Dec. 24^th 16

My Dear Mother,

Contrary to the p.c. I have written & posted tonight I am writing tonight while it is quiet before the men start coming aboard in a half canned condition & kicking up an awful row.  I don’t suppose I shall finish it but there is no harm in making a start.  I was hoping to be able to write both before going for the mails but it didn’t come off.

Blanche told me in her letter she had been to meet Maggie last Thursday dinner time but as she had not told her mother she had perforce to go home after seeing Maggie for her mother would keep the dinner waiting.  She told me of the arrangement for Monday night, which is tonight.  She asked me to tell her what I should like her to send for my birthday & as I can think of nothing better or at least anything I want specially, I asked her to send me a pocket knife.  I know she doesn’t like me to smoke so I wouldn’t ask for cigs. & besides I can get them for 1/0 for 50 in stead of 1/8.  It is rather early to think of the 26^th of Jan. /17 but I can’t say anything for I was quite as previous with mine.  I suppose if you use your blinkers you will see the bag I sent her when you are see her tonight for she carries it always.

I went to church last night with another signalman off the “Ludlow”.  He goes to the Congregationalist Church & as he has never been to a C of E & I have been to a Cong we elected to go there.  I was a little lost but I liked it very much.  It seems years since I went to church about 6 months.  I haven’t been since I left Chatham.

I had a letter from Fred & Clarie & Blanche last night & one from you this morning & you all had something to say about the Zepps. Last Monday night I reckon you would be a little surprised to hear my version of it.  Eh! What Arthur lad.  I didn’t know anything about the aeroplane brought down in the daytime over London.  Blanche told me.  Of course if we don’t get the news by Wireless at sea we see nothing of what’s gone off from the papers when we come in & as the W.T. operator has to stay up till midnight to take the news he gives it a miss sometimes.

About the cakes & things. You may send me a few mince pies, a cake & a bit of pudding if it doesn’t cost you too much.  I don’t want you to go without sugar & things because of me.  I’m not hard up for grub you know.  I think if I send Auntie Kate my address I don’t know of anything I want specially so I’ll ask her to send me money as they’ve stopped me for the overcoat & I got 10/-. Well I will close with love & Kisses to all.

Your loving son

Herbert

P.S. enclosed card for Phyllis & a card Stanley sent to me.  Please take care of it.

In cover addressed to Mrs. W.T. Plant, 176 Pomona St., Eccleshall Rd., Sheffield.  Postmarked Lowestoft 8.15 PM. 5 Dec 16.  Enclosed a card “Birthday Wishes from Herbert To Phyllis showing photo of young lass with a cat.

A.A. Laporte Payne letter 22 December 1916

B.E.F.

December 22^nd 1916

Darling,

It is a good thing for me when you are angry for I got the most delightful letter as a result. Thank you so much for it.  Don’t forget to be cross with everyone very often.  I like it.  Often I feel like that myself.  I do at present and I am afraid I shew it too much. My reasons  I do not know though. I am much too ambitious and when things don’t go right I get very irritable. It is then that I write these gloomy letters to you for relief.  You must be bored with them.  How I wish I could be with you to realise more than I do that there is one thing alone that more outweighs everything else.  You know what that is.  Someone-the-one-to-love more & more unselfishly if I can in this unsympathetic existence.

Thank you so much for the photo of yourself. My wish was gratified, but it is of course not a good one of you.  How could it be in any case?  No picture can be like the original and certainly no photo ever flattered you.

I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Cross’ loss and that she finds the weather trying. I hope Christmas will find her in more cheerful spirits.  Poor Tubbie.  I am sorry about her hand.  It is most unfortunate.  I must remonstrate with you again.  Brains indeed?  Learning isn’t brains.   Thank heaven.  Any fool can appear learned if he (or she) reads a lot.  Some people benefit more by 5 minutes reading than others do in 5 years and as for you not having brains – that’s all rot (to be very rude again).  There are only two requisites for the ‘good life’ as it has been called ‘heart’ and ‘health’.  Learnedness per se is snobbishness.  The only other thing that perhaps helps is independence – to be able to tell others if you want to – to go to the devil.  How I do sermonise. Please forgive.  You are always right except when you talk rot about yourself.  If you do it again I shall begin to think you are fishing – so there, my lady.

The weather has been very bad here lately. It has been blowing and raining hard.  I hope you have been having better.  Colonial troops from warmer climates don’t like it at all –and neither do we from England for that matter.  We miss big fires and easy chairs and afternoon teas etc as well as the company we want so much and can’t get out here.

The air is full of peace now. It will be the height of folly and wickedness if we listen to the Hun now.  No one wishes it all to be over more than I do but I could not stick that.

How are you keeping? I hope well and not upset by Christmas festivities – for I suppose Xmas will be over by the time you get this.  I expect I shall spend Christmas night in the trenches as it is my turn for that duty.  However it might be worse.  It might be the Somme.

We have a lot of time doing nothing – though one cannot read or write – as for instance when observing or in charge of the battery – but I have something – or rather someone to think about which keeps me more cheerful than I could possibly be otherwise. So you see you have not lived in vain!

One of others is playing the “Happy Day” on the gramophone. “Oh! For a night in Bohemia” but Finchley is not quite Bohemia is it?  However I shall never run down Finchley again.  It is better than the muddy plains of Flanders.  If Victoria as someone said is the Gate of Heaven, Finchley must be Heaven for me.

I must close now. This letter is I am afraid very cold but I can’t write the thousand and one things I want to say.

Au revoir, dearest

Ever yours

Archie.

Y.M.C.A

Postcard to T. Smith Esq., 24 Palmerstone Rd., Bowes Park, London. N

Pte. A Smith

No 27521

3^rd Batt Essex Regt ‘G’ Coy

Att: 27^th Training Reserve

Parkeston

Harwich

Undated. Postmark 3 De 16

Dear Father

I had a letter from my friend in France, he said he has sent things that I left behind, & his wife will forward them to you.  Do not send them on here as it will do when I come up if you will bring them along to Southend.  Please let me know when you get them as I would like to send him a few cigarettes in return.

Alf

No 27521

Pte. A. Smith

3^rd Essex Regt

Att 27^th Training Reserve

“G” Company

Parkeston Harwich

Dec 19^th 16

Dear Father

I thought I would let you know that I am not home again yet; it was all a blooming catch like everything connected with the government.

The passes were supposed to have come through; & at the last moment they were all stopped I don’t know why it was at all.  I may go this week but I think it will most likely be after Xmas now.  They are going to send the men that were at the front last Xmas so that they will have it at home this year of course that is only fair.

I should very much like to have a parcel especially if I am here for the holiday but it is no use to send it until I know definitely when I am going.

I hope you are feeling better now; glad to say I am alright except for a cold but that is not to be wondered at considering the weather.  We had our usual route march to-day we have one every Tuesday, the dinner is cooked in a field it came on to snow just as it was ready what with the meat being tough & hands cold it wanted a bit of carving.

I saw by the papers you had a heavy fall of snow in North London.  The war news looks much better lately I hope it will continue so.  I had a letter from Albert to-day.

I hope Jess, Ethel & Winnie are quite well

With much love

From your devoted

Son

No 27521

Pte. A. Smith

3^rd Essex Regt

Att 27^th Training Reserve

“G” Company

Parkeston Harwich

Dec 19^th 16

Dear Father

I shall not be home this side of the holiday now so I should be very glad of a parcel for Xmas if you have time to send it.

I know it is rather close so I shall quite understand if I do not receive it.

In case I do not have time to write again I hope you will all have a happy time.

With much love from

Your devoted

Son

P.S. Please remember me to Mr. & Mrs. Warman & Lilian & wish them the complements of the season. I hope they are quite well.

A.A. Laporte Payne letter 16 December 1916.

B.E.F.

December 16^th 1916

Again I have lost the post through putting off whiting to you because I want time to collect my thoughts and things have interrupted so lately. I deserve every hard thing you can say of me.  Even now I have so much to say and there are so many ways of saying it that I am stuck before I begin.  Your note of the 12^th deserves a frivolous reply but the one written on the 13^th ought to have another.  Needless to say both were delightful and just what I wanted although even now I feel I shall have to wait until I see you to learn what I really want to know.

So my letter to you was censored. I hope nothing was cut out.  None of yours have ever been opened so don’t be frightened.  I hope you did not take that silly letter of mine which you called a ‘scolding one’ seriously.  I am sure you couldn’t so I don’t mind.  Of course, I always take things in the wrong way.  Surely you have not just found that out.

How is your lip now? I hope much better.  You will have to be careful in future.

So you have come to the conclusion that I am getting spoilt. Really, and what helped you to come to that conclusion.  Do you think I am one of fortunes favoured ones?  Perhaps I am in one way – in fact I know I am the favoured one – but that was your fault not mine and I don’t see why I should be punished for your faults.  I wish I were with you to complete my arguments with kisses.  I wonder if you would be very firm then!  I suppose you would, you are so very strong willed, I know.

Thank you so very much for your Christmas letter. It was the best one I have ever had.  But why write it at 7 a.m.  You must have been frightfully cold.  I could not write a letter like that at that early hour.  Thank you for your wishes and love which you send.  You are a darling.  I wish to goodness I could be in Finchley at Christmas and see you again, which alone can satisfy me now.  Yes I believe you could kiss a Happy Xmas much better than you can write it – and your letters are very nice.  What delight there is in store for me perhaps if the gods are good to a wretched creature like me.  You say we are fairly original in one respect in that we neither of us meant to do anything of the sort.  Please speak for yourself madam.  I may not have meant to, but I wanted to.  I hope I can be original in other ways – not that.

I hope you are keeping well and that Mrs. Cross is alright and has recovered from the death of the cat. I have received her kind letter and box of cigarettes.

I hope to be able to write a note to her tonight. Please forgive my last gloomy letter.  I feel better now.  If you will receive letters from me you will have to put up with my moody temperament. – That sounds rude but it is not meant to be – only an apology.

At present I am a semi-invalid. I was inoculated again this morning – anti-typhoid stuff.  My arm is very stiff and I am not in the best of tempers – but your letters keep me going alright.

What on earth can I send you for Christmas – I must mark the occasion with something this year of all years. You see you have been such a dear faithful correspondent all this year.  Do let me know.  I can’t think of anything.  Perhaps a lot of lip salve would be suitable.

Oh! Heavens, they have just turned on the ‘phone – the ‘grama’ – one – and are playing rag times – such old ones too. I hope the men break them at Christmas.  We are giving the men pork, Christmas Puddings and beer at Christmas.  I am afraid they will be very ill.

What’s the secret which you won’t tell me. I am most anxious to know.  Why raise my easily excited curiosity?  Am I ever to know?  I am actually getting curious but it is only because it is connected with you.

The best of wishes for Christmas for you and yours, darling,

And all my love

Always yours

Archie.

A.A. Laporte Payne letter 14 December 1916.

B.E.F.

Dec 14^th 1916

Another day must not be allowed to go by without a line from me, although you know that no moment of my existence is without its thought for you however busy I may be. At the present time I am attached to another battery as its battery commander is away, but I expect to return to my own unit tomorrow.

Your letter of the 9^th has just arrived.  Thank you so much for it.  I was longing for one to arrive.  You must have been writing it when I was thinking particularly of you.  I think I told you in my last note what I was doing on that night.  I am very sorry to hear Mrs. Cross is so unwell again.  I do hope she is better now, and you too.  What have you been doing to make your lips crack?  It sounds very suspicious.  I am all sympathy but you see I don’t know what it is like to have a cracked lip!  However be more careful in future.  Further, madam, don’t you think it time to mend you ways?  Lunching out again with another fellow!  However being an offender myself I can’t preach – I have faint recollections of dragging you out – and I certainly must not be a ‘dog in the manger’ of the worst possible type.

What an appalling person I must have been to be so rude to you so often. I wonder you put up with it at all.  Surely I could never have called you ‘thick headed’.  I wonder what remark I made about your cracked lips that time.

Yesterday one of the best fellows I know – Cheadle by name with a Trench Mortar Battery – called in to see me on his way up to the front line. He seemed very cheery about his job.  Then I went up to the O.P. and a short time afterwards an orderly came for me and said that an officer who was badly wounded wanted to see me in the Dressing Station.  I went there and found the poor boy on a stretcher badly knocked about.  I do hope he pulls through alright.  It is awful.  All the best fellows seem to go.  I don’t know why I tell you these horrors but it created such an impression on my mind and I must tell someone and who better than you.  You see we don’t notice these things much – the dead you take no notice of and the wounded generally are so quickly cleared away that those who remain don’t come in contact with the results of a war unless actually called to the dressing station.  He is the third officer who has been with me in the battery.  The other two were killed.  They were without exception the best fellows we ever had in the Brigade.

I have told Maude to give you two photos. I hope you don’t mind.  You can have either or both, I told her that ‘the Crosses had asked for one’ – which was inaccurate and unkind – but still I am like that.  Please forgive.  If you won’t, tell Maude you didn’t and don’t want one.

It does not seem at all like Christmas out here. I hope it is better in London. England seems to be bucking up a bit.  It’s about time.

With all my love, darling, and forgive my fooling in this and previous letters.

Always yours

Archie.

Letter to Rev. R.M. Laporte Payne 10 Dec 1916

2 Clifton Villas

South Road Herne Bay

10 Dec 1916

My dear Vicar,

I am sorry there was not time to run in before we left y’day – also that I was not in when you called on Friday night – to thank you for your great kindness in arranging for our visit here, and for your exceedingly generous help in all ways – but I hope to see you early in the week.  We really don’t know how to thank you enough – the visit has already done us both good and Mrs Abson asks me to state that it is all a great treat for her.  Here, at Mrs. Harnett’s is the acme of homely comfort – from breakfast to bed-time.  We arrived here just before 1 o’clock, when Mrs Harnett prepared a nice little lunch – then we went to see Stanley – the V.A.D. Hospital, Druid Park is only 5 minutes walk from here – 4 or 5 turnings higher up High Street, after South Road – we are pleased, and deeply grateful to find our boy in splendid condition – in fact his wounds have actually improved his personal appearance! For the hole through his cheek has left just a dimple, and his nose, after being tightly bandaged for a fortnight – now has a nice Roman Curve! – some ladies pay money to have that achieved – there is just a kind of red scratch left on it – which we hope will always show – there is no mistaking the dimple – we all went round to see Mr. & Mrs Ridout last evening (by the way it was then we learned to what extra trouble you went to your kind endeavours to make us comfortable here).  They are both exceedingly nice, and at once said that Stanley was welcome to use their room upstairs for rest reading at any time, and have specially invited him to tea next Thursday.  This morning we all went to the Parish Church – where Mr Graves, the curate, preached a splendid sermon, for “Bible Sunday” from “Heaven and Earth shall pass away etc”.

I afterwards made myself Kenworth the Organist, also to the tenor chorister who occupies the corresponding place in the Choir to my place at Christ Church – with the result that I am going to help in the Choir tonight.  Tomorrow morning we may go over to Canterbury to visit my sister-in-law, and expect to leave for London in the evening – I can’t stay longer – there is so much to do at business between now & the end of the year.  With kind regards to yourself and Mrs Payne, in which Mrs Abson & Stanley join me, and again expressing our thanks –

I am yours faithfully

Mr P. Abson

P.S. Mrs Harnett wishes to be kindly remembered to you.

A.A. Laporte Payne letter 5th December 1916

B.E.F.

Dec 5^th 1916

Muriel dearest,

Two mailless days followed by one in which we received a lovely big bag brought me two together from you. I was in the courtyard of our medieval chateau when the mess cart arrived at dusk.  I had the mail out in no time and I sorted it out myself in the dim banqueting hall of the Left Section with the help of a candle, a sergeant and two gunners.  Your loved and familiar handwriting was soon recognised and then another (of your, I mean) made me more than happy.  I had to keep them until after tea when I could read them in peace and a certain amount of comfort by the fire in the mess.

Now what on earth is worrying you? The first page was filled with assertions of your ‘rottenness’!  You say “I am sure you wouldn’t like me if you knew my real self”.  Well tell me what you are really like and see!  You must be a terrible person.  Tell me all about it if you want to; but if you don’t want to I don’t wish to hear.  I hope I shall survive in either case.  Are you afraid of being a fallen idol?  But I am sure it is all imagination on your part.  If you talk about your being unworthy of my love and all that sort of rot you will drive me frantic, knowing as I do who is the unworthy one.  Shall we guarded about it?

You were annoyed because I was so nice to Mrs. Cross and did not take any notice of you! Oh! You little child! Oh Yes, I see is that it?  You were piqued and determined to make another conquest.  Is that all?  Perhaps that is what you want to tell me.

Another grouse “He felt he ought to tell me just as strongly as you felt you ought not”. He succeeded.  I failed.  Thank you.  It is difficult to explain another person’s point of view!  Still I fail to see why he felt he “ought to”.  I must be talking in the finer sense.  I still think he was impertinent.

Still another grouse! If you want to write don’t let me stop you.  Seriously you will never be able to write too many or too much for me.

Lastly (I can’t write any more with that horrible pen) how polite you are! You won’t have any difficulty in seeing me furiously angry if you see me for any length of time !!  Thank you.  I quite see that my company for any length of time is quite liable to make anyone furious.

Now, having made myself most disagreeable I will try and be nicer. Try!  I do love ragging you (I was going to say something else but it would have been rude).  You are adorable when annoyed.  I can imagine a delightful little snort after each silly remark I have just made.  And for each snort I would have a kiss to the n^th.

You darling, thank you so much for your good wishes. Who told you it was my birthday?

I shall have to speak severely to someone. It always has been a great secret because I hate anyone asking my awful age.

I have been writing letters to night my correspondence had been sadly neglected lately. I have left yours till last, as I always open your letters last.  I get the disagreeable things done first.

It is now 1 a.m. – delightful hour! I wish you were here all alone with me.  Oh! Yes I would behave.  I would sit on one side of the fire and you on the other.

What delightful letters you write. Perfectly written and no mistakes.  Mine make me ashamed in comparison.  Please forgive all mistakes and blots.  I am losing all power of coherent thought and expression.

This day last week I started to write to you and this is what I wrote:

Tuesday, Last night was, I believe, Monday night. What were you doing?  You know the saying “Lucky at cards, unlucky in love”.  Well I was playing picquet with the Captain and won most hopelessly.  Perhaps it was because you were angry with me for that frightfully rude and unkind letter I wrote.  Perhaps not.  No doubt you will punish me with empty mail bags.  My anxiety for the arrival of the mess cart must be causing the battery some amusement.

Wednesday night. My extraordinary luck at cards was worse last night.  I won again and my spirits have fallen correspondingly as is shown in my inability to write anything until I hear from you.  Three times I have attempted to write but have given it up in despair.

Tonight I played bridge and lost beautifully. Hurrah.  Once I was doubled and was five shy in Royals (not hearts).  It is, I hope, a good omen.

No doubt you are fast asleep now – sleeping the sleep of the just (whatever that may be).

We have had two gas alarms tonight; but nothing came of it. I might have some luck one day and get a nice ‘Blighty’ if you know what that means.  I should ask all the fair ladies of my acquaintance to push me about in a bath chair.  They are so numerous I should have a delightful time – there are I think – one!  Only one. (That’s good grammar).  This is not a nice letter I know.  I am flippant and silly tonight because I am a bit gloomy.  I was wondering when I am going to see you again.

Now I must shut up and go to my blankets (it can’t be called a bed)

I am,

dear Miss Cross,

Yours always

Archie

(well you put it)

Y.M.C.A

Postcard to T. Smith Esq., 24 Palmerstone Rd., Bowes Park, London. N

Pte. A Smith

No 27521

3^rd Batt Essex Regt ‘G’ Coy

Att: 27^th Training Reserve

Parkeston

Harwich

Undated. Postmark 3 De 16

Dear Father

I had a letter from my friend in France, he said he has sent things that I left behind, & his wife will forward them to you.  Do not send them on here as it will do when I come up if you will bring them along to Southend.  Please let me know when you get them as I would like to send him a few cigarettes in return.

Alf

No 27521

Pte. A. Smith

3^rd Essex Regt

Att 27^th Training Reserve

“G” Company

Parkeston Harwich

Dec 19^th 16

Dear Father

I thought I would let you know that I am not home again yet; it was all a blooming catch like everything connected with the government.

The passes were supposed to have come through; & at the last moment they were all stopped I don’t know why it was at all.  I may go this week but I think it will most likely be after Xmas now.  They are going to send the men that were at the front last Xmas so that they will have it at home this year of course that is only fair.

I should very much like to have a parcel especially if I am here for the holiday but it is no use to send it until I know definitely when I am going.

I hope you are feeling better now; glad to say I am alright except for a cold but that is not to be wondered at considering the weather.  We had our usual route march to-day we have one every Tuesday, the dinner is cooked in a field it came on to snow just as it was ready what with the meat being tough & hands cold it wanted a bit of carving.

I saw by the papers you had a heavy fall of snow in North London.  The war news looks much better lately I hope it will continue so.  I had a letter from Albert to-day.

I hope Jess, Ethel & Winnie are quite well

With much love

From your devoted

Son

No 27521

Pte. A. Smith

3^rd Essex Regt

Att 27^th Training Reserve

“G” Company

Parkeston Harwich

Dec 2^nd 16

Dear Father

Thank you very much for your parcel received this afternoon.  I was looking forward to it coming; it is a very nice cake & the jelly & paste will be tres bon for lunch or supper all the things are very nice.

Well Dad how is everything going I hope you are quite well?  Pleased to say I am A1 & settled down to the army again now.  We are having a farely good time considering, it is very cold out in the fields drilling but we have a comfortable billet a good fire every evening.  I don’t know how long they will let us stop here but I think we are safe for a while.

You will notice I have given you the army address this time the letters etc come through alright, but the postmen make a fuss about having to deliver each one separate so it will be better in future to direct them to the Regiment.

I hope Jess, Ethel & Winnie are quite well I will write to them the first opportunity but I have been writing about two letters each day I cannot get level with them yet.

I am looking forward to seeing you soon I think it is farely certain we get six days either before or after Xmas.

Well I think I must finish now.

With much love to you all

From your devoted

Son