Billie - Wednesday 30th June 1915

Dear Sarah,

You will no doubt be thinking I have forgotten you altogether but I have been unable to write to you on account of being on the move. 

After coming out of the trenches we set off for the Base for a Rest, which consisted of about 12 hours rest and then we were off again, going to the extreme south of the British lines.  We did about 30 miles one day and continued until we landed here.  The French people here are great, I never met better people anywhere.  We are behind where cousin Joe got wounded (La Bassee). 

We are billetted in a barn again and it is a treat.  Just outside the barn we have cherry trees and the cherries are a treat - fine and ripe.  Another chap and I were walking up a field here and a chap came rushing up to us, shook hands with us and invited us into his house, took us round his garden and gave us roses and strawberries.  His garden is a treat to see - one mass of bloom.  He also gave us lettuce for a salad and invited us to go round today.  So of course we accepted. 

We went round this morning and had a fine time.  He made us stay to dinner and gave us soup, vegetables, new potatoes boiled beef, strawberries and coffee and to finish off with - wine.  He is a jolly fine chap.  I took Bunny with us to help us with the lingo.  They are some of the best and we have to go round tomorrow again. 

I should think we will be here for a couple of days rest at any rate we hope so.  We told the chap about the people where we used to be and how they used to rook us, and he says they were Belgian peasants and that they were all like that.  There is one daughter about 18 I should imagine and we keep them going I can tell you when we try to make them understand. 

I had another parcel from the Managing Director yesterday; it is jolly decent of him.  I received Janey's letter yesterday and am pleased to hear all are well but hope John is improving.  We are all in the pink here.  We are having a concert in the field tonight and they have put me down for a song.  Just received your letter and the rose, which I am wearing. 

Well, I have told you all the news so must close hoping all are well. 

Your loving brother, Billie. 

John - Tuesday 29th June 1915

Coming down in the train I had a nice feed of strawberries.  I saw a woman with some baskets and bought one for "deux francs" and they were fine.  Of course they went all round the carriage but there were some left when we reached here so I don't think I got a bad bargain. 

On Friday night I went to a concert given by Miss Lena Ashwell's party and it was a treat, quite as good as those Johnson concerts.  I could not believe I was in France.  There was a lovely violinist of the Marie Hall type. 

This part of the country is lovely, heaps nicer than 'up the line'.  Of course this is real France, we are quite near the place where Henry V made his famous speech "Once more unto the breech" &c.  I can't find any trace of him.  I expect the French in those times were just as keen souvenir hunters as they are now. 

Later. 

I had had a fine time down here so far.  On Sunday three of us went to Havre for a swim and had a splendid time.  We finished up with a 'top-hole' dinner, quite the best I have had in France.  We had not much time to look round, it was time to come back before we settled down. 

However yesterday I had a much better time.  I went to see the dentist and he finished with me at 10 o'clock so it left me with heaps of time.  A pal of mine was also down for dental treatment so after another decent meal we "saw the sights".  I went to another concert last night and it was lovely.  A French lady sang and she has a lovely voice.  Her English was jolly good, only she sang "Tipperary" and when she came to "Long, long" she had great difficulty.  She made a slight pause between the two and it sounded like "lung, lung".  She seemed quite as much amused as we were and in the last verse she substitued "Short, short".  She sang "Scenes that are brightest" and "Sally in our alley", the best I have ever heard.  I nearly started off for Blighty on Sunday.  I felt like having a good swim and the songs made me feel quite homesick. 

John

John - Tuesday 29th June 1915

Dear Mother,

I am enclosing this in Billie's letter because we are only allowed two letters a week while here.  I received Jess and Sarah's parcel all right.  The tarts were smashed up and the sweets were all melted, due to the heat.  But everything else was all right.  I have just had the Whitehaven News and seen Billie's letter in it, they have had a fairly rough time of it from all accounts. 

I shall get my leave fairly early because I have about as much or more service in than any one in our company.  When I come Billie will come with me.  I saw the chap Spence at Rouen and I don't know what made him think I did not want to come home.  I have tried my best but it is no use so I have given up the idea long ago.  My leg is getting on all right; you see it is no good for a wound to heal too quickly, so I have it opened now and again to let out anything that ought not to be there.  There is no fear of it being poisoned.  I am having my teeth attended to now. 

I am going to town again tomorrow, I expect I shall go up the line again next week some time.  I am going to ask to be sent up when I am all right if they want to keep me here, then I shall get my leave.

Well I must close now.  I hope Joe gets called up all right and that he rests content with that.  He will be far better off and it will not be so bad for you with him at home; it will have done him all the good in the world.  I hope all are well.  I had father's letter and was pleased to hear he was so well. 

Love to all, Your affect. son, John. 

P.S. I had John Kennaugh's parcel but am unable to write to him.  J. might do so for me. 

Billie - Sunday 27th June 1915

Dear Janey,

Just a line to let you know we are off again.  You will no doubt have got my letter telling you we were going to the base for a rest.  Well we marched to the Base and got there about 4.30a.m. and we were free until 8 p.m. although we had to be up for an inspection at 12 noon.  When we set off again we are going right off now, I think, to help the French, but of course we cannot tell. 

We have a lovely barn here all fresh straw for beds and I can tell you when we arrived here at 11.30 last night and got down we never opened our eyes until 10 this morning.  We have not been able to write for two days as there was no post on account of being on the move, and we have also had no post for a couple of days but I suppose we will get it when we reach our destination.  I intended writing to our John but have not had time.  I had a letter from Joe a few days ago and he gave me all his news but did not mention anything about going back.  It is to be hoped they send for him. 
I have not much time so you must excuse this short letter.  Hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink.  So cheer up.  I'll write as we land up. 

We had two fine meals while at the base, although we were only there for 14 hours.  A lovely long rest was it not?  We were not allowed to send any post so will have to wait.  We had a forced march right south of the line and we did 30 miles in 24 hours and I can tell you we were done up when we finished.  We marched through some very nice French towns and the people are very good to us here and will do almost anything for us and on the way through one little town I had some flowers given me by a French girl. 

We are in a barn again - pretty decent as outside there are two cherry trees and they are grand.  While out today while passing a farm the boss of the place came out and invited us to go and see his garden, shook hands with us and gave us some roses and a good feed of strawberries and some lettuce.  He was a fine old sport and his garden was a treat.  Must close or I will not get through. 

So hoping all are well. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Billie - Thursday 24th June 1915

Dear Mother,

Many thanks for letter and parcel received the day before we came out of the trenches; also thank Aunt Sally for her kindness in sending so many good things. 

We are out of the trenches again; three of us came out a day before the others as we are to go through a special course of bomb throwing and bayonet work for when we take an enemy's trench.  We are having a soft time on this game, just sitting out in a field listening to the lecturer and having a bit of practice at throwing bombs while the rest of our company are engaged on fatigue digging &c., so on the whole we've touched lucky.  We heard today that we will have no more instruction for a time, as all the arrangements have been upset owing to the Battn. moving again, but I don't know if it is true. 

We had a fairly rough time of it in the trenches this time, but I guess the Germans had a rougher.  They are a cheeky lot of bounders I can tell you.  They started digging a trench between the lines, so we sent a party out and we fairly did wipe a few of them up.  They were not half scared and I think they must have had to stand to the rest of that night. 

Pleased to hear all well at home, hope you are still fit as it leaves me in the pink.  I should just like to see the garden now, I bet it will be all right and no mistake.  We are billeted in the wood again in canvas huts. 

I must close now as we are off to try to get steak and chips in the village.  So hoping all are quite well and with kindest regards to all my friends. 

I am your loving son Billie. 

Excuse short letter as I've not had much time but will write to Janey and Sarah soon if I get time. 

John - Tuesday 22nd June 1915

18th Camp 48
S. Midland base
Havre. 

Dear Janey,

Thanks very much for letters of the 22nd. 

I arrived here yesterday and I shall be here until a draft is sent up to the line which means a week at least.  There are a number of our men down here, I am in a tent with two out of our company - one chap was in College with me.  I had a letter and parcel from Liverpool so I will write.  We are under canvas here, it is a lovely place the only thing was I couldn't sleep the boards were so hard, still I shall soon get used to that again. 

I hear that our chaps are going home on leave, a number are on leave now.  I hope it is true and that Billie and I can get together.  The grub here is a bit better than at Rouen.  I am applying for attention to my teeth here. 

Sunday I've just seen the doctor and have to see the dentist tomorrow.  A number of our reserve Battn came here yesterday.  They are going up the line tomorrow so I shall not get up with them.  I met a chap in the Gloucesters, at least I was watching them march when I heard someone say "Thompson".  I did not recognise him at first and he asked me if I remembered playing against Keswick and I knew him at once.  His name is Hartley and he went to Bristol College.  It is surprising how many Rugby footballers I have met out here - both officers and men that I know.  It is A1 here - heaps better than at Rouen.  I have applied for a pass into town to have a swim; they say it is a fine place.  I also had a letter from Sarah containing a note from Jackie Langstaff.  I expect I shall get my leave when I get back. 

Two youngsters marched into here the other day and asked for the 5th Warwicks.  They tramped from Kelvedon to Southampton got across with some Canadians and made their way here.  They said they were "fed up" with doing nothing and were determined to get to France - plucky kids eh?  I do not know whether they will send them up to the line with this draft.  I think they deserve it. 
I must close now.  I hope all are well at home. 

Love to all John

Billie - Sunday 20th June 1915

Dear Jess,

Many thanks for the letter received last night, also thank Janey for her letter and the parcel which arrived in splendid condition.  The oranges were a treat and came in fine for the hot weather.  Also thank Aunt Joan for the coffee au lait; it will be all right for having during the stand-to at nights. 

We had a fine time in reserve in the wood the last four days.  It was like a picnic, any amount of strawberries - wild ones.  We were there 4 days and engaged in working parties carrying rations up to the trenches and digging.  The last two days, our section was picked out to build a bridge across a large ditch and we had a fine time of it.  We had to fell our own trees and I was one of the axe men.  You should have seen us bringing great big oak trees down.  I should think we felled about 50 altogether and put them all in the bridge.  We were complimented on our work by the Colonel of the 7th and we had the pleasure of seeing a double horse wagon go over the bridge quite easily so it was a good test of our work.  It was jolly work and quite a change from trench life. 

We have the advantage of the Germans here as we can be relieved, and there is a big wood behind us.  We came into these trenches yesterday and are fairly decent time up to the present.  We are too close to the Germans for them to shell us much, although we are nicely within range of hand and rifle grenades and bombs of all sorts, but they are not so bad as the big shells.  The heat today is intense and the flies are awful. 

We stand to all night and have bayonets fixed night and day as this is a very important part of the line and we have to be ready for surprise.  However if they do come they will get a surprise.  I was pleased to hear Joe may be sent back to make shells, and I do hope they will give him no option but just claim him.  The last time I wrote to him I told him to try to get an easy job in the stores or something like that as I told him what it is like here, and that he need be in no hurry to come out here - it is no picnic, but he never mentioned it when he wrote to me. 

I saw a fine sight this morning about a dozen of our aeroplanes crossing the German lines off to do some damage somewhere and the enemy wasted about a thousand shells on them without doing any damage.  If there is one thing we have the better of them it is by aircraft.  They cannot touch us at it. 

I've received all papers and parcels up to the present.  Well I hope all are well.  I must close now hoping all are well as I am in the pink.  I had a box of 50 fags from F. Gibson. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

The garden will be looking fine.  I received a letter from Tom a few days ago. 

John - Thursday 17th June 1915

Rouen

Dear Jess,

I received the tobacco pouch all safely it was sent on from hospital.  My leg is improving but I have to attend for dressing every day.  As soon as it is completely better I shall be sent to the Base to await a draft going up to the line.  I might be down here a month and I might manage to just catch one and be sent up earlier. 

I am quite good friends with Shepherd, Jack Huggins' pal, we go out together and have a bottle of wine - it costs 6d.  It is an acquired taste and you have to get used to it.  Tell Cyril I hope to settle with that German myself. 

I'm feeling lazy it is too hot for anything.  We are going to try to get into town to have a decent meal; bread and marmalade does get monotonous. 

Love to all at home, John. 

P.S. 21st June

I am still convalescent, in fact I am no better than when I came here.  They allowed my wound to heal and did not dress it yesterday.  I went today and they opened it again.  They do not like them to heal too quickly because they sometimes break out again.  I can get about, but if I do much walking my leg swells up.  It will be a month or so before I'm fit to go back to the line.  They will send me to the base and give me a job there until I am quite fit. 

John. 

Billie - Wednesday 16th June 1915

Dear Janey,

Very many thanks for the lovely parcel I received last night before we came here.  It is a treat and will come in jolly handy, as the weather is too hot for anything.  The fruit is great and is a treat.  This is the best stuff to send and the tomatoes are as fresh as though they had just been cut, so we are having them for dinner. 

I'm pleased you saw the cutting about the wood where we are.  Last night we were moved right into the centre of the wood, and we are now in reserve in the dug-outs 60 yards behind the firing line for 4 days when we then go into the front line.  This is a lovely wood, there is honeysuckle all over the place and in full bloom.  It is quite a treat. 

It was a bit rotten coming up last night, as we had a long march and I had a new pair of boots on and it was scorching hot.  However we arrived at our dug-outs at last and they are jolly decent.  There are 11 of us in it so we are all right.  It is called the "Gamblers Den" or the "House of the 11 Knuts".  I am on guard this morning while the others are taking the rations up to the trenches by a communication trench.  It is rather strange to hear the bullets whistling in the air and the birds sitting singing in the trees as though there was nothing the matter. 

I met a chap from Cleater Moor last night - he was in Bristol College and he knows our John well.  His name is Robinson and I had a good long talk with him. 

You will no doubt be pleased to hear that the Terriers are being granted seven days leave in England.  Our Battalion starts tonight 1 man, 1 NCO and 1 officer per company and they are taking them according to the amount of service they have done in the Terriers.  Seeing I just joined when the war broke out, at that rate I will get my turn in about 2 years next Christmas.  Of course they may start to send a few more.  John should stand a good chance when he comes back. 

I quite envy you having lettuces &c out of the garden.  It will be looking A1 now.  How is the apple tree doing this year?  Pleased to hear all are doing well at home.  Kindly thank Aunt Sally for the bread and cakes, we are having them for tea; also remember me to all relatives and friends, also to Mr Bay.  I suppose he will be getting out now in this fine weather. 

Hoping all are well - I'm in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie

The flies are awful here and raise lumps when they bite you. 

John - Monday 14th June 1915

Convalescent Depot Rouen

Dear Sarah,

Thank you very much for your parcel which came to me while in hospital.  I just stayed in long enough to finish the contents nicely. 

I am at the above now and having a nice easy time.  They have opened my wound out again as it was healing too quickly, so it will be a week or two before I am fit for the front again. 

Now I have some news for you which is not very pleasant.  I have made enquiries everywhere I've been for the 8th Durhams.  I was rewarded yesterday for I came across Jack Huggins' pal - a chap called Shepherd.  He is here sick and I asked him for news of Jack, and I will tell you what he said. 

On the day they were attacked a party of Canadians were sent out to drive the Germans out of a house where they had machine guns in position.  The Durhams were being shelled heavily and Jack and his pal decided to go with the Canadians to help them. 

They got near the house and had to retire.  Shepherd was in front of Jack and they set off.  They had to cross a very dangerous piece of ground and before making a rush Shepherd called out "All right Jack?" and Jack answered "Yes go on".  He looked behind and saw him ready to follow, so he rushed on and jumped into the trench.  He fully expected Jack had gone into the trench further up the line, but he has neither seen nor heard of him since and he is awfully upset about him. 

He says he feels sure he must have got put "clean out", or he would have got back.  He got back all right and there are only 8 or 9 of their company left, so he is very lucky. 

I feel awfully sorry myself about Jack and I only hope he is a prisoner for his Mother will be awfully upset I know.  I thought I would let you know and then if Mrs Huggins has still not heard anything more of him, you can prepare her for the worst. 

Please tell Mother she can send the money now.  The grub here is very much below hospital standard and extra grub is very dear.  I have not been into town yet; I shall apply for leave tomorrow.  I saw a number of the 5th Border here who have been gassed.  Quite a number I knew as they come from Whitehaven.  I was quite pleased to meet them. 

I hope all are well at home, I am going on A1.  I must close. 

Love from your affectionate brother John. 

Billie - Monday 14th June 1915

Dear Jess,

Many thanks for all the good things I've received from home.  We are out of the trenches again and having 4 days' rest, which finishes tomorrow, and then we are going a few miles up the line to a town for 4 days and then we go in the trenches again.  We were roused a 4 this morning and had to pack all our goods &c up and prepare to go into action, but after waiting about 3 hours in full pack, we were dismissed - so we were disappointed.  I cannot tell you why we were dismissed but there might have been a big dust up only we checked it in time. 

We are being inspected this morning by General Fansham, our new Governor, so we are all trying to get all the mud &c off our clothes.  It is fine again today only fairly windy.  I had a letter from John a few days back and he said he had not received any of his letters and I cannot understand it as I readdressed all his letters and I have written twice myself as well as some of the other chaps. 

Well I must close and get my rifle cleaned ready for examination.  Send me a small writing pad on please as soon as you can.  Get Billie (Nixon) to guess where we are now.  Hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie

Billie - Saturday 12th June 1915

Dear Jess,

Many thanks for the letters received these last few days, also for the parcel from home yesterday. 

We are out of the trenches again and we have had a pretty rough time of it.  After doing our 4 days in the trenches we were taken about 200 yards behind our lines into a lane and we had to stay there 2 days in case the Germans made an attack and we were within rifle and shell fire all the time and we fairly got it too.  We were not allowed to show ourselves above the grass as we had no dug-outs and there were no trenches.  The worst of it was it poured with rain almost the whole 2 days and we never had anything hot the whole time.  Our menu was water and my lime juice, cold bacon in the
mornings and bread and jam. 

I got Janey's parcel the second day we were on this game, so we were a bit better off, but we could have done with a good cup of hot tea. 

We had a rough time in the trenches last time for shells, the most we have ever had.  We had them all night and day and they sent some jolly big ones.  Four of us were sent out as a covering party, the second night in, as some of our chaps were on with the wire work in front of our trenches, so we were sent out 50 yards in front of these men to prevent the enemy paying us a surprise visit and catching our working party.  We could hear the Germans talking in their sap holes - quite distinctly - and we were just waiting with our rifles up to be ready but they thought it better to stay than to come.  We thought we were going to get a chance at them after we had been here a couple of hours, we heard someone kick a tin in front of us, but he did not come near enough for us to see him, or them I should say as they never come out singly, but in half dozens. 

The grass is about 2 feet long in front of us, so it is difficult to see, but you can hear the grass moving when there is anyone coming.  While out we gathered some "Poppies" and they were fine ones - extra large and such a rich colour, they were a treat.  Of course all during this there was firing going on each side.  Fortunately we were in a dug-out and out of the way of low shots.  However we were pleased when daybreak came and we could get back to the trench, as the midges were something awful and there was a dead cow in front of us besides numerous graves. 

We had it scorching hot all the time in the trenches and very foggy in the early morning, so we could not see 10 yards in front of us.  One morning a good number of Germans came down the wood and shouted to us, but we answered them in another way and they took their hook.  We are having four days' rest and are in the huts, we think we are to be moved to another part of the line to allow some of the other chaps to have a few days' rest.  We have got the helmets now for the gasses and they cover the whole of our heads and faces, and we look more like ghosts with them on. 

I was pleased to hear all are well.  I'm in the pink.  I've had a couple of letters from John and he's having a decent time.  I've written him twice. 

Well I must close now.  Cheer up we will be home before Christmas.  We've had some dreadful thunderstorms these last few days.  I've had a letter from the manager and his wife of my shop a day or two ago.  The 5th Borders have fairly had a time of it.  No, I've not seen Billie Yeowart or Jack Wightman yet but am looking out for them.  Just had some good fags sent from Bournemouth. 

Give my kindest regards to all my friends. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

John - Thursday 10th June 1915

My dear Janey,

I've received one of the parcels yesterday and your letter and was glad to find some fags in it.  There is nothing else to do here but smoke and read.  I expect I shall be here another week then I will be sent to the Rest Camp for a week or two.  Yes, you can send me some money as I have lost all my tackle and there are lots of odds and ends I want.  Besides I shall be able to go into the town and I want to make the most of my holiday.  It is the last letter I shall get for some time.  In order to make sure I get it register your letter. 

I am pleased to say that I am about all right again.  I can get about quite easily without my crutches now; in fact I've not used them very much as I preferred staying in to going out on crutches.  Another batch went off to England today; they send those who will take more than three weeks so my chance is nil.  I'm quite resigned to my fate now and I shall not be sorry when I am back at work.  One chap I met belongs to Liverpool so I gave him John's address and asked him to call and give him all particulars and I gave him a photograph of the place where I am at present to give to John to send home.  If you get it, it will give you an idea of the size of this place. 

I saw a French girl throw herself over the cliffs on Tuesday.  It was an awful sight.  I was looking through the hospital window and was helpless.  I have not seen the local papers you have sent yet and I am anxiously waiting for one to see what all the startling news is about young Hallett as Jess mentioned it in her letter. 

I might see Joe Franks when I go to the base.  You wait until you see me on my motor bike - I think I shall bring one of the scraps that we see on the road near our trenches. 

I'm pleased to hear that Mother is keeping better and that Father is A1.  Thank Thompson for his letter and papers, tell him that Poulton Palmer was in our Division and his grave is behind our trenches.  There will be no rugger men left after the war.  The County likely have not sent my cap yet.  However I shall not want it here so can wait until next season.  Good-bye for the present. 

Love to all John

John - Monday 7th June 1915

Dear Janey,

Thanks very much for the P.C.  The parcels and letters will likely reach me in due course.  Please send me another razor as the other one will have been received by Billie.  I received the papers from Thompson this morning. 

I am pleased to say that I can get about a little now.  I am going to try to manage a short stroll along the front this afternoon, but of course I am very shaky on my leg yet.  Still I was in such good condition that it healed very quickly at first and of course it is only a matter of time now before it is properly better. 

I had a letter from Billie today and he says they are having a fine time of it training some of Kitchener's army.  He says I should have had another stripe had I been with them another day; still that doesn't matter to me at all.  I'm having a royal time of it; still I shall be pleased to get back to my pals once more.  Billie says I've had heaps of parcels sent to the trenches and so far since I left I have not received anything.  I could do with some tobacco and cigarettes as I had to leave my stock behind.  You need not send bread, butter or milk here; we get everything in that line and it has run even to chickens occasionally. 

I have not received the local papers yet and I should like them as I've heaps of time for reading. 
Sorry to hear of Jack Huggins.  Billie told me about him and it sounds serious. 

I must close as it is post time.  I hope Mother and all are well.  Love to Thompson and yourself. 

Your affectionate brother John 

Billie - Monday 7th June 1915

Dear Sarah,

Just a line to let you know I am going on all right. 

We are back in the trenches and having a fairly lively time of it.  Yesterday we had about 300 shells on our line in an hour's time, but they did not do much damage.  They are at it again today but nothing like it was yesterday and yet our papers say the enemy is short of shells; well from our own experience it is us that are short of shells and very short too, and the sooner we get more of them the sooner the war will be over.  Why to every one we send over, they send three back! 

It is hard luck on John not getting sent to England although he may get for a short holiday.  The weather out here is awfully changeable.  At nights it turns cold and at dawn it is so foggy that we cannot see 20 yards in front of our parapet and when the sun comes out it just about dries you up.  The heat today is too awful for words and I could do with a good drink and the other chaps could too.  We have my sherbet and lime juice only we have a limited supply of water so we have to go a bit steady. 

The enemy this morning started shouting across to us at dawn for "Bully Beef".  One chap shouted "How are you English boys?" and one of our chaps who knows German got us to shout in German that they were no good, and so they let us have it in a volley of rifle fire.  One kept saying "Comrades" but we were having none of that. 

Thanks for all the parcels.  Cheer up we will soon be home.  Hoping all are well at home as it leaves me in the pink and as brown as a berry. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

P.S. I've received all the parcels and papers safely. 

John - Saturday 5th June, 1915

Dear Mother,

I expect you'll be anxious to know how I am going on.  Well I've been allowed up for 1/2 a day and I feel A1.  Of course a thing like this takes its own time and I shall be here a week or two yet.  There is not the slightest hope of being sent to England now, and one chap from this ward went this morning and I did envy him.  It is a lovely day and he will have a fine voyage.  They do not send so many home as they did previously. 

I want you to send me some tobacco; I was brought here without going back for my kit and I just had a little in my pouch.  I've also lost my scissors and I should be glad if you would send me another pair.  My tobacco pouch is worn out, so send me one to hold 2 oz.  By the way send some Tortoise Shell tobacco this time and matches.  Please send it by return as I'm stumped, as I've not received any parcels here yet.  I've not had a single letter yet, so I'm anxiously awaiting them.  I sent my address to Billie to forward my letters here, but have received none up to the present.  If I could have had a few days at home I should have had a good time. 

Still no use thinking about that now.  I shall perhaps want some money while down here.  I did not have much when I came down and the poor beggar who went to England had not a sou, so I gave him a couple of francs; he had been here ever since war was declared so he deserves a holiday.  We get fairly good meals here:

Breakfast - bread and butter (?)

Dinner - Meat potatoes and pudding

Tea - Two eggs, bread and butter

Supper - Cocoa, bread and butter

So you see I'm not starving. 

I hope all are keeping well at home, you must keep cheerful and all will come out all right in the end.  I'm sure you would not have us at home while there is such a demand for men.  You can rest assured that we shall look after ourseves as far as we are able, of course such accidents as this always happen so we must make the best of them.  I hope Father is keeping well. 

Love to all at home.  Your loving son John

Billie - Thursday 3rd June 1915

Dear Janey,

Just a line to let you know I'm still all right.  You'll know by my yesterday's letter that we are out of the trenches and having a fine time of it.  We are off this morning for a bath, but the only fault is that we have about 5 miles to walk for it and seeing it is the hottest day we have had, we would sooner do without it, but we have no choice.  You will have had word from John. 

Thank Mater very much for both parcels which I received yesterday, they were great.  Tell Jess we received the pineapples which arrived in perfect condition; you would have thought they had just been cut.  Thank John for them, they were great I don't think I ever enjoyed anything so much.  We had one for tea yesterday and are having the other today.  It is hard luck on John missing his, but it can't be helped.  I had a box of tobacco from Peckham.  Also thank Cyril Graham for the fags, tell him I shared them out and all the chaps in the hut wish to be remembered to him.  I will send him a P.C. 

In the parcel that was smashed the eggs and tomatoes suffered but this time the tomatoes arrived as though they had been freshly picked, so they are best put in a little box.  The rum butter was a treat though the heat had made it run a little, but we did not mind that.  I am wearing the camphor bag and have given the other to ne of my pals "Togs".  All the chaps say when they see the post coming in "Here comes the Thompsons' mail". 

I'm pleased to hear that Father looked so well and that Mother is keeping better.  Tell them all not to worry as I am all right and that John will be all right and will get a decent holiday.  I will finish this when I come back from the bath as it is time for parade. 

Had a bath but we arrived back too late for the post.  I've just had a letter from John and he says he is sleeping in a real bed.  Oh what a treat!  And he says he expects he will be joining us in a week or a fortnight.  It is hard luck that he should not get to England.  However I suppose we must not grumble as we cannot help these things. 

Kindly thank Aunt Eliza for her parcel which arrived in splendid condition.  I have not tested the lime juice yet, but I bet it is fine, but we must keep it for special occasions.  We ate the other pineapple today as we could not send it to John; it is 10 chances to one whether he would get it or not, being sent from here the parcel would be censored and you may guess someone would have fancied it and kept it.  We've had a good night's rest so we've struck lucky so far this time no digging. 

Aunt Sally's bread is a treat and we always look forward to it.  How is Thompson getting on with his motor?  Remember me to all.  Hoping all are well,

Your affectionate brother Billie

Cheer up we will soon be home.   

John - Wednesday 2nd June 1915

Dear Sarah,

Now I have some time to myself I am paying off a few debts.  I hope you are keeping all right.  I am pleased to say I am getting on fine.  My wound is healing quickly but I am not allowed out of bed yet.  I shall be knocking about in a day or two, I expect. 

There is no chance of being sent to England; they only send those with broken bones there now.  Still this is a charming place, and as much like home as it is possible to get in France.  The sea comes up quite near and it is just lovely to listen at night.  As soon as I am fit to knock about I shall be sent to the convalescent camp down at the Base (where the 5th Border were stationed).  Then when I am completely better I shall rejoin my Company. 

Has Mrs Huggins heard anything of Jack?  I've made enquiries and they have had Durham Light Infantry in each of the hospitals I've been in, but no one knew the name.  The Bede College chaps fair had a rough time of it; we have not had it half so bad as regards the actual fighting yet we have seen more service here. 

I had to leave half my birthday parcels behind me, but we made a big inroad into them before we went digging.  Still Billie and my pals would dispose of them all right.  He came out of the trench with me.  The chaps all passed me when I was being carried they kept saying "Lucky Beggar I would give a quid for that".  That is how we look at it here; we only see the "rest" side of it.  I only wish all at home would see it in the same light.  I can quite imagine how upset Mother would be, but really there is nothing to be alarmed at.  I'm having the best time since I landed here and I should like Billie and my pals to be as lucky.  We don't see a flesh wound in fact there have been times that almost made me wish you for one. 

Remember me to Millie.  I hope you are both well.  Also give my love to my cousins and thank them for their share of the parcels sent to me. 

Well I must close now. 

Love from your affectionate brother John

Billie - Wednesday 2nd June 1915

Dear Mother,

Many thanks for parcel received just before going into the trenches also many thanks for John's parcels.  You will no doubt have heard from John by now.  He is a lucky chap in a way as he will get a good holiday, although it is hard luck on him that I should have received all his parcels.  His razor and towel I will keep for if he is in England, but if he is in France I will try to get them through to him. 

You will be pleased to hear that our Brigade has been congratulated by Sir John French for the way in which we've held the line during the fierce fighting round here.  We had a fine time in the trenches this time, the weather was lovely and we all enjoyed it very much.  We had some of Kitchener's army in our trenches for instruction.  They were in for 36 hours and we had to teach them a few wrinkles of how to go on and we had a fine time with them.  They were all Scots and rather funny, one of the chaps comes from Hensingham called "Preston".  He knew John and he knew me through my football career at Moresby.  He was a miner and I had a good chat with him. 

I think the war will not be long before it is over now after the big successes on all fronts.  You'll be surprised to hear I had another jolly fine parcel from our Director and it contained the same articles as last time, so you need not send any more on for a long time as there was a box of good soap and also 100 more fags. 

The weather is awfully hot so the sherbet will be handy.  We had our hut nicely lit up last night with the candles you sent me.  Thanks also for the silk handkerchiefs.  Sorry to hear about poor Jack Huggins, I think he must be a German prisoner of war, and it is awful to think he is. 

I will wear the bag of camphor you sent, as the smells of dead are when the sun get strong. 

I think I must close now, please remember me to all at home, all the aunts, Mr Ray &c. hoping all are well.  Tell Thompson I've let my tache grow for a few weeks and it's coming in slow but sure. 

Hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink, and as brown as berry. 

Your loving son, Billie. 

P.S. I think we get most parcels of any Battalion and the chaps say we have a special post for the Bros. Thompson, so you'll see we have got a name - the sherbet is great.  You might send me another writing pad as I gave John mine, on the way to the hospital.  Get June 1st Daily News & Leader, look at page 5 column 5 and you see about the "Gay Garden"; this is where we spend our nights in reserve in this wood.  It is worth reading.