Billie - Tuesday 31st August 1915

Dear Mother,

Very many thanks for the parcel which arrived in fine condition yesterday; also thank Mrs Freehow for the tomatoes.  I appreciate all my friends' kindness very much.  I had both your fine parcels the same day. 

The candles are jolly fine, the beauty of them being they last so long.  Kindly thank John K. for the bagpipes.  This second pair arrived in good condition so we had quite a lively evening with them yesterday.  We are still out of the trenches and I think we will be 8 days or more before we go in.  We are out in a wood today chopping down tres, &c. and it is quite a change after so much drill and bothering round the parade ground.  I should think they intend building huts here for our winter quarters.  The scenery here is very like the Lake District. 

I hope our John gets his leave - I'm sure he is entitled to one.  I think they are going to send more men every week on leave after 1st September so it's to be hoped they do, as my leave will be a bit nearer now that all the Sergeants &c who never go near the trenches have had their leaves.  Of course this is the way all over. 

I trust all are keeping well.  I suppose father is as busy as ever.  I will write to him as soon as I get time, but they do not give us much time for letter writing at present.  I'm sending Mr Yeowart a P.C. tomorrow.  Is it true Mrs Burnyear has been interned or is it just a rumour?  I hope all my relatives and friends are well, I should think I will scarcely know Jackie. 

I have a fine photograph of that church I told you of that was in the village just behind the lines we occupied, and you can see for yourselves the state it is in, and also one of the farm.  I will try to send them to you. 

I have my Spirella Bodybelt so I am all right in that respect.  Oh you might send me an air pillow, our John left me his, but someone sneaked it some few weeks ago.  I think round ones are the best, I saw some advertised in the Weekly Dispatch. 

I have got a fine nose cap of a German shell that dropped not many yards away from us, when out in the open, digging so I will try and send it on to you, and also a couple of rings I have moulded out of one of the nose caps so it I get them finished I'll send them too.  That was the right place where we were (Sailly) but now we are about 5 miles behind the line. 

Well I think this is all the news at present.  Hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving son Billie

John - Sunday 29th August 1915

Dear Jess,

I am pleased to hear Mother is improving and hope that you are quite better by now. 

You will no doubt be surprised to hear that I have met young Jim Goodall out here.  I saw him yesterday and today, and he and his pal are coming to have dinner on Thursday with me.  They are a fine lot of chaps, his company, and his pal comes from Cockermouth.  He knows heaps of Whitehaven chaps that I know, and we had a most enjoyable time. 

What is this yarn about Mrs Burnyeat being a spy?  The chap from Cockermouth had heard about it but did not know anything definite. 

I had a letter from Billie and I have answered it.  I want him to write to me as often as possible.  I am anxious to hear how they are going on with the Battn. 

Please send me another paid of socks and a dark flannel shirt.  I think I told you I received your parcels safely from Liverpool also Mother's last week.  You might also send some more envelopes.  The weather has broken again, it is pouring this afternoon; still we are going to have dinner out again.  Our hut is raining in parts, but not where I sleep thank goodness.  We have thatched the roof but it is not exactly waterproof. 

I hope Thompson likes his new work and that Father and all are well.  I had Sarah's letter yesterday I shall write to her as soon as I have time. 

Love to all at home.  John. 

Billie - Sunday 29th August 1915

Dear Janey,

Very many thanks for letter received a few days ago.  We are out of the trenches and supposed to be resting, but so far, apart from the actual danger, we are working harder than ever.  We would not mind at all if the work we are doing was helping the cause on and would put up with the eight hours a day drill. 

We have been out tonight for a couple of hours and got soaked through, but in spite of all the hardships we are still merry and bright, so you must not think that I am sick of this life.  We have a nice warm barn to sleep in so it is not so bad, but we have to be out at 6 every morning. 

I am pleased to hear Mother is improving and trust she will go on.  I had a letter from our John and he is having a busy time of it.  He has got one of those big military capes.  He bought it out here somewhere, so you might ask him to get me one as I will not have time to write to him for a few days - on account of the programme of work they have got out for us - and they are just the sort of thing for this weather.  They are like a cycle cape only they reach to the top of your boots. 

I'm pleased Gus has started school, I bet he will be a knut and will not half tell you some yarns.  Please send me two pairs of socks in my parcel.  I had another parcel from the managing director and a box of fags from F. Gibson.  I must write to Mr Yeowart when I get time.  Has Joe had his leave yet? 

Well I think I've given you all the news so must close.  Please send me some more of the usual writing paper.  Hoping all are well at home.  Remember me to Thompson's father. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Billie - Friday 27th August 1915

Dear Sarah,

Just a line to let you know I am still all right.  We have been relieved out of the trenches yesterday and have marched down to this lovely little village for a rest.  All the division have come down so perhaps we will have a decent little rest.  At least we hope so.  We had a fine time in the trenches the last time as we were in reserve and were in a house that had been knocked about by German shells, but in spite of that we had a very nice time of it. 

I received your parcel all right.  This is a lovely place we are in now, right in a valley and a river, not very clean, flowing through.  We are sitting down by the river writing this.  I have not got my muffler and gloves and my sleeping helmet is just about finished.  The gloves and muffler I had to throw away on account of them being alive but the helmet I have still got.  So you can get on with one for me and I will let you know when to send it.  The weather here is great again, the sun being scorching hot, and we can do with it.  We are in reserve here, so hope there is nothing doing for sometime. 

I was pleased to hear mater was a bit better and that all at home were well.  I suppose Joe has not got off yet for his leave.  Remember me to all the girls.  I won't be home on leave for a long time yet; it is the chaps who never see the trenches who seem to get the leaves.  I think this is all the news, hoping you are all quite well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

John - Tuesday 24th August 1915

Dear Janey,

Thanks very much for your two letters. 

I have heard a rumour of a great naval victory in the Baltic but have not seen a paper.  It is about time the newspapers cheered up.  I can't understand why they seem to fond of making the most of all the bad news that comes along.  I am pleased to hear that Mother is improving. 

We had a fine dinner on Sunday, at our own expense.  After the chicken we had some tinned fruit (mine from home) and cream and after that champagne and cigars and the whole lot cost us about 2 francs.  We have made up our minds to have at least one good meal a week and Sunday is the only chance we have.  I am writing this while in charge of a working party; they are scattered all over the wood and all I have to do is to visit them occasionally. 

I had the photo of May and Gus and I like it very much.  I intended writing to Aunt Sally to thank her for the cake she sent me the other day but I've never had the time to settle down to letter writing.  I just snatch a few minutes now and again.  I expect Fergie will feel strange going to school but he will soon get used to it. 

I'm expecting a letter from Billie.  I'm anxious to know where they are.  I think they are in the south somewhere and from all accounts it is pretty rotten weather if nothing else. 

I hope Thompson likes his new work.  It will be sickening if you have to move to Carlisle to live - still we shall be able to come and visit you during the holidays.  It will not be so bad moving after the war and it is not far from home and Mother could come and visit you and Carlisle agrees with her.  We are gradually improving our little home.  I wish you could see it.  We are as cosy as it is possible to be and we can make it very much warmer in the winter.  We are lining the inside with sacking so we do not get many draughts.  We do not need a door yet; we do not intend to make ourselves too soft as it does not do. 

I suppose Jess will have started school again.  I should have been back to Birmingham now, so I don't mind so much being here. 

I must close now for the present, hoping all are keeping well.  Thank Mother for her parcel. 

Love to all John. 

Saturday 21st August 1915 - Italy Declares War

Italy declares war on Ottoman Empire. 

Billie - Saturday 21st August 1915

Dear Jess,

Just a line to let you know I am still going on all right.  The weather seems to have taken up a bit and you may bet we are jolly thankful.  We are going off digging again for another 6 hours.  We go in the trenches on Monday for another 8 days. 

I see by the papers they have been making a raid up at our place.  I should have thought that Whitehaven would have been the last place to be shelled but it appears they are not particular where they shell.  I hope they did not do much damage.  There is one thing - it will make some of them understand that there is a war going on. 

That pocket stove you got is a treat.  Hoping Mother and all at home are well. 

With love from your affectionate brother Billie. 

John - Thursday 19th August 1915

Dear Jess,

Thank you very much for the letter enclosed in the parcel of yesterday.  The shirt will do all right.  I will let you know when to send a flannel one.  By the way you need not send any more of those water purifiers, we have them issued to put in the water but I never drink the water at all when here.  I received your parcel and Sarah's from Liverpool quite safely and sent the receipt to Coopers, everything was intact and nothing missing. 

I saw the account of the submarine attack on Whitehaven.  I wish they had sent a shell and wakened those great single chaps on Victoria Road.  You see you are no safer than we are here.  The only difference is we get many more shells and they are slightly larger. 

I am having a fairly decent time of it whilst here.  I am at present in charge of a working party.  I've just had a stroll through the woods and gathered some nuts.  I called at a farm close by - in fact I go every day to see a French corporal.  He gave me some cigars for some Army tobacco and they are very decent and I have a glass of wine nearly every day.  It is poor wine out here.  I was asked how I liked it and I said "It's all right but we write with it in England".  The chap did not seem to understand. 

We are coming out here to dinner on Sunday.  I have found a farm where they will make us a decent dinner - chicken, beans and potatoes - so have ordered it for five of us. 

Billie will tell you about our leave.  I'm afraid it is all up with us but I am making another bid for it.  I just sent in last night so have not heard anything about it.  I suppose you will start school on Monday.  How quickly your holiday seemed to pass this year!  I had no idea it was so late in the month.  We notice a big change in the weather already and the nights are beginning to get very cold now, but we are nice and cosy in our new hut.  I have not had to sleep in all my clothes yet so you see we are warm enough. 

We spend all our money on extras such as eggs and butter and it is worth it.  You need not send me any money out at present I shall do my best to get some lace for all of you but we are working about 6 miles from the woman who makes it, so I shall have to wait until we go there again to work.  It will be my turn to go there in a week or two and I have ordered 10 meters of it for you all.  It is cheaper in French money than in English if you understand what I mean. 

Did Joe get down for his leave?  I expect they will find the same difficulty as we do.  I hear that all leave in the British army is stopped for a time.  I am sure I don't know the reason for it.  I was pleased to hear Mother is improving and hope she will soon be quite well again. 

I must close as it is lunchtime and it is a long walk to the farm where I go.  Hoping all are well and that Thompson likes his new work. 

Love to all, John. 

Billie - Thursday 19th August 1915

Dear Janey,

Many thanks for letter and parcel received yesterday.  You must thank Sarah for the parcel of useful things from "Boots" they came in jolly handy.  That radium pocket stove is quite a treat and made us lovely cups of cocoa in the trenches.  We are not allowed a fire in the trenches so you may bet we enjoyed fully a steaming hot tin of cocoa while on sentry duty at 5 a.m. 

I am pleased to Mater is much better and trust she goes on well.  I had a letter from Sarah yesterday from Drigg and she seems to be having a nice time of it.  The change will do her good.  Has Joe turned up for his leave yet? 

I had a letter from John the other day and he seems to be having a hard time of it digging, but he has the satisfaction of knowing he is not the only one who has to do digging.  Every day since we came out of the trenches we have had digging from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., so you see they keep us at it.  We were sent to have a bath last night at 5 after we had got back from digging, but when we got to the baths we were told to go this morning.  But seeing we have to go out digging I don't see how we will manage it.  However here comes the rain again so we will be able to have a wash at any rate. 

We were also going to be fumigated, but that has not taken place yet.  But I don't think we need it now as we have cleared them out ourselves.  That powder Sarah sent me just came at the right time.  Our officer tells us it is just as honourable to have lice as to have a wound, but you should hear what the chaps say.  However we are clean once more so we have nothing to worry about. 

Well I think I have given you all the news so must close.  We go in the trenches on Monday so you can arrange my parcel so that it comes on Tuesday here.  Tell Aunt Sally that loaf was a treat and the photograph is grand of May and Gus.  Kindly remember me to all the aunts as I've not had time to write to all at present.  Please send me some more of this writing paper. 

Hoping all at home are well and that Thompson likes his new work. 

Love to all. 

Your affectionate brother Billie. 

We are having a rest day for a wonder.  Just writing to our John. 

Billie - Tuesday 17th August 1915

Dear Mother,

Many thanks for parcel which arrived in good condition.  Thank Aunt Sally for the cake it was a treat.  I was pleased you sent me some candles as we need them very much as we do not have any issued now as we are not supposed to need a light in summer.  However you might put me a few in each parcel and then I will be sure of them. 

We are out of the trenches for 8 days and we are very glad although the weather seems to have taken up a bit now but we have not had one fine day.  The enemy were very busy with their big guns but luckily we did not have a casualty.  Since we have been in the trenches the Germans have been shelling the village and it is smashed up and all the inhabitants have been warned to leave the place.  It is awful to see them pack what furniture they can and take it away.  All our orchard is cut to pieces and the trees are all torn down. 

I had a letter from our John and Bunny had one yesterday.  He seems to be having a rough time of it and seems fed up with the entrenching Battn. and I don't wonder at it.  We are off this morning for 8 hours digging - this is the sort of rest we get - however it is a change from the trenches. 

You need not send me any shirts or vests until I let you know but you can send me a pair of socks in the next parcel also some insect powder as practically the whole of our platoon are alive and we have a hunting parade every morning.  We are going to be fumigated tomorrow but a little powder will not come amiss.  Do you know if there is an old football bladder at home?  If so you might send it out and I might mend the bagpipes with it. 

Pleased to hear all are well.  Has Joe turned up for his leave yet?  Hope Sarah has a nice time.  Janey and you should have a holiday it would do you good.  I hope Janey has not to go away to live, but if so it can't be helped.  I suppose Gus and Jack are as big nuts as ever.  I will hardly know them when I come home.  The water melons were a treat I never enjoyed anything better. 

Remember me to all the aunts.  With love to all at home. 

Your affectionate son Billie. 

John - Friday 13th August 1915

Dear Sarah,

Thanks very much for your letters and papers.  I've not had much time for letter writing so you see that is why I've not written before. 

We are having a fairly rough time of it on the whole, tons of work and rotten weather.  We have all got drenched this afternoon and the worst of it is we can't get dry.  I had a lovely shirt given me by our officer as I told him about the Belgian pinching mine and he would insist of me having one of his.  I am Sergeant now so I have more authority than before. 

I've heard nothing about my leave yet but I hope it will come through.  Thanks for the flowers they reminded me very much of home.  It makes one feel fed up with this life on a day like this but is not so bad in fine weather.  I hope Mother is still improving and will be quite better by the time I get home. 

I must close now.  Love to all at home. 

John. 

Billie - Friday 13th August 1915

Dear Janey,

Many thanks for the letters also thank Sarah for the parcel which arrived last night.  I am sorry to say it had got smashed, but the only thing damaged was the bagpipes and the bladder was all scratched and the first time it was used it all split where it was damaged.  It was rotten luck as all the chaps were simply delighted when they saw them.  You might thank John for them it was jolly good of him.  The Zobo was not in but perhaps Jess couldn't get one. 

The weather is very changeable still.  We have managed to get the water out of the trenches so it is not so bad now.  We are coming out of the trenches on Sunday and you may guess we will not be sorry.  Our stretcher-bearers brought a German in last night whom they caught in front of our wires and he was just a youngster about 17 and a wee chap at that. 

Well I think I have given you all the news up to the present, hoping Mother is improving and that all are in the pink as I am.  Hope Jess had a nice time and that Sarah had a good rest at Drigg - it will do her good.  I had a parcel from Peckham a few days ago. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Billie - Thursday 12th August 1915

Dear Sarah,

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

We have had a rotten time in the trenches as the weather has been so bad.  We have been flooded out in the trenches; the water has been up to our waists.  Talk about a time you would think we belonged to the Birmingham Scottish as we have been working with just a pair of boots and a shirt on and I can tell you it has been a job.  We have been working nearly all night for the last four nights and it is no joke standing up to your waist in water and working for four hours at a stretch on a pump.  However none of us seems to have taken any harm, so that is the chief thing.  I am pleased to say the weather has taken up a little and is fairly fine although it does not look as though it will last long. 

We moved up the line a few yards yesterday and changed over with one of our companies and we are now in a much drier part although the dug-outs are rotten here.  We come out of the trenches on Sunday night and I think we will be out for 8 days at least.  I had a letter from John last night and he seems to be having to work very hard. 

Please thank Janey for the songs they will do fine.  Tell Aunt Eliza the concertina would do all right, only it is much too heavy to carry as our pack is heavy enough and we have to hang all the things we cannot get into the pack around our necks, so I think it better stay. 

We have got a little refugee out of the village behind us in the form of a little terrier pup and he is a fine little chap and does not care a rap for rifle or artillery fire.  The village here is a sight to see hardly a sound house in the place. 

I was pleased to hear Mater is improving also that all at home are well.  I received all the newspapers &c as usual.  Hope Jess is having a nice holiday.  I wrote her while she was away so expect she got it.  Remember me to all the Aunts and cousins and all my friends. 

Hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Billie - Wednesday 11th August 1915

Dear Janey,

Many thanks for the parcel which I received yesterday.  You will be surprised to hear it had been opened at the Base so they packed it up again and put a note inside.  The only thing damaged was Mrs Mayne's cake - it was only crushed a bit and was fine. 

We are having a terrible time in the trenches - about the worst we have ever had.  The trenches were knee deep in mud and water and since we have been in, we have had some terrible storms and the trenches were flooded.  One morning we were called out at 3 and the water was deep enough for swimming and things were all floating about.  You should have seen our dress, a pair of high top boots and a shirt fastened with a belt.  We have had to bail out for 3 days now and now we have a pump at work but there is still a great deal of water.  We are working in 4-hour shifts.  I was on from 2 a.m. until 6 a.m. and by that time had had enough. 

We were out cutting the grass the first night and we had a birthday I can tell you.  You ought to see the village just a few hundred yards behind the firing line; it is an awful sight.  I don't think there is a single house untouched, and of course the lovely church is smashed beyond redemption.  All the inhabitants have had to leave, but yesterday when I went up there was an elderly woman there and she was mad and you cannot wonder at it.  We are pulling down some of the ruined houses to repair our trenches after the storm. 

I am pleased to hear mater is a bit better and trust she is still improving.  You will non doubt be surprised to hear we have a hunt every morning in these trenches and we have a catch.  You might send me some powder on for them.  All the chaps are the same.  We found a little refugee in the village when we went up the first day in the form of a terrier pup, so we have adopted it as a mascot. 
I received Father's letter on Sunday and I had a fine parcel from Jess yesterday; it was brought into the trenches. 

Well I think I must close.  Cheer up. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

John - Tuesday 10th August 1915

Dear Mother,

I hope you are keeping better.  I'm pleased to hear you are recovering.

I had a letter from Billie the other day - they are getting settled down in the trenches again.  We are still in the wood and the work is jolly hard.  A number of us have applied for leave and we have great hopes of getting it.  Of course we are not certain of it. 

Thanks very much for the socks - they are heaps better than the army issue.  We have found a place where we can get our washing done so we shall be able to keep something like clean. 

I am eagerly looking forward to getting home, it will only be four days if at all but it will be a rest.  I have Sarah's letters and papers safely.  I must close for the present.  I hope you will soon be quite well again. 

Love to all John. 

John - Tuesday 10th August 1915

Dear Jess,

Thanks very much for your parcel from Liverpool.  Thank John for the fags for me as I have not had much time for writing at present.  I hope you had a decent holiday, I am sure you would need it after having Mother ill for so long. 

I am hoping to get leave soon.  I have made the necessary application so am anxiously waiting to see if anything turns up.  Had I to explain that Mother was so ill I think I could easily get it, but I don't intend to mention that except as a last resource, because it is such a misused statement.  I am pleased to hear Mother is improving.  A holiday would do her good only I'm afraid she wouldn't go away these times. 

There is no need for her to worry about me as I am quite all right.  I've done well for parcels lately having three in fur days.  The melon will be a nice change it will keep for a few days yet.  You need not send any more fags for a sometime.  I shall let you know when I am short but you can send a couple of ozs of Three Nuns tobacco.  I have just about finished my stock.  I do not want to have too much at a time because it only means more to carry when we get a move. 

I think we will be here for a couple of months yet.  Remember me to Mr & Mrs K. and all of them.  I can't possibly write to all my friends. 

Well I must close now.  I have cold feet and feel very seedy today but will be quite all right tomorrow.  I hope the weather keeps fine for you and that you have a good time. 

Love from your affectionate brother John. 

Billie - Tuesday 10th August 1915

Sailly-au-Bois

Dear Jess,

Very many thanks for the lovely parcel which I received all serene last night.  It just came in hand as we were on short rations and we have our parcels brought up to the trenches now. 

We are in the trenches for 8 days and in for a lively time of it as it has done nothing but rain for a fortnight so you can imagine the state they are in, and it has not stopped raining yet and all the drainage wells are overflowing.  Talk about a nice sight I was roused in the morning at 3 a.m. and told we have got to bail it out.  Well some had to get on the back parapet and some had to fill the buckets and we worked until 8, just managed to get all the water clear, but, oh the mud,.  I have never seen anything like it, nearly up to your knees, some of the chaps are in their bare feet but I managed to get a pair of top boots so did not take much harm. 

The water melon is grand.  Excuse the scribble in a terrific hurry.  Well I think I must close hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink.  Please give my kindest regards to all my friends at Liverpool.  I must try to get a little sleep now. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

John - Sunday 8th August 1915

9th Platoon C. Coy.
1st Entrenching Battn.

Dear Janey,

Thank you very much for the parcels.  Rather strange, parcels seem to reach us before letters. 

I am awfully pleased to hear of Thompson's good appointment - it was a great surprise.  I have sent Billie a little piece of Belgian lace.  If you would like some let me know how much.  I shall get it for you also Mother, Sarah and Jess and the aunts.  It is not very dear so don't be afraid to say how much you would like. 

I have just applied for leave and think I shall get it in a few weeks.  I am looking forward to it very much indeed.  I shall have five days at home so it will be worth coming for. 

I had a letter from our Billie yesterday and he is having a rough time and no mistake.  We have had our share this week.  I have not had a minute of letter writing.  I shall have more time this week, as I am Orderly Corporal.  The parcel was A1 especially the cakes and pear, not forgetting the sweets and fags.  You need not send me any more bread whilst here as we can buy bread and butter.  Thank Thompson for the fags. 

Must close now as I'm on duty in a few minutes.  I'm pleased Mother is improving. 

Love to all John

Billie - Sunday 8th August 1915

Dear Mother,

Just a line to let you know we are in the trenches again for 8 days this time.  We have had nothing but rain for the last 10 days so you can imagine the state the trenches were in.  Talk about a holiday - coming in last night we had to wade kneww deep in places through brown slime.  I have never seen such mud before.  The chaps whom we relieved went about with their stockings and puttees off and their trousers turned up and just their boots on and you should have seen the state they were in.  We did not believe it when told but "seeing is believing".  They are the worst trenches we have ever been in for mud and water and you can understand it as the trench is dug down into the ground and there are no trench foot boards to help you along.  It was for all the world like a skating rink carnival. 
However we have this consolation that when we have done 8 days we have a good rest out and if we only get some fine weather we will be all right.  Our dug-out is a great dungeon under the ground and 16 of us are in it. 

I am glad to know you are a bit better and hope you well soon be knocking about again.  I was pleased to hear Tony had paid you a surprise visit I suppose he is as big a nut as ever.  Out John's place is marked on the Daily Mail map but our place is not and we are in the French line. 

Please send me some more health salts.  When we were coming into the trenches the lady in our billet let us shake one of the apple trees and you can guess we brought plenty of apples in to last us.  This tree was the only one on which the fruit was ripe.  Just behind our trenches there are orchards all over the place. 

The Germans are fairly giving us a shelling today but we are fairly safe in this dug out. 
Well I must close now hoping all are well as I'm in the pink.  I must go now as we have a lot of barbed wire entanglements to get out in front of our line.  Kindly remember me to all my friends, as I've not had time to write to them all.  Our comb band has just struck up and you ought to hear it.  You would not think we were in the fire trench. 

Your loving son, Billie

Billie - Wednesday 4th August 1915

Dear Thompson & Janey,

Many thanks for letter received this evening, also thank Mother and Mrs Wattleworth for the two lovely parcels received in splendid condition and were a nice change. 

We are still out of the trenches but expect to go in again on Friday or Saturday.  We fully expected to be in for the Bank holiday seeing we've been in for all the others - but we don't mind.  We have been out trench digging several times since we have been here.  Yesterday we were inspected by our Army Corps commander, General Snow.  He is a fine chap and he was pleased with us - the way we gave him the royal salute and the steady way we stood.  He is the General who was responsible for saving half our army in the retreat from Mons so you may guess he is hot stuff. 

Just heard that Warsaw has fallen, the poor Russians seem to be fairly getting it and no mistake, and here we are just about where we were in November last.  I am afraid we will have to make a start soon if we are to do anything this year. 

It is bad enough in these barns now let alone in winter.  We had to go out in the pouring rain this morning digging and while we were out we were caught in a thunderstorm and we were wet through.  It would not be so bad only we have nowhere to dry our clothes.  We only had an oil sheet with us so you may guess what we were lilke when we got back.  However I suppose we should not complain as this is a mere detail to what we can expect these times. 

I am glad to hear Thompson has got such a good appointment, also pleased to hear Mother is improving.  You must thank Mr Yeowart very much for the Whiffs; they were quite a treat.  Please send me some more writing paper.  Hope Jess has a nice time; a change will do her good. 

Well I must close now, hoping you are all well as it leaves me in the pink.  Thank all for their contributions in the parcel. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Please send me some candles. 

Tuesday 3rd August 1915 - Italy Sends Ultimatum

Following a great deal of behind-the-scenes political manoeuvring, the Allied powers effectively outbid the German and Austro-Hungarian promises of territorial rewards to Italy in the event of victory. 

By this stage, Italy was already at war with Austria-Hungary; the ultimatum to the Ottomans continued the run of declarations of war with the Central powers. 

John - Sunday 1st August 1915

Dear Mother,

I hope you are quite better and soon able to get out.  I am pleased to say I am A1.  We are in an ideal place for keeping fit and well during this fine weather.  The work is fairly hard but I can please myself whether I do much or not.  We can buy fresh fruit and some very nice brown bread so we can live fairly well.  Of course all the chaps do not know where to get the eggs &c and we are not telling all of them. 

We are not anywhere near Billie and I don't think we shall join them for some time, we shall be here for a few months if the war is not over before, so you need not worry about me at any rate. 

I expect Joe would have a good time in London, when is he having his leave home? 

I have not got my other stripes up yet, they have to be sanctioned by about a dozen different people and they have not come back yet. 

I hope Father has a decent rest this week.  If the weather is anything like it is here, it will be glorious for holidays.  We have not much time for letter writing here so you see I have to rush them in anyhow.  I have just received the parcel safely as usual.  I shall write to Mr Yeowart when I have time.  The photo of May and Fergie is splendid.  The cakes &c will be very useful for tea as we could not eat the dinner today; still we must not grumble. 

Hoping all are well.  Love to all,

Your affectionate son, John.