Billie - Thursday 30th December 1915

Dear Jess,

Just a line to let you know I am still in the pink.  We are out of the trenches and over on the plain in reserve in a redoubt which would have to be held at all cost, if the Germans should break through.  We had an awful time in the trenches and I will not forget it in a hurry. 

I was pleased to hear you had decided [typist's note: think he refers to the wedding date] and I do hope I will be home then.  I'm pleased to hear John was getting down for Christmas.  We had a glorious time when we received the parcels and it was quite good sport.  The duck and plum pudding were a treat, not forgetting the sauce which arrived safely.  Also thank Mater for the parcel received last night; also Mrs Mayne for the lovely cake, Mrs Wattleworth for the tea cakes and toffee also Aunt Sally. 

I was more than pleased to hear John had come home, he is lucky.  How is Joe getting on?  He owes me a letter.  You can send me a pair of socks in the next parcel as this weather plays havoc with socks.  I expect to be home about the end of March. 

Well I must close now hoping all at home are well as it leaves me in the pink.  Kindly remember me to all at Greenwell House, George St and Catherine St.  Must close and turn in. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Joe - Tuesday, 28th December 1915

Dear Sarah,

I received your letter and Christmas card.  I'd also one from all at home and from Tom, Jack, Jennie, May and Fergie.  We are in the trenches again for 6 days.  I was sorry to hear about Jack Huggins they will be very much upset.  I think we are only in the trenches once more and then go for our rest, that is the rumour and I don't think it is far wrong.  John will be having a grand time now; he can settle himself for a few weeks or months in England so that is one consolation.  You will be very busy now especially at Christmas.  I had a nice card from Ghyll Bank, and one from Billie and John.  I've not received my other parcels but the mail was stopped for a few days and the Christmas mail had to come in batches.  We all got our half plum pudding on Christmas Day and it was all right and we also had a small part each of the Daily Chronicle parcel.  I had some cigarettes from Carlisle.  Must close. 

With love Joe. 

I hope this finds all well and let us all hope for a better New Year. 

Billie - approx Sunday 26th December 1915

Dear John,

Many thanks for letter and card received last night.  I was pleased to hear you had got a Commission and were at home.  You are a lucky beggar and no mistake.  I started writing this on Christmas Day but had to leave it as we were called up to pump water out.  This time it was the worst we have ever had.  We've large parties out pumping water out night and day and it poured with rain the whole eight days, so the trenches are lovely.  In some parts you could swim quite easily.  The last two nights in we were doing 2 hours on and 2 off all night long, and working all day, and I can tell you that if the Germans had come over they would have had a cake walk as none of the chaps could keep awake and you cannot wonder at it. 

This is Captain Arnell's little plan, he does not care a rap what the men do so long as he is comfortable in his dug out behind the support line.  The officers do not half work it now, they get the Sergeants to do the patrol work in the trenches whilst they stay in their dug outs - they are the limit.  The last time in for two nights we never saw an officer - but of course it was raining in torrents, so they set a nice example don't they?  And the chaps have not half got a bad impression of them. 

Christmas Day was just the same as any other day excepting not quite so many shells, but they gave us our share on Christmas Eve.  They are giving us a time with their minewerfers.  You can be thankful they did not send any where you were, as they are awful nerve racking things.  I do not know what explosives they use but the crash when they burst is awful.  Sergeant Wilkinson is over our platoon and he is a jolly fine chap.  Our platoons are over on the plain in a decent dug out, away from the rest of the Company who are a mile away at the Chateau.  Bunny and Edna touched lucky for a course on the guns at St Omar and they had a jolly fine time of it.  I should think the day they went our Joe would leave.  I just missed going through being out but I have asked Spratt to put me down for the next lot, but of course we don't know when that will be. 

Well I must close, hoping all are well, as it leaves me in the pink.  I will be home about the end of March if things go on as they are at present.  Oh one of our aviators looped the loop on Christmas Day, three times over the German lines and they gave him a cheer.  We had 4 German aeroplanes over today, dropping bombs but have not heard if they did any damage.  Still no news of Gobbo and his desertion papers are out against him.  Kindly remember me to all at Ghyll Bank.  Love to all at home. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Billie - Christmas Eve, Friday 24th December 1915

Dear Mother,

Very many thanks for the two parcels I received in fine condition on the 22nd.  Also thanks Janey, Sarah and Hess for their surprise parcel (the big stocking) which came last night in grand condition.  It was quite a treat going through the parcels and finding so many nice things.  We had my duck for dinner today as it was bully beef day, so thought we would have a decent meal while we had the chance.  Nipper Flear had some peas sent, so we had duck and peas and finished off with my plum pudding and sauce. 

I don't know what we would have done if it had not been for the parcels, as they were the only things we had to cheer us up.  The weather is the worst we have ever had and we have had the worst time in the trenches since we've been out here.  We had our splash up dinner in a dug out in a foot of water, but in spite of that we all enjoyed it. 

I had to leave off writing this letter last night to go on sentry so will try and finish it today Christmas Day.  The line has been very active all this spell in, and today the artillery are going to have a little revenge for what they did to us yesterday.  The weather is still jolly rotten, and the trenches are waist deep in mud and water, and you can get a sail on the trenches boards up the trench.  There are no peace terms with us after the affair yesterday and the line is more active than I've seen it for some days.  I have just had all your photographs out and having a look at them, and trying to imagine that I am home for Christmas, but it takes some doing I can tell you. 

There is a rumour out that we are being relieved on 8th January so we are all hoping that it is right as we will not be sorry to leave here.  It is hard to imagine that it is Christmas, but still we are all very cheerful in spite of the fact.  I've just received your registered letter - thanks very much for the money.  Kindly thank Uncle Tom for the socks I will write to him in a few days.  Also thank all for the numerous cards. 

Well cheer oh, hope you received the cards I sent.  I'm counting the weeks now before I get my leave - about the end of March or the beginning of April the way things are.  I got the button out of my Christmas cake.  Well I think this is all, so must close.  Hoping all at home are well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving son Billie. 

Joe - Wednesday, 22nd December 1915

Dear Janey,

I received all the parcels on Sunday, everything came at once all three parcels and I had a good bust up, everything was lovely.  I got quite a surprise when I heard John was in England.  I thought there was something on as he had not answered my letter. 

We get relieved tomorrow so we should be nicely out for Christmas.  Our leaves start today.  Ralph Burney goes today and we are only sending 11 a week, but I think we go for a rest about the middle of January so we will send more then.  I had a letter from Billie he is all right - no doubt he'll go for a rest soon, because a good number of new troops will be coming over, in fact a good number have come already. 

How long is Father getting for Christmas 3 days?  Jim Anderson told me his Mother is sending me a cake - very good of her isn't it?  He says they are working at top speed at Lowca.  I received the socks from Uncle Tom - the skin ones.  I shall wear them when in the trenches.  I received the Christmas number of John Bull.  Well I've no more news.  Hoping all are well.  I wish you all a Merry Christmas and expect we have a bright New Year I got the 3d piece out of my Christmas cake. 

With love to all at home Joe. 

Billie - Friday 17th December 1915

Dear Sarah,

Just a line to let you know I am all right and out of the trenches again.  We go in again on Sunday and we will be again for Christmas day.  There will be no doings the same as last year, and we have had orders read out telling us we have to shoot all Germans we see, and we have not to exchange greetings with them. 

The weather now is still very cold and wet.  They've given us a bit easier time lately - I mean this time out.  It is just as well we have received a little consideration, or I'm afraid the whole Battalion would soon have been crocked in a short time. 

Many thanks for all the letters I've received these last few days, also for the parcel I received on Monday.  I'd a small parcel on Monday from the firm containing toffee and coco au lait, and on Wednesday I'd a large Christmas parcel from them containing a large cake, chocolate, a large tin of mints, soap, bonbons and one or two other little things so you will see it was jolly good of them.  I'm writing to thank them tomorrow.  I'm afraid I won't be able to send you any Christmas cards as we can't get any at the hut.  I will try my best to get one for Mother.  At any rate we are allowed to put a Christmas Greeting on the field post cards so I'll send you all one.  I'm pleased to hear all at home are well. 

Cobbo went on leave a fortnight ago and has not returned, so they've got his desertion papers out against him so I pity him.  He had an easy time at the bombing school, and never went in the trenches, so goodness only knows what he would have done if he'd been in with us. 

Well I think this is all the news.  There is a rumour here that we are going back for a rest on 7th January and after a good rest rumour has it, that we go to Serbia, but of course we take all rumours with a grain of salt.  Remember me to all relatives and friends.  I hope you all have a good time at home hoping you are well as this leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Joe - Wednesday, 15th December 1915

Pals at Bizot

Dear Janey,

I received you letter but don't know whether my parcel has landed or not because I have been sent down to a Machine Gun School about 40 miles behind the line.  I was sent down with three others last Sunday, just a day before we were to be relieved.  It is quite a treat to get to a place where we can roam about a bit.  I met two chaps out of the West Cumberland Yeomanry; one of them lived in Whitehaven and the other worked there before the war.  I will be getting all my letters &c when I get back. 

I received a parcel from Mrs Nixon (Ghyll Bank) wishing me a Merry Christmas.  It was a lovely parcel and I do think it was awfully kind of them and it came as such a surprise. 

I am down here for 6 days.  We are in a sort of convent or monastery and it's a fine place; it's just like some big cathedral to look at from the outside.  We had about 5 hours run in a motorbus, it used to be one that plied between Waterloo and Euston. 

I expect this finds you all at home well.  I wrote to Carlisle when I was in the trenches.  Well I must close.  With love to all J

Billie - about Wednesday 15th December 1915

Dear Jess,

Very many thanks for letters and parcels which arrived all safe and sound last night.  I'm afraid I'm rather late with my birthday card but "Many happy returns" all the same.  We are out of the trenches again and I can tell you we were not sorry to get out as the last spell in was the worst we have ever had.  Nearly every part of the line was waist deep in water, but in spite of this we managed to get some fun out of it, but we only hope we never have a time like it again.  We had some of the Manchesters in with us again, and one poor chap was missing for a week, but they eventually found him - in a swamp hole drowned.  It was a very bad start for them poor chaps.  I think the trenches are the same all along the line. 

Pleased to hear John and Joe are well.  Poor old Togo got wounded in the hand and foot with a rifle grenade, but I think he's going on all right.  Gobbo went on leave, but has never returned, so he will have to be very careful, or if he is caught he will be shot (unless there is some reason).  I am pleased to hear all are well.  You need not send me any bread now until I let you know. 

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

Your loving brother Billie. 

John - Wire, Monday 13th December 1915

Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. 

John

John - Sunday 12th December 1915

London

Dear Jess,

I have just arrived here and have to report at the War Office tomorrow.  I shall go to Birmingham tomorrow and shall be home later on in the week.  I shall fit up in Birmingham if I can.  I am staying all night at the YMCA.  Had a decent journey back.  I could not let you know before. 

Love to all John. 

Billie - Thursday 9th December 1915

Dear Janey,

Just a line to let you know I am still feeling in the pink.  Many thanks for parcel which I received on Tuesday in splendid condition, also your letter along with Sarah's.  I'm pleased to hear all are well at home. 

We are back in the trenches again and then we go into a village 3 miles behind the line for 8 days of Army's rest.  The trenches are in a terrible state again - mud and water up to our waists and it is still raining, so you can guess we will not be sorry when our spell is up.  Both sides are very busy now and we are kept going.  They have fairly been dropping some of their Minewerfers about and I can tell you we do not relish these things.  We will be in the trenches for Christmas Day and relieved on Boxing Day so we will have a chance of seeing if there are any doings like last year and I pity them is they try to make peace with us, as we don't intend having any of their swank. 

I had a lovely parcel from Mrs Nixon, Ghyll Bank, last night, wishing me a merry Christmas.  It was a jolly fine parcel and in fine condition, I think it was awfully good of them, don't you?  And it came as such a surprise.  I am writing to thank them all. 

We have some of the Manchesters in with us again for instruction, and they seem a fairly decent lot of men, but nothing like as big or fine looking as the Irish.  It is very good of Uncle Tom going to send me those skin socks.  They will come in jolly handy.  I will write to him when they arrive. 

Poor old Togo has had a nasty accident with a rifle grenade.  He is a bomb instructor at the chateau and one of those bombs burst and fractured his ankle in about six places.  It is to be hoped he has not got to have his foot off. 

Well cheer oh.  I must go on duty now.  Did Pater receive the birthday card I sent it was the only one I could get?  Remember me to Thompson's father and John K. also to all relatives and friends.  Hoping all at home are in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

John - Tuesday 7th December 1915

Dear Sarah,

Thanks very much for letter.  I was pleased to hear Mother is keeping better.  I am writing this in a cosy little corner near our work.  We have got a nice fire on, the worst of it is the smoke keeps blowing in my eyes.  There is a fairly strong wind blowing and we have had rather rough weather for the last few days but we are well prepared for it now when it comes, as we have big boots.  It is impossible to get our feet wet - thank goodness. 

You can tell Mother that I do not need any bread sent out now, as we get a fairly decent supply and we can buy more and now that the weight of our parcels has been reduced you'll need a bit of considering to keep down the weight.  I don't think there is much chance of me being home by Christmas now.  I am quite resigned to stopping over then.  Of course there is a chance of things like that happening unexpectedly.  I think it will come when I least expect.  I'm not in any hurry, but it will be a welcome relief to be home once more.  My parcels have been delayed this week, evidently on account of the Christmas rush.  I saw from the paper that S. Burnyeat has enlisted; has Tom yet?  I've just had a new rig out today even to a great coat, so I am all right now. 

We are having a Sergeants' Mess put up here, so it will be all right for Christmas.  I'm on the committee.  We will make it fairly comfy and shall manage all right then.  I had a letter from Mr Cooper the other day, they are always anxious to hear from me at school.  You needn't send me London Opinion or Passing Show, I have them regularly from Birmingham; I always forgot to tell you. 

Love to all John. 

Joe - Monday, 6th December 1915

Dear Mother,

I was pleased to hear you are much better.  I did not receive my parcel yesterday so am expecting it today.  We are having rotten weather - heavy rain most of the time and the ground is in a terrible state.  Jack Wattleworth was wounded below the right eye or left I'm not sure which, but I don't think it is very serious.  He was hit by a piece of shell, also a chap called Robinson from Parton was wounded in the head by the same shell.  His is a very serious wound. 

You can send me another pair of socks now. 

7th December

I did not get my parcel yesterday, so perhaps it has gone astray, as you would likely post it on the usual day.  I think there has been a big do on at Whitehaven.  I heard of another Whitehaven chap of Kells getting the V.C.  We go in the trenches tomorrow for 5 days - well I do 3 days in and 2 at Headquarters. 

Oh my parcel has just arrived, that photograph is very like Billie, but that dug out he is lying in is built on the ground while I fancy the ones Billie is in were dug deep down in the ground.  You can please send me some more candles in my next parcel also I do want those pocket stoves as usual as we have got a little kettle and it boils water on a stove quickly.  Well I must close as I'm writing this pretty much in the dark.  Hoping this finds all at home well. 

With love to all Joe. 

Billie - Sunday 5th December 1915

Dear Sarah,

Just a line to let you know I am still all right.  I received the parcel safely in splendid condition and was pleased with the contents.  The body belt is a fine fit.  I like it even better than last.  I am writing to the Spirella people to thank them for it tomorrow. 

We are having a pretty stiff time of it again.  We are in the trenches for 8 days and oh, the mud and water - too awful for words.  We are waist deep in places and it is still raining hard, and looks as though it is going to continue.  I don't know what we will do if it gets any worse.  I think we will have to evacuate the front line as it is more than flesh and blood can stand.  Ever so many chaps have been carried out to the hospital. 

The Manchesters had a rare breaking in for their instruction.  They came in looking spick and span with all new equipment and rifles, but Oh when they came out - mud from head to foot, and they even had to wash their rifles in a small pool just beside where we were.  It was awful to see them.  However there is one thing and that is, I've never felt better in my life.  I just take these things as they come, and take the usual precautions, and I think it is the best. 

I had a letter from Joe a day or two ago, and he seems to be in good health and spirits.  I was pleased to hear all are feeling much better at home.  I received Janey's and your letter, but we have had no post in or out for 4 days so all the chaps were not half down in the mouth.  It is surprising how the post cheers one up.  I received all the papers and the ones Jennie sends too and I quite look forward to them as I read the stories in them. 

Well I think this is all the news, so must close.  Hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Hope all are well at Beehive, Catherine Street and Greenwell House.  Sorry to hear poor old Gus has the croup.  I hope he is much better by this.  I was surprised to hear Mr Yeowart was dead.  The weather seems to be going to take up again and looks quite bright. 

Joe - Saturday, 4th December 1915

Dear Aunt,

Just a few lines to let you know how I am going on.  I  received those milk tablets you sent me and thanks for the same.  I heard from home about Uncle Willie's knee being bad, and trust it is better by this.  I suppose May has been helping to take the milk round.  Fergie seems to be having a rough time with colds and one thing and another. 

We just came out of the trenches yesterday and Jack Shardlow was wounded in the thigh when we were changing over.  He is a Sergeant.  We had a lively experience the night before we came out.  The Germans blew up one of their mines on the right and it fairly made the ground shake.  It was thought they were going to attack, and we all had to stand to, and there was some heavy machine gun and rifle fire for about 20 minutes.  I think (censored) men were buried by the explosion, but I think there were only (---) missing when we came out; the others were dug out, and they were all alive, some were wounded but I think the majority were unhurt.  They were out of (censored). 

I was sorry to hear of Mr Yeowart's death, he would be a good age.  It is a great pity about W. Burney's death.  I knew A. Cowan very well and was sorry to hear of his wound.  Hoping all are well.

Love to all Joe. 

Joe - Wednesday 1st December

"PALS"

Dear Sarah,

I would have written before to thank you for that parcel Jess and you sent, but thought it was no use writing two letters home at the same time.  The writing pad that came in my last parcel is just the thing for out here. 

I got the Whitehaven News you sent me to day and I noticed a piece in about W. Burney being wounded.  Well the poor lad has died of wounds.  I think blood poisoning set in.  I can tell you we all got a shock because Billie was a great favourite, as nice a lad as a chap could meet.  I also noticed about Arthur Goodall being wounded. 

I am expecting to see John soon.  Well I think our leaves start on the 25th or 26th so we will be lucky to get a leave so soon.  Did Aunt Joan get her letter as no one mentioned it?  I will write to Aunts Sally and Eliza tomorrow so I won't have favoured one and not another.  I wrote to Aunt Joan first because she was ill.  Tell them at home not to send any more pocket stoves as they only boil one pint of water and then are finished.  We got no mail yesterday, but I heard something about a boat being sunk (don't know for sure if it's true) so if any letters were sent from home I might not get them.  I have not had any letters since I got the parcel. 

Well I've no more news so must close.  Hope all at home are well.  Remember me to all the girls and Millie. 

With love to all Joe. 

Billie - Wednesday 1st December 1915

Dear Jess,

Very many thanks for parcel which arrived in splendid condition.  We are out of the trenches still and in reserve in the cellars in the village.  I was pleased to hear that Mother is much better.  Hoping all are well as I am in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie.