A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 29 September 1917

B.E.F.

Belgium

Sept 29^th 1917

My own dearest,

If the Boche will leave us alone perhaps I may be able to write and send off a proper letter to you. I have started badly again haven’t I?

My three weeks leave is fading into a happy memory of a glorious time – spent with very few worries and many fine days with you. Thank you so very much, darling, for giving me such a good time and putting up with me for so long.  I must have been very trying at times.  The annoying part about it all was arriving such an object, and the most annoying part giving you the same complaint as myself.  I do hope you are quite better now – you have got rid of the cause so you ought to be.  Please let me know how you are.  I am very anxious to know.

You can imagine my feelings at having to return after such a time. I could not say much when I left but you know how I felt.  That is the worst of having such a good time.  I have never wanted to return less.  This fine weather we are now having makes me long to be back with you again at Eastbourne.  If I want cheering up now I think of the days at the sea – the day we went to Pevensey and Herstmontseaux – or the day we went out for a row.

I enjoyed it all the more because we took things easily – you can’t imagine what a relief it is to slack like that – with nothing to have to do and nothing to worry you. I am afraid I was very dull but you will forgive me won’t you – but you have the satisfaction of knowing that you gave me the most delightful time I have ever had – so how can I thank you in mere words!  Do you think Mrs Cross really enjoyed her holiday?  I am afraid it was very dull for her.  How is she?  I hope quite well and more reconciled to Finchley for the winter – please give her my love.  I will write as soon as I possibly can.

I am writing this in my target book on the map board which is on my knees in the signalling dug-out or rather tin shanty which is all we have to sit in and my seat is a stretcher.

When I left you on Monday evening I went home and packed. I had a much larger amount to take than I liked but it had to be done – I got to Victoria alright but found the Grosvenor Hotel full – it was then after 12 midnight – also the Y.M.C.A. officers place – so I went to the Queen Mary’s Officers’ Club and there I got a room.  It is a very nice place – bedroom to oneself bath (hot & cold shower) for breakfast, porridge, fish, bacon & eggs, toast & marmalade at any hour of the morning, and carriage of luggage – all this for 5/-: cheap wasn’t it?  I was up at 6 a.m. and caught the first train to Folkestone.  I met two fellows returning to this Brigade so as they were good fellows we had a fairly pleasant journey.

It was a glorious day, and a perfect crossing, but it was hellish having to leave on such a day. The place looked lovely in the morning sun – England and all she means to me with those I love there – are certainly worth fighting for.  The realisation of this has helped me a lot in a return to the ‘delightful’ conditions.

We had two hours in Folkestone. John Amour, Roberts and I went to the Grand but could get nothing to drink to drown our sorrows.  I sent your book off from Folkestone P.O.  I hope you got it alright.  We listened to the band for a short time and I met one or two people I knew.  The padre I know was away for a holiday.  We brought some pears and chocolate, and then went on board.  I read the Morning Post and O Henry’s “Gentle Grafter”, which latter rather bored me.  Lunch we had on board and arrived at B afterwards.  In the afternoon we went for a drive and at night had dinner at the Louvre – oysters, soup, fish, chicken, etc and stayed the night at the Officers’ Club.  B swarms with the W.A.A.C.S. – I wish they would import a decent looking lot.

We did not go by the train next day as we intended as I met a sapper with a car who was going to the same place as we were – so he took us. We left about 5.30 p.m., and had a most exciting journey.  He was taking up with him a keg of gunpowder (100 lbs.) which we had in the back – with a top missing – also cans of petrol.  The driver went like mad.  On the way we had four punctures – once a rifle cartridge lying in the road went right through the tyre – 3 times we had to mend the puncture.  We arrived about 11 p.m and I found them all in the same place.  The Major was at the Wagon-Line and we stayed up talking until 2.30 a.m.  The next morning I rode up here to the gun-line and took charge.  The guns had been moved to another place for a good reason.  That night I had to push a gun forward so I was up all night and the next day I spent visiting it.

Today I went down to the O.P. and registered it and on arrival at the Battery – or rather some way away I found the officers & men sitting in the ditches away in the fields disconsolately looking at the position – you can imagine why.  There we sat for the rest of the day, and now it is late but comparatively quiet.

My reception like my departure was quite warm. Air raid in London, also in B shelled at the wagon line – also at H.Q. when I reported – now a G.L. also at O.P. and forward position.  Delightful isn’t it – and the weather like it was at Eastbourne.

I read your Hankey book on the way up here. I like it very much indeed.

I found the Col in a very bad time, and looking unwell.  He had asked the adjutant the morning of the day I arrived if I had turned up and when he heard that I had not he was very angry and said, “I told you so, he will get another extension and never come back.”  But he was wrong.  It was quite time I came back.  I felt if I had delayed any longer I should never get back at all – I should have funked it altogether – such a delightful existence as I had on leave is not good for me I am sure.  I was getting much too soft.  You would not laugh at my luggage now or my comfortable abode.  I am living in a deserted & broken down gun pit with a concrete floor covered with water – one end is open and the other blocked up with a few sandbags.

My kit I found alright my wretched servant never got away at all – poor devil. Leave has been stopped so I was only just in time.

The adjutant is leaving us so the Colonel wants me to take it on – I don’t know what to do. What shall I do? I want a battery but it does not look like getting one just at present.  I do not see any papers now except the Daily Mail (Continental) so you might let me know if you see me gazetted as Temp Captain it will help me to decide whether to accept the adj’s job or no.

We are short of subalterns so it makes us very busy as you can imagine.

I must stop this ramble now or you will never get to the end even if you can read my scribble.

Please give my love to Mrs Cross, Mr Cross – and the Jacksons.

With all my best love for you darling

& many kisses

Also many grateful thanks for making my leave as perfect as it could possibly be.  Ever your

Arch.

29.9.17

BEF

Dear F & M

Just a line to say I am jogging along merry & bright.  Glad to receive Gladys letters & to hear you are all jogging along nicely.  I have been rather busy just lately but taking things easy at present.  I suppose you saw our lot mentioned in the papers a few days ago.  We did very well and have hopes of greater things before long if the weather keeps like it is at present.  I accidentally met Stan Burrows about a fortnight ago in an estaminet and had a few French beers & a chat with him.  He’s been having rather an exciting time of it lately & considers himself lucky up to now.  I intended seeing him again but a course we are like birds of passage moving here and there.  Still it was nice to meet one of my old golfing pals.  I also spent a day with Jimmy Milne the fellow from the Orkney Island who used to send the short bread.  He’s going on all merry & bright.  I also spent a day with Tommy Earlam he’s still in the same old place.  Allcock was some distance away but think he’s gone up again now.  So you see I have met a good many lately.  Some of my old Brigade Section boys are near & paid me a visit last night.  It was quite like old times to be amongst them.  I have been looking out for Geo as I believe he isn’t very far away but not seen him up to now.  Its two years since I was round this part & it’s altered somewhat from the last time I was here.  Still it’s nice to meet so many old friends.

Hope Par isn’t trying to run his section all on his own if he is I hope he’s not letting it worry him.  Also I hope Mar is keeping her pecker up.  Have you put many pickles in the jars.  Think I may get Leave between Nov & New Year with a bit of luck.  Had a letter from Uncle Ian chastising me for not writing but you know there’s very little to talk about really.  So Bowly is OK for a little longer.  Remember me to all the fair sexes who are mixed up in the family now a days.  I suppose I should feel out of it when the War is over.  Still you know what will keep 2 will keep one much better.  Well I think this is all this time.  Hoping my tyke doesn’t starting biting anyone otherwise he’s going to cost me something.

Cheerho Gus de Grabit

A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 27 September 1917

Same old place.

Sept 27^th 1917

My own darling

Thank you so much for your dear note which awaited my arrival. It was most thoughtful of you, and was just what I wanted to cheer me up a bit.

I am living now on the memory of my delightful leave – the best I have ever had – thanks to you chiefly – and others.

I will write more tomorrow. At present I am up to my eyes in work – I am in charge of the battery in the line and there have been a lot of changes.  I have been out all day and now have several things to see to.  I will send a proper letter tomorrow.  Please forgive this.  Surroundings are more uncongenial than ever.

How are you now

Fondest love dearest & many kisses

Ever your

Arch.

Message from XVIII Corps Commander 25 Sep 1917.

XVIII Corps A1923

51^st Division,

Before the 51^st (Highland) Division quits the XVIII Army Corps I desire to express to its Commander and to all ranks in the Division how highly I have appreciated their services throughout three months of strenuous fighting.

What has struck me most is the thoroughness of the organization within the Division and the fact that all usual war-problems have been thought out beforehand, discussed in detail and are embodied in simple doctrines well known to all ranks. The result is the Division always fights with gallantry and can be depended upon to carry out any reasonable task which may be allotted to it in any battle.  For this reason I venture to place it amongst the best three fighting Divisions I have met in France during the past three years.

Its record in this Corps comprised:-

• On 31^st July 1917, a shattering assault on High Command Redoubt, the capture in their entirety of three separate systems of German defence lines, an advance of two miles in depth into hostile territory and the consolidation and retention of the Line of the River STEENBEEK and all the objectives allotted to the Division.
• On the 20^th Sept, 1917, an assault on a Sector of the LANGEMARCK – GHELUVELT line which had resisted capture for more than a month, an incursion into hostile territory and the consolidation of important hills south west of POELCAPPELLE and at BAVAROISE HOUSE. The same afternoon these two hills were repeatedly attacked by five Prussian battalions, all of whom were defeated with sanguinary losses.

In conclusion I wish good luck to all ranks and hope to serve with them again in this War.

Ivor Maxse

Lieut General,

Commanding XVIII Corps.

G.H.Q.

/9/17

Distribution list attached shows:-

Ab       Q,        G.SO 1,          C.R.A.             C.R.E.             C. Comdt.

Sigs.    A.P.M. A.D.M.S.        D.A.D.V.S.     D.A.D.O.S.     D.C.O.

Lt-Colonel

A.A. & Q.M.G.

Date 27/9/17

Personal copy.

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