SECRET

XIII Corps 143/2/19(G)

18^th Division No G. 619

G.O.C., R.A.

3^rd Division.

9^th Division.

18^th Division.

35^th Division.

No 9 Squadron R.F.C.

No 4 Kite Balloon Section

N0 12 Kite Balloon Section.

1. For the attack on the enemy’s 2^nd line, flares will be shown as follows:-

XIII Corps – Green

XV Corps – Green( or any yellow flares that may be left.

III Corps – Red(or any yellow flares that may be left.

1. During operations, up to the present, Contact Patrol aeroplanes have been able to fly very low, flares are easy to locate, signalling panels have been read without difficulty when used.       The air within observing distance of the lines has been practically clear of German aeroplanes.       Such German balloons as are still up have been moved back, and cannot see much, especially in the afternoon and evening.
2. A Map showing the lines on which flares will be lighted will be issued tomorrow (13^th instant).

(sgd) D. MONTGOMERY, Major,

for B.G., G.S.

XIII Corps

12^th July 1916

Royal Artillery.

53^rd I B

54^th I B

55^th I. B

Signals

Forwarded.       Map will be issued later

F.H. Harry

Major,

for Lieut-Colonel.

Senior General Staff Officer, 18^th Division.

July 13^th 1916

Canadian Y.M.C.A headed notepaper

H.M. FORCES ON ACTIVE SERVICE

Pte. A.A. Smith

No 27521

Reply to Essex Regt

15^th I.B.D A.P.O (817)

B.E.F. France

July 13^th 1916

Dear Father

I have not very much news to tell you but I thought I would write you a short note in case you did not receive my first letter.

We do not get very much news here as it is a job to get a paper so I expect you know more about the war than we do although we are much nearer.

We are alright for cigarettes here 4 packets given out per week. I think it is rather too far to send parcels at present & I don’t think we shall be staying here very long.

Well I think I must conclude now Father. Hoping you are all in the best of health.

With much love from

From your devoted

Son

Alf

P.S. Many thanks for your letter I was very pleased to hear from you also for parcel I shall appreciate it very much if you have sent it. If we leave here I would get it alright as it would be sent on to me; but if you have not packed it up yet I think I should leave it until you hear from me again.

Remember me to Darvills & Miss Dimond. Glad they are all well. I will write to them first opportunity I get.

Canadian Y.M.C.A headed notepaper

H.M. FORCES ON ACTIVE SERVICE

Pte. A A. Smith

No 27521

Reply to Essex Regt

15^th I.B.D  A.P.O 817

B.E.F. France

July 8^th 1916

Dear Father

You can see by the above address where I am stationed now; it is a bit further than Dovercourt now, too far to come home for a week-end but I must put up with it for a bit.

I cannot tell you very much news. We had a good crossing & the train ride was very interesting.

The food is very good here much better than Dovercourt. I don’t know much about the drills yet but I don’t think we have to work so many hours.  The ground is all sand it is very tiring for marching.

We are not allowed out of the camp but there are several recreation huts &c so we can pass the time away alright when we have finished duty.

I think this is all I can tell you now. Glad to say I am quite well & hope you are all enjoying good health.

With much love to Jess, Ethel & yourself

Your devoted

Son

Alf

P.S. I shall be pleased to receive a letter from you when you have time to write.

Fragment undated

matter in the Brigade either. The young ‘shop’ boy who was with us in the battery until April was killed on the first day of the bombardment.  He was an awfully nice cheery fellow – never in the dumps – He had worked very hard for sometime laying telephone lines – sometimes all day & all night.  When he had practically completed his job and was sitting down under a tree for a short rest a stray shell burst in front of him.  I dare say you saw his name in the papers – Freemen Cowan.

What do people at home think about the ‘move’? I should be interested to hear.  I have seen a paper of the 6^th – La Boiselle seems to figure very largely in the communiqués.  There really was some very hot fighting here but some of the things the reporters say are not exactly truthful.

I am disgusted to see that while the Ulster Division did such heroic work out here and suffered such a lot, the politicians at home betrayed them.

I am afraid I am writing a very serious and gloomy letter to you this time. Please forgive – it must be the weather which is again cold, windy & wet.

Au revoir

Yours very sincerely

Archie.

Fragment undated

matter in the Brigade either. The young ‘shop’ boy who was with us in the battery until April was killed on the first day of the bombardment.  He was an awfully nice cheery fellow – never in the dumps – He had worked very hard for sometime laying telephone lines – sometimes all day & all night.  When he had practically completed his job and was sitting down under a tree for a short rest a stray shell burst in front of him.  I dare say you saw his name in the papers – Freemen Cowan.

What do people at home think about the ‘move’? I should be interested to hear.  I have seen a paper of the 6^th – La Boiselle seems to figure very largely in the communiqués.  There really was some very hot fighting here but some of the things the reporters say are not exactly truthful.

I am disgusted to see that while the Ulster Division did such heroic work out here and suffered such a lot, the politicians at home betrayed them.

I am afraid I am writing a very serious and gloomy letter to you this time. Please forgive – it must be the weather which is again cold, windy & wet.

Au revoir

Yours very sincerely

Archie.

FOR GOD, FOR KING & FOR COUNTRY

Y.M.C.A.

H.M. FORCES ON ACTIVE SERVICE

6185

1^st London R.F.

14 Base Camp

Le Havre

B.E.F.

France

Monday Eve July 7^th

Dear Mother & all at home,

Just a few lines hoping they may find you all well at home. Glad to say I am very well at present.

I had a letter from Mary the other day. She says she likes her place allright no doubt she sees more life there than she did at the other place.

I had a letter from Dad, Sid & Ted last week.

Well Mother I must tell you that I am on the move again, we are shifting farther up the line. Don’t worry I shall be allright I will always look after myself wherever I am.  I will write to you as soon as I know my fresh surroundings & will write as often as I possibly can.

Dear Mother I have enclosed a 10/- note as I have no use for it now, use it for something that you like. Hoping that you may get it safe.

Well Mother I don’t think I have any more to say for now, hoping you are all well at home, but for the meanwhile write to me at the same address.

Goodbye for now.

So with love to all the Girls & all & ****

I remain from your loving son  Walter

P.S. for the girls XXXXXXXXXXX

PS I saw Jack Upton here last night he is in the London Scottish (Frank knows him) I was rather pleased to meet someone I know.

Tell Frank to ride the bike & look after it.

PICTURE POSTCARD

Of East Cliff – Martello Tower Folkestone

To T Smith Esq.,

24 Palmerston Rd

Bowes Park

London N

Postmarked Folkestone 2.30 PM 6 JUL 1916

July 6^th 16

Dear Father

Arrived here this morning leaving at 3 P.M. All well  Alf

APPENDIX A

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Date                Unit                                         From                            To        Starting Time              Remarks

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

5^th                    5^th Bde R.H.A.                       FRECHENCOURT                Area 2             12 noon                      Via ST. CRATIEN – MAINMONTIGNY-                                                                                                                                                                     AMIENS Road – AMIENS – DREUIL –                                                                                                                                                                 BREILLY-FOURDRINOY – Billets.

“                    33^rd Bde R.F.A.             ditto                                                   do     12.10 p.m.                                           ditto

“                    45^th Bde R.F.A.          BEHENCOURT                     Area 3.            12 noon.                      As for 5^th Brigade to AMIENS thence                                                                                                                                                               SAVEUSE – FERRIERES –                                                                                                                                                                                                 BRIQUEMESNIL – Billets.

“                   D.A.C.                                    BAVELINCOURT                Area 1 12 noon                       As for 5^th Brigade to BREILLY thence                                                                                                                                                                         PICQUIGNY – St PIERRE –A-GOUY,                                                                                                                                                                  CROUY.

Reference Map FRANCE Sheet 17 1/100000   (AMIENS)

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————G.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8^th Div Arty.

5.7.16

APPENDIX OO/15

SECRET                                                                                                         Copy No 1

8^th Division Artillery Operation Order No. 15.

——————————————————————————————————-

1. The Divisional Artillery will move to Billets South of the SOMME on 5^th July.
2. Brigades will march in accordance with Appendix A attached.
3. Billeting Parties to be sent on in advance and will report to Staff Captain of Billeting Area.
4. Tail of the Column must be clear of the entrance to AMIENS by 3 p.m.
5. Supplies. Instructions have already been issued.
6. Brigades and Divisional Ammunition Column will report their arrival to Divisional Artillery Headquarters CAVILLON.

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8^th Div Arty.

5.7.16

Copies to         8^th Division

12^th Division

19^th Division

All Brigades

3^rd Corps R.A.

Y.M.C.A

POSTCARD

To T Smith Esq.,

24 Palmerston Rd

Bowes Park

London N

July 6^th 16.  Postmark Harwich 8.30 pm 5 July 15

Dear Father

We are leaving tonight 7P.M. I will write as soon as I am settled again.

Alf