Joe - Saturday 29th January 1916

Dear Sarah,

I received your letter and pleased to hear you are all well.  We have been moved back to the rest camp well behind the firing line.  We set off on Wednesday, marched about 6 miles and stopped in a barn for the night and then the next day we marched about 8 or 9 miles and now we are living in a barn and we are all right - plenty of football &c.  You might send me John's address again as I've lost it.  I think we will be stationed here a month or so.  I expect some men will be sent on leave while we are here. 

I can't understand Billie; he sent me a field card a while ago, saying he had received my letter and would be writing soon.  I forget who wrote last, I think I will write to him in a day or two.  I was pleased to hear Mrs Huggins received my P.C.  I will have to send Annie Parker one.  I received a pile of comics from Jack.  I will have to send Fergie and he a P.C.  I have not received my weekly parcel yet.  I kept this back to see if it came but no luck as yet. 

Hoping all at home are well. 

Love to all Joe

Billie - Saturday 29th January 1916

Dear Sarah,

Just a few lines to let you know I am still all right and I am out of the trenches again.  Kindly thank Mother for the £1 note - I received it safely and it will keep me going for some time. 

We had it very rough the last time in, the worst we've ever had, I think.  The Germans gave us no rest night or day, and they bombarded us practically the whole time in, and one night it was too awful for words.  It was one continual roar with minewerfers and shells, and, under cover of this, a large bombing attack of the enemies entered our trenches but we soon had them out again.  Of course we lost a few men and prevented the attack being a success.  I hear that the Battalion who are in now are going over to the Germans on the same game tonight.  We have been having nothing but alarms the whole time we were in, and the last time we were in we had to keep putting our gas helmets on as the Germans were using gas on our left and just on our right, so of course we got some of it but nothing much.  We were wakened one morning at 6 by the sound of guns and we had to stand to for an hour with our helmets on. 

The weather has been a little better.  Quite a change from some spells we've had. 

I was sorry to hear that Jess was not well and hope she will soon be A1.  Pleased to hear all the rest are well.  Glad to hear John is having such a good time; he is a lucky beggar and no mistake.  I am eagerly looking forward to my leave now, which I expect about the end of March.  I am going to send Mrs Huggins a card so please let me have her address as I just forget it at the moment.  I had a letter from Janey last night dated November 6th; it must have been that one that got lost, but goodness knows where it has been.  Kindly remember me to all aunts and cousins.  Hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Billie - Tuesday 25th January 1916

Dear Janey,

Many thanks for the letter received tonight, also for welcome parcel of last night.  It just arrived at the right time, as the rations at present are rotten - biscuits often on the menu card.  We are back in the trenches again and up to the present are having it a bit hot.  The weather is not quite so bad, but it poured with rain but we are quite used to that. 

I was sorry to hear that Jess is ill and sincerely hope that she is now better.  Also sorry to hear Gus is ill and trust he will soon be well.  I hope all are well with these two exceptions; also that Joe is A1.  I expect like us they will be fed up with the management of this war as a whole, and I might add that all here think if the Government as a whole do not put their backs into it a bit more, I am afraid it will be all up with this England.  You ought to hear the chaps out here - well it would do some of the MPs good if they came out here and heard what the soldiers think of them, and the way they are muddling the whole affair. 

Pleased to hear John is at Barrow; he will see Father, often.  Glad to know Sarah is going to Barrow for a few days - the change will do her good.  I am patiently waiting for my leave.  I was disgusted to hear that Syd H. is starred, and I would like to know what government work he is on.  I was surprised to hear that John H. has the sauce to apply for a commission, and I would like to know how such as he - in an office all the time and never done any soldiering - should be given a commission when there are heaps of chaps out here who could get their commissions through right away only the COs will not allow them to go; and these would be just the men for the new armies. 

Well it is nights like tonight when one wishes the war was over, and not held down with an iron hand, and be able to do what one feels inclined to.  Well I think this is all, hoping all are well at home, also Thompson and yourself.  Remember me to all.  Cheer oh. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Joe - Monday 24th January 1916

Dear Jess,

Thank Mother very much for parcel received yesterday.  We came out of the trenches yesterday morning and we go back to the Divisional Rest Camp sometime this week.  You ask me if I've been bad because I was sent to the Rest Camp - why I have never felt better.  I've not been off colour much since we came out, I will write to John sometime this week, he will be having a fine time of it. 

You will see in the papers that we have had a bit of a scrap with the Germans on our front.  One of the regiments on our right attacked on Wednesday night and of course we caught some of the bombardment.  We had 5 wounded and one has since died of his wounds, but we were very lucky as our trenches were fairly battered with shells. 

Well I must close.  Hope all at home are well.  With love to all. 

Your affectionate brother Joe

Billie - Sunday 23rd January 1916

Dear Jess,

Just a line to let you know I am going on all right.  We are back up the line again for another 24 days.  The line is very active at present.  You would be pleased to hear I got all my parcels.  Please thank John for his parcel - the cigars and fags were great; also thank Thompson and Father for their cigars and fags - they were fine and quite a change. 

I was quite surprised to hear you expected the youngster home on leave from Ploegsteert.  I suppose his luck was in when it came to the draw.  I only wish they had given our leaves fairly and then I might have stood a chance.  However I expect to be home about the end of March, or sometime in April.  I only hope I am home for the great event.  Do not send any more stoves as we sometimes have fires, sometimes we get wood and others coke issued.  Sorry to hear Janey is not up to the mark, hope by this reaches you that you are all well as I am in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Please send me some more notepaper and envelopes. 

Billie - Saturday 22nd January 1916

Dear John,

Very many thanks for your letter received a few days ago.  I would have written sooner only we have been kept very busy.  The line is very hot here and I can tell you the chaps are all just about done in.  The enemy send 45 minewerfers the last time we were in and our artillery opened fire and they reckoned they had smashed it up for them.  At any rate the 7th did not have any the whole time they were in, but the first day we were in again we had a few more.  They have also started sending a new sort of thing over which is almost like a large round biscuit tin, very high explosive and packed with all sorts of rubbish - gramophone needles, nails, door knobs, glass and any old thing.  They have a nasty habit of sending these at nights.  We had 16 the night before last and they buried our officers in their dug outs and we had the job of digging them out.  I am pleased to say that no one was hurt in spite of it all.  Our artillery have fairly been strafing them today, it was great watching them. 

I was on sentry on Thursday and Mr Hoskins came on the firing platform and asked me how you were getting on; he said you seemed to be having a good time and he was enjoying the cigars you sent.  We had one or two football matches while in the village.  I was quite surprised to hear Joe was expected home soon; he is lucky to get a leave so soon.  Old Bunny and Nipper both wish to be remembered to you. 

Oh we have been through the gas with our tube helmets on.  We had it in the medical room back at the village and we all walked through the room, but did not notice any difference in the air.  Well I think this is all at present, hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink.  We've got some new officers up just lately. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

We are all feeling ready for a rest and it is quite time we had one.  There are all sorts of rumours flying round but we take no notice of them. 

Joe - Tuesday 18th January 1916

Dear Jess,

I received the home parcel all right and thanks for the same; also thank Annie Parker for her cake - it was jolly kind of her.  We go in the trenches tomorrow for the last time before going to the Rest Camp.  You can tell Jennie B. not to send the comic papers - I would sooner have John Bull and London Opinion.  I get the Whitehaven News from Jennie and all the home papers.  I must send Jennie a card to thank her. 

We are not having such bad weather at present, although it has been raining today but we've had a decent spell.  I had a field card from Billie and he said held received my letter.  Well I've no more news at present.  Hoping all at home are well. 

Your affectionate brother Joe

Billie - Tuesday 18th January 1916

Dear Janey,

Many thanks for the letter.  You would no doubt be pleased to hear I had received all my parcels all serene and in fine condition.  You would be surprised to hear I was back with the Company and I've never felt better in my life. 

We have had another turn back in the village and have had a fairly easy time of it.  I've been having a course on the Lewis gun and expect to get on the team as soon as there is a chance.  The only thing about being back in the village is that we find it very expensive as the canteen is here and the rations have been rotten - hardly anything but biscuits, so you can guess we speculated a little. 

I was pleased to hear all are well at home.  The weather has been jolly decent for the last 8 days, just a few showers so we are hoping it will continue.  You will be sorry to hear they have cut our leaves to four men a company, so it will make it a few weeks later for me, however I have always it to look forward to. 

Please send me another diary than I can keep it going for you, also a decent pocket knife and get a safety ring so that I can fasten it to my belt.  Uncle Tom will do it for you. 

We go to the trenches again on Thursday for another 8 days, then 8 in reserve than 8 in again and then back here again.  Well I must close hoping all are well.  Please remember me to Thompson's Father also all at Green well House, George Street and Catherine Street.  Cheer oh. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Joe - Friday 14th January 1916

Dear Mother,

I received two parcels when I got from the Rest Camp, one from you and one from Janey, Sarah and Jess.  We are out of the trenches again, and we were supposed to go to Divisional Rest Camp this week but we have to go once more in the trenches.  I expect it is right this time.  I will write to Billie, I almost forgot whether I answered his letter or not.  John will be having quite a picnic of it at Barrow.  I had a cake from Mrs Anderson of Parton, very kind of them wasn't it?  I would like to have John's address so please enclose it in your next letter.  Thank Aunt Sallie and Gus for the cake and chocolate.  I've never had time to thank Uncle Tom for those socks yet.  I am going to send Mrs Huggins a card to thank her for the cake.  I have no more news.  Hoping all at home are well. 

I remain, your loving son Joe

Billie - Friday 14th January 1916

Dear Sarah,

Just a line to let you know I am back up the line again and feeling in the pink.  I thought I would wait until after my leave before I had the operation in case I didn't get further than the Base.  Very many thanks for the two parcels from home for my birthday, also the one from Liverpool from Janey, Jess and you.  Also thank John K. for his parcel of cigars, cigarettes and sweets, which I also received.  I had a rare post when I returned and I returned and I can tell you we had a few busts tip.  It was quite a treat opening them all.  Please thank all for the various articles received. 

The weather today is quite a treat, just like a spring day, and it, feels a treat to be alive.  We are just going out for a game of footer.  I should think we will be relieved before very long, as we have heaps of troops out now.  They have built a concert room here, and they intend holding concerts while we are out.  We had the Divisional Band here yesterday and it was quite a treat for us. 

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

Your loving brother Billie. 

P.S. Everyone remarked how well I looked when I returned from hospital.  Thank John for his letter I will write to him tomorrow.  Glad to hear Joe is well. 

Joe - Tuesday 11th January 1916

Dear Mother,

I expect you got my letter that I send last week.  I am down at Rest Camp for four days and I go back tomorrow.  We are about 3 miles behind the firing line.  It is a place where chaps who have been sick are generally sent for a rest, but I got a surprise; two of us were picked out to go and we had never declared sick, but we didn't say "No".  So many men are sent here every four days, and it came in just nicely for me - our Battalion had just taken the trenches over, and we were at H.O. for one night, and then we were sent to this camp.  I think the Battalion comes out of the trenches just as we get back.  I don't think I will be in the trenches again.  The Division moves to a rest camp in a few days and then big batches of men will be sent on leave. 

We do not get our letters or parcels down here, so I should have a good post waiting for me when I get back.  I have met Miller Irving down here a few times.  Well I've no more news at present.  You can me some more Harris's Pomade. 

With love to all at home, and hope this finds all at home well. 

Your loving son Joe

Billie - Monday 10th January 1916

Dear Jess,

Just a line to let you know I have decided not to have my nose cut at present at any rate and I am going back to join the boys up the line.  I have decided to wait until I have had my leave, as if I only got down to the Base for the operation I would have to wait a long time for my leave, so thought I'd better wait.  I've had quite a decent time down here and had a good rest and I feel in the pink.  I can manage to breathe up both nostrils so no doubt the rest has done me good - do not worry.  I've had a good time here quite different from the trenches.  Well I must close, hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink.  You can send my letters and parcels as usual. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Billie - Sunday 9th January 1916

C.C.S.

Dear Jess,

Just a line to let you know I am going on well, and having a jolly decent time here.  I should have gone down to the Base on Friday but there was no room on the train, so I expect to go on Tuesday.  On arriving there I suppose it will just be a matter of luck whether I get across the water or not and from what I hear, I stand a good chance of getting to England.  I am having a jolly decent time of it here and the grub is extra - quite different from what we get up the line.  The nurse brought us all a large box of chocolates each yesterday, and we get a lot of luxuries that I've never seen before in the army. 

I think this is all the news up to the present hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink excepting for my nose.  Kindly thank Aunt Eliza for her 5/- order, it came in handy.  Cheer oh. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Billie - Friday 7th January 1916

Dear Janey,

You will no doubt have received my letter telling you I have gone in hospital.  I have a deflected septum in my right nostril so thought I'd better have it seen to.  I moved out of the trenches two days ago to one clearing station and from there I've been moved to C.C.S.  I saw the Doctor this morning and I think I'm being moved to the Base.  You need not worry at all as it is nothing serious.  They treat us jolly fine and they have a really wonderful system.  I cannot let you have my address as I may move anytime but I'll let you know as soon as I'm settled.  The grub is jolly good, quite different from what we get up the line.  The weather is awfully cold but we are fairly comfortable and have almost as many blankets as we want so we manage to keep warm. 

I have just been in to see the specialist and he says it will mean an operation and probably mean going all the way back, but they might do it here.  However I will let you know how things are going.  I am pleased to hear all at home are well.  No doubt John will have joined his unit by this reaches you.  He will have a much better time now he is an officer.  I was pleased to hear Father had a decent holiday over the New Year as he needed it and would do him good. 

Well I think this is all, hoping all are well and that you have good news of Joe, as this leaves me in the best of spirits.  So cheer oh. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Do not send any parcels until I tell you. 

Bilie - Wednesday 5th January 1916

Dear Sarah,

Just a line to let you know I received the parcel that was sent on 28th and the one sent on New Year's Eve too, both in good condition.  The meat was quite a treat and we all enjoyed it.  You might thank Mrs Huggins for the lovely cake; it is really awfully good of her; especially as she has had so much trouble of her own. 

I am going for a little rest today into hospital.  It is nothing serious but I thought I'd have it done and get a rest at the same time.  My right nostril has been stopped up for, some time and the Doctor says I have a deflected septum or something of the sort and I can have it taken out quite easily.  It troubles me when we are having respirator drill, so I think it best to have it done. 

Do not send any parcels until I let you know.  I should think I will only be in for a few days, but it will be a rest if nothing else.  Well I think this is all.  I will let you have my address as soon as possible. 

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

Your loving brother Billie. 

P.S. Now you need not worry at all, as I will be safer in dock than in the trenches and you have the satisfaction of knowing it isn't serious.  Cheer Oh.

Joe - Tuesday 4th January 1916

Dear Mother,

I have received two home parcels since last writing.  I also had all the New Year cards. 

You said that I might easily beat Billie home on leave, well I was drawn to go on leave with A Company's first batch yesterday, but there was some misunderstanding, and two men had been picked after the draw - it's rather bad luck.  Still I don't mind so long as I get a leave, but I'd have been able to be home with John. 

I think we have to go once or twice in the trenches again.  Of course I will be at Battalion: H.O. this time.  I got a nosecap from a German shell given by a chap and if I get on leave I want a few rings making out of it.  I have no tackle out here for shaping rings. 

I was pleased to hear Father had a decent holiday; he would need it.  I will send a P.C. to thank Mrs Huggins.  Poor Jack would never have the pleasure of a parcel from home.  Sid is getting on fine and looks grand.  I don't think those special shirts are any good - we can do without them. 

Well I must close hoping this finds all at home well. 

Your loving son Joe

Billie - Tuesday 4th January 1916

Dear Janey,

Many thanks for the letters and cards received these last few days.  We came back in the trenches this morning.  Our dug out is a foot deep in mud and water, and as fast as we bail it out, it runs in again, so we have decided to wallow in it. 

I received the parcel on 28th and it came in handy as we had disposed of all our Xmas fare.  We had a small casket containing a small plum pudding and some biscuits and cheese from the Mayor of Birmingham.  I think it was jolly decent of him don't you?  We had plum pudding on Christmas Day from the Daily News and Leader, but this is the only thing sent from outside.  All the things that get sent for the chaps in the trenches get about as far as the base and then disappear.  I hear the RAMC touch for a lot of these things. 

I had another bombing course the last day out, and we had some sport throwing live bombs.  I was pleased to hear John looked so well in his uniform.  I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I get my leave.  It will not be so long now as weeks fairly fly - doing eight days out and eight days in.  I had a card from Jess (at Liverpool) and I hope she has a good time.  I hope all are well at home and will all keep off the sick list.  I expect Joe is busy as the Germans have been busy up their way before Christmas.  There was a decent job going the other day, and I thought of putting in for it, and then I thought I'd sooner stick to my old post.  It was a job on the Brigade Concert party to amuse the chaps at concerts, which are being organised when the men are out of the trenches.  They wanted two from our Company and they would not have to go in the trenches at all.  The weather is still very bad, but we are quite used to going up the waist in mud now.  Tell Thompson when he does get called up, not to go in the Infantry if he can help it.  Well I must close hoping all at home are well, as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie.