4th Territorial Battalion

April 8th 1915,

Dear Fanny,

I am in receipt of your letter of the 6th. First I was very pleased to hear from you. I have today made a claim for an allowance for Mother. I have allowed her 6d per day (3/6 per week) if my application is successful the Govt. will add 9/ making 12/6 per week payable to Mother. The pension officer will be calling at home making enquiries. I will put them up to spinning the yarn. I do hope we get it, it means 9/ per week more it is worth looking after.
We are to leave for France on or about the 18th (at least it says on the orders that we are to sail for the Continent on the 18th, I take it that means France). I would sooner go to Egypt, however, I am quite prepared to go anywhere, its what we all joined up for. It is not very nice going away and leaving so many friends but what about the coming back, that is when we will feel proud. We are very busy at present. We signallers have got an officer for ourselves Lieut. Cranage is his name, he is such a nice chap, he is giving us lectures on Electricity, Telephones and Telegraph. The telephones are just the kind we will use when we are out in France, they can be erected in 5 minutes. You did quite right with Bella’s husband, he certainly is not bashful. I hope Jack is about all right again.
I do not know if I will get any leave or not but I will endeavour somehow to get over and see you all shortly.

Hoping you are all well.
With best love,
I remain
Your loving Brother,
Willie.

D Company
4th Batt N.F.
Princess Louisa Schools
Blyth
13th April 1915.

Dear Jack,

Just a few lines to thank you for the £1 which you so kindly sent me with Fanny yesterday, it was very kind and thoughtful of you, also the Badge of the Sacred Heart which I am now wearing. I hope you are a lot better and that it will not be long before you are your good old self again.

With best wishes,
I remain,
Your loving Brother,
Willie.

Tuesday April 20th 1915.

Arrived at Folkstone at 8pm after 12 hours journey.

Willie

Wednesday, April 28th 1915

Dear Fanny,

A week has passed and you have not had a line posted to you yet, you must really excuse me, as we have been earlier in action than we expected. Since leaving Blyth you do not know what we have gone through. We arrived in France on Tuesday night and travelled up country in Cattle Trucks. On Friday night we were in the reserve trenches. On Saturday night we set off on a march and little did we know what we were going to as we were going through a town where there has been heavy fighting the Germans were shelling it, we had to run through the main streets as fast as we could and when we were a mile out of the town we could see that the Cathedral was on fire and the whole place was in ruins.
We were marching on in a drenching rain and at 3am on Sunday morning we were in touch with the enemy. At 4.30am we advanced into the firing line. The Germans had their machine guns on us at once, a good lot of our fellows were wounded, we were relieved at 11pm that night. But Sunday was nothing to what we went through on Monday, we went into the firing line at 1.30pm and the Germans were firing shrapnel shells as fast as they could, you can hear them coming and it is policy to lie flat down when they are approaching. The losses in our Battalion were heavy and a lot of Lemington fellows who you knew well have been wounded. I do not know how I got through, I had a few near squeaks, however I am fit and well and bow to the will of providence and thank the Almighty for bringing me safely through. Really you have not got the faintest idea what it was like. Our Brigadier General was killed, he lead us into action and died a glorious death. We are resting at present. You must not let Mother know what we have been through, I would like to write home and tell them but it would just put them about. I am however writing to Mother saying I am quite well. I would like to tell you more but you know that our news it limited and you must let me know what has passed the censor. The whole countryside round about here is absolutely desolate. I hope Jack is better again and you and the children are in the best of health.

With best love,
I remain your loving Brother,
Willie,

Sunday, May 16th 1915

Dear Fanny,

I received your letter of the 10th on Friday afternoon and was exceedingly pleased to hear from you, I thought you must not have received my letter when you were so long in writing, but I suppose you will not have had time. I also received a parcel enclosing cigarettes and papers, which Jack so kindly sent me, for which I heartily thank him. I have not had an opportunity of asking Capt. Robb if it will be possible for Jack to come through and see me, I will ask him the first chance I have and will let you know. I hope he can come through for I am sure he would enjoy himself and he would see what war really is. Where we are stationed at present there are lots of wooden crosses erected, they look so simple and yet so sacred. They are erected to the memory of fallen Heroes who have fired their last shot. We had a church parade this morning the first since leaving England, a lot of men tried all ways to dodge this parade when we were stationed at Blyth but everyone was most anxious to attend this morning. I enjoyed it very much. After the service there was a celebration of the Holy Communion. There were 71 of us stopped for Communion, the service was held in a field within the sound of the guns. It is very good of Jack to have a mass said for my safe return and I will bear him in mind 8 o’clock tomorrow (Monday) morning and will not forget to offer a prayer, for this is the only thing we can rely on now.
We have been resting for a while, but last Monday morning an urgent call came and we were brought straight up in motor buses to where we spent those two memorable days. We thought we were going straight into the firing line again, but so far that is not so, on Friday night our battalion had to find a Fatigue Party of 200 men and we were 100 yards of the French line, we could form a good idea how far we have driven the Germans back since last we were in action, altogether I think our line and the French have advanced about 4 miles, but altogether things are very quiet at present. I was put on the headquarters staff yesterday, I do not know for how long, I hope for a good while as I think it will be a good job. Last week we were billeted in Dug Outs in a big wood, the (4th Batt DLI) – censored, were also stationed there. I went down to see if I could see Eddie Forman and possibly Col. Vaux but they had just left an hour beforehand. It is surprising how they keep us on the move. However the weather is gloriously fine and I am enjoying myself A1. The only thing we are not particularly anxious of doing is going into the firing line again, but I suppose our turn will come some time. We were inspected by Sir John French about a fortnight ago, he spoke in glowing terms about us and thanked us for what we had done, he said by coming out here of our own freewill we had shown the finest example of patriotism that has ever been shown to a nation and our Country appreciated it day by day.
Please remember me to all my friends at Bearpark.

With Best Love,
I remain,
Your Loving Brother,
Willie.
Ps.xxxxx for Wilfrid and the Baby.

Friday June 24th 1915

Dear Jack,

I received you letter of the 24th May and was pleased to hear from you. You will think me a long time in answering, save we have been in the Trenches for 10 days and were only relieved last night and I am spending the whole day letter writing, so you will understand why I have not written before now. I received a parcel containing papers and cigarettes on the 23rd May for which I thank you. I was going to write the following day but at 4 o’clock in the morning (Whit Monday) we were roused from sleep and told to dress as the enemy were using Gas. We left our dug out at 4 o’clock and were told we were only going to the banks of the Yser Canal, when we arrived there we found the Seaforth Highlanders had left there to reinforce our lines. Later on in the day we had to go forward ourselves and advanced all the way under Heavy Artillery Fire. The Gas was terrible, they want flogging for using this and the sooner we commence doing the same the better.
We arrived at a village called St. JEAN about 3 miles NW of Ypres at 12.00 pm and here the Germans sighted us and turned their machine guns upon us, we had plenty of cover and reached the reserve trenches without many mishaps. Fortunately the wind was too strong for the gas and missed our front line and the Germans who evidently had a well planned attack mapped out, thinking our men would be suffering from their beastly tactics advanced upon the trenches, however as they advanced they were simply mown down by the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who were in the front line. We remained in the reserve trenches until night when we thought we would be relieved but soon got to know we had to relieve the Argyles who had been in the line for a good long time. We were relieved last night at 10pm and marched over fields and hedges occasionally being caught by barbed wire and arrived in a wood at 2am this morning where we are now resting. We have as I mentioned before been in the trenches 10 days and altogether things have been quiet. I think the Germans are waiting for favourable winds when they will use their gas. When they have to rely on weather conditions like this Jack, I think you will agree with me they are a beaten army.
I have made enquiries about your coming and find it’s absolutely impossible for you to do so. I do wish it was for I’m sure you would have enjoyed your visit. You will have seen that recruiting poster at home Jack “REMEMBER BELGIUM” people pass it without taking much heed, but when you see lovely Churches, Convents and Villages in ruins it is without a doubt “Remember Belgium”.
Please do not send anymore cigarettes as we get hundreds out here, more than we can smoke of course the papers are most welcome. I am in the best of health and hope you are all the same. Please remember me to all my friends at Bearpark.

With Best Love to Fanny, Yourself, Maggie, the Boys & the Children.
I remain your Loving Brother,
Willie.
Ps. I did not receive the parcel, a lot of the mail got astray while we were in the trenches and mine will be among the many. It may turn up in a day or two. W.
I have just received Fanny’s parcel of the 31st May enclosing Pears, Sardines, Ham and Tongue and Papers for which I heartily thank her.
They will get some Stick.

July 3rd 1915
Saturday.

Dear Fanny,

I am in receipt of your letter of the 29th May and was very pleased to hear from you and learn that you are all quite well. I am in the best of health myself.
We are having a peach of a time at present. The part where we are stationed is very quiet, in fact you would not think that there was a war going on, if it was not for the occasional shell coming over. I am on the Headquarters Staff just now and we are staying at a Farm House, we can get plenty of Fruit, Eggs and Potatoes etc. and things are altogether different to what they were 2 months ago, when we were at Ypres we could hardly get a drink of water. Brigadier General Seeley (better known as Colonel Seeley M.P.) is staying at the next farm to us, he is in Command of the Canadian Contingent and what a fine fellow he seems to be, the Canadians speak well of him. When you pass him during the daytime and salute, he always returns the salute and passes the compliment of the day. I was over at his quarters last night and he was talking to the Farmer about land etc. He speaks French well. There is a Corporal Battersby in our Battalion. He works in Hexham Post Office, but belongs to Durham, he is the son of one of the Battersby Bros. Drapers etc. of Silver Street, well he applied for a transfer to the Royal Engineers and has succeeded, he received word saying he had to proceed to England and left this morning for Blechley, Northamptonshire. He will be home for a few days and I told him to be sure and give you a call, so please look out for him. Last week Battersby and I met Mr. Mole of Durham, he married Miss McFarlane of the Rose and Crown Hotel, he is the Quarter Master Sergt. Of the Durham Artillery, perhaps Jack will know him. What splendid weather we are having at present. You will be pleased to hear Mother has got the allowance. You mention commission in your letter. I might tell you there is not much difference Officers and men, we all get the same rations. The new 2nd Lieutenants that have joined us lately are a poor lot, school teachers etc. One of them asked me last week if I would lend him my tin of Condensed Milk. Of course the chaps are all right, but they certainly cannot keep the position up, they are not a patch on our Adjutant and Capt. Robb. Joe Clark and us live a long way better than they do. We signallers are rather important fellows now. You will know what an important part Telephones play in warfare. Telephones are placed in the front line trenches and are in communication with Headquarters, Artillery and all Battalion Companies. The wires are sometimes smashed by shrapnel and we have to go out and repair them, as communication must be kept up. Another advantage we have – when in the trenches we always have a nice dug out next to the Officers, whilst the others are always in the trenches, without any cover should it rain. I may say the trenches are like palaces.
Well Fanny I think this is all I have to say. Hoping Jack, you and all the Children are quite well.

With Best Love,
I remain,
Your Loving Brother,
Willie.
P.S. I will look out for parcel. W.

August 30th 1915.

Dear Maggie,

I am in receipt of your letter and parcel of the 25th and 26th. I was very pleased to hear from you. The contents of the parcel were very pleasing and I thank you very much for thinking of me. I am not particularly fond of tinned tomatoes.
I am pleased to hear you are all well, I am in the best of health. I wish it was true about the Dardanelles being forced, this is going to be a very tough job. I think the War will last a long time yet, the trenches we are occupying are the same that our men occupied in October last. This part of the line is not as important as Ypres, that is where the Germans have made two unsuccessful attacks, according to news that we hear they are massing troops to make another assault on this ruined town. Our Leaders are fully aware and prepared for them. I am sure they will never break through our lines. Gas has been conquered and Sir J. French says we will soon get a remedy for Liquid Fire. I do not know when I will get my leave. We came out of the trenches on Friday night after being in 8 days. We relieved the 7th Durham LI Colonel Vaux’s Battn. I saw him for the first time. He had just returned from leave. We are at present billeted at the -------- in ------------, we are lying in reserve for 4 days and then we go further back for 2 days rest. I am enclosing 2 cards made by the French people, also half a dozen post cards. I hope you will like them.
Well Maggie I think this is about all I have to say. Hoping your Father, Mother and all are quite well. Again thanking you for parcel.

With Best Love,
I remain,
Your Loving Uncle, Willie.

Usual address
Monday
September 27th 1915

Dear Jack & Fanny

I am in receipt of your big parcel of the 22nd inst. The contents were in good order, due of course to the packing. One of the Operators in Head Quarters telephoned up and told me there was a parcel as big as a trunk for me. He sent it up and I was delighted on opening it out to find so many good things, you could not have sent me anything better. We are in the trenches so your parcel came at the right time. It is very good of you to send me such nice articles and I thank you most heartily. Have you sent a letter, if so I have not yet received it, but take it that you are all quite well as I am. We came into the trenches on Thursday night (a do ……………..) we were told there was going to be ……………………… I may say we were not long in getting to know that. All last … there was a heavy bombardment by the …………………….. on Saturday morning the attack was made. You will read in the papers about this before my letter reaches you. I am sorry I am not allowed to tell you what the Northumbrian Brigade actually .... but I must say we certainly did ....... the ......., they will know this by now. From the .... it would appear that we were going to ..... ........... from where we were for our ....... .......... away at their trenches, Aviators reported that ......................... were to .......... us. The time this was going on the ................. part of the 2nd along with the ...... made a .................................. on both our. On the .................... we have done ................................... about villages taking something like........................... . ...............................got ................................., I do not think they will have done much, however, when the ........................... it shows that there ..... (the enemies) line is ................................... We did ...... This of course is YPRES district, the Germans have plenty of ..... at that ..... You will be pleased to hear we are now using Gas, not before time. I was at the telephone all the time the attack was being made sending and receiving messages from the Adjutant, it lasted about 4 hours altogether, with being so busy it was like 5 minutes. Colonel Foster who was in command of our battalion when we first came out is back in England again and Major (now Lt Colonel) Gibson is in charge of the Battalion. Capt Robb is still sick in hospital. Lieut COP Gibson of Coleman, Clayton, Gibson solicitors, N/C is in command of our Company. We have had a lot of rain these last 3 days making the trenches in a terrible mess, on Friday Saturday we looked more like Navvies than soldiers. It is fine the sun is shining today. Well I think this is all I have to say. Joe Clark is quite well and wishes to be remembered to you. I hope you are both well, also the children. I forgot to mention I was at the Catholic Church in Armentieres the other Sunday night, the service was in French. What a lovely church. I sent you a p.c of it. The music was very good and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Again thanking you for the parcel.

With Best Wishes
I remain
Your Loving Brother
Willie

Thursday Sept 14th 1916

My dear Jack & Fanny

Just a few lines to thank you for parcel of the 7th inst which I received this morning. It could not have come a a better for we certainly are not getting too much to eat. We have never been so hard up as we are just now and the worst of it is there are no places we can buy vegetables.

Everything points to war at this part. If you saw our troops you would wonder where they all come from. You will probably know what part of the line we are at. Mother does and I presume you will have heard through another course. The Body Belt that you sent will come in very handy, it is impossible to keep clean of lice. Maggie wants to know how long the war is going to last, well, I wish I could tell her but before long i hope you are reading of another brilliant British victory. I am keeping in the best of health, hoping you are all the same. Please remember me to Mr & Mrs Pearson and all I know at Bearpark.

Again thanking you for parcel

With Best love
I remain your loving brother
Willie

Page created 8 Apr 06