) The raiding party was therefore split up into 7 subparties or fighting      patrols, each patrol consisting of 1 Offr. or N.C.O. and 18 O.Rs.  Each patrol          was given a definite point of entry and definite area to mop up.  These areas            adjoined one another,             making a total of 1400 yds. of E.F.L. to be mopped up.

1. The points of exit and areas to be mopped up were as follows:-

Party.               Point of exit from       Point of entry              Point of

our lines                       into E.L.                      exit from E.L.

O.C. Raid.

Capt Hollis

”T” Party.        N.5.c.22.15.                N.11.a.42.63.              N.11.A.78.82.

“U”                  N.5.c.63.42.                N.11.a.78.82.              N.11.b.05.95.

“V”                  N.5.c.95.53.                N.11.b.05.95.              N.5.d.53.10.

“W”                 N.5.d.30.74.                N.5.d.33.10.                N.5.d.93.05.

“X”                  N.5.d.70.81.                N.5.d.93.05.                N.6.c.21.17.

“Y”                  N6.c.95.83.                 N.6.c.21.17.                N.6.c.50.37.

“Z”                  N.6.c.30.92.                N.6.c.50.37.                N.6.c.74.43.

1. Parties were given the following orders:-

• Parties were to “lie up” on the enemy’s parapet until Zero hour, unless a sentry group or patrol was located in the near neighbourhood when they were to be attacked at once.
• If an enemy patrol was met in No Man’s Land it was to be immediately attacked.
• If no enemy was discovered before Zero hour parties were to advance along the enemy front line at Zero hour.
• Any party obtaining a prisoner could return to our lines at once. Unsuccessful parties were to “lie up” until 2.15 a.m. and endeavour to capture an enemy visiting patrol.  All parties were to return at 2.15 a.m.

1. For several days prior to Zero day, wire cutting operations were undertaken, and the great eagerness of the enemy to repair the damage immediately was noticeable in the number of wiring parties located each night.

Gaps cut were kept open by M.G. fire and a careful watch kept.

1. The raiding party was trained on ground in the vicinity of ELBOW FARM, and all ranks were thoroughly conversant with their duties. The men were kept fit by constant training in Bayonet Fighting, Physical Training etc.

1. Arrangements were completed by the 14^th instant.

………..

1. – ACTION TAKEN DURING RAID.

……………………………

About ½ hour before Zero hour, heavy thunder clouds appeared, rain threatened and the darkness became intense. To allow for additional difficulties in reaching the point of entry of the enemy trenches, all raiding parties left our line at Zero hour minus 45 minutes instead of Zero minus 30 minutes.  Even this extra period was insufficient and in only three cases had the parties reached the enemy wire at Zero hour.  Strombos horns were sounded by the Portuguese Bde. on our right at about 11.30 p.m.  This continued till 12.5 a.m. and was taken up in a few cases by the strombos horns in the CORDONNERIE SECTOR.  This delayed parties considerably and one party sent back for information before proceeding.

During the raid a heavy thunderstorm, torrential rain, and accompanying intense darkness continued to produce the most unfavourable conditions for carrying out the operations.

“T” Party. (2^nd Lieut. Scholes and 15 O.R.) found their way to point of entry but the gap could not be found and had apparently been filled up, as much new wire was encountered.  The party worked left handed and was half way through enemy wire at Zero hr.

Borrow ditch and adjacent shell-holes were all filled with masses of loose wire which, owing to the intense darkness, proved impossible. Party worked along outside borrow ditch for a short distance.  Enemy neither seen nor heard in “T” area.  A few flares were sent up from NED SUPPORT.  Party returned to O,Ls. At 2.30 a.m.

“U” Party. (Sergt. S. Slater and 18 O.R.) reached enemy wire at N11.a.70.90. at Zero hour.  Many partial gaps were found, but only after many failures was it possible to get through the wire in the borrow ditch and shell holes owing to intense darkness.  Knife rests had been placed on the parapet.  An enemy M.G. was firing into enemy wire at N.11.a.65.90. (approx.) prior to and after Zero hour.  A few flares seen from NED SUPPORT.  No sign of occupation of E.F.L. in “U” area.  Parties returned at 2.45 a.m.

“V” Party. (2^nd Lieut. A.R. Rickard and 15 O.R.)  Party reached enemy wire at N.5.d.05.00. at Zero hour.  Gap found through first rows of wire.  3^rd row a mass of regular loose wire; this was cut through.  Plenty of loose wire in borrow ditch and parapet.  Front line appeared to be in a battered and derelict condition.  At Zero hour enemy M.G. at very long range opened fire close to raiding party.  No signs of occupation of E.F.L.  Flares sent up from NED SUPPORT.  Party returned at 2.40 a.m.

“W” Party. (Sergt. Smart and 15 O.R.) were about 50 yds. away from enemy wire at point of entry at Zero hour.  1^st row of wire easily passed.  Remaining wire a mass of broken and loose wire.  Owing to intense darkness gap could not be found although enemy wire was patrolled for 100 yds.  No signs of occupation of E.F.L.  Flares sent up from NEBULA SUPPORT.  Party returned at 2.4 a.m.

“X” Party. (Sergt. Fletcher and 14 O.R.)  This party was delayed by sounding of strombos horns, and was about 75 yds. from enemy wire at Zero hour.  Wire was much knocked about in places, but owing to intense darkness proved an impassable obstacle.  Several places along “X” Area were attempted; no sign of occupation of E.F.L.  2 flares sent up from NEBULA SUPPORT.  Party returned at 2.0 a.m.

“Y” Party. (Sergt. Grimshaw and 16 O.R.)  This party was delayed by sounding of strombos horns.  Wire badly damaged but owing to darkness borrow pit wire could not be negotiated.  Area wire patrolled.  No signs of occupation of E.F.L.  4 flares sent up from NEBULA SUPPORT.  Party returned 2.30 a.m.

“Z” Party. (Lieut. Hein and 13 O.R.).  party was about 50 yds away from enemy wire at Zero hour.  Large gap in enemy wire and parapet at N.6.c.48.35.  Front line trench waterlogged.  Patrol “lay up” and saw no signs of enemy with the exception of flares from NEBULA SUPPORT.  Party returned to our lines at 2.45 a.m.

GENERAL.  From the preceding reports it is apparent that the enemy were not in occupation of any part of his front line in the raided area.  This is unusual and may have been due to either of the following causes:-

• The most unfavourable climatic conditions prevailing last night, which may have compelled the enemy to withdraw his sentry groups to his support line.
• The enemy may have suspected that a raid on this sector was imminent on account of the fact that it had been vigorously patrolled for the preceding 10 days, and wire had had to be cut on the whole of the front to be raided.

P.H. Hausey

Brigade Major,

170^th Infantry Brigade.

O/C B Coy

FOR GOD, FOR KING & FOR COUNTRY

Y.M.C.A.

H.M. FORCES ON ACTIVE SERVICE

July 15^th 1917

Sunday Afternoon

My Dear Brother Sid,

Just a few lines in answer to your welcome letter I received a day or two ago.  Hope you are still quite well as I am A1 now “thanks”.  My cold is nearly better.  I am getting used to this place now, but of course it isn’t very much. St. Albans was the place for me.

I am enjoying myself alright though, we don’t get quite so many drills now, but a decent bit of other work.

Last night we had orders from the War Office to move the Camp, so all the Batt had to shift the tents under the hedges and trees and anywhere where they couldn’t not be seen from Aeroplanes.

Of course that is in our time they do all this moving business, and today I heard they were going to move our mess tents so I went out. Ha Ha.

I don’t ask for a job as they will always give you one if they see you standing about.

We are still having lovely weather down here, but last night it thundered a bit but didn’t rain.

Next week we shall have a busy week, as we are on a course of musketry, and the following week we shall fire our last course of firing, so that will mean another fortnight from getting leave.

I have had three letters from Ted since I joined up he doesn’t seem to care much about anybody, perhaps he will one day.

You need not tell anyone but I think when we have finished this course of firing and we have had our leave we are going to India, I hope we don’t go out there.  Don’t say anything as it is only a rumour.

Yes, Sid, I could do with some money as I am nearly broke again “worst luck.”

Anything that you buy is so dear, they don’t put the soldiers wages up, I think they ought too.

Well, Sid I don’t think I have any more news at present, so I will close.

With Best Love

From Your

Affec Brother

Frank W.

Write soon.

6649 Pte F.W. Springett

D Company 1^st Platoon

22^nd Training Reserve

New Hall Farm Camp

Upper Dovercourt

Essex

With cover to Mr. S.K. Springett, 29 Bath Road, Dartford Kent.  Postmarked HARWICH 7.15 PM 15 JY 17.

CODE NAMES

———-

In all communications this raid will be referred to as “HARFORD’S HUNT”.

…………

1. OUR TROOPS.

Code Name for Parties.

JOHN PEEL ……………………………… O.C. Raid.

WHIP ………………………………………O.C. Party

GREYHOUNDS………2.58 a.m.………… “T”   “

BEAGLES……………..2.43….……………”U”   “

HARRIERS……………2.32……………….”V”  “

FOXHOUNDS……………”….…………….”W”  “

STAGHOUNDS………….”………………..”X”   “

OTTER HOUNDS……..2.37……………… “Y”   “

BLOOD HOUNDS…… 2.46………………..“Z”   “

HOUND or HOUNDS………………Any man or body of men taking part in raid.

HOOF……………………………….Number of our men missing (followed by                                                           number).

BIT………………………………….Number of our men killed (followed by                                                              number).

SPUR……………………………….Number of our men wounded (followed by                                                        number).

KENNELS…………………………”…….” Party returned to our lines (preceded                                                      by name of party).

ARTILLERY.

RIGHT ZONE…………………………..Right Zone artillery to open fire.

LEFT ZONE……………………………Left Zone artillery to open fire.

BOTH ZONES…………………………All available artillery to open fire.

HOLD UP………………………………Cease fire.

1. ENEMY TROOPS.

FOX or FOXES…………………………………..Boche or Boches.

MASK……………………………………………Estimated number killed (followed by number).

PAD………………………………………………Estimated number wounded (followed by number).

BRUSH………………………………………….Captured (followed by number).

NO SCENT………………………………………No enemy found.

SCENT…………………………………………..No resistance from enemy.

FAIR SCENT……………………………………Slight resistance from enemy.

GOOD SCENT………………………………….Heavy resistance from enemy.

RABBIT…………………………………………Enemy barraging (followed by                                                                            place.)

HARE……………………………………………Slightly.

MOLE……………………………………………Heavily.

1. GENERAL.

HORN…………………………………………No news.

CHASE………………………………………..Machine Gun.

SADDLE………………………………………Trench Mortar.

DONKEY……………………………………..All quiet.

MEET…………………………………………Zero day.

1. The following is a specimen of a message sent in Code words:-

HARRIERS KENNELS NO SCENT aaa OTTER HOUNDS KENNELS             SCENT BRUSHES FOUR HOOFS NIL BIT NIL SPUR TWO aaa BEAGLES HORN.

Translated.

“V” party returned to our lines.  No enemy found aaa “Y” party returned to           our lines, no resistance from enemy, 4 captured, Missing Nil, killed Nil,             wounded 2aaa             “U” party no news.

Note. Each section of the message should be preceded by the name of the party to which it refers.

.

1. The following code will be used for notifying Zero hour:-

Count the hours from 1 to 24 and give the time of Zero hour in minutes with the prefix “HORSES AVAILABLE”.  Thus if Zero hour is 11.30 p.m. = 23 hours 30 minutes =1410.  Code message “HORSES AVAILABLE 1410.  Or 1 a.m. = 1 hour = 60minutes.  Code message “HORSES AVAILABLE Sixty.

 P.L. Hausey

Captain

Brigade Major

170^th Infantry Brigade.