Category Archives: 1916

55th West Lancs Artillery Order 7

SECRET

Appendix I

Copy No 14

 

55th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

Order No 7

 

29th February 1916

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

 

  1. The 2nd North Midland F.A. Bde is to be relieved in the 55th Divisional Artillery by the 14th Bde R.F.A., 68th & 88th Batteries R.F.A. (each of 6 – 18 pr guns) from the 4th Division.
  2. The 68th and 88th Batteries will take over the positions at present occupied by the 12th, 13th and 14th 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. 14th Brigade R.F.A.

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

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

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

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

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

Night 1st/2nd March

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

Night 2nd/3rd March

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(c) Sections of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd 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.

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

 

 

  1. Benson

Major R.A.

Brigade Major

55th Divisional Arty.

 

 

Issued at 8.30 p.m.

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

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

 

55th West Lancs Artillery

SECRET

Appendix I (a)

Copy No 14

 

55th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

 

 

29th February 1916

Reference Map 1/100,000 Sheet no 11 LENS

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

 

  1. Benson

Major R.A.

Brigade Major

55th Divisional Arty.

 

 

Issued at 9.15 p.m.

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

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

 

 

H.E. WITTY Jan 16

H.E. WITTY Jan 16

18th SIEGE BATTERY R.G.A.

  1. Section

 

1st January 1916.  Saturday.  OFF DAY.  Very wet – played footer in morning.  Reading ‘Les contes des collines’ and writing afternoon and evening.  Letter from R.  ANS.

Gormley’s court martial **holder before Major for shooting a dog in camp – got off with a rep.

 

2nd January 1916.  Sunday.  At gun position on telephone in morning, afternoon and evening reading *** letters from Ma, Mrs. Bailey, Dorothy Marshall. ANS.  Much rain. DAVIES came in morning.

 

3rd January 1916.  Monday.  Barleys shot G “inconnue femme” with revolver 1 am.  Bethune Hosp.  arrival of 52nd Bty to relieve us.  Sent to Mauser Range to point out wire to new signallers (20 J. Gentlemen) 400 yds wire “wiped out”.  Returned after dinner to repair it.  Smith & I heavily shelled (Shrapnel).  Much damage in canteen *** of Garston and parc from BETHUNE.  PC from Kathie.  Letters Alice, Mr. Dundoon, Gilbert, Peg.  ANS.  Lovely day.  Met HUNSLEY.

 

4th January 1916.  Tuesday.  Packing up for departure.  Left B. at5.30 pm arrived HAZEBRUCK 10. pm.  Slept in vans.  Letters from Norman and A. Houshan

5th January 1916.  Wednesday.  Stayed Hazebrouck until 2 pm.  Went into H with Bush and saw Willie F.  Gormley left behind.  Arrive at Steenwerk 3 pm and N. Eglise 5 pm travelling along old Farm route.  2 engines needed for running gun up ANS.  N.T.H

.

6th January 1916.  Thursday.  Slept last night in truck.  Full day unpacking stores running up gun positions (1 ½ miles) on a trolley – place full of Canadians.  Examined lines in morning & next 22 Siege.  Settled in huts for night.

 

7th January 1916.  Friday.  At Canadian concert last night.  On fatigues building huts, drawing water etc.  Much rain.  Mail up but no letters.  On night fatigues emptying motor lorries of wood, trench wire, corrugated iron, bulk rests for mud etc.  Listening to R.A. Band in Y.M.C.A. hut.

 

8th January 1916.  Saturday.  On hut erection – off colour today with diarrhoea.  Fetching water.  Letter from Hilda J.B. (W.B. and O.H.).  cigarettes from the mum.  Old Scholars.  Wrote N.T. Municipal & R.

 

9th January 1916.  Sunday.  Inspection of Gas helmets Iodine ampoules & dressings.  Spent morning digging drains, erecting latrines etc.  in afternoon on fatigues with trench cart at Y.M.C.A.

 

10th January 1916.  Monday.  On telephone duty with Bottrill Pcd & letter from R.  Letter from Scott.  J.B. from Carter.  ANS.  Knight’s departure also Brown & Gale.

 

 

11th January 1916.  Tuesday.  Turned out 6 am.  Left 7 am for LE AIZET in car passing thro’ ARMENTIERS en route.  In church tower with Hughes, Mallins & Humfries till 5 pm – 21st good shoot – observation of shelling of HOPLINES CH. Battery etc.  crossed LYS – much flooded country.  Letters from R. & N.T. Katherine.

 

12th January 1916.  Wednesday.  Despatch riding on Triumph to BAILLEUL.  Vile roads – T clutchless – breakdown coming back with belt.  Letters N.T. & paper from Scott.  ANS yesterday post also wrote Frank.  New Green Envelope order in Force.

 

13th January 1916.  Thursday.  On telephone duty at NO 2 GUN not in action as wind was too strong.  Letters from Gilbert and Alice Ans.  Friday Y.M.C.A. occupied by Canadian XMAS SUPPER.

 

14th January 1916.  Friday.  On telephone exchange.  In action on Pottery Farm 10 rounds – Good shoot by No 2 Gun.  On night duty.  Read ”Game” and part of musketeers.  Letters Dorothy & West (Pcl). Ans.

 

15th January 1916.  Saturday.  Came off duty 9 am.  Repaired Rudge multi and brought back Triumph broken down on roadside.  Gill trying to go to B-L.  went on multi.  At  Y.M.C.A. in afternoon.  Letters F (pcl) R. Gladys.  ANS.  Sent remittances to FRANK & R.

 

16th January 1916.  Sunday.  Assisting wireless operator – also on duty at Exchange.  NO mail – at Y.M.C.A. reading EVERYMAN.  Very fine and warm.

 

17th January 1916.  Monday.  On line visited N. Eglise the MOUND and 22 Siege Bty (12” caterpillar).  Had a bath with 8th Canadians.  Letter from R. J.B. (cater)  ANS.  Also wrote Herin, sent Silk cards and P.C.s to Home N.S. (Trio) & R.

 

18th January 1916.  Tuesday.  On telephone exchange – line laid to Tocquet O.P.  Rain.  NO mail.

 

19th January 1916.  Wednesday.   .  In action on Tocquet – 29 rounds – British Gas attack – Big bomb – preparation.  Letters Scott, Frank – Miss Road – Gilbert.  Very fine day.

 

20th January 1916.  Thursday.  On telephone exchange in morning – After dinner went to TOCQUET O.P. to get wire in 25 yds from Germans.  Shrapnel – maxims rifles bombardment.  Trenches in good condition.  Case of shelled dug out and the “buried leg”!  Letters F. Ma, NT. Mrs S.  ANS.

 

21st January 1916.  Friday.  OFF DUTY – Bottrill and I walked into BAILLEUL – stayed for dinner & returned to camp for tea.  No letters.  Brought a few pcs and envelopes.  Had a good dinner for 1/2.  spent evening reading.  New order re telephone room.

 

22nd January 1916.  Saturday.  On “all day” plate laying, shifting “bearings” of line for Monday’s big shoots.  Letters R. Gilbert, James Humbertal.  ANS.  Bottrill comes into our hut.

 

23rd January 1916.  Sunday.  Laying wire to O.P. Le Tocquet – in reserve trenches – In trenches till 7.15 pm.  First experience of trench rats – Returned in car about 9 pm.  NO MAIL.  ANS yesterday’s post.  P.C.s Green and Robinson.

 

24th January 1916.  Monday.  In action on The Brasserie – a “fort” in German trenches – at O.P., reporting observations – 40 rounds – Excellent shooting – Brasserie blown to pieces.  Letters Peg and Frank – JB (O.H.).

 

25th January 1916.  Tuesday.  Standing by for O.P. Nothing doing.  Ans yesterdays post – NO MAIL.  At Y.M.C.A. in evening.

 

26th January 1916.  Wednesday.  Aeroplane combat over camp – shells from anti-aircraft guns fall in village 50 yds from us.  On telephone exchange with KNOWLE.  In action – fired 5 rounds on BRASSERIE.  Letter from R.  Answered.  Rather foggy and inclined to rain.  On night duty.

 

27th January 1916.  Thursday.  Off duty during the day.  Had a good bath in the shower baths.  Pcl from F.  letters from N.T. and Mrs. Philippson.  ANS.  Acknowledged Mrs Parker’s socks.  At Y.M.C.A. in evening.

 

28th January 1916.  Friday.  Replacing wire to the gun – In action 6 rounds on Brasserie.  NO 3 reported short and dropping in our trenches.  Pay day.  Letter from Kathie. Ans.  Y.M.C.A. concert.

 

29th January 1916.  Saturday.  On No 2 Gun – very warm & fine.  Hut inspection by “old man”.  Letter from R.  Ans.  Reported night Gas attack.  Stand by with helmets.  Y.M.C.A. concert postponed.

 

30th January 1916.  Sunday.  Much work – took trolley to Steenwerck Station for a weigh – brought it back – Shunted many trucks to bring forward amn truck – Weighed 50 shells transferring when weighed to empty truck – Dinner (Macaroni) finished 2.0 pm – went off for a Douglas broken down on Baileul Rd.  returned for tea 4.20 pm.  At Y.M.C.A.  Letters Gilbert & Rowell.  ANS.

 

31st January 1916.  Monday.  On the line – walked through Neuve Eglise to 22 Bty.  Line in good order – Huts lined partly with canvass – bon – letter from Frank.  Answered – very cold today.  Excellent concert at Y.M.C.A. Givenchy Canadian Division.

Letter to Hammond family 11 Feb 16

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

Diary of 2/Lt. A. B. STREET Jan 16

Diary of 2/Lt. A. B. STREET

48 SIEGE BATTERY RGA

 

1st Jan. Saturday.  Went over to the Docks by train; they had now started loading Tentage and there was nothing for us to do.  Meade King went up to Town for the night to see his wife.  I returned to Bristol soon after midday.  Went to the Pantomime “Goody Two Shoes” in the evening, a very good show, amusing and some of the scenes very pretty.

 

2nd Jan. Sunday.  Went to church at 8.0.  Paid my bill at the Hotel and went to the Docks.  Meade King returned.  Went to the Rest Camp at 2.0 and marched our 15 men and the 30 for Malta down to the ship and embarked them.  Paraded them at 3.0 for inoculation against Cholera and I was vaccinated as well.  Meade King went off to his cousins at Stoke Druid for the night.  I slept on board.  Rain all evening & night.

 

3rd Jan. Monday.  Cleared up about 9.0 and was a fine sunny day.  Meade King returned at 10.0.  Said we were both asked by his cousins for lunch, dinner and the night if not sailing.  I went into Bristol to see Mr. Meade King re a power of attorney for Mother and returned to Stoke Druid to lunch with his wife; into Bristol again after lunch to sign P of Att: then to tea at Stoke Druid.  M. K. and I then went out to the Docks to see if the ship would sail.  On finding that she wouldn’t we went to Stoke Druid for the night which was very pleasant.

 

4th Jan. Tuesday.  Caught bus after breakfast and were at the Docks shortly after 10.0.  They finished loading by midday and we expected to sail between 4 and 8, no orders came however so we are here for the night.  Started raining in the afternoon and continued.  Sent a wire about 3.30 to say were off!!

 

5th Jan. Wednesday.  Fine sunny day.  Took a walk round the Docks in the m’ning.  Cast off about 6.10 p.m. and anchored off Barry at 9.30 p.m. awaiting escorts.

 

6th Jan. Thursday.  Left Barry Roads soon after midnight accompanied by our escort which was two armed trawlers whose speed was so slow that we had to reduce to half speed.  A fairly fine day but a bit thick.  A good many men were ill there being a fair amount of motion.  Meade King succumbed also.

 

7th Jan. Friday.  A fair day, fresh breeze and some sun.  Most of the men were ill., Meade King in bed all day, the ship was rolling a lot.  Made the Wolf Lightship about 8.0 am and picked up a new escort, 2 armed trawlers which could steam at our full speed, they left us at about 9.0 p.m. when off Ushant, we passed about 60 miles off.

 

8th Jan. Saturday.  Fine sunny day, light wind but a heavy swell.  Sunny.

 

9th Jan. Sunday.  Fine day, dull.  Wind veered round to the E.  Bigend of H.P. Cyl[inder] began to knock about midday.  Hove to at 6.30 p.m. for engineers to repair it.  Under way again about 10.0 p.m. Abreast off Cape Finisterre, about 150 miles out, at about 5.0 p.m.

 

10th Jan. Monday.  Lovely sunny day calm with an Easterly breeze.  Stopped in the forenoon for about 15 minutes to adjust Bigend.

 

11th Jan. Tuesday.  Lovely sunny day calm with an Easterly breeze.  Altered course about 9.0 p.m. for the Straits of Gibraltar.

 

12th Jan. Wednesday.  Lovely sunny day very calm Easterly breeze. Sighted land N. coast of Africa at 4.0 p.m.  Met Patrol boat outside Gibraltar about 9.0 p.m. and arrived in Examination Anchorage about 12.0.  Did not anchor.

 

13th Jan. Thursday.  Lovely sunny day, very calm, practically no wind.  Left Gibraltar at 5.0 am.  Saw Sierra Nevada 11,000 ft. snow covered.

 

14th Jan. Friday.  Fine sunny day, fresh breeze dying away in the evening.

 

15th Jan. Saturday.  Fine sunny day wind went round to the North.  There was a swell which caused her to roll rather heavily.

 

16th Jan. Sunday.  Fine sunny day.  Swell went down v. light wind.  Passed several ships, one a 4 funnel cruiser on the horizon.

 

17th Jan. Monday.  Hot sunny day calm light breeze.  Arrived off Malta at 4.45 p.m. and were sent round to St. Paul’s Bay to anchor for the night.  Anchored at 7.30.

 

18th Jan. Tuesday.  Weighed anchor at 6.30.a.m. and proceeded into the harbour, anchoring off the fish market about 8.30.  The 30 men for Malta were disembarked before noon.  Meade King and I went ashore in the afternoon, cabled home, did some shopping and walked about.  Fine sunny day.

 

19th Jan. Wednesday.  Fine day but cloudy.  Meade King and I went to lunch with 3 Subs. of 603 Coy. M.T. A.S.C. at Mosta Cross Roads about 7 miles outside Valetta.  Did some shopping and posted letters.  30 men R.N.D. ratings joined on board.

 

20th Jan. Thursday.  Fine sunny day.  Fresh breeze from N.  We left Malta at midday.

 

21st Jan. Friday.  Warm sunny day no wind.  Clouded over in the evening.

 

22nd Jan. Saturday.  Dull.  Rain on and off all day.

 

23rd Jan. Sunday.  Dull and wet in the morning but cleared up in the afternoon.  Calm sea fresh breeze.

 

24th Jan. Monday.  Arrived off Alexandria at daybreak and entered about 7.0 am.  We anchored out in the harbour.  Rather windy some showers but warm and pleasant in the sun.

 

25th Jan. Tuesday.  N. W. gale all day.  No communication with the shore.  Some sunshine and heavy squalls.

 

26th Jan. Wednesday.  Fine day fresh breeze.  Hill came on board in the m’ning and gave us news of the battery.  Pilot came on board after dinner and we berthed at No 44 at 2.45 and soon after cargo began to be discharged.  Meade King and I drove up to the town after tea and sent some cables.  30 R.N.D. ratings disembarked at 5.0.p.m.

 

27th Jan. Thursday.  Fine day fairly sunny fresh breeze.  Continued to discharge tentage.  Harvey, Lane and White came down in the afternoon.  Langford and Hutchings in the m’ning.

 

28th Jan. Friday.  Warm sunny day.  Began discharging lorries.  Sent a cable to Judith.

 

29th Jan. Saturday.  Lovely hot sunny day.  Continued to unload lorries and tentage.  Received mail from home.

 

30th Jan. Sunday.  Lovely hot sunny day.  Continued unloading all day.  Got 4 of the gun pieces out.

 

31st Jan. Monday.  Fine sunny day.  Finished discharging the ship at 4.15p.m.  After tea on board we all left for the Camp after just a month on board.  Had a very comfortable happy time on board and a very pleasant voyage.  Dined at Camp, sharing a tent with Harvey.  Quite comfortable.

Letter from W Hammond 15 Feb 16

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

Letter from Willie Hammond 15 Feb 16.

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

Fred Hammond letter 14 Feb 16.

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 9th 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

Letter to Hammond family 11 Feb 16.

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