Appendix “A”
GROUP Position of Headquarters Map co-ordinates of Battery Positions.
RIGHT COPSE B. A.21.c.80/85
A.27.a.20/35
A.20.d.8/2
A.26.b.2/6
A.21.d.3.8
CENTRE BILLON VALLEY A.20.c.45/25
A.20.c.3/3
A.19.d.2/3
F.23.c.8/5
A.26.d.5/8
LEFT West of BILLON FARM F.22.d.8/5
F.23.c.0/4
F.28.b.8/7
F.23.d.37/34
F.28.b.3/1
APPENDIX 4
HEAVY TRENCH MORTARS
(9.45”)
POSITION REMARKS
F.12.c.55/46 To fire from point 2845 along BITTE TRENCH and Trench junctions in BLACK ALLEY.
A.7.d.9/1 Fires at CASINO POINT and German re-entrant.
A.8.c.3/0 Alternative.
A.8.c.55/15. Zone CASINO Point to CRATERS.
A.8.d.2/0 Alternative.
A.8.c.8/4 Fires on CRATERS and East of them.
A.13.b.8/9. Alternative.
Y.M.C.A headed notepaper
Pte. A.A. Smith
No 27521
Reply to “C” Company 12th Bat. Essex Regt
Stationed at Dovercourt
May 25 1916
Dear Father
Many thanks for the parcel received to-day. I know I shall enjoy them all very much; also for a letter from Jess which I got a day earlier.
It was very thoughtful of you to send the street door key, perhaps you were thinking I would make use of it & come home; but that is impossible at present. We start firing on the big range to-morrow, which lasts about 10 days directly after that we have 4 days holidays.
What do you think of all this conscription business? I see you are not within the age limit yet. I am afraid your poor feet would be rather tender after a long march.
The King is supposed to be coming to Felixstowe on Monday we have been getting ready for him. I believe we are going over there.
Glad to say I am quite well & hope you are all in the best of health.
With much love from
From your devoted
Son
Alf
Y.M.C.A headed notepaper
Pte. A.A. Smith
No 27521
Reply to “C” Company 12th Bat. Essex Regt
Stationed at Dovercourt
May 21st 1916
Dear Father
Many thanks for your welcome letter. I am glad you enjoyed yourself at Thames Ditton & that they are all well.
Everything is going alright here it is not so bad under canvas now it is better weather although it is rather warm at present.
I had a good try to get on to the Dental Staff saw the Colonel about it, he is the highest one here but the army rules are that nobody can obtain a transfer to the R.A.M.C. or the A.S.C. that is for General Service so I shall have to go through & make the best of it. I don’t think there is much chance of getting to Aldershot either so I should be very pleased to receive a parcel when you have time to send one along.
Well Father I am still looking forward to seeing you but it seems quite impossible at present as we have to do Sunday parades now; several of us enquired about it last week; I shall be going on the range firing soon that is practically the last stage we get home for 4 days after that; but of course we might be over here a long time before going out to the front.
Have you heard how Joe Fillory is getting on? I have met several Southend men here lately; one that used to go to the Higher Grade School with me now living at Westcliff.
I have not very much news to tell you this time so must conclude.
Hoping you are all well
With much love
Your devoted
Son
Alf
Green envelope Field Post Office T.9 Dated 15 May 16. To E. Hammond, 9 Countess St. Stockport. Signed F. Hammond No contents
Field Service Post Card FPO 27 Dated 18 May 16. To E. Hammond, 9, Countess St. Stockport. Message I am quite well. Fred 17 May 1916
In Biro My Brigade disbanded to all a South African Brigade to enter the Division 9th Scottish
Dear Mar & Pa
Sorry I have been so long writing a letter but I have been unsettled this last few weeks. Our Brigade has been disbanded and the whole of our section have returned to the HQ except myself and two more my address will now be HQ9th Sig Co RE until further notice. I have had a much easier time here than with the old section and conditions are usually much better. I was very sorry to part from the old section (Alcock went away with them) after being amongst them for so long. Still I think I shall be OK here from what I can see. Unfortunately I have now no prospects of leave as it is much slower here. Some of them have not even been once yet. I suppose every one is in the army nearly now. We are in the same position we were a year ago. So when all these new recruits are trained we ought to be able to move forward without fear. Don’t bother sending the Strand thanks. I am pretty free from lice here so have not tried the Asiatic cord yet – Sorry to hear my tike keeps misbehaving himself – Hope Mar is keeping OK & yourself. How’s Gladys going on suppose she’s quite a wise acre by now. Hear Willie has passed for Office Telegraphist but don’t suppose he’s away yet. What is GGH doing now adays. Well I must say Bye Bye for the present.
I am just going on duty now & wish to catch this post.
Cheerho
Gussie
In Biro May 16
C/236 Royal Field Artillery N.C.O. in Charge Guard.
On one side.
Gun Park.
Note
* In the event of gas or gas shelling by day or night, the Trumpeter will sound five “G”s.
* This is a standing Battery order.
** Ayers
Lieut
for o/c
C/236 R.F.A.
On the same side as the title: –
14/8/18.
The white ring of the national markings of British night flying planes (Handley Page F.F. 2b’s &night flying Camels) will be eliminated leaving only the red & blue markings. Fly by day & well as by night.
Standing Orders for Sentries Horse Lines.
C/236 Battery R.F.A. Standing Orders for N.C.O. i/c Guard & Picquet.
Here the Order ends as paper missing.
Nothing on reverse.
Post Card
From RAWNSLEY & SONS
Shearbridge Mills Bradford
2 Runswick Terrace
Bank Foot
Bradford
Yorks
May 17/16
Dear Ted & Mary
I am just writing you this P. card to see if you can give me any information about George. I wrote to him last April & March & also at the beginning of this month & I have not heard anything from him since Feb. I don’t know what has become of him or why he does not write to me because we arranged to write to each other at least once a month. Do you know if he has been moved from Crowbro. You might let me know as none of my letters have been returned so that’s what makes me think he has received them. I hope he is not taken ill or anything no matter how slight. You will let me know soon. I am very anxious. I sent Fred a letter & parcel of cakes & cigs last week. I have not heard if he received same but there is some time yet before I shall hear from him. How are you going on& are you keeping well. I hope so. Glad to hear Gladys has been so successful with her studies hope she will still succeed. We never hear anything from our people in no shape or form & don’t know how things are going on
Love from Emmie & myself
Your Sam
Card Postmarked MAY 17 16 7.30 pm.
Addressee Mr T Hammond
9 Countess St
Stockport
Y.M.C.A headed notepaper
Pte. A.A. Smith
No 27521
Reply to “C” Company 12th Bat. Essex Regt
Stationed at Dovercourt
May 16 1916
Dear Father
I was very pleased to receive your letter. I hope you enjoyed yourself at Thames Ditton. How are they all down there?
We are getting more settled down to camp life now, but you can imagine what it was like at first; last Saturday was very bad it was more like being on the mud at Southend & the boards & blankets were wet; but I did not get a cold I suppose one gets hardened to it. You ought to see me on guard with fixed bayonet I look a very dangerous scaracter then; had 24 hours of it last week it was alright until about 1.15 on Saturday morning it started to pour then.
Have not been able to get a pass yet but still I can only keep on trying that is about the only thing to do. There are plenty that have been here 12 weeks & not got home yet it is jolly rough.
Albert sent me a form to fill up to try & get on the Dental staff. I have to go & see the Captain tomorrow morning. I don’t know at all whether it will come off.
It is not convenient now for getting to the Y.M. to write letters & we have about 30 min walk from the camp.
You might let me know if I should write about the income tax & if you can let me know the numbers & any other particulars that might be useful in writing; also the surveyors address; if you do not know, it does not matter as I have an envelope at Southend. Albert can forward it on to me.
Do not send a parcel this time Father although I should be pleased to receive one, but next time I write I shall be able to let you know whether I am staying on here.
I had a letter from Ciss on Saturday she said some of the Essex are going to Aldershot; there are a lot of rumours that we are not here for long but if the other fails I shall have a try to get there.
How are Darvills, & Miss Dimond. Remember me to them.
I hope you are well also Jess & Ethel. With much love to you all.
Your devoted
Son
Alf
P.S. Recruits still keep on coming in some of them do not look very happy you can bet they feel it a bit after coming out of comfortable homes. It is a rare job shaving I manage without a glass we are up at 5 A.M. & have to be all ready for parade by 6.15. how would that suit you? It’s a bit of a job with 15 of us dodging about in a small tent.
The Bay Museum & Research Facility 