FIELD SERVICE POST CARD

To J. Smith, 100 Arcadian Gdns, Wood Green, London N22 England.

Postmarked ARMY POST OFFICE S.61 30 NO 18.

I am quite well

Letter follows at first opportunity

Signature only. A. Smith

Date Nov 27^th 18

POSTKARTE

Kriegsgefangenensendung

Senders address

Name Smith Christian name Alfred

Rank Private Camp No. E.K. 6

Regiment 53^rd M.G.C. Regtl STAMM No 97544

Camp of Friedrichsfeld near Wesel.

Postmarked FRIEDRICHSFELD bei WESSEL * 11 18 and London Nov 26 18.

Mr. & Mrs. A.E. Smith

6 London Road

Southend on Sea

Essex England.

Friedrichsfeld October 13^th 18

My Dear Albert & Affie,

Many thanks for letter of Aug 30^th going grand now had another help parcel & biscuits also 1^st grocery parcel came this week address quite correct have had a ripping dinner to day could write volumes if space would allow I had another letter from Ciss dated 25^th Aug when writing to my old No with Stamm: No 97544 shall be writing to Ciss on Wednesday if letter cards come & will put my full address then.  How does the apple jelly go?  I would give it jelly if I was home.  Glad you are all well & hope you are as happy as I am now.  Alf.

Cover dated 17.10.18 but no letter.

German censor stamp Gepruft freigeben 92

British Opened by Censor P.W. 985

Nov 23^rd 18

My Dear Father

I am writing this letter back in our own lines again no longer a prisoner of war; arrived here yesterday.

It is grand to be free again & to see the back of Jerry; there is plenty to tell you & I shall no doubt have a lot of news to hear from you.  We do not know what has been happening in the world for the last eight months.  I am just anxious to get home now which I do not think will be very long.

You will be glad to know I received your private parcel last Monday week & I thank you all very much for the contents.  You may guess what went first the chocolate it was jolly good.  The razor goes fine it was a treat to be able to have a good shave also to clean ones teeth again.

Tell Peter the pipe goes fine.  I am sorry I did not receive any of the cigarettes Ciss sent for me but it took anything so long to come & just as we were getting started with parcels the war finishes; but it is a great blessing to think it is over it is what we have all been longing for.  I had a grocery parcel the same day as yours came that was the second one.

Well Dad how are you all in the dear old home-land I hope merry & bright.

It is a great to see our army rations again we are expecting a cigarette issue to-night.  I saw some of our boys to-day going through here they looked very smart after Jerry’s army & a bit different to what we look at present it is a case of holes in me coat & patches &c rather thin but we shall soon pull up now we are back with our own people again.  I am looking forward to some more good feeds of turkey ** again soon also some good old currant duffs.  Cheerio it will not be long now & we will make things lazy.

Have you heard from Southend lately I hope Albert, Affie & Joyce are quite well give them my love & tell them I will write soon if possible but I do not know the rules yet & I think we shall only be staying here a day or two.

Please remember me to Mr. & Mrs. Darvill & family I hope they are all well, I wrote in answer to his letter but I found out afterwards that the mail never went as we had to leave our camp in a great hurry owing to our boys advancing.

Well I think I must finish now. Keep smiling.  I hope you are in the best of health also Jess, Ethel & Winnie & all at the Anchor & I hope we shall all be able to drink our health there soon in a little drop of whiskey.  I believe we get a rum issue to-night.

Am going for a walk round the town now there are plenty of fine shops here & the flags are all flying.

So Au revoir

With much love from

Your devoted

Son

P.S. Have just seen two English papers the first since we were captured.

FIELD SERVICE POST CARD

To Mr & Mrs Smith, 152 High Street, Southend on Sea. Essex. England.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE TP 5 23 NO 18.

I am quite well

I have received your letter dated —–

Letter follows at first opportunity

Signature only. A. Smith

Date Nov 23^rd 18

Pte A. Weatherhead served under me for nearly two & half years – for the last eighteen months as my servant. As a soldier he was a splendid example of smartness & cleanliness.  Keen, honest, most energetic, & of perfectly sober habits.  As a servant he was the best I have ever had & I can most strongly recommend as a valet should he care to take up such work.  He is a thoroughly able man & most willing & ernest at all he does.  I recommend him for any position of trust.

1. Pearson Brig Gen.

Cmdg 160^th Inf Bde

E.E.F.

10-9-18

J.N. & Military Club

96, Piccadilly

London

22^nd Nov 18

Dear Weatherhead,

Thanks for your letter of Oct 27^th forwarded home to me.

I was very sorry to miss you & still more so to have left without getting you fixed up with another job. I am at present on leave & do not expect to go abroad yet.  But of course if you do get back I will do all I can to get you, & Morris too, jobs, & if you are still serving – to get you back to me.  I enclose a chit which may be of some use to you.  Let me know how you both get on.

Yrs etc

1. Pearson

Telegram on German header dated 21 Nov 1918

Telegrahpie des Deutschen Reichs.

Rusgenommen den 21/11 1918

Telegram aus Berlin 8

Sheet I

First part illegible

I im Frankfurt ** British Government ** requires the prisoners to remain quietly and orderly in *** until the arrangements which are being made by German

Sheet II missing.

Sheet III authorities in conjunction with Netherland and Danish governments for their repatriation are concluded stop Preparations for officers and orderlies departure from the various camps are being accelerated as much as possible and the will be greatly …

Subsequent sheet/sheets missing.

Letter to Rev. R.M. Laporte Payne 21 Nov 1918

36 Finchley Park,

1. Finchley

N 12

21/11/18

My Dear Vicar

No doubt you will be surprised at hearing from me after a long time, as it is just on 2 years since I left the Parade. I am writing to say that I shall be sending you 10/- some time during next month, towards the War Memorial, I should like to give this, to the Memory of  Brigade Lads of my late company who have made the Great Sacrifice.

It was with much thanksgiving that I attended the Service on the 11^th in the evening, and also the services last Sunday.  I feel that I have had many and great Blessings during this war, the greatest of all that I have not been called to the horrors of the Battlefield, but have been allowed to remain at home.

I have been graded 4 times, and have been waiting for my call up, which I have not had, I am in a low category.

I have always trusted to God and I take it, that it is His will for me to remain at home. I have been married since I left the Parade, am attending Christ Church now, excepting some Sunday evenings when we go to St. Lukes.

Trusting Mrs. Payne and yourself are keeping well.

I remain

Yours sincerely

Arthur C. Andrews.

The “Anchor”

1 Bankside

SE 1

20/11/18

Dear Uncle,

We received the enclosed this morning & as it is a nice cheery letter mother thought she would send it on, and show you that he is quite fit for his little march.

Trusting you are all well.

I remain

Your affectionate Nephew

Charlie

9^th Canadian Artillery Brigade

O.O.I.

All Batteries

1. Boundaries of 3^rd Canadian Division are as follows:-

Southern Boundary: Q.3.d. along road (inclusive to 3^rd Canadian Division) to BOURG (L.30.d.) thence road to L.20.c.

Northern Boundary: K.19.c. along road to K.11.a. thence due East.

2. The front is held by one infantry Brigade (At present 9^th (Cdn.Inf.Bde.H.Q.Q.2.c.2.1.) with two Battalions in the line. Battalion H.Q. are in SAINT DENIS.  Inter-Battalion boundary – from crossroads L.13.a.05.05. (Inclusive to Right Battalion) to crossroads K.32.d.1.4.

3. 2^nd Canadian Division is on the Right, 8^th Division on the Left.

4. “Line runs as follows:- L.20.d.2.1. through L.20.b.2.1. to fork road at L.13.a.05.05. to K.11.A.75.75. to K.15 Central which is the point of junction with the 8^th Division troops. From this point the line of the division on our left now runs approximately from15. central – K.8. central – K.2. central.

5. Field Artillery covering the line consists of: 9^th Brigade CFA, 10^th Brigade CFA. 8^th Army Brigade CFA.

6. ARTILLERY BOUNDARIES 10^th Brigade CFA will cover Right Battalion 9^th Brigade CFA will cover Left Battalion. 8^th Army Brigade CFA will be superim

7. (a) SOS lines for Batteries will be as follows:

31^st Battery – L.13.a.5.5. – K.12.d.4.7.

33^rd Battery – K.12.d.4.7 – K.12.a.3.9.

45^th Battery – K.12.a.3.9. – K.5.d.3.2. – K.4.d.9.4.

36^th Battery – Roads and important points beyond 18-pdr S.O.S. line.

(b) 8^th Army Brigade CFA will also detail one Battery to cover route of approach on left flank including the road in K.19.d.

8. LIAISON 10^th Brigade CFA will supply liaison Officer to Right Battalion 8^th Army Brigade CFA to left Battalion.
9. F.O.Os Each Brigade will maintain one O.P. manned day and night.
10. Full ammunition Echelons are to be carried.
11. No firing will be done except in the event of an enemy attack.
12. ACKNOWLEDGE.

(sgd) L.B. Kingston Lieutenant

A/Adjutant

9^th Canadian Artillery Brigade.

13-11-18