F.S.P.C. 26 September 1917

I am quite well

I have been admitted to hospital sick wounded and am going on well.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your letter dated telegram  parcel

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you lately for a long time.

Signature only: A.A. Laporte Payne

Date Sept 26 1917

Addressee Miss Muriel Cross, Benchfield, Church End, Finchley, N3

Postmark ARMY POST OFFICE S.65 Dated 29 SP 17

Opposite p 55

Issued before Passendaele Battle 4^th Oct

To

O.C. Coys

During his inspection, the Army Commander emphasised the importance of the following points:-

1. In all practice attacks the flanks of the leading troops on the right and left of the troops carrying out the attack, must be represented by flags etc. These flags should move in accordance with the instructions of the director. They should not move in strict conformity with the attacking troops but should sometimes drop back leaving the flank of the attacking troops uncovered, sometimes move outwards so as to leave a gap. By this means leaders will be taught to deal with situations which will occur in a battle.

1. The absolute necessity for supports and reserves keeping well up so that the onus of beating off a counter-attack may not entirely fall on those troops who have already been seriously engaged.

1. The necessity for the outpost line of Lewis Guns etc maintaining their positions in the face of a counter-attack and never retiring on to the main line. By this means, even if the enemy succeeds in pressing the outpost line, he will be delayed and disorganised and so fall an easy prey to the troops in rear.     X       Retirements of any sort in the face of a counter-attack are fatal.

1. At all parades, troops must be practiced in seizing their rifles and rapidly taking up a fire position in any direction. A definite object must be given for the men to aim at such as bottom of haystack, line of hedge, etc. each man’s position must be examined and criticised with special regard to the visibility of the target.

1. The necessity for impressing on all ranks that although the pace of the barrage is slow, as soon as an obstacle occurs it must be attacked as rapidly as possible i.e. when the ground permits, all outflanking movements must be made at the double.       Unless the obstacle is rapidly overcome the barrage may be lost.

1. The necessity for troops not engaged pushing boldly on, and for troops in rear moving round the flanks of obstacles which are being engaged by leading troops.

1. It must be impressed on all ranks that their lives and the success of the whole operation will very likely depend:-

(a) On the amount of digging they can put in during the first few minutes after an objective has been captured.

(b) On cleaning their rifles at every available opportunity.                      X

With reference to (b) during all practice attacks, men must be taught to utilise every pause to clean their rifles without waiting for orders.  If the ground is very wet, it may be necessary for one man to clean whilst another shoots.

A Division which lately took part in active operations arranged for a small party of men in each Battalion being told off to clean Lewis Guns and Rifles put out of action by mud. This party was located in the vicinity of Battalion Hd Qrs, and Lewis Guns and Rifles which required cleaning were sent back to it from the lines in front.

The Divisional Commander is aware that many of these points have already been put forward, but they are all of such immense importance that he has no hesitation in publishing them again. They must be read in conjunction with notes already issued.

The above points are of the utmost importance and the Commanding Officer wishes Company Commanders to do all they can to carry out the Divisional Commanders wishes.

C.H. C**ing

Lieut.

Adjutant 1. E. YORK. R.

26-9-17

152^nd Infantry Brigade

153^rd         “          “

154^th         “           “

C.R.A.

C.R.E.

“A”

1/8 Royal Scotts.

Div Signal Co.

232 Machine Gun Co.

A.D.M.S.                                Div. Supply Column.

D.M.G.O.                                Div Salvage Co.

A.P.M.                                                Div. Claims Officer.

D.A.D.V.S.                             Div Amm. Sub-Park.

D.A.D.O.S                              Camp Commandant.

Div. Train.

Div Gas Officer.

The following message has been received from Fifth Army:-

“In bidding farewell to the Highland Division the Army Commander wishes to express his great admiration for and appreciation of their splendid record during the fighting of the past two months aaa Their fine advance their gallant defence of ground won against repeated enemy attacks and the severe punishment they inflicted on the enemy during the last battle will ever remain one of their proudest records and has helped materially to enemy’s final defeat aaa He heartily wishes them all success in the future aaa Scotland for ever.

Fifth Army.”

Laurence Carr Major G.S.

for Lieut. Colonel,

General Staff,

51^st (Highland) Division.

26^th September 1917.

Sept 25^th 17

Dear Father

I thought I would write you a few lines as it seems rather a long time since I wrote to you last.

Well Dad how are you all getting on.  I am suffering from a rotten cold at present but expect I shall be alright in a day or two.

How did you enjoy yourself at Thames Ditton I hope Nell & Bill are quite well.

We left our old spot last Sunday, & now in a large camp it is not a bad place; the weather is grand & vary hot.

Thank you for the Pictorial I am anxious to know if anything will come of all this peace talk but one cannot put much hopes in it.

I was pleased to hear from Ethel, & sorry I did not think of Winnie’s birthday tell her I will write the first opportunity.

I think I must finish now.  Shall be glad to hear from you soon.

Hoping you are all in the best of health.

With much love from

Your devoted

Son

56153 Pte F.W. Springett

A Company 2^nd Platoon

284^th Infantry Battn

Bourne Park Camp

Bridge

Nr. Canterbury

Kent

Tuesday Morn

My Dear Brother Sid,

Just a few lines as promised hope they will find you quite well.  As I am very well at present.  Well, Sid note the new address and the place.  This is about three miles from Canterbury and we are in a lovely park so everything is alright.

We shan’t be so long before we go in billets now.  I shall be glad in one way, then we shall be down in the town.

It was a lovely day for moving.  We were up at 2 o’clock in the morning and it was six hours ride in the train.  I came through Maidstone at 10 o’clock yesterday morning.

Well, Sid it is fall in time so I will close, sorry to write such a short letter.

So Goodbye

I remain

Your Loving Brother

Frank W

With cover to Mr S.K. Springett, 29 Bath Road Dartford Kent

Postmarked CANTERBURY 10 PM 25 SP 17

22.9.17

My dear Gladys

Cheer Oh!  I am now back again with the Bn and feeling much happier I am so very sorry about that miserable rotten letter I wrote but as you say I was feeling a bit fed up and out of sorts however Pa’s letter arrived just afterwards and bucked me up wonderfully.  The main reason why I wrote such a vile letter was because I was awfully disappointed at not receiving a letter from home on my birthday.  It was my first thought in the morning that whoever else forgot I should have one from home but it’s all right now and I have quite got over it.  I am glad you found the cheque book I quite thought I had lost it.  So pleased Ma likes the purse but I thought it would not be long before Gladys gets hold of it.  Ma seems to be coming a leading light in the Church work.  The next thing will be the parson saying “Mrs Hammond will hold her monthly sewing class.”  How does the pipe smoke?  I lost mine the other day much to my annoyance.  Let me have the watch as soon as it is ready.  I am working on an Ingersol lately which varies considerably.

You will have seen in the paper that all 2 Lieuts. of over 18 months commissioned rank become lieutenants Oh I nearly forgot Humbolt is away at present in charge on a school so I expect to be OC Coy for some time.  It was in orders that I had taken over the other day.  Whether he will come back soon remains to be seen.  I thought about you the last part of the holiday the weather was rotten.  I was awfully sorry to hear you were not so well.  I suppose you have been eating too much.  I had two PC from Gus the other day he is quite OK.  He is in the same place where I was for my course I heard their division had arrived there the day I left which was a bit of bad luck otherwise I could have met him.  I was not aware that Barters son had been wounded.  You see we has very little to do with other companies.  I received the asprin oh but am quite fit now thanks.  Oh I could not write last Sunday as I was in the line for two days.  Don’t send me any shop cakes.  I only want the proper stuff.  No shop cakes for R****.  So old Gus expects to be in civilian clothes by next Christmas.  I hope so.  The whole family seems to be very prominent in church work lately, but how Gladys can possibly resemble a marigold I don’t know, how about a sunflower.

How does the red “gun carriage” go now.  I hope it is doing a bit better than at first.  I am beginning to think the plot is not quite so flourishing as it was it is such a long time since I heard about it.

I am enclosing a circular sent round by the Colonel you will see that the maximum amount is 2£ do you think Bill would send a quid.  I thought you might send the other, if not I will send any thing with may be short.  I would suggest that you send it to the Colonels wife.  The men out here I am sure would appreciate such a gift very much.  Let me know what you are doing as soon as possible you will see that all donations must be received before 15 Oct.  Well this is all now.

Will write again next Sunday if poss, if not will send a F.P.C.

Fondest love to all

George

Impressed notepaper: Avon Holm

Victoria Road

Macclesfield

Sept 20^th

Dear Auntie,

Just a line to let you know that I arrived home on Monday in good time for my Soldiers’ Working Party.

I have been very busy ever since I came back, and have been at School practically all day today.  I hope the farmyard is going on all night and that Turkie continues to develop those qualities that make him such a good guardian of the mansion.

We have had a letter today from our chauffeur who has been talking with a man who was in the trenches with George.  He says “Lieut Hammond is very well liked by his men” and that is something to be proud of.

There isn’t much news in Macclesfield.  It is very dark in the evenings and Jackie Lantern comes in very useful.  How is his brother?

Please tell Gladys to pen me a note when she finds the English language flowing fluently – it so rarely does, that it is a treat to hear it when it does.

Many thanks to you all for the pleasant weekend I spent with you.

Love from all to all

Yours

Elsie

Cover to Mrs Hammond, 9 Countess Street, Stockport, postmarked 11.45 AM 21 SP 17

Postcard to Rev. R.M. Laporte Payne 2 Sept 1917.

Y.M.C.A Postcard On Active Service

B.E.F.

France

2.9.17

Sunday evening

Dear Mr. Payne,

Just a card. I am quite well.

Thought that you would care for a line or two.

Long to be in England again soon.

Kindest regards to Mrs Payne & all & trusting that you are in the best of health.

I remain Yours very sincerely

An old Herne Bay Chorister. Lionel V. Richman Sergt “The Buffs”

On reverse addressed to Rev W. La Porte Payne,

The Vicarage

North Finchley

London

England

at 61 Marine Avenue

Hove

Sussex

Postmarked A.P.O. 517 3 SEP 17. and NORTH FINCHLEY 7 SP 17.

FOR GOD, FOR KING & FOR COUNTRY

Y.M.C.A.

H.M. FORCES ON ACTIVE SERVICE

Sept 20^TH 1917

Thursday

My Dear Brother Sid,

Just a few lines in answer to your welcome letter received today, so pleased to hear that you were quite well, as it leaves me very well at present.  Sorry to hear that you have a had cold, I have just got a slight one, but nothing much.

It as been awful weather here since Monday, I can tell you there is some mud.

It gets dark so quickly now, there don’t seem much time to do anything after tea.

Glad you have been busy again. I hope it will remain so.  well Dear Sid, we are moving on Sunday night as near as I can tell you, so perhaps you hadn’t better write to me again down here.

I will let you know my new address as soon as I know myself.

If you see Ted you might tell him, I am on the move I have only had one letter from him in six weeks.

Still I don’t worry about it only if he can’t write to me while I am in England, I’ll see that he don’t when I cross the ditch, which is very shortly.

I had a nice letter from Dad yesterday, he is quite well and getting on alright.

Mother sent me a parcel yesterday and a letter, they are all busy hop-picking at home and getting on alright too. Well, Dear Sid, I have enough money to carry me to Canterbury “thank you” but I should like some when you hear from me again.

It’s jolly good of you to think of me.

Well, Sid I don’t think I have any more news this time, so I will pack up.

I will send a card if we do move on Sunday.

So Goodbye Best Love

I remain

Your loving Brother

Frank William

P.S. Don’t tell Ted what I say, or perhaps he won’t like it.

With cover to Mr S.K. Springett, 29 Bath Road Dartford Kent

Postmarked HARWICH 9.45 AM 21 SP 17

G.P.17247 A

WAR OFFICE

The undersigned…Miss Dillon L.C.

(description)…….Female Driver

being employed on Active Service, is hereby authorised by the Secretary of State for War to drive a motor car, lorry or bicycle, when on Government duty.

1. Maude

Secretary of the War Office

L.Dillon

Signature of Holder

Available from 20-9-17 to 21-10-17

On reverse

HUTMENT SUB-DEPOT

& DEPOT TRANSPORT

NO 1 Res. M.T. Dept, Grove Park S.E.

V.E. To***** 2^nd Lt

Date 17.10.17

Tel Lee Green 1820

Extension           12