Y.M.C.A headed notepaper

Pte. A.A. Smith

No 27521

Reply to “C” Company 12^th Bat. Essex Regt

Stationed at Dovercourt

May 25 1916

Dear Father

Many thanks for the parcel received to-day. I know I shall enjoy them all very much; also for a letter from Jess which I got a day earlier.

It was very thoughtful of you to send the street door key, perhaps you were thinking I would make use of it & come home; but that is impossible at present.  We start firing on the big range to-morrow, which lasts about 10 days directly after that we have 4 days holidays.

What do you think of all this conscription business?  I see you are not within the age limit yet.  I am afraid your poor feet would be rather tender after a long march.

The King is supposed to be coming to Felixstowe on Monday we have been getting ready for him.  I believe we are going over there.

Glad to say I am quite well & hope you are all in the best of health.

With much love from

From your devoted

Son

Alf

Y.M.C.A headed notepaper

Pte. A.A. Smith

No 27521

Reply to “C” Company 12^th Bat. Essex Regt

Stationed at Dovercourt

May 21^st 1916

Dear Father

Many thanks for your welcome letter.  I am glad you enjoyed yourself at Thames Ditton & that they are all well.

Everything is going alright here it is not so bad under canvas now it is better weather although it is rather warm at present.

I had a good try to get on to the Dental Staff saw the Colonel about it, he is the highest one here but the army rules are that nobody can obtain a transfer to the R.A.M.C. or the A.S.C. that is for General Service so I shall have to go through & make the best of it.  I don’t think there is much chance of getting to Aldershot either so I should be very pleased to receive a parcel when you have time to send one along.

Well Father I am still looking forward to seeing you but it seems quite impossible at present as we have to do Sunday parades now; several of us enquired about it last week; I shall be going on the range firing soon that is practically the last stage we get home for 4 days after that; but of course we might be over here a long time before going out to the front.

Have you heard how Joe Fillory is getting on?  I have met several Southend men here lately; one that used to go to the Higher Grade School with me now living at Westcliff.

I have not very much news to tell you this time so must conclude.

Hoping you are all well

With much love

Your devoted

Son

Alf

Green envelope Field Post Office T.9 Dated 15 May 16. To E. Hammond, 9 Countess St. Stockport. Signed F. Hammond No contents

Field Service Post Card FPO 27 Dated 18 May 16. To E. Hammond, 9, Countess St. Stockport.  Message I am quite well. Fred 17 May 1916

In Biro My Brigade disbanded to all a South African Brigade to enter the Division 9^th Scottish

18. 5.16

Dear Mar & Pa

Sorry I have been so long writing a letter but I have been unsettled this last few weeks.  Our Brigade has been disbanded and the whole of our section have returned to the HQ except myself and two more my address will now be HQ9th Sig Co RE until further notice.  I have had a much easier time here than with the old section and conditions are usually much better.  I was very sorry to part from the old section (Alcock went away with them) after being amongst them for so long.  Still I think I shall be OK here from what I can see.  Unfortunately I have now no prospects of leave as it is much slower here.  Some of them have not even been once yet.  I suppose every one is in the army nearly now.  We are in the same position we were a year ago.  So when all these new recruits are trained we ought to be able to move forward without fear.  Don’t bother sending the Strand thanks.  I am pretty free from lice here so have not tried the Asiatic cord yet – Sorry to hear my tike keeps misbehaving himself – Hope Mar is keeping OK & yourself.  How’s Gladys going on suppose she’s quite a wise acre by now.  Hear Willie has passed for Office Telegraphist but don’t suppose he’s away yet.  What is GGH doing now adays.  Well I must say Bye Bye for the present.

I am just going on duty now & wish to catch this post.

Cheerho

Gussie

In Biro May 16

C/236 Royal Field Artillery  N.C.O. in Charge Guard.

On one side.

Gun Park.

1. On mounting he will check number of vehicles.
2. He will be held responsible for gun park and everything on gun park.

• He will know the extent of his beat and parade his beat in a smart and soldier-like manner.

1. He will not quit his post or sit or lie down without orders, or let his rifle out of his hand.
2. He will challenge anyone approaching his post between dusk and dawn.
3. In the event of hostile shelling bombing he will give the alarm.

Note

* In the event of gas or gas shelling by day or night, the Trumpeter will sound five “G”s.

* This is a standing Battery order.

** Ayers

Lieut

for o/c

C/236 R.F.A.

On the same side as the title: –

14/8/18.

The white ring of the national markings of British night flying planes (Handley Page F.F. 2b’s &night flying Camels) will be eliminated leaving only the red & blue markings. Fly by day & well as by night.

Standing Orders for Sentries Horse Lines.

1. He will take over from N.C.O. i/c.
2. When taking over he will check the number of horses and see that each horse is properly secured.
3. He will patrol the lines during his tour of duty, and will not converse with anyone or allow anything to distract his attention from the horses.
4. Should a horse break loose or a casualty occur in the lines he will turn out the Picquet.
5. After “Hay up” he will remove hay nets.
6. He will challenge anyone approaching lines between dusk and dawn.Here the note ends. On the reverse: –
7. Standing Orders for N.C.O in charge of Guard & Picquet C Battery 236 Brigade Royal Field Artillery signature unreadable. 1914 -1919

C/236 Battery R.F.A. Standing Orders for N.C.O. i/c Guard & Picquet.

1. He will take over from Orderly Sergeant at 6 p.m. Guard & Mounting.
2. He will check the number of horses & vehicles and see that each horse is properly secured.

• ***** ***** sentries every two hours *** during his tour of duty.

1. Before mounting a sentry he will ascertain that the sentry is conversant with his orders & realises his responsibilities.
2. In the event of hostile shelling bombing he will give the alarm and wake the Trumpeter. The N.C.O. will be responsible that every man is awakened.  Casualties to horses will be reported at once to A.V.C Sgt or assistant on.

Here the Order ends as paper missing.

Nothing on reverse.

Post Card

From RAWNSLEY & SONS

Shearbridge Mills Bradford

2 Runswick Terrace

Bank Foot

Bradford

Yorks

May 17/16

Dear Ted & Mary

I am just writing you this P. card to see if you can give me any information about George.  I wrote to him last April & March & also at the beginning of this month & I have not heard anything from him since Feb.  I don’t know what has become of him or why he does not write to me because we arranged to write to each other at least once a month.  Do you know if he has been moved from Crowbro.  You might let me know as none of my letters have been returned so that’s what makes me think he has received them.  I hope he is not taken ill or anything no matter how slight.  You will let me know soon.  I am very anxious.  I sent Fred a letter & parcel of cakes & cigs last week.  I have not heard if he received same but there is some time yet before I shall hear from him.  How are you going on& are you keeping well.  I hope so.  Glad to hear Gladys has been so successful with her studies hope she will still succeed.  We never hear anything from our people in no shape or form & don’t know how things are going on

Love from Emmie & myself

Your Sam

Card Postmarked MAY 17 16 7.30 pm.

Addressee Mr T Hammond

9 Countess St

Stockport

Y.M.C.A headed notepaper

Pte. A.A. Smith

No 27521

Reply to “C” Company 12^th Bat. Essex Regt

Stationed at Dovercourt

May 16 1916

Dear Father

I was very pleased to receive your letter.  I hope you enjoyed yourself at Thames Ditton.  How are they all down there?

We are getting more settled down to camp life now, but you can imagine what it was like at first; last Saturday was very bad it was more like being on the mud at Southend & the boards & blankets were wet; but I did not get a cold I suppose one gets hardened to it.  You ought to see me on guard with fixed bayonet I look a very dangerous scaracter then; had 24 hours of it last week it was alright until about 1.15 on Saturday morning it started to pour then.

Have not been able to get a pass yet but still I can only keep on trying that is about the only thing to do.  There are plenty that have been here 12 weeks & not got home yet it is jolly rough.

Albert sent me a form to fill up to try & get on the Dental staff.  I have to go & see the Captain tomorrow morning.  I don’t know at all whether it will come off.

It is not convenient now for getting to the Y.M. to write letters & we have about 30 min walk from the camp.

You might let me know if I should write about the income tax & if you can let me know the numbers & any other particulars that might be useful in writing; also the surveyors address; if you do not know, it does not matter as I have an envelope at Southend.  Albert can forward it on to me.

Do not send a parcel this time Father although I should be pleased to receive one, but next time I write I shall be able to let you know whether I am staying on here.

I had a letter from Ciss on Saturday she said some of the Essex are going to Aldershot; there are a lot of rumours that we are not here for long but if the other fails I shall have a try to get there.

How are Darvills, & Miss Dimond.  Remember me to them.

I hope you are well also Jess & Ethel. With much love to you all.

Your devoted

Son

Alf

P.S. Recruits still keep on coming in some of them do not look very happy you can bet they feel it a bit after coming out of comfortable homes.  It is a rare job shaving I manage without a glass we are up at 5 A.M. & have to be all ready for parade by 6.15.  how would that suit you?  It’s a bit of a job with 15 of us dodging about in a small tent.

Southern Army Bombing School

Ingatestone

14. 5. 16

My dear Gladys

Why this promptness in writing – I don’t think.  Well we are having a gorgeous time under canvass with the rain pouring down every night.  We have dug a trench round the tent with a sump at the back which is already full of water & the floor is 3” under water as well.  However we are quite merry and bright.  I was rather surprised to hear you were still in the choir but no doubt they could not expect to succeed without such a fair figurehead.  Bow wow.  I always thought you could sing myself.

Heard from the Golden Goose yesterday he still lays regularly but never more than one at a time, perhaps he is a little fed with all these new taxes.  I would have loved to come to the festival but I don’t quite get your “drift” – slang – about the lady.  I told a certain lady about the trials of matrimony and you are absolutely “for it” no doubt you would be highly delighted if you knew what you were in for.  Keep it dark – no on second thoughts I will lock it in the old oak chest.  Had a letter from Willie yesterday, he seems to be plodding along in the old way, still thinking out schemes for making the family rich suddenly.  Well Gladys it is up to you to pull this scholarship off.  You know how pleased we shall all be.  I only wish I had such glorious prospects.  I suppose Canada will be my only hope after this Great War – not likely – give me a pill machine  and a bit of mas and the world will soon know of Hammonds’ Pills I might find you a job as book keeper.  Not heard from Kempo for some time perhaps he pushed off by now.

Well dear, I am awfully busy with notes and diagrams so you must excuse more.  I have an exam myself on Friday, we had a bit of an oral one yesterday.  Is have be back in Colchester on Saturday so write there.  How’s Ma & Pa.  would love to be home for a week.

Fondest love to all  George

P.S. Will send a photo of the platoon when I get back.  Remind me!  G

FOR GOD, FOR KING & FOR COUNTRY

Y.M.C.A.

H.M. FORCES ON ACTIVE SERVICE

Friday evening

6185

A Company

1^st Reserve Battalion

City of London Royal Fusiliers

5 Camp Hut 20

Hurdcott

Nr. Salisbury

Dear Dad,

I was very pleased to get your welcome letter, & to hear that your cold was better. I had a letter from Alice Wednesday they were all well at home.

Well I must tell you that my arm is just beginning to act, both places have taken allright, my arm is not so bad as some of the boys, you get no sympathy here for a bad arm. They think you can go on just the same.

Wednesday we had a route march of 15 miles which did not improve things very much.

Thursday when the corporal came round nearly all the chaps in our hut went sick. So we had an easy time Thursday nothing to do, & today Friday we are on the same business, you have got to play jolly **** in the Army, for they would pile it on you till you dropped.

Well Dad they seem to be licking us into shape now, I was called out of the hut Thursday to make up the number of 60 men to go on Preliminary Musketry, so now I have got my complete equipment, now they have given me a rifle, it is one of the latest pattern, a pound lighter than the old ones, we start this musketry business on Monday, of course it will be, if one arms are better but perhaps they wont be!

The weather here is not very grand, rain nearly every day which is not very pleasant.

We have not heard any more about moving but some of the boys think that we shall be going to Egypt, as we have had this vaccination, but we shall see later on.  They keep altering the leaves’ here owing to chaps deserting & overstaying their passes.

The latest one is all mens leave here by 2 pm Saturday & return Sunday evening 11 pm. So if the chaps don’t get an extension, it is not much good to them.  This sort of business will encourage desertions & such like, for they will have the time somehow.

I shall be making an application for Pass in a weeks time for Whitsun I don’t know what luck I shall have, but we must arrange something for that, you will have to write to me a special letter, for me to come home as you want to see me very particular, something like that.  That can be worked, about this I will write you again in a week or two.

You see, owing to such a short number of men being able to go, you have to wait such a long time for a pass & I should like to be able to come home for Whitsun.

I think this is all for now hoping my letter will find you much better. I am writing to mother today as she always likes to have one, once a week.  Remember me to Sid & Ted if you see them.

These letters are rather long ones “I don’t think.”

All the news for now

From your affec Son Walter.

P.S. We are supposed to have about 800 married men coming here shortly.  They erected tents for us to have our meals in, but the wind blew them down.  So we have gone back to the huts for meals.

In YMCA envelope to Mr. H.J. Springett, No 13 Ma*** Road, Crayford Kent. Postmarked Salisbury 10 pm 12 May 16.