Pte W Cooke 2559

15 Platoon D Com

5^th Batt Leic Regt

B.E.F.

France.

Wed 5/5/15

Dear Sir,

            I am writing these few lines to give you in answer to your most welcome letter to me which I received this morning having come out of the trenches last night for our rest.  I hope this finds you all in the best of health as it leaves me the same at the time of writing this and thank you very much for your kindness in sending me the book as there is some very interesting news in it besides the names and photos of several of my old mates.  You are quite welcome to the use of my letters if you think they are interesting and I will try and make them all the same if you think they are good enough to be read.  Well we are having lovely weather here and it is getting that hot I shall soon have to leave some of my things off and the fields are so green going up to the trenches and as we have not been in the firing line we have not had anything to do during the day and anyone would not think that the war was on in this part as you never hear a shot during the day from a rifle then all at once you hear our big guns boom out three shells together and then it brings it all back to your mind and then all is quiet again till darkness comes and then we have to start and unload the carts that brings the rations up as they cannot come in the day time for fear of being seen and giving the position away and then we should soon be shelled out.  Well I have showed one of the Boys from Whitwick his photo already and that is Fred Ducker and he was very pleased to with it but you have made a mistake Fred is in the 5^th Leicesters and St. John is in the 7^th Leicesters but I expect you have found the mistake out by now.  Well I have not got much to tell you this time but we have been very lucky as we have only lost one man killed and one or two wounded and they were not serious so you see we are still in luck and we must thank God for it as it is him who rules such things and we must put our trust in him.  The night they buried that poor chap I was on guard and I seen them conduct the service and the Brigade Chaplain was there to read the Service and as it was at night it was very impressive and the chap’s Brother was there to see him buried as he was in the same Company and if it is any condolence to them at home we are able to write and tell them that they are buried as well as possible and they put a cross up on there grave with there name and rank on and on some of the graves there mates have placed globes and wreaths in remembrance of them and some of the graves are very nicely done up and when they come up to the trenches they bring flowers and place on so it shows that they think of those who are gone.  Well I think I have told you about all this time so just remember me to all the old friends at Whitwick and I shall be very pleased to have my name put down on your list of members and I am looking forward to the Magazine coming.  Well I think I shall have to close now as I have told you about all the news that I am allowed to send and I will try and put more in next time I write which I am hoping will not belong so will now close with my Best Wishes to you and your Family and Friends at Whitwick.

I am

Yours truly

W. Cooke

5^th Leics Regt.

P.S. We have a service on the day we go in the trenches by the Chaplain and he is going to have a confirmation held in and I shall be confirmed out here if I can.

In envelope addressed to The Rev T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Leicester Road, Whitwick, Leicestershire.  England.

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE I.M  5 MY 15.

PASSED BY CENSOR 405 triangular cachet in red.

15-5-15.

Dear Sir,

            Just a line to let you know I am still in the land of the living.  I was pleased with your Easter Card & also your report.  The Photos is very good & the Church too, why it brought back olden times.  I see you have got a great many at the Sunday Afternoon Service now for men but I think a great many of them are fit for a service of other kind as well, they ought to come & help us a little.  We have a very hard task on & it’s nothing but right they should help us.  They will think it very funny if conscription comes into our land which we don’t want, & then what would they think.  I believe we are doing very well, so far my battery has been in action now for six months & only been out for three days so you see we have had it a bit stiff.  I think if I remember right we have had sixty two or so casualties one kind or another since we came out.  I am in a perfect state of health myself only at times my side pains where I had my two operations.  I do wish it would keep right as I want to go all thro it now I have started.  Oh no I have not seen Major Burkett but I have been in close touch with them may do later on, give my best respects to all, trusting you are in better health than you have been also all at home as I keep on smiling hoping to hear soon

Yours Sincerely

Charlie.

In envelope addressed to Rev. T. Walters, Vicarage, Leicester Road, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.  England.

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE T 8.  15 MY 15.

PASSED BY CENSOR 458 in triangular cachet in red.

Field Service Post Card.

I am quite well.

Will.  31/5/15

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 1.M.  1 JU 15.

Card  addressed to Rev^d T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.  England.

Orderly Room

16^th

Rev^d Sir,

            We are still getting on fairly well, considering the hard time we have been having this last week, and I am afraid it will be much worse very shortly.

The Bishop of Pretoria is preaching in our village this evening and holding Confirmation Services this afternoon and tomorrow for the Troops.

The weather is very nice now in fact it is a little too warm.

If it is not asking too much I should like Hymn No 595 sung for the members of the Church who are out here, on Whitsunday evening.

About a dozen of us have a little meeting every Sunday evening and sing Hymns, that included, and we have often wondered whether it is being sung at home.

I trust you and yours are quite well, myself I am very fit.

With Kind Regards

Yrs sincerely

Albert Will

In Green envelope addressed to Rev^d T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.  England.

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE I.M  17 MY 15.  Also on the back LEICESTER 19 MY 15 5.15 AM, COALVILLE 19 MY 15 10 AM.

Orderly Room

4^th

Rev^d T.W. Walters

Rev^d Sir,

            Thank you very much indeed for your nice letter and Men’s Service Report received this morn.  I consider it a very excellent one, and am very pleased to have one out here, I can assure you I shall often look at it, and in my thoughts be present at the monthly service.

I quite agree with you in omitting letters you have received, altho I have no doubt that after having been submitted to the Press Office, at London, they would have been alright.

Our life out here is very interesting in spite of being rough.  Our Battalion has had several tours in the trenches and I am pleased to say that the casualties have not been very heavy.

Of course I do not go to the trenches at the present time I am about 5 miles away.

Occasionally I meet the members of our Service who belong to our Battn, but not often, because I get so little time away from the office, usually I am on from 8 o’clock in the morning till 11 at night.  However when I do drop across them I give convey your kind regards.

I must thank you very much for giving Mabel and my parents a Report.  I am sure they will be most pleased with it.

I have a ‘Coalville Times’ each week and also a Parish Magazine so if far away I know of all that is going on.

I consider that the accounts of the Year Work brought forward at the Easter Vestry we very good and I should like you to thank both Churchwardens on my behalf for the excellent way in which they have conducted the affairs during the Year.

I am sorry to tell you that for the past week or more I have been far from well, altho I have made it light to my people.  I have had to go to the Dr, but as far as possible have kept my work up.  I think that it is a slight nervous breakdown, brought on by the strain of heavy work, you will understand that there is a terrible amount to be done in connection with the work out here and it practically all fall on my shoulders.  I think now I am pulling round, altho I cannot sleep at night.  I feel much better and hope within a few days to be quite right again.

I thank you most sincerely for your prayers, and can say that it is a very big help to one, to know that those at home are praying for our welfare out here.

I am sorry I cannot write you a longer letter this time, but I have so little time to spare, so I hope you will excuse me.

I trust Mrs Walters, the children and yourself are in the best of health.

Will write again when I have a few spare moments.

I cannot mention place, but I may tell you that for some time past we have been in a very hot place, and from all appearance it will be much worse.

With very kind regards

Yrs sincerely

Albert Will

P.S. Please give my kind regards to all the members of the Service.

There is no envelope with this letter.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

31^st MAY, 1915.

371 – District Court-Martial –

            The District Court-Martial directed to assemble in Brigade Order No. 350 of 22^nd May, 1915, of which Major G.H. Gardner, 21^st (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (2^nd Tyneside Scottish) was President, is hereby dissolved.

372 – District Court-Martial –

            The details of Officers as mentioned below will assemble at the Orderly Room of the 22^nd (S.)  Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (3^rd Tyneside Scottish) on June 1^st, 1915, at 10 a.m., for the purpose of trying by District Court-Martial the accused persons named in the margin:-

PRESIDENT

Major E.K. Purnell, 23^rd (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (4^th Tyneside Scottish).

MEMBERS

A Captain of the 20^th (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1^st Tyneside Scottish).

A Captain of the 21^st (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (2^nd Tyneside Scottish).

.

The accused will be warned, and all witnesses duly required to attend.

The proceedings will be forwarded to the G.O.C., 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade, “Alnbank” Alnwick.

Officers Commanding 20^th, 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd (S.) Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Tyneside Scottish).will each detail three officers to attend for instructional purposes.

In the margin.  No. 462 Pte. Thomas Yarrow, 22^nd Btn, Northd Fusiliers (3^rd Tyneside Scottish) and No. 1558 Pte. Peter Conley 22^nd Btn, North Fus (3^rd Tyneside Scottish).

WALLACE MARRS, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

30^th MAY, 1915.

366 – Irregular Discharges –

            It having been brought to the notice of the General Officer Commanding that soldiers have in some instances been discharged from the Service by Officers Commanding Units in an irregular manner without authority for so doing, Commanding Officers will, in future, be careful to comply strictly with the Regulations.  No discharges whatever will be carried out until authorized in due course by the proper authority.

367 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

“LONDON GAZETTE” –

The following extracts are published for information:-

From the “London Gazette” of Tuesday, the 25^th May, 1915,

The Northumberland Fusiliers –

20^th Battalion (1^st Tyneside Scottish). – The undermentioned to be temporary Second Lieutenants:-

Percy Arthur Ross.  Dated 20^th April, 1915.

Ivor William Makepeace.  Dated 23^rd April 1915.

Lionel Louis Clerici Tucker.  Dated 24^th April, 1915.

David Bertram Peters.  Dated 25^th April, 1915.

Alexandra, Princess of Wales’ Own (Yorkshire Regiment)–

12^th Battalion (Tees-side Pioneers). – Temporary Captain E.H. Alexander, from General List, to be temporary Captain.  Dated 14^th May, 1915.

            From a Supplement to the “London Gazette” of Tuesday, the 25^th May, 1915,

The Northumberland Fusiliers –

22^nd Battalion (3^rd Tyneside Scottish). – Roland John Pankerd to be temporary Second Lieutenant.  Dated 15^th May, 1915.

Northern Command Order No.892.

“LONDON GAZETTE” –

The following extracts are published for information:-

From the Second Supplement “London Gazette” of Friday, the 14^th of May, 1915,

The Northumberland Fusiliers –

20^th Battalion (1^st Tyneside Scottish). – Thomas Smith Crichton to be temporary Second Lieutenant.  Dated 7^th May, 1915.

From the Third Supplement to the “London Gazette” of Tuesday, the 25^th of May, 1915:-

The Northumberland Fusiliers –

20^th Battalion (1^st Tyneside Scottish). – The undermentioned to be temporary Second Lieutenants:-

John Donaldson.  Dated 21^st April, 1915.

Bertrand Percy Whillis.  Dated 22^nd April, 1915.

22^nd Battalion (3^rd Tyneside Scottish). – William Brown Hall to be temporary Second Lieutenant.  Dated 7^th April, 1915.

Northern Command Order No.903.

ABSENTEES – REPORTS AS TO REJOINING –

            It has been brought to the notice of the Army Council, by the Editor of the “Police Gazette,” that the number of notifications received by him as to men who have rejoined their Units from absence, or for any other reason, have become immune from apprehension by the civil police, only average slightly over 7 per cent. of the numbers previously reported to him as liable to arrest.  It would appear from this that the provisions of paragraph 516 of the King’s Regulations are not being complied with in all cases.

The attention of all Officers Commanding Units is directed to the paragraph in question, and the provisions contained therein must be strictly complied with in every instance.

Authority, War Office letter No. 108/General Number/1767 (A.G. 3), dated 26^th May, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 60731 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.897.

DISCIPLINE – TROOPS TRAVELLING BY RAIL –

            Attention is again directed to the instructions re-published in Command Order No. 791 of the 14^th May, 1915.  Troops travelling by rail must be warned of the danger of throwing empty bottles from the carriages of trains, as this dangerous practice has lately very much increased.  This Order, warning troops of the danger to railwaymen by this practice, will be re-published throughout the Command, in all Divisional, Brigade, and Regimental Orders, and troops moving by rail will be specially cautioned when entraining.

Authority, War Office letter No. 14/Railways/4548 (Q.M.G. 2), dated 25^th May, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 60525 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.898.

REAR TAIL LIGHTS ON BICYCLES –

            In order to comply with requirements of the Defence of the Realm Act, all Bicycles must be equipped with a Rear Tail Light at night, and therefore indents for the number of Lamps required, with brackets to fit on the rear spindle, must be forwarded to the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, at once

Authority, War Office letter No. 57/General Number/4298 (A. 3), dated 25^th May, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 53685 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.899.

ARMY ORDER.

            The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief is pleased to direct the publication of the following Order for the information of all ranks:-

WAR OFFICE,

27^th May, 1915.

 “XVIII – CASUALTY TO TRANSPORT ‘WAYFARER’. – The Secretary of State for War desired to place on record his warm appreciation of the gallant conduct and devotion to duty displayed by Major R.A. Richardson, and the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men of the 1^st Warwickshire Yeomanry, on the occasion of a torpedo attack on the transport ‘Wayfarer’ on the 11^th April, 1915.

Through the prompt action of Major Richardson, and the marked efficiency of the officers and men under his command, only five lives were lost out of a total of 189 men, and all the horses, 763 in number, were brought safely to shore.

The Secretary of State for War is proud of the behaviour of the troops, and regards it as a good example of the advantages of subordination and strict discipline.

The Secretary of State for War cannot close this Order without expressing his admiration of the coolness and courage of Captain David G. Gownie and the Officers and crew of the transport ‘Wayfarer’”

By Command of the Army Council.

368 – Command Orders – Attention called to –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is drawn to Northern Command Orders 893 and 900 of May 28^th, 1915, and 902 of May 29^th, 1915.

369 – Command Orders – Attention called to –

            The attention of Medical Officers in charge of Units is drawn to Northern Command Order No.901 of 28^th May, 1915.

370 – Rear Tail Lights on Bicycles –

Reference to Command Order No.899 of 28^th May, 1915, Officers Commanding Units will forward necessary indents as early as possible.

WALLACE MARRS, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

29^th MAY, 1915.

364 – Irregular Expenditure –

            It is notified for the information of Commanding Officers that the Brigade Committee have intimated that the Committee will cease to be responsible for any expenditure by units not authorized by Regulation – incurred after 31^st instant.  All accounts for any such expenditure incurred prior to that date must be made up and rendered direct to the Chairman of the combined Tyneside Scottish & Irish Brigades Committee, 23, Dean Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne, without delay – and no further bills will be forwarded to the Committee.

In future no expenditure whatever unauthorized by Regulation will be incurred without reference to Brigade Headquarters.

The existing arrangements for repairs of boots will hold good until further orders.

365 – Stretchers –

            Officers Commanding Battalions not already in possession of stretchers will forward indents to complete without delay to

Chief Ordnance Officer,

York,

under Para. 365, Equipment Regulations, Part 1.

WALLACE MARRS, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

28^th MAY, 1915.

362 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

RESULTS OF THE 11^th RIFLE COURSE –

            The undermentioned Non-commissioned Officer qualified at the 11^th Rifle Course, held at the School of Musketry, Strensall, from the 22^nd April to the 8^th May, 1915:-

637, Lance-Corporal Robson, C., 20^th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.

Northern Command Order No.884.

363 – Command Orders –Attention called to –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is drawn to Northern Command Orders 886 and 887 of May27^th, 1915.

WALLACE MARRS, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

27^th MAY, 1915.

357 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

RUNNING TRAINING –

            The Superintendant of Gymnasia has called attention to the fact that the instructions as regards running training laid down in paragraphs 309 to 321, Manual of Physical Training, are in many cases not sufficiently followed.

In many cases the exercises are made too severe and not sufficiently progressive, and in many cases the instructions in paragraph 319 as to not running before breakfast are disregarded.

General Officers Commanding are requested to issue such orders as they think advisable to correct these faults in training.

Disregard of the instructions laid down often causes heart strain, and the training, improperly carried out, is actually harmful in many cases, instead of beneficial.

C.R.N.C. No. 48597 (G.).  Northern Command Order No.863.

RETURNS – ARMY GYMNASTIC STAFF –

            All Instructors to the Army Gymnastic Staff attached to Units will render a return to the Superintendant of Gymnasia, Fulford Barracks, York, every Monday, showing the number of hours employed during the past week and the number of Officers, N.C.O.’s, and Men under training day by day.

C.R.N.C. No. 59925.  Northern Command Order No.866.

STORES – CARE AND CUSTODY OF –

            The attention of every Commanding Officers in charge of Government Stores is directed to the necessity for exercising due care for their safety and custody, for which duty he is held accountable under paragraph 100 of the King’s Regulations.

C.R.N.C. No. 47408 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.870.

358 – Command Orders – Attention called to –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is drawn to Northern Command Orders 868, 871, 872, 876, 878, and 881 of May 26^th, 1915.

359 – Horses – Issues of to Units 4^th and 5^th New Armies –

            With reference to Northern Command Order 871 of the 26^th instant, Officers Commanding Units will forward without delay to Brigade Headquarters indents for the horses required, including the transport light draught and pack horses referred to.

360 – Stores for Hutments –

            With reference to Northern Command Order No.876, Officers Commanding Units will indent accordingly.

361 – Bayonet Fighting Equipment –

            With reference to Northern Command Order No.878, Officers Commanding Units will indent accordingly.

WALLACE MARRS, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

NOTICE.

            The Honorary Secretary, Tyneside Scottish Brigade Committee, has notified that Silver Badges (Officers’) are now ready, and can be obtained from him.

Commanding Officers will inform him of the number required, and at the same time forward remittance.  Price of badge is 5s. 4d.