Moorside

Crowborough

Friday

2.16

Dear Gladys,

I had a letter from Fred during the week he has gone back to the trenches.  It is beastly weather for him.  I had a letter from Elsie this week telling me that Aunt Sarah had been over.  How are you getting along with the scholarship.   I have some very interesting news for you this week.  Last Sunday to Monday I was in bed again with influenza but am quite alright now.

Well last Wednesday 3 of us were absorbed into the Battalion strength – this means that I am no longer an additional officer liable to be moved to any other unit, but am a fixture.  In peace time this is considered to be promotion on the first step towards real promotion.  Well to improve matters there was an examination on Thursday for junior officers by the Divisional Board unless this exam is passed they will not send us out.  To get on with the tale there was an oral exam and we had to parade again at 5pm for a written exam only those who had passed the oral were allowed to stay, you will be surprised to hear that only 14 out of the whole Brigade passed – 3 were from out Battalion and I was one of them.  I have been working very hard lately as I wanted promotion as much as anyone.  My OC Company, the junior Major, was delighted and congratulated me.

The greatest event of all is that Burn’s marriage is off.  Mr. A wrote to his father telling him what A had called his mother his father has ticked him off.  Then Mrs. A went over to Stockport and saw Mrs. Brocklehurst and told her everything she possible could – result Arthur the juggler is rejected and all arrangements had been made for a wedding to take place the first week in March.  I will give you more details when I come home, I rather dislike the thought of meeting AB again.  He will be sure to think I am the originator of all of this however it serves him right.

Well I have no more news at present, next time you write make it a bit longer & find out how much Harding will let me have 500 of my special cigarettes for.  I am enclosing 10/- for a birthday present, can’t raise more at present

Fondest love to all

Your loving brother

George

PS Many happy returns dear. G

SECRET

Appendix I

Copy No 14

55^th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

Order No 7

29^th February 1916

Ref: 1/20,000 sheet 51c S.E. and 1/100,000 sheet 11. LENS

1. The 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde is to be relieved in the 55^th Divisional Artillery by the 14^th Bde R.F.A., 68^th & 88^th Batteries R.F.A. (each of 6 – 18 pr guns) from the 4^th Division.
2. The 68^th and 88^th Batteries will take over the positions at present occupied by the 12^th, 13^th and 14^th Lancs Batteries and will be under the tactical control of Lt. Col J.P. Reynolds, Comdg Left Group, but will continue to be administered by C.C. 14^th Brigade R.F.A.

The 13^th Lancs Battery will replace the 1^st Staffs Battery and remain in the Left Group.

The 12^th Lancs Battery will replace the 2^nd Staffs Battery under tactical control of Lt. Col L.J. Osborn, Comdg Right Group.

The 14^th Lancs Battery will replace the 3^rd Staffs Battery under tactical control of Lt. Col. T.E. Topping D.S.O. Comdg Left Centre Group.

C.C. 3^rd West Lancs F.A. Bde will continue to administer 12^th and 14^th Lancs Batteries.

3. To effect the above the following moves will be carried out by sections on the nights 1^st/2^nd & 2^nd/3^rd March, to commence at 7.30 p.m. each night.

Night 1^st/2^nd March

(a) Right section 88^th Battery will relieve Right Section 13^th Lancs battery at R.10.a.2.7.

Right section 68^th Battery will relieve Left Section 14^th Lancs Battery at R.10.a.4.8.

Centre Section 68^th Battery will relieve Right Section 12^th Lancs Battery at R.10.a.6.9.

(b) Sections thus relieved will then relieve corresponding sections of 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde.

13^th Lancs Bty – 1^st Staffs Bty at R.9.c.2.9.

14^th     “       “      3^rd     “      “   at R14.b.8.9.

12^th   “        “      2^nd     “      “   at Q.24.a.9 ½ 2 ½.

(c) Sections of 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Staffs Batteries will on relief move to wagon lines.

Night 2^nd/3^rd March

(a) Centre Section 88^th Battery will relieve Left Section 13^th Lancs Battery.

Left Section 88^th Battery will relieve Right Section 14^th Lancs Battery.

Left Section 68^th Battery will relieve Left Section 12^th Lancs Battery.

(b) sections thus relieved will then relieve corresponding sections of 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde.

13^th Lancs Battery – 1^st Staffs Bty at R9c.2.9

14^th Lancs Battery – 3^rd Staffs Bty at R14b8.9.

12^th Lancs Battery – 2^nd Staffs Bty at Q24a.9 ½ .2 ½.

(c) Sections of the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Staffs Batteries will on relief move to the wagon lines.

No movement of vehicles will take place E. of BEAUMETZ before 5.45 p.m. on each night.

No section will move from its present position until arrival of relieving section.

4. H.Q.14^th Brigade R.F.A. is to move to billets at BEAUMETZ arriving 12 noon March 1^st O.C. 14^th Brigade R.F.A. will take over from 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde by direct arrangement with the later.
5. O’s C. relieving batteries will not take over command at their new positions until the relief has been completed.
6. Wagon lines for 68^th and 88^th Batteries will be at SAULTY.
7. On March 1^st the 14^th Brigade Ammunition Column is to move to SAULTY and section 4^th Divisional Ammunition Column to GRINCOURT where it will be attached to 55^th Divisional Ammunition Column.
8. Instructions regarding supply of ammunition and moves of units of 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde will be issued later.

1. Benson

Major R.A.

Brigade Major

55^th Divisional Arty.

Issued at 8.30 p.m.

Copy no    1.  Right Group Comdr. 1^st W.L. F.A. Bde.

2. Centre Group Comdr 2^nd W.L. F.A. Bde.
3. Left Group Comdr 3^rd W.L. F.A. Bde.
4. 4^th W.L. F.A. Bde.
5. 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde.
6. 4^th North Midland F.A. Bde.
7. 55^th Div. Amm. Col.
8. 55^th Div (G)
9. 4^th Div Arty
10. 14^th Brigade R.F.A.
11. do
12.              do
13. File.
14. War Diary.
15. Staff Capt.
16. Signals.
17. 7^th Corps Arty.

SECRET

Appendix I (a)

Copy No 14

55^th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

29^th February 1916

Reference Map 1/100,000 Sheet no 11 LENS

1. The following moves will take place tomorrow March 1^st, in accordance with instructions from 7^th Corps.

2^nd North Mid. Ammn. Column at SAULTY and section 46^th D.A.C. (attached 55^th D.A.C.) at WARLINCOURT, will move at 7 p.m. to billets at a place to be notified later.

1. The 14^th Bde A.C. from 4^th Division is to arrive at SAULTY at 2 p.m. March 1^st and will be responsible for supply of ammunition to its own sections and those of the 18 pr Bde (3^rd W. Lancs) which it is relieving at and after 7 p.m. March 1^st.

O.C. 3^rd W. Lancs Ammn. Column at SAULTY will provide guides as required by O.C. 14^th B.A.C.

3. The 3^rd West Lancs Ammn. Column will be responsible for supply of ammunition to its own sections which relieve those of 2^nd N. Mid Bde and to sections of the 2^nd N.M.F.A. Bde at and after 7 p.m. March 1^st.
4. Sections 4^th Divisional Ammunition Column is to join 55^th Divisional Ammunition Column at GRINCOURT near WARLINCOURT at 2 p.m. March 1^st and will commence supply of ammunition at and after 7 p.m. March 1^st.
5. Wagon Lines of one Battery 2^nd N.M.F.A. Bde will move from BAVINCOURT to billets at SAULTY vacated by 2^nd N.M. Ammn. Column under Brigade arrangements.

1. Benson

Major R.A.

Brigade Major

55^th Divisional Arty.

Issued at 9.15 p.m.

Copy no    1.  Right Group Comdr. 1^st W.L. F.A. Bde.

2. Centre Group Comdr 2^nd W.L. F.A. Bde.
3. Left Group Comdr 3^rd W.L. F.A. Bde.
4. 4^th W.L. F.A. Bde.
5. 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde.
6. 4^th North Midland F.A. Bde.
7. 55^th Div. Amm. Col.
8. 55^th Div (G)
9. 4^th Div Arty
10. 14^th Brigade R.F.A.
11. do
12. do
13. File.
14. War Diary.
15. Staff Capt.
16. Signals.
17. 7^th Corps Arty.
18. Town Major SAULTY

62 Benyon Rd

Kingsland

London N

11-2-16

Dear Ted & Mary,

I just remembered that it is Gladys’s birthday either today or tomorrow so I want to wish her many happy returns of the day.  I hope you are all quite well.  I am not quite as I should like to be.  It is the blathering rheumatism that is troubling me.  I had a letter from George a little while ago. I hope I shall be able to see him before he leaves Crowboro.  How is Fred I hope alright.  I suppose Willie will not have to join.  There is enough for him to do here.  Is it true that they dropped bombs on Buxton.  I don’t think so but this is what I have been told.  I had a letter from Kingswereford telling me that they had passed over there but did not do any damage.  I never thought that they would get so far inland.  There seems to be no safety anywhere from them.  We fully expected them in London that night.  The trains were stopped before six pm & the people that had to go by train were in great difficulties.  We closed one meeting & came home to sit listening for the bombs to drop but thankful when they did not come.  Thinking they had been beaten back on the coast, but alas for the midlands.

I must close with my best love to you all

Yours affectionately

Martha Ann

Customs & Excise Embossed Notepaper

Kibworth

15.2.16

Dear Father & Mother

Thanks very much for the birthday greetings and for the dainty pair of cuff links.  They’re just what I wanted and what I should pick choose myself.  32 is a very nice number.  It will divide by 2, 4, 8 & 16.  I feel I ought to be doing mathematics this year with such an accommodating number for a companion.  Had a letter from George this mng.  He has been in bed with the “flu” but is better now.  I suppose you know he has passed the divisional exam for subalterns only 14 passing in the Brigade and has also been put on the permanent establishment of his Battalion.

Also that friend Arthur is “hoist with his own petard” having scared both birds away.

I am expecting my leave next week so hope to see you all soon.

Hope Gladys is better by now she seems a wholesale dealer in whitlows, sties, heat bumps &c.  She should add a few corns and bunyans (bunions) by way of variety.

I enclose £2 in notes on account of premium

Love to all

Willie

Cover Postmark Kibworth Leicester 15 Fe 16 to E. Hammond Esq

9 Countess St Stockport

Customs & Excise Embossed Notepaper

Kibworth

15.2.16

Dear Father & Mother

Thanks very much for the birthday greetings and for the dainty pair of cuff links.  They’re just what I wanted and what I should pick choose myself.  32 is a very nice number.  It will divide by 2, 4, 8 & 16.  I feel I ought to be doing mathematics this year with such an accommodating number for a companion.  Had a letter from George this mng.  He has been in bed with the “flu” but is better now.  I suppose you know he has passed the divisional exam for subalterns only 14 passing in the Brigade and has also been put on the permanent establishment of his Battalion.

Also that friend Arthur is “hoist with his own petard” having scared both birds away.

I am expecting my leave next week so hope to see you all soon.

Hope Gladys is better by now she seems a wholesale dealer in whitlows, sties, heat bumps &c.  She should add a few corns and bunyans (bunions) by way of variety.

I enclose £2 in notes on account of premium

Love to all

Willie

Cover Postmark Kibworth Leicester 15 Fe 16 to E. Hammond Esq

9 Countess St Stockport

In biro “about Feb”

Dimanche 14 1916

Dear Mar & Pa

Just a line to let you know I am still OK.  I am still in a state of *** ****canna ** at present what will be my aboard.  Our old brigade is napour and we are at present waiting the final move as long as you hear from me **** until further notice address my letters as C/O 9^th Signal Co.  We have had a good time in the old place and are all a little sorry to part more so as many of the Section will leave us after being out together for so long.  Still we have all said adieu to many of our old pals and some of us will stick together probably within a few days we shall be settled again and I shall feel more disposed to write a decent letter anyway we are not down hearted

So cheero for the present

Gussie

62 Benyon Rd

Kingsland

London N

11-2-16

Dear Ted & Mary,

I just remembered that it is Gladys’s birthday either today or tomorrow so I want to wish her many happy returns of the day.  I hope you are all quite well.  I am not quite as I should like to be.  It is the blathering rheumatism that is troubling me.  I had a letter from George a little while ago. I hope I shall be able to see him before he leaves Crowboro.  How is Fred I hope alright.  I suppose Willie will not have to join.  There is enough for him to do here.  Is it true that they dropped bombs on Buxton.  I don’t think so but this is what I have been told.  I had a letter from Kingswereford telling me that they had passed over there but did not do any damage.  I never thought that they would get so far inland.  There seems to be no safety anywhere from them.  We fully expected them in London that night.  The trains were stopped before six pm & the people that had to go by train were in great difficulties.  We closed one meeting & came home to sit listening for the bombs to drop but thankful when they did not come.  Thinking they had been beaten back on the coast, but alas for the midlands.

I must close with my best love to you all

Yours affectionately

Martha Ann

9.2.16

Dear Mar & Pa

Just a line to let you know I am OK.  We have settled down again to business after a good rest.  We have hit on a good place this time the office having a good room.  We are billeted in houses here and sleep in a bed of a nights.  I can tell you we take some getting up now.  When we do get up there is a nice cup of coffee awaiting us oh what a change.  I met Billy Garner out here about a week ago he said he was expecting to be going home any day so he might drop in and have a word with you of course he’s the same as ever.  You want to divide what he tells you by 4 and take the remainder for your answer.

The weather has been pretty decent it’s nice to see the sunshine.  I was quite surprised to know Gladys was 18 my word how time flys.  I must be getting an old un.  I have had so many letters to answer this last few weeks that I don’t really know who I’ve written to but I fancy I dropped a pc lately.  I was very pleased to hear of Gladys success I am very pleased indeed to think we’ve got such a clever kid in the family.  We are quite amongst civilization here and had a couple of eggs & chips for dinner finishing up with the ever present coffee quite nice to be able to get ones old chips but I am already beginning to feel bloated again.  I am OK for flash light refills at present.  Tell Mar glad to hear you are all OK I am.  One of our men went on leave yesterday Gladys might hear from him.

We heard about the Zepps alright & I am inclined to believe what you said when the weather gets settled & the wind in their favour but at least we shan’t be taken unawares.  So I think there’s very little to be afraid of.  Well Bye Bye for present.  Drop me a line Gladys if you get that birthday present OK.  Hope it suits you

Yours

Burgy

152 High Street

Southend on Sea

Feb 8. 16

Dear Father

Sorry you could not come down last week, but we are looking forward to seeing you this.

How do you like this weather it is very cold here I shall be very glad when the summer comes.

There is a book at home called “Guy Fawkes” I should be glad of it if you can find it without much trouble. It is a red covered book, farely thick I am almost certain it is on the shelf in the spare-room.  I also told Affie I believe you have a new table cloth at home; of course I may be wrong I cannot remember for certain; but if you have & do not require it at all she would be very pleased with it.

I have not joined the army yet, but it looks as though there will be a big move made after 3^rd March.  What do you think about it all?  I am not anxious to become a soldier, but still it is no use to trouble about that; if compulsion comes into force one must make the best of it as plenty of others will have to do.

I am very sorry to have to trouble you; but I am very short of money almost on the rocks.  I brought a suit from a friend for 30/- cost 55/-.  Albert has lent me the money.  I did not like having it as I could not afford to pay for it, but as he said one does not get the chance of bargains like that every day.  I am also badly in want of socks & a few other small articles.

You will no doubt think this letter is nothing else but asking for things.  I would not trouble you if I could possibly avoid it, but everything seems pretty rotten at present.

Well Father I think I must conclude now.

Glad to say we are all well & hope you are keeping in the best of health.

With much love from

From your devoted

Son

Alf