Category Archives: 1916

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY

By

Major-General T. Bridges, C.M.G., D.S.O.

Commanding 19th Division.

**************************************

11/7/16.

            The General Officer Commanding 19th Division congratulates all ranks on the results achieved by the Division in the fighting of the last few days.

The storming of the village of LA BOISSELLE and its surroundings, fortified with every contrivance that an ingenious enemy could devise, almost impervious to artillery fire, and garrisoned by desperate men is a feat which will live in history.

During these first nine days of operation the Division has successfully carried out every task that it has been allotted.

In the course of a victorious advance in which every unit of the Division took part, it has captured over 500 prisoners, some guns and mortars and many machine guns, and has inflicted great loss on the enemy in morale, men, and material.  The determination and gallantry shewn by all ranks under conditions of the utmost difficulty and discomfort has been the subject of congratulations from the Commander-in-Chief and the Army Commander.

The G.O.C. is proud to command such a fine Division and though many brave Officers and men have fallen, the loss of whom he greatly deplores, he feels confident that the same fine spirit, the same high standard of gallantry and devotion to duty will continue to be shewn by the men of the 19th Division, until complete victory is finally assured.

P.M. Davies. Lieut-Colonel.,

A.A. & Q.M.G., 19th Division.

Letter to Rev Walters from J.W. Weston

On YMCA headed notepaper

July 10 1916

Address Reply to Pte J.W. Weston 25739

3rd attd to 1st Leicestershire Reg

12th I.B.D. c/o A.P.O. S 17

B.E.F.

France.

My Dear Mr Walters,

            You will think it is a long while since I wrote to you, I was looking forward to seeing you when I was home but you were away on your holidays, but I will see you when the war is over, that is if I have any luck.  I am finding a lot of fellows I know here, and I know I will find a lot more men in the firing line when I get there.  I expect you are not getting many men at our men’s service now, but they will come back when the war is over, which we hope will not be long.  Remember me to all.  I often think of you all now I am far from home, but I am trusting in God to bring me back safe.  I am in the best of health, hoping you are the same.  Well I dare not tell you any news so you must excuse short letters but I know you like to hear from us.  Well I will close with best wishes

From

Yours Sincerely

Will Weston. 

In envelope addressed to Rev T.W. Walters, Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.  England.  Redirected to 8 Kilvey Terrace St Thomas Swansea.

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE S 17.  12 JY 16.

PASSED BY CENSOR 1447 in hexagonal cachet in red.

Letter from Bernard King to Harry R King dated 8th July 1916

France

Saturday July 8th 1916.

My Dear Harry,

            Thanks for your last Sunday’s letter which I received yesterday.  I am glad that you have at last received a letter from me, but I have written two & possibly three.  I daresay, however, you will by this time have received another.  I believe that owing to the bombardment you read about in the English papers our letters are held up somewhere as of course it is most important that no news however insignificant shall leak through.  I think there is no harm in my saying we are doing our share, and everyone is very optimistic here, which feeling is quite justified even by the scant news you get in England.  As B.J. Dillon and all the other critics say, this is an artillery war which means a huge amount of work and effort by the artillery.  Lessons have of course been taught by previous efforts, with I am sure advantageous results in this instance.

            I am afraid you must have been disappointed at not receiving letters from me for such a long time but as you will see by the date of my letters it is no fault of mine and therefore your opening remarks are not deserved.  I always endeavour to answer any letter within two days of its receipt, and usually succeed.  My letters to Mother must also have been delayed, although lately she seems to be receiving some.

            It has not been anything like as pleasant here during the past week as it was the first fortnight we were here.  The weather has been wretched, possibly owing to the gunfire and the consequence is that our position is a sea of mud of a most tenacious nature.  To add to our troubles our dugout did not prove proof against the heavy rain, but by hanging up mess tins here and there we have managed to keep dry while sleeping.  Everything however is dismally damp but it will take much worse than that to damp our spirits.  After the little I have already seen out here I am much more inclined to agree with Alan’s comparison of our lot with that of the Infantry, as altho’ we get plenty of hard work we can make ourselves infinitely more comfortable and settled.

            I would very much like to be able to write you freely as to the position out here but the authorities now are justly very strict and the safest plan is to mention nothing at all; this makes letter writing very difficult as we are in no way concerned with anything but military matters, and except with letters from home and an occasional newspaper are quite cut off from the World.  My opinion is that all us fellows being out here away from home for such a time, will be the making of home life when the War is over, as it is impossible to imagine how some of the fellows now talk about their homes and people and how they now value them.  It is not a question of homesickness at all.

            They are keeping you in suspense as to your new appointment and station, but I hope you will shortly hear some news and that you will soon be settled.

            I am glad to hear of Alan and to know he is well.  Seeing so much makes me very concerned with regard to him, altho’ our efforts are making it easier for them.

            It is good of you to ask what you can do for me and I know I need not be afraid of mentioning anything that I imagine I could do with, but at present there is no need for my troubling you.  I would like you, more than anything, to continue writing me every Sunday, even though you don’t get anything from me, which I can promise will not be any fault of mine.

            Give my fondest love to Ethel & with best wishes

            Yours,            Bernard.

P.S.  Do you remember the name of the place just outside Dublin where I had a game of golf when I was in Ireland last?  I have been trying to think of it recently, one of the fellows here has played on most courses round Dublin.  B.

P.S.S.  A very funny thing happened here today – some German prisoners were being escorted back and when they were not far from here the German guns opened fire.  The prisoners ran like mad and the escort (with full pack on) had a hard job to keep up with them.  Of course the Germans did not know they were shelling their own men, they were just indulging in a quiet straff.  B.

In envelope addressed to Harry R King, Esq., Munmore, Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin.  Ireland.  Ansd 16.7.16

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE R.30.  JY 10 16.  Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3447.  Signed F.G. Dwerryhouse

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY

By

Major-General T. Bridges, C.M.G., D.S.O.

Commanding 19th Division.

**************************************

4th July 1916.

            The Army Commander called at Divisional Headquarters this morning in order to congratulate all ranks concerned in the capture of LA BOISELLE.  He considers this is a fine feat of arms, and ordered the Divisional Commander to convey his appreciation to all concerned.  He hopes that ground so well won and at such sacrifice will never be allowed to fall again into the hands of the enemy.

P.M. Davies. Lieut-Colonel.,

A.A. & Q.M.G., 19th Division.

Letter from Bernard King to Harry R King dated 2nd July 1916

Sunday July 2nd 1916

Dear Harry,

            I don’t quite know who’s turn it is to write – yours or mine – as the last letter I received from you was sent before you received my letter, and was therefore no answer to mine.  I wonder whether you have yet had the letter I sent you.  I believe they are held up for a while somewhere to stop any news of movement from possibly leaking through.  I am wondering what the papers are saying with regards to events out here.  I am just wondering if I have not already answered your letter of the 25th. (Wondering is one of the few hobbies we have out here).  Did I tell you that in the arguments you had with Ethel she was wrong.

            During the past two nights I have had no sleep at all but manage to get just sufficient during the day to keep me fairly bright.  Don’t tell Mother as I simply tell her we are working very hard.

This must be a very short letter as I am expecting to be called on duty any moment.

            Give my fondest love to Susan and Ethel.

            Yours,

                        Bernard.

P.S.  the noise here during the past two days has been terrible.  Early yesterday morning I suddenly became quite deaf, which has saved me a lot altho’ it is inconvenient.  Today I am hearing a bit better but there is a most fearful noise in my head.  B.

In envelope addressed to Harry R King, Esq., Munmore, Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin.  Ireland.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE T *7.  5 JY 16.   Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3447.  Signed F.G. Dwerryhouse

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY

**************************************

30th June 1916

SOLDIERS of the 19th DIVISION.

            On the eve of a great battle with a treacherous and detestable enemy whose greed of power brought about this bitter war, I wish to remind all ranks of the great things expected of them in the strenuous days before us.

            Never before has the military situation been so favourable.  Not only our own Army in France, but the Armies of our Allies on both Eastern and Western Fronts are combining in operations which may well prove decisive, and result in the expulsion of the enemy from the territory he has for so long occupied and oppressed.  He is now nearing the end of his resources: his material and his manhood are alike on the high road to exhaustion.  But victory will never be ours until a decisive and overwhelming blow has been dealt to his military forces.  That blow it is now our purpose to deal him.  It is for this moment that we have trained hard and waited patiently.

Let us make full use of our opportunity and fulfil the expectations of our leaders, our friends and our country.

I rely with confidence on your courage and grit to uphold the glorious traditions of the British Army and of the fine old regiments to which you belong, and to make the name of the 19th Division famous in history.

Remember we are fighting for the ideal of freedom and the honour of England.

Let each put forth his maximum endeavour and let us advance to victory imbued with the determination to win and strengthened by the righteousness of our cause.

T. Bridges

Major-General,

Commanding 19th Division.

Letter from Alan King to Harry R King dated 30th June 1916

Flanders,

June 30th 1916,

My dear Harry,

The last letter I had from you is dated 25th.  It arrived on the 28th.  By now your questions also will have been answered.  Every letter I have from you is expected to tell me where you will be placed.  I hope to goodness it won’t be Aberdeen or any place like that.  Any place away from the Bristol Channel is out of the question.  When we are all in the trenches there are at times several opportunities of reading.  I enjoyed the book you sent me.  The plot altogether surprised me.  I would like the other tattered specimens.  Fellows have magazines sent them with the advertisements cut off to save waste so it will be quite the correct thing.  Again I have three books in my possession and every time we make a move each gentleman that has borrowed suddenly discovers he has finished the perusal of the borrowed and returns it with thanks and “Not at all bad” and “Just finished its”, so that if they are tattered they will be in bits & ready to be discarded.  Our Captain suggested each man taking out a book & then interchanging thus forming a library.  I went one better with a pal’s “Bachelor in Arcady” by putting on the end cover (inside of course) “This book has been read by”.  Every reader then signs.  I also put a bit of homemade poetry rather personal to the owner inside the front cover.  The days of omelettes have gone alas!  (I suppose I should put alas first, should I?)  We sent one of us down for a dozen eggs just before tea intending to take them into the trenches (Note alliteration) hard boiled.  They arrived hot so we scoffed all but four for tea.  We had a bottle of sauce from the Canteen the other day & by pouring it into our stew made the stew quite eatable & enjoyable in fact.

July 5th 1916.  I am afraid there has been a considerable delay in the finishing off of this letter during which time it has suffered handling about.  Today we are in a rest camp for a short time and I have plenty of time again.  It was our turn in the front line the last time but it was quiet.  To continue.  My progress in pipe smoking has been arrested lately – I don’t know why – but I am having another shot again.  You will have heard that Bernard is in the firing line.  I don’t know where the artillery firing line is – only a few miles back I expect.  Your expectations are being realised as you will see in Dublin.  Is there any news yet where you are to be stationed?

Hoping to hear from you soon I am, Harry

            Yours as ever,

                        Alan

July 6th 1916.

My dear Ethel,

There is only time – I am sleepy – for a short note.  I enjoyed the raisins very much.  I like them.  The moustache is quite flourishing.  Some of our chaps tried the game of sending picture postcards with the names erased but our officers (being infantry) are not such slackers.  Once again we are within the omelette area.  There are two canteens and so I am told a coffee shop.  Estaminets flourish (to a great extent I judge) in this district, where the white wine is drinkable.  My pals and I are waiting for the first opportunity to invest in a possible bottle of champagne.  One of them was twenty-one on the fourth and we were going to have quite a celebration.  Then we found we would be in the trenches so we took the trouble of lugging up sacks of tinned stuff & resisting the temptation of immediately devouring parcels we had received only to find out that we had to be ready to move off at any minute which meant everything had to be packed up.  It is surprising how we survived the ordeal.

Unfortunately the estaminets are only allowed to sell cheap beer, red and white wines.  What we feel we want is Benedictine, Malaga, etc.  The first number of our magazine has been issued.  If you would like one apply to Chancery Lane Printing Works, Plough Court, Fetter Lane, London EC with 4½d.

All the Tom Webster sketches are drawn by him here.  He is in our platoon.  Well with best love I am

            Yours affectionately

                        Alan.

They won’t let us send magazines.

On Active Service envelope addressed to Harry R King, Esq., Munmore, Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin.

No postmark but signed by NG Flaw.  Hexagonal Passed Field Censor 3274 cachet.

Ansd 16.7.16 endorsed on front of envelope.

South African Infantry.

“M” Coy Bombing Team

2nd Res Batt S.A.I.

Score 189   2/7/16

L/Cpl Leathern

Pte. Rethmen

   “   Woolmore

   “   Lanford

   “   Hambridge

   “   Van Staden.

C.R.A.C.  73225/13 (A2)

Col. J.F. Purcell, D.S.O.

Comdg South African Res. Bns.

Reference your appointment to command South African Reserve Battalions date of assuming has been reported to War Office as June 22nd, this being the date on which notification was received approving your appointment vice Col Martyn

Charrington Captain

Staff Captain for A.A.G., A.C.

Aldershot

28th June 1916

In OHMS envelope addressed to Col J.S. Purcell D.S.O.

Cmdg South African Res Bttn.

Opened G.H. Elliot

O.R. Sgt.

Letter from Bernard King to Harry R King dated 25th June 1916

Somewhere in France

Sunday June 25th

My Dear Ethel & Harry,

            Thanks so much for your two letters.  They reached me only last Friday, which was the first day on which we have had a post, but from now on they should come regularly.  It was great excitement receiving the mail, for two or three days we were expecting the letters to arrive & then when they did it meant a lot for nearly everyone.

            We were not long in France before we were sent to our present position in the firing line, in fact we only had 4 nights rest before getting here.  Since we have been here we have had to work fearfully hard both day & night but the back of the work is now broken.  Today and last night there has been one long continual roar of guns & screaming of shells.  The noise is terrific and Fritz is getting it very hot.  Last night we had the night in bed but it was impossible to sleep owing to the noise.

            You want to know how I fill up my time, well, up to the present I don’t seem to have had any to worry about, and, in fact, last night was the first opportunity I have had off writing a letter since I have been here, as I had rather a batch of letters on Friday I was very glad of it.

            It is a great experience out here and it is marvellous how unconcerned & cool everyone appears under most extraordinary conditions.  The War here appears to be just a huge business not half so confusing as Selfridges, but a bit nosier.  It is not half as bad as I anticipated, and the danger seems very small.  When we are firing it seems almost as though we are at practice in England; the only difference being that we are not the only people firing.

            I am very glad for both your sakes that the trip to London was successful and hope that you will be sent to some decent place, and that it will be a great benefit to you.

            Three of us have built ourselves a beautiful and select little dugout of which we are very proud.  It is a splendid little place and in time we will have every convenience.  We are all positive it is absolutely splinter proof.  To get in it is necessary to crawl on hands and knees, as the entrance is so small.

            When at the Rest Camp I cut off the moustache you speak of but the same morning the Sergeant Major gave us a lecture on the subject so it is flowering once more.

            I was not able to get my photo taken at Ross as both the photographers have enlisted & there was no one carrying on.

            Alan’s description of an artilleryman’s life out here is to say the least of it slightly exaggerated.  One would hardly call it a bed of roses & recently I have been wishing I was in the Infantry.

            Thanks again for your letters – you can’t imagine how much they are valued out here – keep on writing

            Yours with love

                        Bernard.

In envelope addressed to Mr & Mrs Harry R. King, Esq., Munmore, Zion Road, Rathgar, Co. Dublin. Ireland.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 110.  29 JU16.  Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3447.  Signed F.G. Dweryhouse