P/e G.G. Hammond No 3143

2/7^th Bat Mc/r Regt

D Comp. 15 platoon

Crowbro’ Sussex

Saturday

Dear Father & Mother

What do you think of the glorious news?  I am delighted.  I was beginning to give up all hope but on Tuesday I thought I would try again.  I was very fortunate in seeing the Adjutant just as he was going to see the Colonel and he said if I cared to wait he would mention my application to him.  After I had waited about an hour I was called in and then the Colonel asked me several questions, where was I educated, what was my father – manager of the Pru in S’port, what I was in civilian life – student for D & C, if I had any private income, I said I should be funded by my father – the Colonel said I must be able to fund at least 50£ per annum.  Well Dad I think you will be able to manage that between you.  Willis will contribute something and I think that one of the family ought to be in the scheme.  It does not do for me to lay the law down about this matter as it all depends on you, but I am just wiring you all particulars.  I think it would be a good idea to approach Mr. Kemp if the thing comes off.  Will resume after answering these questions the Colonel said I could have my application forms, but the Adj could not give them to me at the time as there had been some alterations and they were expecting a new set from the War Office.  However he said he I should have them **, immediately they came I am a bit annoyed at the delay but can only carry on until they come.

I shan’t be sorry to get a commission as I have been picked out to be a grenadier being one of the bravest, coolest and most courageous men in the ranks – bow wow.  From what I can see of it, it is a most dangerous game and is known down here as the Suicide Club.  They only give them 24 to live at the front.  It is our duty to precede an attacking party and clear the enemy’s trenches with bombs, we have had several experiments with Gun Cotton, you would be surprised at the destruction made by the exploding of 1lb of Gun Cotton.

For our experience we had 1lb of Gun Cotton round the trunk of a tree about 10” in diam.  After the explosion the tree was a minus quantity.  There is a great risk of being killed by one of your own bombs as you hold until it is almost time for it to go off so the enemy won’t have any chance of throwing them back.  I shall have to see the Brigadier when I have filled my forms in and then it all rests with him.  I am very keen now.  Old Gus seems to be having a lively time of it with the lice, 50 of our chaps have been “chatty” through sleeping in an old (***) barn whilst on guard.  I don’t think it is worth while coming over to Sport as the only leave we get is 1 pm Sat until Sunday night & the fare is 18/9.  I would give any to be at home for about a week, it is a bit too bad to give me the menu of the dinner when I have to fight for my skilly.  The food is not much better, one day the whole Bat turned out on the parade ground as we had no tea- not a crumb – things looked very bad, but the S.M. promised them some so everything passed off.  I have written home for some food but don’t get any.  The cake Ma sent went in a meal.  Don’t send any tinned meat I get enough of it, Ma I could sit down and polish off the Sunday’s dinner for the whole family and then feel hungry.

It is awful in this hut, the windows have not been put in since the fire and it has rained in torrents this last 3 days.  Consequently the floor is all wet.  I could have had a pass for London this weekend but I think I will go next week if I can manage it.  I might see Will.  Has Gladys passed her exam.  I hope she dose well.  I am expecting my tin this week and will send a pc if it doesn’t come before Tuesday.  I have to buy a lot of my food.

I am sorry Gladys is not coming back to London with Uncle Will, it is not all that expensive and I should have a chance of seeing her.  Well I shall have to conclude now as a chap is going to the village so he can post this, if I miss him it will be Sunday night before there is a collection.  Have you sent for a birth certificate.  I think it would be advisable under the circumstances as everything seems satisfactory.  I will let Gladys swank me down Wellington Rd if it comes off.

Love George

MESSAGE AND SIGNALS      Form AFC2121

28 Nov 15

Dear Mar & Pa

Here we are again back in the old spot.  I caught the train from Victoria alright had to stay for a day in a rest camp at Boulogne but managed to have a look round.  It is a very nice place many hospitals are there.  I eventually landed to the end of the train journey and had a good stiff walk of 8 miles landing in camp just in time for breakfast.  It appears that I had a day too little and that I should have had a postcard telling me to stay another day anyway its all the same now but a bit hard luck.  I am OK except for a bit of cold which I caught in Blighty but I shall soon get hardened again.  It has been freezing this last day or so and the ground is a bit firmer.  The flash lamp is a huge success.  If you send me anything out send me a refill also I forgot my shaving brush & soap.  You might drop those in.  How’s my dawg going on I would soon have trained him and made him a good house dog so that you would soon have heard when I land at night next time.  I suppose Gladys is looking forward to her Xmas holidays.  Sorry couldn’t eat any more onions or walnuts as I would liked to have made a bigger impression on them.  I have enclosed the form and hope you get it in time.  Let me know when you get it.

Yours

Burgy

12.11.15

Dear Mar & Pa

Just a line to let you know I am OK.  I received Par’s letter and enclosure containing handkerchiefs and the present sent by Mr. Taylor it is very kind of him and I will drop him a line at first opportunity.  There is very little to say we are still in the same place and likely to remain here during the winter.  It is very quiet round here nothing only a cottage here and there which we patronise by partaking coffee & biscuits.  The weather is very wild at present but we manage to keep fairly dry.  The Section have started leave so its only a matter of a short time before I get mine.  Sorry to hear Turk has not been so well lately but hope he is OK by now.  I had a letter from Gladys while she was at Mae hope she had a good time and that she will pass her exam this time.  I haven’t seen Jim Hopkinson since but their HQ is about 6 miles from here.  I have had letters from several people lately so probably that would account for me not writing for so long however if I don’t write when there’s nothing to relate I will drop you a pc often.  Pa might remember me to Harry Bennett.  Glad to hear he volunteered anyway.  There’s a tale you might tell him of a man being in hospital and didn’t want to leave it.  The Dr. came round and asked him how he was going on.  Oh he replied my eyesight is still very bad Dr. what said the Doctor Do you mean to say my treatment isn’t doing you any good?  Alright my boy up you go.  You will make a good man for a listening post which is a very delicate job I can tell you.

Well bye bye for present

Gussie

4.11.15

Dear M & Pa

Just a line to let you know I am OK.  I am still in the same place and are likely to remain here until 1916.  However some of us are getting leave so expect to be home between now and Xmas probably before.  There is very little to say as we are just keeping the line.  The weather has been very wet and the life of the tommies in the trenches is not at all rosy however they keep up their spirits OK.  I have had a pair of gloves leather with fur lining so shall not want mittens also had a cap comforter.  If I want anything I will write for it or get it when I have tested some of Mar’s onions & walnuts.  Hope all are well at home had a letter from many people lately including Geo, Willie & a parcel from Gladys Grimshaw with her life in London at the time of the Big air raid.  Yes I was sat round the cook house when up jumped Jim Hopkinson.  He is at Reninghelst and I said I would see him again but since then we have been kept up here permanently from where we are we can see the remains of the tower of Ypres cathedral.

Area of text crossed through.  You might let the lads know I am expecting to come home any day.  I will drop you a line immediately I get leave.  I think this is all this time we never know what day it is but I think it must be about a fortnight ago since I wrote however Cheer ho.  I don’t suppose there will be much doing now until the spring so shall not be able to give you any exciting news.  However one never knows out here.  I believe the King was very near us the other day.  I did not see him however.  Well Bye Bye for present.  I have written this in a hurry.  Love to all Fred.

On the 4^th November Sir William Birdwood was appointed to command the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, with Sir Charles Monro appointed to command the Salonika Force.

Great Britain, on the 10^th November, formed a Requisition Committee authorising the requisition of ships for carriage of foodstuffs. The Committee prohibited voyages between foreign ports except under license.

Italian Chief of Staff Luigi Cadorna launches the Forth Battle of Isonzo on the 10^th November, which was effectively a continuation of the Third Battle.

On the 21^st November, the Serbian Vojvoda [Chief of Staff] Marshall Radomir Putnik ordered a full military retreat south and west through allied Montenegro and into neutral Albania. His forces were outnumbered and out outgunned. The weather was terrible, the roads poor and tens of thousands refugee civilians retreated along with the army. The retreating Serbs were left with very little supplies and food. The British nurse, Flora Sandes, recently enlisted into the Serbian army, retreated alongside the military forces.

The 22^nd November saw the beginning of the Battle of Ctesiphon between British and British Indian forces against the Otterman Empire. Part of the Mesopotamian campaign, Ctesiphon lies on the western bank of the Tigris River approximately 26km (16 miles) south-east of Baghdad. The Otterman forces formed well-camouflaged and formidable defences with 18,000 troops facing 11,000 of the British forces. The British frontal attack was to consist of three infantry columns, and a forth column of cavalry and infantry was to swing round the left flank of the Otterman lines. After two days the British retreated, after suffering heavy losses.

On the 30th November, the triple entente of Great Britain, France and Russia, with Italy, signed the formal signature of the Pact of London. According to the pact, Italy was to leave the German and Austria/Hungarian triple alliance and join the triple entente. Assuming victory against Germany and her allies, the triple entente promised Italy territorial gains.

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