John - Monday 31st May 1915

No 3 General Hospital
British Expeditionary Force. 

Dear Jess,

I suppose you will be expecting more news from me.  You will know by now why I am here.  I am having a lovely rest and I'm pleased to say that my wound is healing very rapidly - too rapidly for my liking.  Still I shall be in bed for a day or two yet, so you send your letters, papers &c to the above address and I shall let you know directly I am moved.  After I go from here I shall be sent to a Rest Camp so I shall not be back with the boys for a week or two. 

I had to leave a lot of the cakes, fruit &c behind; we made a fair inroad into them on my birthday, before we went on this digging excursion that landed me here.  There is no cause to worry, so Mother can rest assured that I'm all right.  All the other chaps are quite envious because they had not been so lucky as I was. 

I must close now as it is post time.  Love to all at home. 

Your affectionate brother, John. 

Monday 31st May 1915 - First Zeppelin Raid on London

A single airship, the LZ38 commanded by Captain Linnarz, reached London and dropped 120 bombs - too far north to hit the docks that were its target, but killing 7 people.  A second airship failed to reach its target. 

Ref: Wikipedia

John - Sunday 30th May 1915

Dear Alfred,

Sorry to hear that you've been unable to join the noble army.  You have the consolation of knowing that you were willing to do your share.  I only wish a few thousand others would show themselves willing.  People at home have no idea how badly men are needed out here.  They are inclined to think the war is practically over, but from what we have seen of it you can take my word that we have not won by a long way yet.  Just last week thousands of our chaps were put out of action by the gas. 

You will no doubt be surprised to learn that I'm in hospital.  I went out digging with a party during our "Rest" period on the night of my birthday.  We were working in front of our lines when they turned a machine gun on us and I'm pleased to say I was the only one to be hit - and in the leg.  I'm pleased to say it missed the bone but the bullet went right through the leg and buried itself in a sandbag.  I'm thankful it did not break its journey and stay in; the chap in the next bed has just had one extracted and it must have been jolly painful but he bore it like a Briton. 

I am at present in one of the most beautiful parts of Northern France (Le Treport).  I came here last night after a 12 hours ride in a luxurious hospital train.  Of course it is very inconvenient to have one good leg instead of two but I expect I shall be back again in a week or two.  The worst of being wounded is that people at home don't look at it in the same light as we do, to us it is a most welcome rest and a decent time and the other chaps were awfully envious.  I am in a real bed with real sheets &c and when I opened my eyes this morning I had to start making guesses as to where I was.  I'm taking my fill of real civilised sleep - the first I have had for three months. 

Thank all for their birthday parcel, the worst of it was I had to leave all the good things I had had sent behind, and had nothing but my rifle.  The grub so far is plain but good.  Of course we cannot expect much chance of getting to England (or Blighty as the chaps call it).  I'd like to be sent to Penrith to be nursed by Josie. 

Must close now. 

Kindest regards to all,

Yours &c John. 

Billie - Sunday 30th May 1915

Dear Jess,

Many thanks for parcel and letters from Sarah and yourself.  You will no doubt know that John got wounded in the leg between the ankle and the calf.  It is nothing serious as it never touched any bones or arteries, and the doctor said it would mean about 3 weeks' rest or a month.  I wrote to Thompson yesterday so he will no doubt have told you.  John said I'd not to write, but thought I'd write to Thompson in case John's letter was delayed. 

It was jolly rough luck on him considering his birthday had just an hour elapsed and that all the grub he had not eaten fell to my lot, and I don't know what I should have done, if some of our pals had not helped to carry it for me to the trenches.  I was working alongside him when the machine gun was turned on us and heard him say "Oh", then he hopped over the parapet, so I went after him to see what was the matter.  He had it bandaged up and then our section carried him out and it was no light job with shell holes all over the place, although he wanted to get off and walk, but we would not let him.  When he had it dressed, he was put in an ambulance cart and taken to the clearing station to wait for the motor.  While he was there, he got one of the chaps who was coming over to our place to call for some of his kit, tobacco, chocolate and odds and ends.  So we fastened him a handkerchief full up and sent it to him.  I hope he got it all right.  He sent me a card with what he wanted on and told me he was feeling all right.  We left him laughing and joking in the wagon.  If he is lucky he will no doubt be sent to England by now, as it just depends on which clearing station you are sent to whether you are put in a French hospital or sent to England. 

We are in the trenches again and the sun is scorching hot.  How are things looking in England now?  Is recruiting going strong?  If not they ought to make it conscription.  Pleased to hear Jack Whiteman is out here; I may come across him.  Sorry to hear about Jack Huggins, I sincerely hope he is all right, but I am afraid, if he is, he is a prisoner, although he may be in hospital with those who are gassed. 
Well how are all at home?  I hope you are all well as I am in the pink.  Kindly remember me to all aunts and cousins, also to Mr Ray and Gertie.  I had a P.C. from Billie Nixon; tell her we've not seen anything like this since we left England.  Also thank Dolly and Elsie Nixon for the pistol and caps which I am taking with me as a mascot. 

Must close or I'll be late for the post. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Tell all they need not worry about John as he is all right, so there is nothing to worry about.  Don't think I'm keeping anything back from you as I've told you all. 

Cheer up.  Billie

John - Saturday 29th May 2015

Dear Janey,

Thank you very much for your wishes and share in the birthday parcels they arrived safely and we all enjoyed them very much indeed. 

We had to go digging at night and the Germans must have known it was my birthday for they sent me a present that will give me a rest for some time.  I am pleased to say it is nothing more serious than a flesh wound in the leg.  I was in charge of a working party in front of the lines - it was the last day of our rest and we were working until 1 a.m.  I had just finished putting the last sandbag on and was jumping up the parapet when they turned a machine gun on us.  I felt a sharp sting in my leg but thought it was a knock from a pick seeing the other chaps were following me (as I thought).  I vaulted right over and it was due to that I escaped serious injury for the bullets splashed up against the sandbags where I had been working, in rapid succession.  I had the wound dressed and was carried to the first dressing station.  Billie and all my pals came with me and I did feel sorry for them, because as you can guess, I am no lightweight.  We were fired on again before we got out, and in order to let the stretcher bearers get on quickly, I got off the stretcher and was helped along by two of my pals.  They were all envious I can tell you - it is considered a stroke of luck to get a "soft one". 

Well I am in hospital now waiting to be sent to the base.  I had an exciting ride from the first dressing station.  It was breaking day and we had to risk being shaken up to escape being fired on.  We met Billie and the rest on the road and gave them a lift so far.  I was transferred to a motor and taken to the first clearing line station where I was innoculated against Tetanus and at 10 a.m. was dispatched to the second clearing station and now we are waiting to catch the train to the base hospital. 

The chaplain here is a fine chap and he asked first "Any Borders here?".  That made me prick up my ears and I asked him if he came from Cumberland; you can imagine my surprise when I found he belonged to Cockermouth.  His name is Hodges?  He started off by saying "Is te garn yam?" so I said "I think seah" and he was quite satisfied with my credentials.  It is quite possible that I shall be sent to England but not very probable.  If I can manage it, I shall try to get near home.  There are some ghastly cases here.  I am in a ward with a few hundred more, mostly Territorials, and they are a cheerful lot!  The chaplain brought a gramophone up last night and we all enjoyed it. 

I must close now as I have to catch the train and we can't keep the car waiting. 

Love to all John. 

Billie - Wednesday 26th May 1915

Dear Mother,

Many thanks for letter received some days ago.  I wrote to you by return but evidently you did not receive it.  All the chaps are complaining about their letters not getting through. 

We are having our rest again, digging and in reserve at nights but we do manage to get a bit of sleep in now so it is not so bad.  We've received Sarah and Jess's parcel.  We go in the trenches on Friday and will be out again on Tuesday.  It is scorching hot every day now but turns cold at nights. 

You have already heard that we had a soft time in the trenches last time, just like a picnic, only we had to work all the time we were under the cover of darkness, but we did not mind that.  Sorry to hear about Jack Huggins.  I hope they have heard from him by now.  We heard from a Canadian how the Durhams had caught it in the neck and he praised the way they went into it.  He said that two regular Battalions would not face it, but the Durhams went in to it in close formation.  They are using a lot of those gases now but we are quite well provided. 

I was pleased to hear you are quite well again also that father's cold was better and all are well at home.  Must close hoping you are still well as it leaves us in the pink and as brown as niggers. 

Your loving son Billie. 

Cheer up, we will be home soon now Italy has joined in, and they let us have some more high explosive shells.  You can send us some more sherbet. 

John - Tuesday 25th May 1915

Dear Jess,

We came out of the trenches again this morning and stayed in reserve until 6 a.m.  We had a lovely time in the trenches this time as we were in reserve and had nothing to do except a little fatigue and carry rations up to the trenches at night.  We finished at 2 every morning and then had the rest of the day off with the exception of two days when we had a few hours' fatigue.  You talk about heat - England isn't in it!  We found a lovely little pool and had a swim every day.  We are having another "Rest" which means we go out at 7.30 and come in at 6 next morning. 

How rotten of Mrs Huggins not to have heard from Jack, I do hope he is all right.  They are farther north than us, they were handy so were rushed up.  Had we not been settled to our part of the line we should have had to go.  The 1st Warwicks were called up from "Rest" and have lost over 700.  We relieved them in our trenches; also the Dublin Fusiliers were here before us.  We have got quite a number of Kitchener's Army out here - mostly Scotch and Irish Regiments.  Their artillery is just behind us and from what I have heard and seen it is very fine. 

I see Italy has started this time; the war will not last long now.  I have hopes of being home for August. 

What a terrible affair they had at Carlisle, some poor chaps made a bad start on their journey to the front.  I heard about it this morning - 3 days later - so we are fairly kept up to date with news. 

We received the parcels all right; we don't get them delivered in the trenches (not parcels), so try and arrange for them to come when we are out.  We shall go in again on Friday and come out on Monday.  I hope you have had a decent holiday.  I enjoyed Whit Monday although it was the cheapest Whit Monday I've ever spent as there was no opportunity to spend. 

We have not been in that heavy fighting you read about, but are in an advanced part of the line and we are making it jolly well impossible for the Germans to break through our line.  We are prepared for their gasses.  40 men died yesterday on their way to hospital so I hear, from their effects, so they must be using them again.  I only hope we are in the trenches when they try an attack, if they ever do we can get them over our parapet into a stream and we would fairly give them something to remember us by as they come down the hill.  We have been making wire entanglements for the last few days and putting them out. 

By the way I want you to send in my next parcel a new razor, Thompson will be able to get me a decent one.  I want one badly and have been reduced to borrowing Billie's.  Also I want a new towel.  Will you send them by return?  I must close now.  You might send some more stuff to make drinks with we simply cannot drink this water without it.  The doctor put chloride of lime in it and it makes it taste awful.  We've had all the paper &c this morning. 

Love to all John

Sunday 23rd May 1915 - Italy Declares War on Austria-Hungary

Despite being a member of the Triple Alliance, alongide Germany and Austria-Hungary, Italy remained neutral at the outbreak of war.  The official reason for this was that the Triple Alliance was a defensive treaty, and Austria-Hungary was the aggressor.  Behind the scenes, there were long-standing territorial disputes between Italy and Austria-Hungary.  The Italians were swayed by the terms of the Treaty of London (April 1915), which promised that significant territory from Austria-Hungary would be handed to Italy in the event of an Allied victory. 

Italy made its formal declaration of war on Austria-Hungary on 23rd May 1915, which made declarations of war with the other central European powers virtually inevitable over the following months. 

Billie - Saturday 22nd May 1915

Dear Jess,

Just a line to let you know we are both going along all right and both in the pink.  We are in the trenches again but this time it is the reserve trenches as each company has a turn of this and we take the rations up to the trenches each night.  We work all night and have a fine time in the daytime.  We are about a 1 mile behind the firing line just behind a big hill, and in the daytime we have a fine time.  We have river where we can swim.  We go to bed about 2.30 a.m. and get up and have breakfast about 11.30 then we have a good roam about. 

We went through some ruined houses yesterday exploring and it was awful to see the havoc, furniture all left and skeletons of rabbits in a cage.  This is the best job we have had so far as we get such a rest and the weather is so fine you would think we were on a picnic instead of engaged in warfare. 

We have just had breakfast and feel in the pink now.  We are just waiting to let it get nicely settled and then we are off for a swim.  It is a scorching hot day today. 

I got Sarah's card last night and will no doubt get your and her parcel when we are out of the trenches.  The sherbet is jolly fine so you might send us some more, also please send some candles as we use a lot in our dug-outs. 

Well I must close now as the boys are waiting for me so will write a longer letter later.  Sorry to hear about Jack Huggins, it is to be hoped he is all right.  Hoping all are well at home. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

We get the shells over here every day, but they cannot see us, so we are all right. 

Billie - Tuesday 18th May 1915

Dear Janey,

Many thanks for the lovely parcel which we received when we came out of the trenches.  The boxes were all broken but the contents were in splendid condition except the little bottle of vinegar and it was broken and the effervescing caramels, there were only 4 in the box but they were fine.  However all the stuff was grand and we are saving the tinned stuff for the trenches. 

We had rotten weather in the trenches and it has rained every day since we have been out.  However we are in huts and so are taking no harm.  We are off this morning to N. for a bath and I can tell you we are looking forward to it.  I wrote to both Jack and Tom yesterday so they will no doubt have got them by now and I also wrote to Joe yesterday in answer to the letter I had from him. 

We had a fairly lively time of it in the trenches this time in, especially the last day when we had to stand all the day and we gave them what for.  My shoulder was all discoloured with the recoil of the rifle from the amount of rounds I fired.  I am sorry too tell you that one of the chaps I was billeted with at Coggenshall got shot through the neck and died of wounds.  It's jolly hard luck and he was a jolly decent chap. 

Well I've given you all the news this morning.  How are Mater and Pater?  I hope they are both well, also Jess, Sarah, Joe, Thompson, and yourself.  I hope you are both quite well.  Kindly remember me to all my friends.  I am just off to Parade. 

Tell Thompson he has to let all the unmarried ones go before he thinks about enlisting.  Kindly thank Aunt Sally for the bread - it is jolly fine and a treat to what we get here. 

Cheer up. 

Your loving brother, Billie. 

Billie - Monday 17th May 1915

Dear Tom,

At last I've found time to write to you.  We have been busy out here.  We came out of the trenches last night or rather this morning in the early hours.  We had a very exciting time of it again and the Germans were very busy with their artillery and we got plenty of big and little Willies.  They usually start shelling us about 9 in the morning and keep it up all day long, and I can tell you we get some very near ones.  We had them bursting about 10 yards behind our dug-outs and what don't get behind the parapet the others knock our parapet about. 

The last day we were in this time I was on periscope duty from 7.30 a.m. until 9.30 a.m. while the others got a few hours sleep.  I had just taken this duty on when the officer came along and told me to start sniping and he observed, so I had 2 hours of this and I can tell you it was all right.  He was observing through a loop-hole and I did get a lot of ammunition off.  When I had finished this 2 hours spell and turned in for a few hours sleep, we had the order to stand to and we fought them all day long.  My shoulder today is all discoloured with the rounds from the recoil of the rifle. 

Then one night I was out in front of our barbed wire on listening patrol between the trenches for three hours at a spell; 4 of us all laying in a star formation and I can tell you it is a rotten cold job. 
We have had a good number of casualties and we have now a large draft on their way up to us.  The Germans are dirty dogs and no mistake and you can hardly credit some of the things they do.  They bayonet all the wounded and you will no doubt have heard of the Canadians whom they crucified with bayonets. This is quite true you can take it from me, and also the other crimes which we are not allowed to mention.  So the order of the day is "No Prisoners". 

I was talking with a Canadian today and he was telling me of a little experience he had.  He said he got 4 Germans in a corner when they immediately threw down their arms and went on their knees for mercy, but needless to say they got none, and one of the chaps said "Spare me, my uncle is a Canadian".  "Oh" said the Canadian "in that case I will finish you off and then hope to meet your uncle".

We have just had a Zeppelin over here in the early hours of the morning. 

Well Tom, how are you getting on at work?  I hope you are sticking it.  How are your father and mother keeping?  Well I hope, also all at George St.  You might let May and Jennie read this.  I am writing a little letter to Jack for himself in reply to his. 

Hoping you are all quite well and thanking you for the papers you send us. 

Your loving cousin, Billie. 

P.S. We are in huts just behind the firing line a little to the right of a village that was very prominent not so very long ago and it is smashed up.  The church is awful to see. 

John - Monday 17th May 1915

My dear Janey,

Thank you very much for your letter which came to me in the trenches.  I had one from Sarah at the same time and your parcels which we had last night when we came out of the trenches.  We arrived at the huts late last night, and for once we've had a decent night's sleep.  One of the three parcels was smashed up and the remains of a small bottle was found in it.  We do not have parcels delivered to us in the trenches, they are always waiting for us when we come out.  Before I forget I don't want my watch sent on; I borrow Billie's when I want one. 

We had a fairly quiet time in the trenches last time.  We had to do a bit of firing yesterday just to keep the Germans occupied in front of us.  Our rifles were nearly red hot; the oil simply boiled out of them; we used some thousands of rounds.  The idea was to keep their minds on us while our army smashed them further up the line.  Providing we can hold them on our front we shall do our share for some time to come.  We are putting plenty of barbed wire up the front so they will have a problem to face if they come our way. 

You say that Thompson wants to go now.  I agree with you that he ought not to do anything of the kind until all single men are made to go and do their share.  I think we have done our share for the family and, seeing he is included in it, I shall do a bit extra for him.  If all the single chaps from every family came out here it would be a very different matter now.  Still my view is this: let all those who are afraid to volunteer stay where they are, they would be no use to us out here, they would only be in the way and we have no use for ornaments now. 

Everybody (Officers included) has to do his share of hard and more or less dangerous work, but we have got accustomed to it.  We all look at it in the same light.  If you have got to be hit it is no use trying to dodge the bullet.  We have instances every day of mavellous escapes and equally marvellous accidents, and we are all absolute fatalists now.  I got slightly mixed up with the dates and thought today was Whit Monday, while it is next Monday.  We shall spend it in the trenches and I hope it is a better day than Easter Monday was; we seem to spend all the holidays in the trenches.  I hope we are not in for August Monday. 

By the way I am in 3rd Platoon now.  I asked to be transferred and now I am in charge of the section in which Billie and all my pals are.  We can easily share our parcels, in fact we have all our meals together. 

Thank Aunt Sally for the bread for us. 

I must close now as I have a few more letters to write. 

Love to Thompson and yourself.

Your loving brother, John.   

Billie - Saturday 15th May 1915

Dear Janey,

Many thanks for the papers which we received all serene.  You will no doubt know by our other letters that we are back in the trenches again, this time for 6 days, we think.  But there is a rumour that we are only in for four days, so at that rate we should be out by tomorrow at 9.30. 

We have had it pretty rough this time in the trenches, it has rained every day until today and the sun is out so you can guess we are pleased to see it. They have fairly been throwing some shells about today, shells are dropping just behind our dug-outs, but I'm pleased to say they have left off again now. 

While in the trenches we work on the 2 meals a day system - breakfast at about 12 as we usually turn in for a sleep from about 4 until 11 and I can tell you we make good meals.  This morning we had fried bread, bacon, eggs & potato scallops.  Of course we took the eggs in with us and the potatoes we get from a farm that has been smashed up just behind our trenches.  There is a great big heap of them and no one to look after them, so we do the needful and I can tell you they are jolly fine. 

We have just been carrying hand grenades and bombs up our trench in case we have cause to use them, and I can tell you if they make an attack they will get a warm reception.  We received all the parcels all serene and I can tell you they are jolly acceptable.  We were kept very busy while out of the trenches supposed to be resting, and had no time hardly for sleeping so you will have to excuse the short letter I wrote. 

Enclosed you'll find some more flags which I suppose you're still collecting.  John is busy writing to Mr Hartley.  How is Thompson getting on with his motorbike?  You should get Thompson to write to our Joe and tell him to try to get one of those soft jobs in the stores or on the transport, if he possibly can before he comes out, but I suppose it will be a good bit before he comes out here, at least I hope so.  The chaps that get these jobs have a fine time out here, more like a holiday for them. 

Sorry to hear Mother has not been well but hope she is feeling better.  I suppose Jess will have broken up for a week's holiday, lucky beggar and Sarah will be up to the eyes in work.  You will have got your spring-cleaning done, but you are always at it.  The garden will be looking nice. 

Has Mrs Huggins heard from Jack yet?  Remember me to all; pleased to say we are both in the pink.  Cheer up and don't get downhearted. 

Your loving brother, Billie. 

John - Friday 14th May 1915

Dear Mother,

Thank you very much for your letter.  I am pleased to hear you are keeping somewhat better.  We had a parcel from Sarah and it started off with eggs in it.  When we opened it we had to guess what was in it, but we managed to rescue three from the wreck so that was not so bad. 

We are back in the trenches again and we are not by any means sorry.  It is a treat to get a decent sleep at nights.  All the time we were having a rest we spent every night digging and, when we finished that, we had to lie out in a field in reserve in case the Germans attacked.  We made a sham attack last Sunday just to take their attention off another part of the line, and we hear it has been very successful.  You see how hard we are now, none of us caught cold in the least.  We had an issue of rum one or two mornings and it was most acceptable.  It has rained all the time we have been in here, but we make the best of a bad job.  I have just cooked dinner for two of us, and just to show you how we fare now, this is what it consisted of:- boiled potatoes, beef steak, bacon & eggs, after which we had tea, bread, butter and honey.  All with the exception of the eggs are army rations so we do not fare badly now. 

There is no need to send any more cigarettes or tobacco for some time.  I have enough tobacco to last me two months and we have plenty of cigarettes.  I had some cigarettes from Mr Cooper (Birmingham) and a nice parcel from Mrs Hewitt (Birmingham).  I have nearly a pound of different kinds of tobacco so I shall let you know when I need some more.  Billie also has plenty of cigarettes. 
The S. Pictorial and Birmingham Post arrived safely last night.  Billie is just having a look at them now.  What an awful affair that is about the "Lusitania" I think it will make America buck up. 
You need not worry about the Germans using those gasses; we are all well prepared for them if they start that game here.  We have respirators ready for immediate use and goggles to protect our eyes from injury.  Has anything been heard from Jack Huggins lately?  He soon got in amongst it.  I expect they are not very far from us but there are so many troops here that we don't stand much chance of meeting him.  I have a pal in the Gloucesters and they are only about a mile from here and I've never seen him yet. 

We are expecting a decent rest some time soon, we shall go back to our base when that time comes, perhaps it will be early June but we do not know.  If you could only see us now you would not think we were the "spick and span" Battallion that left England; our buttons are black and our clothes match them.  We are having new togs soon and we shall soon need them very much.  We never have our boots repaired, as soon as the sole is worn out we have a new pair, so you see they look after us very well.  We have a pair of India rubber "Jack" boots for very wet weather. 

I am enclosing a note from school which is very interesting.  I want you to forward the enclosed letter with a 5/- P.O. for the College B&O fund.  I had an appeal made to me the other day.  I usually give it and they stand in need of it this year. 

Well I must close as it is nearly post time.  I expect Jess will be looking forward to her Whit holiday - lucky beggar.  I hope you are all A1.  Thank Aunt Sallie for the bread.  I've had a letter from Joe. 

Love to all. 

Your affectionate son, John. 

Billie - Thursday 13th May 1915

Dear Jess,

Just a line to let you know we are both going along all right.  We are in the trenches again for 6 days I think this time, but don't know for sure as yet.  The weather is very changeable, scorching hot some days and raining and cold others.  It has poured with rain since about 4 this morning and is still at it.  However I suppose it will freshen things up again so we must not grumble. 

Things have been fairly quiet so far, but of course we only came in last night so there is plenty of time yet.  Sorry to hear Mother has been ill and hope by this reaches you she is feeling much better about herself.  Also hope father's cold is better, but he does not get much chance of getting better when he is still on night work.  I bet the garden is looking all right now, and I would give anything to have a look at it.  Tell Sarah her box of eggs came to grief on the road and arrived all smashed but nevertheless we sorted them out and had a fry.  We were pleased to hear Joe has had his teeth attended to, he will feel the benefit. 

One of our aeroplanes blew one of theirs to pieces the other day and brought it down just between the lines. 

I have just written to thank our director for his nice parcel.  How is Thompson getting along with his motorbike?  It will be all right in the fine weather.  Kindly remember me to Marian and all at school. 
Must close now hoping all are well.  It is jolly good of the aunts sending us papers.  Fergie and Jack will be getting a couple of nuts and we won't know them when we get back. 

Well I must close hoping all are quite well as it leaves us in the pink.  Your loving brother

Billie. 

We usually get your parcels on a Saturday.  Don't send any more Oxo cubes as they supply them now.  Also don't send us any more tobacco or cigarettes until we let you know.  Fancy Jack Wightman not being out yet, I should have thought he would have been out before us. 

Billie - Monday 10th May 1915

Dear Sarah,

Just a line to let you know we are both going on all right.  We had a fairly decent time in the trenches only for the awful shelling they gave us.  We go in again on Wednesday for 6 days in and 6 out now and to tell you the truth we will all be pleased to get back in the trenches again, as when we are out resting we have to work like pack horses carrying ammunition &c up to the firing line and then when it gets light we occupy the reserve trenches in case anything happens, and I can tell you it is a rotten job lying out in the field and waiting for the order to move off.  Then we retire to a wood, just over the slope when it is too light, and wait for orders for going back to our billets.  It is usually about 8 when we get back and we are up again about 1, so you see it is not much of a rest, and you run just as much risk when you make these journeys back and forwards to the firing line.  However I suppose we cannot help these things. 

You will no doubt be pleased to hear one of our aviators blew one of their aviators and machine to pieces.  We are just preparing for going out again tonight, don't know whether it is digging or carrying goods to the trenches.  You will be pleased to hear I had a fine parcel from our director yesterday.  It came as a surprise to me and it contained 100 fags, 1 box of good toilet soap, 12 dozen candles, a tin of chocolate and a tin of toffee &c.  So you see it was jolly good of him, don't you think? 

Well I think I've given you all the news up to the present so must close, hoping all are well at home, also yourself. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Kindly remember me to May and Teddy, also to the girls.  Please excuse the short letter as we have little or no time to ourselves now.  Has May heard from Jack yet?  I hope so, but tell her not to worry as I suppose he is in the same boat as us and has no time for letter writing. 

Friday 7th May 1915 - Lusitania Sunk

At 14:10, the RMS Lusitania was sunk by German submarine U-20, with the loss 1191 lives, including 128 Americans. 

Billie - Wednesday 5th May 1915

Dear Jess,

Many thanks for the lovely parcel.  We got it just in time to take into the trenches.  We fairly have lived this time.  We are pleased to hear that father's cold is better and that all at home are well.  John and I are both in the pink.  We have had rotten weather this time in the trenches, rained every night so far and is starting again now so I will adjourn to my dug-out. 

I had a letter from the young married chap I used to work with at Launders and he has joined the ranks so that is two from our branch, but of course he is not out here yet.  I had a letter from F. Gibson last night and a box of 100 fags; I reckon it was jolly good of him.  We have not seen anything of J. Huggins as yet, but of course we may drop on him later on.  Things are going on as usual in the trenches again - shells every day.  We are going out tomorrow night all being well so we will let you know when we get out. 

We were pleased to get Gus's little letter, he is getting a nut.  You might send me some more paper - another writing tablet as this is just about finished.  You might also send in the next parel something to make a drink of as the heat is terrible. 

Well I think I've told you all the news so must close hoping all are well at home.

Your loving brother Billie

Tell Janey I will write when we get out of the trenches.  I suppose Jackie will be getting worse than ever.  Remember me to all at Liverpool. 

Billie - Sunday 2nd May 1915

Dear Sarah,

Many thanks to both Jess and yourself for the lovely parcel which we received yesterday.  The tinned goods are quite a surprise and I will bet you they are a treat.  We are saving them for the trenches as they are easy to carry.  John is going to write to you tomorrow. 

We had a lovely rest this time and only went digging one night and we have rested the other time.  The weather has been a treat - scorching hot - and we are all sun burnt.  We have a bathe every day in a pool not far from our huts.  We are billeted in huts not far behind the firing line and there is a village on our left which the enemy shell every day and they set the church on fire yesterday.  We go in the trenches again tonight for four days again so will write from there.  Our 5th Battalion caught a sniper behind our lines in the trunk of a tree, he had any amount of ammunition and a couple of rifles.  He was not many yards from our ration farm and had been popping our ration farms off every night so it is a good job they got him.  He was dressed as a peasant so that will give you some idea as to whether the people around here are in league with them or not. 

We were very pleased to get the aunts' parcels and we appreciate their kindness.  They will no doubt have received our letters.  Some of my letters must have gone astray as I have written you quite a number of letters in the last few weeks. 

Well I think I've given you all the news, hoping all are well, not forgetting yourself. 

Just been to church service in the field Love to all

Billie. 

Remember me to the girls. 

John - Sunday 2nd May 1915

Dear Mother,

We received our parcels from Sarah and Jess quite safely yesterday and the contents will come in a treat for the trenches. 

We go in again tonight and we don't mind it in the least now.  We have got quite used to it now and we would as soon be in the trenches as out.  Last time we were in we had a very quiet time.  The weather was just lovely and we all enjoyed it very much.  We saw one of the finest feats of pluck that has been done in this war.  One of our aviators dropped a bomb on a railway junction and got hit in doing so.  He came just over the German trenches and right over our heads.  He was severely wounded and we all thought he was going to drop.  However he stuck it until he got back to his headquarters, he handed in his report and then he died.  We all feel very sorry that we have lost such a brave man. 

We had our letters from Janey and Gus.  I am writing to Greenwell House today.  Billie and I are both A1; we have had a lovely time out here for our rest.  We found a nice deep pool and had a swim once or twice.  On Friday we had to march about 10 miles for a hot bath.  It was very decent when we got there and we all had a clean change of underclothes.  It was very decent stuff too.  You can send me a new pair of socks in the next parcel.  By the way we can't send parcels free of charge and we have great difficulty in sending any.  I will write to Sarah from the trenches. 

I must close now as I have to go on "Church" parade shortly.  Hoping all are keeping well.  Love to all

John.