On Y.M.C.A H.M. Forces on Active Service headed notepaper.

Nov 14^th 1915

P.O. A.J. Wilson

Reply to M. Coy T Res Bat B3 lines R.N.D.

Stationed at Blandford Camp

Dorsetshire.

Dear Sir,

            Just a line to let you know that I have moved to Blandford Camp and I met with John Heighton there, I was Leading Seaman befor I left the Palace and also P.T.I. but I was made acting P.O. which means Petty Officer, and I have started on my new work on Saturday last and I think I shall be allright down here, there is 3 of us come down here from Whitwick and one goes away next Sunday and that is John Heighton he sends his best love to all at home has he his by my saide at time of writing, I will be able to go down to your town, and I will do so as soon as I can for it is not so far away from here.  I will have to close now as it is neer to P.O. time.

I remain yours

P.O. A.J. Wilson, P.T.I.

7 Res Batt. B 3 Lines.

Bland ford Camp

Dorsetshire.

There is no envelope with this letter.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL C.H. INNES HOPKINS

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP.

LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

11^th NOVEMBER, 1915.

976 – TEMPORARY COMMAND OF BRIGADE –

            Brigadier-General T.P.B. Ternan, C.M.G., D.S.O., having proceeded on leave – the temporary Command of the Brigade devolves on Lieutenant-Colonel C.H. Innes Hopkins, 1^st Bn. Tyneside Scottish (20^th (S) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers).

977 – CHAPLAIN – ROMAN CATHOLIC – APPOINTMENT OF –

            The Revd. J. McHardy has been appointed Roman Catholic Chaplain to this Brigade from November 5^th, 1915.

Authority, War Office letter Clergy/General Number/4223 dated 27^th October, 1915.

He will be attached for rations and quarters to the 2^nd Bn. Tyneside Scottish (21^st (S) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers).

978– DIVINE SERVICE –

            Troops of the 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade will parade for Divine Service on Sunday, 14^th November, 1915, as follows:-

CHURCH OF ENGLAND   9-30 a.m. 1^st Bn. Tyneside Scottish )       Battalion

(20^th (S) Bn. Northd. Fus.)              Canteen

10-15 a.m. 2^nd Bn. Tyneside Scottish )    Battalion

(21^st Bn. Northd. Fus. )                   Canteen

10 a.m. 3^rd Bn. Tyneside Scottish )           Y.M.C.A.

            (22^nd (S) Bn. Northd. Fus.)             Hut

10-45 a.m. 4^th Bn. Tyneside Scottish )     Y.M.C.A.

(23^rd (S) Bn. Northd. Fus.)             Hut.

ROMAN CATHOLICS         8-30 a.m. in the Church Hut near No. 10 Camp.

PRESBYTERIANS              9 a.m. in Y.M.C.A. Hut between Nos. 14 and 15

Camps.

            WESLEYANS and

            UNITED BOARD                  9 a.m. in Wesleyan Hut in No. 5 Camp.

979 – OUT OF BOUNDS –

            The arable land on the South side of the Longbridge Deverill/Sutton Veny road opposite Nos 10, 11, 14 and 15 Camps is Out of Bounds for Troops.

980 – RIFLES – “SERVICE”, “E.Y.” and “D.P.” –

            With reference to Divisional Order No. 498 dated 10^th inst., reports are to be rendered to Brigade Head Quarters forthwith.

981 – DIVISIONAL ORDERS – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Divisional Orders 496, 497 and 498 dated 10^th November, 1915.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, MAJOR,

BRIGADE-MAJOR,  102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

Pte J.A. Moult 13302 B Coy

8^th Leicesters B.E.F.

Wed Nov 10^th

Dear Sir,

            I think it my duty to write you these few lines letting you know I am going on alright out here and am in the pink of condition.  We are still trying to overthrow these creatures who are trying to rule the world and I hope before long we succeed in our act.  I think it was very rotten in the murdering of Nurse Cavell.  But I think that before long we shall catch the napping.  We have got a very nice chaplin in out Batt he comes in the firing line and gives us cigarettes regardless of his own cost even when the shells are flying around.  When Mr Mackenzie was vicar of Whitwick I was in the Church Choir 4 years and Dad was Choirmaster and captain of bell ringers for a long while but I daresay you have seen his name on the tablet against the vestry.  I’m pleased to tell you I had a Church Magazine sent me whilst in the firing line by my old friend Mr John Pawson and I was very pleased with it.  Sir will you tell Mr Bastard I received his letter alright and I will answer it as soon as I get the chance.  I saw you had a memorial service in respect of my old chum H. Hurst he was along with me out here and I was very sorry to part from him, he was one of my best pals.  Sir would you kindly remember me to Mr Rawson as I shall have to close now hoping these few lines find you all at home in the best of health as it leaves me at present.

Yours most sincerely

Pte. J.A. Moult

In envelope addressed to Rev T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Leicester Rd, Whitwick, Leicestershire.  England.

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE ****.  NO 12 15.

PASSED BY CENSOR 1950 in triangular cachet in red.

On Y.M.C.A. with His Majesty’s Fleet headed notepaper.

Nov 10^th 1915

Address Reply to Blandford Camp Dorset

c/o Mrs Amos Allen

home address 32 Silver Street Whitwick

Dear Sir,

            Just a line hoping to find you all well at Whitwick as it leaves me A1at present, Dear Sir I am leaving the Palace tomorrow Thursday and going to Blandford, and I am going as a P.T.I. there to which means Physical Training Instructor of the R.N.D. Camp down there I have been rated to Leading Seaman and second Class Instructor which is the first step in my new undertaking and I hope to come off at the Top – if I can do so, I will write as soon as I get there tomorrow night Thursday so that you may have my new address, I hope things are going on well at the old Church, and I see that in the times you have a nice Plate put up in remembrance of my old Pal E. Tugby as we where old scoll palls, and I hope to be with you for 7 days at Xmass or New Years, Dear Sir remember me to all kind friends at home.  I will have to close now wishing you good night from one of the Mens Service Boys

Alfred John Wilson

P.T.I., R.N.D. Camp

Blandford

Dorsetshere.

In Y.M.C.A. envelope addressed to The Rev T.W. Walters M.A. Leicester Rd, Whitwick, Leicestershire.

Postmarked NORWOOD S.E. 10 NOV 15.  And on back of envelope COALVILLE LEICESTER 11 NO 15.

c/o Mr O’Shea

33 Dale Road

Luton

2/11/14

Rev^d T.W. Walters.

Rev^d Sir,

            Having a few minutes to spare I thought I would send you a few lines.

            My journey back to Luton last Sunday week was not very gay for on top of leaving home & friends I got well wet in the rain.

We had some very stiff days last week & on the Monday evening we had night operations, we left our quarters at 5 o’clock & when we arrived at our destination we had to dig out trenches, which are 2 feet wide & 4.6 feet deep.  At 6.50 I was sent into a turnip field as an enemy-drawer, which means that as soon as the enemy approaches I had to commence rapid firing to make them believe that there were a large number of us together & so get them to come towards us & leave the main part of the company in the trenches unattacked.  I lay on by stomach till 5.15 & was so cold that I could only just manage to get up.  Unfortunately the enemy did not get anywhere near us.

You will no doubt be pleased to hear I have received my first promotion to Lancs Corporal on Wednesday which carries with it extra pay.

On Friday last we had a Sham Fight which I don’t think was quite a success, somehow or other the main army reserves got in the fight first.

When we leave England we shall not be allowed to take anything but what we stand up in, the total weight we shall carry will be 59 lbs 6¾ ozs.

This week I am orderly corporal & have to remain at home all week to take charge of the barracks.

I must now close with kindest regards to Mrs Walters & yourself

Yrs obediently

Albert Will Hanson Lc Cpl

A Coy 5^th Batt Leicester Regt

P.S.  I enclose a photo of myself.  Just heard we shall probably be on the move next week.

There is no envelope with this letter.