Category Archives: 1915

Dick-Cunyngham letter to wife dated 21 Mar 1915

Dick-Cunyngham letter to wife dated 21 Mar 1915

 

My darling one,

 

Rather busy – one last walk round our trenches tonight – we go further north soon – to place you will see marked Mont K & we live in a Chateau very comfortable but within shell area, although it has not been touched – yet – Home circumstances changing especially after we have just got our trenches so good – Doubt if we shall find better ones up K way. If I don’t write tomorrow or next day you will know we are changing quarters.  Have written to Godfrey now lot and hope it will find him – Am taking round a Gen & Colonel tonight.  We shall be out from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. I expect.  Moon is up now, so we shall see something.

 

All my love my darling one,

Your devoted Hubby

Jimmie

 

With envelope addressed to Mrs J. Dick Cunyngham, Heslington, Croft Road. Crowborough, England.  Signed Dick Cunyngham.  Passed by Censor No 1354 cachet.  Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 14 21 MR 15.

George Ryan’s letter home dated 18 Mar 1915

George Ryan’s letter home dated 18 Mar 1915

9th Middlesex

Barrackpore

Bengal.

India.

18 Mar 1915

 

Dear M & F,

 

I’ve received your letters of Feb 12 & 19. I received quite a batch of letters with your first one last Saturday.  One from Charlie Soper at Malta, one from the office, one from the landlady at Sittingbourne & one from Cousin William at Holt.  I’ve also received a few papers from Holt.  I don’t remember seeing “Cousin William” unless it was that he came over from Uncle Tom’s some time ago.  I suppose nobody else is likely to write from there; perhaps you had better let me know who’s who in case.

 

We’ve practically finished our firing now. We expect to go to Darjeeling some time next week, so I am going to Calcutta this afternoon if I can get a pass, as we might not have the chance again for a little time.

 

Well I suppose we are out here till October now, as there’s no signs of moving, in spite of the rumours.

 

The 2nd partner at the office has got a commission in the Navy & the Governor’s son has joined the Army so there’s only the Gov, & Mr Walker left.

 

I’m surprised at the cost of the W.D. League’s uniforms, they must be very swanky things. They only ought to cost half that amount, 20/- at the most, from any army contractor, in large quantities.

 

Hoping you are all well,

Love to all,

George

 

Dear Ma,

Thanks very much for the tales about my naughty sisters. Lets have some more.  I’m surprised at May, I thought she knew better.  She hasn’t got me to look after her.

G

 

Dick-Cunyngham letter to wife dated 15 March 1915 on black edged notepaper.

Dick-Cunyngham letter to wife dated 15 March 1915 on black edged notepaper.

 

March 15th.

My own darling one,

 

You do write such darling letters. I love the story that Freddie has got, bar settling down to work that night at St. Quentin and doing a bit of Staff work for F.W.  I didn’t know I had done anything more than anyone else – I shall be amused to hear your description of Seely, I wonder if you will remember that I got him to take Pancake Allan away in his motor-car from Bavai.  There has been some heavy fighting North of us – went on all last night, incessant firing & rifle fire heavier at 3 a.m. when I got up & telephoned down to the trenches.  But I’ve really had 2 good night’s rest lately – and rather less to do by day – we are going off on our tour in 40 minutes time.  Hope it will be quieter than last time when we had to take to ‘dug-outs’.

 

They are building us a Hutment Bde Hd Qrs later on, so we shan’t have these daily moves – today just as we had finished lunch a shell went over the house and landed beside the road about 100 yrds down – the vet officer who hates shells was just leaving the house at the time & came running back for the cellar – they put 9 in altogether & 3 failed to explode. One hit the church & knocked the S chancel to pieces, Geoff and I had a look at it just now.  The priest and some nuns were trying to save some coloured figures – it is sad to see churches knocked about & this one has some rather nice oak panelling & pictures.  I wonder they don’t remove everything.

 

How killing about Neil – what is he doing at Camberley – such a place to settle in for the poor boy unless he is with Godfrey’s relations. Must write to Godfrey some time – really disgraceful I’ve never written him a line.

 

I enclose a bill which please pay if you have enough & when I tell you cap has arrived and is satisfactory.

 

Never heard anything about Dickie & Eva going to Warminster – and a house – how exciting – shall I come home & help train the new Army! Daniell in Seaforth’s has gone.

 

My chilblains are now small blue & black bruises the size of a shilling and are very tender in the mornings – or whenever I put on or take off my boots. Find my old field boots the most comfortable by day but must try and wear the Norwegians for the mud tonight – my feet are warmer now so I may get into them easier.

 

Woke up deaf in left ear this morning so uncomfy, still deaf now – perhaps ride will shake it up.

 

There isn’t any news much – more activity all round coming with the spring, new moon tonight, one looks forward to moonlight nights as then we can walk round in comfort, it’s no fun on a pitch black night- shall be home for dinner about 10 p.m. tonight I expect, anyhow there ought not to be any more work & I have written my usual letter.

 

I am so glad you enjoyed your little jaunt in Town, you richly deserved it – will you now think about joining a Lady’s Club in Town, I feel you would have somewhere go to when you go up where you could be comfy – I never did like you rushing about, lunching at Stewart’s etc & having no rest. Think of it, darling will you – must go and change for trenches – old coat etc.

 

All my love my precious one & god keep you both safe & give you the strength to bear all your anxieties.

 

Ever your own loving Hubby

Jimmie

 

With black edged envelope addressed to Mrs Dick Cunyngham, Heslington, Croft Rd. Crowborough, England.  Passed by Censor No 1354.  Signed Dick Cunyngham.  Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 14 dated 16 MR 15

George Ryan’s letter home dated 11 Mar 1915

George Ryan’s letter home dated 11 Mar 1915

1945 “D” Co

9th Middx

Barrackpore

Bengal.

11 Mar 1915

 

Dear M & F,

 

Our letters have not arrived here yet this week. I expect we shall get them to-morrow.

 

We have not finished our firing yet; we even went last Sunday; we’ve got a day off to day though. We have been getting up at 5.0 & leaving here at 7.0 a.m. but now we are not going to start until the afternoon, 2.30.  I’ve been getting on pretty fair but none of us “recruits” will get proficiency pay until we’ve done 2 years service.

 

Myself & a dozen or so others of this company are going up to the hills shortly. The major doctor came round & inspected us last Saturday & picked out a few of us, the younger ones chiefly & one or two that didn’t look up to the mark.  We expect to go to Lebon, Darjeeling, that’s the summer station for “troops” in this part of India.  By all accounts it’s a very nice place.  They say we are going on the first of next month; I can’t say how long we shall be there.  C.A.S. is going too.  You had better continue to write here for the present.  It’s a nuisance getting our letters a day later than everybody else, it’s bad enough when the mail’s late.

 

According to the papers we shall get another mail in here next Monday as well as the one expected to-morrow, as a mail boat is due in at Bombay to-morrow morning.

 

How’s my “old iron”. I suppose it’s alright.  It’s not worth while trying to sell it I suppose.  I shouldn’t get anywhere near what its worth.  You might set the back wheel in motion now & again, by giving the pedals a turn or two; say once a month. Don’t touch the front wheel because of the cyclometer.  The front wheel, too, only tell me what the cyclometer stands at before you touch it.

 

Hope you are all well,

Love to all,

Yr loving son

George

P.T.O.

 

About the front wheel on the bike, dad. I was forgetting you was so handy with the screw-driver.  If you unscrew the “cyclometer – striker”, it’s a little thing on one or the spokes that catches the cyclometer, the cyclometer will not work.  It might not come right off, but you’ll be able to turn it so that it doen’t strike.  No need to take the bike down to do it.

 

 

 

George Ryan’s letter home dated 3 Mar 1915

George Ryan’s letter home dated 3 Mar 1915

9th Middx

Barrackpore

Bengal.

India.

3 Mar 1915

 

Dear M & F,

 

Thanks very much for your letters of Feb 4. Sorry to hear about C. Closh.  I saw a letter he had written home in the W. Chronicle a few weeks ago.  I expect you saw it.  I should think he’ll be home for a few days when he comes out of hospital.

 

Well we didn’t go into camp at Jaffapore after all. We marched there & back each day.  Yesterday we went in our shirt sleeves, but we wore our equipment just the same.  We have not gone to-day; we’ve got to stay in barracks as the Viceroy is in or near Calcutta & we might be wanted as guard during the next few days.

 

I’ve only done 20 rounds of my firing, out of 200, so it will be a fortnight or 3 weeks before we are finished. This is not the test though.  I’m only firing the course I ought to have fired at Hythe before we left England.  None of us will get any extra pay however well we do.

 

I had a very bad cold on Mon & Tues & my eyes ached a bit through being out on the range all day, so I went down & saw the Doctor. He gave me a dose of something for my cold which brought it out very quickly.  I was blowing my nose every 5 min y’day but to-day I felt nothing of it at all.  He gave me some lotion for my eyes & advised me to get a pair of tinted glasses to wear while we are on the range.

 

Hope dad has still got something to do. By the papers it seems there’s a great demand for labour but I suppose it’s for skilled labour of a different nature to dads.

 

Trusting this will find you all well,

Yr affectionate son,

George

 

Translation of a Gereman Divisional Order 27 February 1915

TRANSLATION OF A GERMAN DIVISIONAL ORDER.

 

REGARDING THE IMPROVEMENT OF FIRST LINE DEFENCE.

 

  1. I.D.

No. 1.441                                                                                        MARQUILLIES, 27-2-15

 

The inspection of the position of the Division (14th) by H.E. the General Commanding VII Corps, the Chief of the Corps Staff, and myself, leads me to make the following remarks:-

 

  1. It must be clearly understood by everybody down to the last man in the company that shelter-trenches fully capable of use as fire-trenches must be made 50 to 100 metres behind the front line. Wherever possible the construction of these shelter-trenches should go hand-in-hand with that of the front line defences. Wherever this is not possible on account of standing water or the backward condition of the front line defences, the construction of these shelter-trenches should be taken in hand as soon as possible.I repeat emphatically that the front line must be held in all circumstances. When a commander voluntarily gives up a portion of the front line he exposes the adjoining sections to the danger of being outflanked and forced to surrender. This commander therefore takes upon himself more responsibility than he is entitled to.
  2. I do not in the least underestimate the moral effect of a bombardment of the front line previous to an attack. The shelter-trenches are to be used from time to time for the occasional relief of the troops occupying the front line, to avoid heavy losses. There is the danger, however, that a reoccupation of the position in order to beat off an attack may become impossible when troops are withdrawn to a flank, or that a sudden change of fire-direction on the part of the enemy on to the densely occupied trenches on either flank, may cause heavy losses and intensify the moral; effect on the troops.
  3. Considering my very clear instructions of 5th February, Section 1, No. 300 (secret) paragraph 1 of the final remarks, I cannot understand how an officer commanding a battalion sector could tell the Corps Commander that he proposed to take up a position behind the front line, giving as a reason that his front line was too weakly held and not sufficiently fortified.
  4. The instructions of 5-2-15, Section 1, No. 300 (secret), concerning the completion of the positions, have not been sufficiently carried out. The following details are noticeable: the parapets in many places are too low and too weak. There are not sufficient traverses or parados.
  5. In many places banquettes are wanting, and a continuous firing line is not arranged for though these could have been provided long ago with little trouble. The possibilities of flanking fire have not been thought of sufficiently. Shelters on the rear side of the trench unless protected by at least 3 metres of earth are to be at once removed. Entrances to shelters are to be traversed.
  6. Greater energy must be shown in pumping water out of the trenches and communication-trenches by means of the small pumps, the position of which should be occasionally changed. I further draw the attention of officers in charge of sectors to the necessity of pumping out old trenches and communications, which will save the labour of constructing extensive new ones.
  8. Troops should not be content with a fairly dry trench, but should ensure that trenches and communication-trenches are kept entirely free of water, so that further rainfall may not lead to a dangerous state of affairs. Whenever the trench has been pumped dry, digging must continue in order to strengthen the parapet, especially in cases where the sole of the trench is on ground level.
  9. I quite realise that great exertions are demanded of the troops, but I have noticed in many instances that the necessity for this amount of work is not sufficiently appreciated. In order to employ the available labour to the best advantage, the following procedure should be observed:- The forces holding the front line trenches are at full strength and must remain so. Any difference, exceeding 100 men, between the fighting strength and the strength shown on the ration return is not justifiable and should not exist. I draw the attention of Commanding Officers to this, and request them to prevent the unnecessary detailing of men for various duties which are not authorized by superior authority. Company Commanders and Colour Sergeants are to be strictly supervised in this matter.Section 1, No. 330). Company Commanders have, against my express orders, kept every loophole occupied and have ordered their men to fire every half hour or “every now and again”; this is an inadmissible alteration of my orders, and if it occurs again I shall have to take disciplinary action. Where these practices continue there is no possibility of sufficient work being done. It depends upon local conditions whether work on the first line trenches is best carried out by day or night. A good deal of work, construction of banquettes, levelling of ground, etc., can be carried out by day.Reserves when used as working parties, are to be at full fighting strength. Complaints have been made to the Corps Commander about the lack of material in the front trenches; this lack of material is mainly due to the fact that the materials were not indented for in time. Indents should be sent in some time ahead, as the Pioneer Parks are frequently unable to cope with demands at short notice.I expect strict compliance with my orders of 5-2-15, Section 1, No 300 (secret), and rely on officers in charge of Battalion Sectors to see that they are carried out.(Sd.) Von DitfurthSent to :-  14th F.A.B.
  11. Hauptmann Bindernagel
  12. 79th Infantry Brigade            11th Jaeger and 2nd Coy. 19th Pioneer Btn.
  13. 27th Infantry Brigade for Regiments and Companies and 3rd Company 7th Pioneer Btn.
  14. (Lt. Gen. Comdg. 14th Divn.)
  16. Battalion Commanders, and not their representatives who temporarily occupy posts in the front line, are responsible for the effective completion and repair of the trenches in their Battalion Sector.
  17. It is the special duty of the Battalion sector Commander to see that repairing and building material is brought up into the front line in good time. The men detailed for this are not to be drawn from the troops in the first line trenches, but from reserves of each sector.
  18. The troops in the front line are there for working purposes in the first instance; only a few posts are needed for the observation of the enemy and they should not fire unnecessarily (see special Divnl. Orders 8th February,

George Ryan’s letter home dated 25 Feb 1915

George Ryan’s letter home dated 25 Feb 1915

9th Middlesex

Barrackpore

Bengal.

India.

25 Feb 1915

 

Dear M & F,

 

Thanks for your letter dated Jan 28th.  I received the Text Book from Mr Ayerst by the same mail.

 

I note that you’ve sold a pair of my shoes.

 

I think we are going to Jaffapore in a day or two’s time to do our firing. It’s 2 or 3 miles from here.  I expect we shall be there 2 or 3 weeks.  We shall live under canvas.  I’m not looking forward to it; it will be very hot out on the range, & the light is so strong, very trying to the eyes.

 

I went to Calcutta yesterday afternoon with C.A.S.  We had a nice time except that it was rather short.  You want a week there really to see the place properly, only of course, you want the “brass” & that’s the stuff we don’t see much of out here.  What little we do get, nearly all goes on grub – suppers, jam etc.  By the way jam is 8d a 1lb tin, marmalade 7½ d.

 

Calcutta seemed a little bit like home, electric trams, motor cars etc but the majority of the population is black.  We went to a music hall in the evening, but we only saw pictures.  I suppose they only have variety turns now & again.  The house was practically empty.  We got a rupee seat half price – 8d.  we got back to Barracks just after 11.0.

 

They are still sticking to the rumour that we are leaving India next month.  In fact they say now that Kitchener stated in Parliament that all T. were to be withdrawn from India.  But of course you’ll know more about that than we do; you get more reliable news.  If we are going to move we ought to have been told officially by now.

Hoping you are all well,

Love to all,

George

 

I suppose you see Cousin Ellen now & again & tell her all the news. I have not written to her since we landed.

George Ryan’s letter home dated 18 Feb 1915

George Ryan’s letter home dated 18 Feb 1915

1945 “D” Co

9th Middlesex

Barrackpore

Bengal.

India.

18 Feb 1915

 

Dear May,

 

Thanks very much for your letter of 21 Jan with the photo enclosed.

 

Yes. I got the parcel safely as I’ve already written.  The things were in as good condition as when they left you, thanks to the tin box.  It’s the only safe way of sending things out here.  A fellow received a parcel; or rather the remains of one, this week in a cardboard box.  The contents, what was left of them, mince-pies, cake etc, were all smashed & some cigarettes were damaged.

 

Guard here is about the same as at Dinapore, in fact they say the Magazine post is worse. I have not been on that post myself yet.  There’s a native village just behind it.  There’s generally a row going on there from 8 – 10 p.m.  After that of course the jackals & hyenas insist on giving their “concert” gratis, & there are dozens of fire-flies about, they look like small stars floating about.

 

My watch dropped off my bed the other day; it’s refused to go since. I’ve been wearing it on my wrist as I can’t wear it on a chain except in my trousers pocket & it takes about a minute to get it out from there, with my tunic & equipment on.  I shall take it to Calcutta when I go but if it’s going to cost much to put right I shall buy a proper wrist watch if I can get one at a reasonable price.

 

We’ve been digging trenches this week, a very suitable occupation in this climate. It doesn’t suit me, I’ve got a blister on each hand already.  One thing about it if I can’t get a job as clerk when I come back I might stand a chance as “Sanitary Inspector” or a Road digger or something of that sort.

 

Has the “egg hand” seen you home yet. I wish I was able to come & meet you; you would be able to say then that your brother was waiting for you.

 

Yr loving brother

George

George Ryan’s letter home dated 18 Feb 1915

George Ryan’s letter home dated 18 Feb 1915

Barrackpore

Bengal.

India.

18 Feb 1915

 

Dear Edie,

 

Thanks for your letter dated 14 Jan which I received last Friday, 12th Feb, a day after the mail had gone out.

 

We are beginning to settle down here now. It seems to get hotter every day, but we are still working hard.

 

We’ve seen a few snakes since we came here, only small ones though. Another fellow & I killed one a few days ago, it was 20” long& as thick as your finger.

 

Hope you are getting on with the piano I wish I had the chance of keeping on with it. I expect I shall have forgot nearly all I ever knew by the time I’m able to start again.

 

I have not written to you before as I don’t suppose it matters who I write to, I suppose each letter goes round the house just the same.

 

Remember me to Mr. Clark,

Yr loving brother

George

George Ryan’s letter home dated 18 Feb 1915

George Ryan’s letter home dated 18 Feb 1915
Barrackpore
Bengal.
India.
18 Feb 1915

Dear M & F,

Thanks for your letter of 14 Jan. I’ve acknowledged each one of your letters so perhaps you can tell whether I’ve received them all or not. I know I didn’t receive any for 3 weeks after Christmas but since then I’ve had one each mail either from you or May.

Yes that tale about the bullocks, or rather Buffaloes is quite right. C.S. & I were walking across from one barrack to another. It was a funny thing but just as we got near this heard of buffaloes I said to C.S. “Ump! I don’t like the look of these things.” However we kept on & just as we were passing them one of them ducked down his head & charged at us knocking C.S. over & sending me sprawling. I kept on my legs but neither of us were hurt. They are quite quiet as a rule but both of us have given them a wide berth since.

We’ve been issued out with a hair brush, 2 boot brushes, 1 button brush, clothes brush, a pair of socks, a flannel shirt, a fine sweater & another kit bag. They seem very good things too. The shirt is thinner than what you made but nice & soft & the jersey is a very good one, quite heavy. Perhaps you think it’s not much use out here, but it’s fine to put on after coming back from a route march when you’ve changed your shirt.

There’s a fine church here, much better than the one at Dinapore, better clergyman too, it’s almost like being at home the Sunday Evening service. The vicar has opened an old school-room as a reading room. There’s a good piano there so we have musical evenings. 3 or 4 young ladies sang songs the other night.

I should have thought Mr. C could have taken M. & Edie for 25/-. I asked you in one of my letters what he did about the 10/-, balance of my lessons. I suppose it was in the letter from Aden. I said I expect he kept that as I gave him no notice. I told you not to say anything about it unless he mentioned it.

Glad you are getting a few eggs now. They are cheap here. We get a couple hard-boiled now & again instead of porridge for breakfast & we can buy a couple fried at the supper bar for 6 pice (1 ½ d)

Well I think I’ve done very well this week writing to each of you & saying something different in each.

Hoping you are all well & jogging along alright.
Yr loving son
George