Archie A. Laporte Payne letters home November 1914

On embossed Government notepaper.

R.A. Mess

Colchester

Monday Nov 1914

My dearest Mother & Father,

Many thanks for your letters and parcel of washing. I am glad of a silk handkerchief too.  I brought one the other day – a silk one – and then tried to wash it and all the colour came out.  We are as you can imagine very busy.

I arrived back safely last Sunday and found things much as usual. The magazines proved very acceptable to the men in barracks.  I have been out riding most days this week.  On Saturday I had four hours in the saddle.  I may have to go to Ipswich after all.  It will be further away from home but it will be nicer there I think.  I do not like Colchester at all.

We had church parade yesterday morning as usual. I was in command of our battery.

I have called on the Harrises twice lately but they have been out both times.

How are things going in Finchley? I hope well.  I am sorry Father has a sore throat.  I hope it is better now, and also Mother’s throat.  I expect Evelyn is enjoying herself in Bath.  Tell Maude to come down here by a cheap train with someone nice if she can get off.  I could see her once or twice during the day.  There is no where to go down here and nothing to do unfortunately.

I don’t know when I shall be able to get away again. I enjoyed my last week end very much indeed.  It was all too short though we are still under canvas but I don’t mind it a bit now.  It has been extraordinarily mild although a trifle damp.

The news from the front is much better to-day. It rests to a great extent with the Russians I think.

If you hear of anyone with a good pair of field glasses – I should be glad of them.

Hoping you are all well with much love to you & all

Ever

Your loving son

Archie.

On embossed headed notepaper.

Royal Field Artillery

Colchester.

R.A. Crest.

Monday Nov 16 1914

My dearest Mother & Father,

I enjoyed my short visit to you very much indeed. I was glad to find you all well and everything going well.  I got back here quite safely and am hard at work again.  Tomorrow I hope to go into a billet.  I find it will only cost me 3d a day over the amount I am allowed for living out which is 4/9 per day.

Please tell Maude to give me due notice when she is coming down. Don’t you think she might stay the night here if she came down with somebody?  I can make all arrangements.

With much love to you & all.

Ever

Your affectionate son

Archie

On plain notepaper.

R.A. Mess

Colchester.

Nov 27^th 1914

My dearest Mother & Father,

Thank you very much for your letters and parcel of washing which arrived quite safely. I am so sorry to hear that Eve has been so unwell.  I hope you have better news of her now.

Things go much as usual now we have got a new battery commander. The other man having left for France to do Reconnaissance work in the Royal Flying Corps.

My host’s brother Major Chopping R.A.M.C. has arrived tonight from Ypres in France for a short holiday of 3 days – for a rest and to get married.  He has been telling me a lot of interesting news from the front.  He says all our men are doing and can do is to hold the Germans for the present.  The men are worn out with constant marching & fighting.

I am very sorry you have had all that trouble about a sword. It was very good of you to trouble so much.  It was the fault of those stupid people Kinos.

Anyhow I am glad you have got the money back. I shan’t trouble about a sword just at present.  They may be cheaper & better later on.

I had dinner at the Harris’ on Wednesday night & took a friend with me. I see some stupid man (probably a slacker) has been criticising the probable granting of a week’s leave about Christmas time.  I wish I could get him here & let my men have a go at him.

I am sorry to hear about Mr Sherlock. It is very sad for his sons.  I see Hunters – my Salisbury friend has been wounded at the front.

No doubt everything is prospering favourably at Finchley, at least I hope so and that you are all keeping well.

The weather is very changeable here. Last night it rained very hard.  I am afraid I can’t get away this week end.  Perhaps it is just as well as it is rather expensive travelling.

When does Evelyn come home? I suppose soon now & then it will be Maude’s turn.

With much love to you & all.

Ever

Your affect son

Archie

Without cover.

A.A. Laporte Payne November 1914

I

Nov 13^th 1914

Sir,

I desire to apply for leave from 12, noon on Saturday, November, 14^th 1914, to midnight on Sunday November, 15^th 1914.

I have the honour to be,

Your obedient servant

A.A. LAPRORT Payne

2/Lieut R.F.A.

O.C. 260^th Battery

R.F.A. Colchester

II

Forwarded and recommended

H.F.T. Blowey

Lieut R.F.A.

O.C. 260^th Battery R.F.A.

To O.C. 83^rd Brigade R.F.A.

Colchester

3

1. Commanding 260^th Battery R.F.A.

Returned. Brigade Order No. 145 has not been complied with

1. Hanna

Colonel R.F.A.

Commanding 83^rd Brigade R.F.A.

Colchester, 13.11.14

Monday November 16 1914

“Tomorrow I hope to go into a billet. It will only cost me threepence a day over the amount I am allowed for living out, which is 4/9 per day.

November 27

“We have a new Battery Commander, the last having left for France to join the Royal Flying Corps.

My host’s brother, Major Chopping R.A.M.C. has arrived tonight from Ypres for a short holiday of 3 days.  He has told me a great deal of interesting information.  He says that our troops can only hold the Germans for the present, and nothing further.  The men are worn out with constant marching & fighting.

I see Huntriss, whom I knew at Salisbury, has been wounded.

9 Countess Street Stockport

15/11/14

Dear W,

I suppose you are wondering how we are all getting along.  Fred got back last Monday & said what an enjoyable time he had had.  He & his friend Earlam sent off their application for service abroad, but have received no reply up to now.  We have tried to dissuade George from joining the army but he has definitely decided to join some Regiment tomorrow morning.  Arthur Boon has joined the 7^th Manchester’s & George will either join the same or the Public Schools Brigade which is just forming.  We regret the necessity of him taking this course but cannot under the circumstances refuse our consent.  Gladys feels very proud of him & is pleased that he is so patriotic.

We hope he will prove a valiant soldier & pray that he may return to us unhurt.  The home will be very quiet when both of them are away.

However we shall have to brace ourselves up to the necessities of the times.

Gladys has been to the dentist & had ½ dog teeth filled, but as we have not yet had the bill we cannot say what the cost will be.

Ma, Gladys & I went to a whist drive & dance last Thursday & Ma brought home the 2^nd prize which was a very handsome Lady’s Satchel.  We had a very good time.  Gladys has been spending the weekend at Mrs. Leah’s.  We are expecting her back tonight.

Business is very scarce & lapses numerous.

I am still a little increase however.

We are not so far off Xmas when I hope we may all meet together again

With love from all

Pa.