Joe - Sunday 30th April 1916

Dear Father,

I think it is about time I was letting you know how I am getting on although I know you will see all the home letters.  Well, you will probably know we are back in the trenches for another spell.  I think I am only 20 miles from Billie but there is not much chance of seeing him.  The place where we are was once a village and I've never seen a place laid so low with shell fire, there is hardly one part of a house left standing - just a jumble of bricks. 

You will likely be as busy as ever, there shouldn't be any one out of work in England.  We are having splendid weather now, just like Summer, and it has fairly dried the trenches up.  I think there has been some fun in Ireland.  It looked rather serious at first, but the military authorities soon got things well in hand. 

I expect you all had a good time at the weddings.  I sent Jess and John a letter with my best wishes.  Well I have no more news at present so must close hoping this finds all at home well.  Remember me to Mrs Mayne.  I hope she is keeping well. 

Your loving son Joe

Saturday, 29th April 1916

Easter Rising ends with the unconditional surrender of Republican forces. 

Billie - Saturday 29th April 1916

Dear Janey,

Just a line to let you know I am going on all right, also thanks for the parcels received from home these last few days, also thank Jess for her ripping parcel I received last night.  Well I suppose by now all will be over and you will be settling down.  You will no doubt be pleased to hear that leaves are starting again so with a bit of luck I should not be so long.  However do not expect me for some time yet as you know how they keep stopping them. 

You will no doubt be sorry to hear Bunny's younger brother has been wounded, so his people are having some very bad luck.  I was awfully sorry to hear about Bunny's girl being ill.  It must be awful for her especially seeing she is in diggings. 

What sort of weather did you have for the weddings?  It has been like Summer here - almost too hot for anything. 

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

Your loving brother Billie. 

Joe - Friday 28th April 1916

Dear Mother,

I received the two Easter parcels from you and thanks for the same.  I got Jessie's today so it landed a day after the wedding, but you needn't worry about that.  I will enjoy the parcel just as much as if it landed yesterday. 

Well we have been in the trenches six days and we are now in the reserves in deep caves.  Tom Anderson who is a Sergeant was killed yesterday and Bob Skinner and a chap called Donnan from Whitehaven were wounded.  I had a letter from F. Wilkinson and he reckons they are coming to France.  We are having very hot weather although our first two days in the trenches we had a lot of rain, but this is making up for it.  Leaves have started again but for how long before they will be stopped again no one knows. 

You will be more settled at home now that the weddings are over.  Sarah will not have long at home now.  I hope she likes her new work.  I haven't had a reply from Billie yet, but if he is in trenches like ours he won't be able to get letters away for six days, only green envelopes; that is the way we have to do in our section so you won't have to expect many letters now, but I will send more field cards. 

Syd is getting on all right, and all the other Whitehaven chaps are in the pink.  I will write to Father tomorrow, it's a while since I wrote to him and I will write to Thompson as well.  I had a letter from Jennie. 

Well I've no more news at present so must close.  Hoping this finds all well at home. 

Your loving son Joe

Billie - Thursday 27th April 1916

Dear Sarah,

Kindly thank Mater for the two ripping parcels received on Easter Monday and Easter Wednesday also for the money. 

Well I suppose by this the great events will all be over and you will once more be settled down.  On John's wedding day we came into the trenches, and yesterday (Jess's day) we were in the front line, but I was thinking of you all.  What sort of weather had they - I only hope it was fine? 

It has been too hot for words these last few days, quite a treat if it was not for the shelling.  There is a rumour about that we are going back for six weeks' rest after this time in, and I think this is right this time, as our other Battalions have been relieved and we are the only Battalion our of our Brigade that is in the line; so they look as though they are at last coming our way.  I hope so at any rate, but will let you know. 

I suppose you will be very busy now your time is so short.  I guess you won't half be having a rush.  I am sorry to hear Janey is not better yet, but hope she is improving.  How are all at home, also all at Greenwell House, George St and Catherine Street?  I hope they are all well.  Pleased to hear Thompson is not called up yet, and I hope it will be longer still before it does happen.  Pleased to hear Joe is all right. 

You will no doubt be sorry to hear poor Bunny's brother has been wounded but I've not heard any particulars.  He was through Loos.  The grub when we were out last time was too awful for words and we were always having to buy.  Tell John that Adjutant Hoskins had a fall from his horse and has gone to England - I think. 

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

Your loving brother Billie. 

Billie - Wednesday 26th April 1916

MR & MRS J.C. KENNAUGH.  HEARTIEST CANGRATULATIONS AND WISHING YOU MUCH HAPPINESS.  SORRY I CANNOT BE PRESENT BUT AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN I CALL ON YOU.  SO HERE'S TO THE DAY. 

CHEER OH BILLIE. 

Wednesday 26th April

Marriage of John C. Kennaugh to Jessie Thompson. 

Tuesday 25th April 1916

Marriage of John Snodden Thompson to Wilhelmina "Billie" Nixon. 

Easter Monday, 24th April 1916

Easter Rising begins as members of the Irish Volunteers seize control of central Dublin. 

Billie - Wednesday 19th April 1916

Dear Janey,

Thanks for letter received a few days ago, also thank Mater for the lovely parcel which I received last night, it was great.  We are now out of the trenches and back for 8 days, and they are not half making us polish our buttons &c.  I suppose they want us to create a good impression when we enter Berlin.  I was very sorry to hear you were still on the sick list, but I trust you are feeling much better by this reaches you. 

You will no doubt know that all leaves are stopped, and I will not be able to get home for the weddings much as I would like to.  I would give anything if I could only manage it, but we cannot do anything in the matter, when they are stopped throughout the army.  We get no rum now and we find the mornings very cold, as they have taken our fur coats in and one blanket.  Thank John for his letter and tell him I gave Mr Pepper his letter and he said he would see what he could do for me when leaves started again.  We had our Captain (Capt. Arnell) badly wounded this last time. 

You will all be very busy I can just imagine I see you all, and if I am not home for the weddings in body, I can assure you I will be in spirit.  I was pleased to hear Thompson and all are well, and that Joe was in the pink.  Well I think this is all the news so must close hoping all are well, and that you are feeling much better as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

I suppose Pater is still as busy as ever and will be ready for a holiday.  I have enclosed Mr Randall's letter.  Kindly thank Jennie for hers.  I must try to write to my big cousins as soon as I get a minute.  I got my P.O. changed after a bit of trouble.  We cannot get P.O.s changed at the Canteen but you can manage orders, in fact you can get more francs for £1 note than you do for a sovereign; I think this is to stop people sending gold out here.  Well cheer oh, it is pouring with rain again today.  It rained all day yesterday and we had a platoon football match for the Colonel's cup and our team won the first round 2:1.  I am captain of the platoon team - we feel none the worse for our wetting yesterday. 

Joe - Wednesday 19th April 1916

Dear Jess,

I was pleased to hear all at home are well and that you are about settled.  Well we have moved up nearer to the firing line and we will be taking over tomorrow.  Well it's out of the question to get down for the weddings, all leaves being stopped.  I am about 30 miles off Billie as far as I can judge.  Well I must wish you and John much happiness and a happy married life.  I have not much to write so must close.  Hoping this finds all at home well. 

I remain, Your loving brother, Joe

Joe - Tuesday 18th April 1916

Dear Mother,

I received the parcel and letter from Jess yesterday and thanks for the same.  Well we are having a fairly decent time but I think our rest is at an end, and we are supposed to go into the trenches on Friday (Good Friday).  All leaves are stopped so it is out of the question to get home for the weddings.  I will write to Jess and John in a day or so, they will be having a busy time of it. 

We are having very changeable weather; it shouldn't be long till we have some decent weather.  I haven't found out how far I am from Billie but will let you know soon.  It was hard luck, Bunny Randles getting killed after being out so long, and especially when he had commission papers in his pocket; still it likely had to be.  Syd is all right and often asks after you all.  Some chaps out of our Battalion got as far as Boulogne and then were brought back, and I heard men got to Victoria Station, and even then had to go back - they were never allowed off the platform. 

I wrote to Jennie a few days since.  I was surprised to hear that Abram Brocklebank had to go; quite a number of married men have had to go from Whitehaven.  If a single chap in a colliery office is exempt or manages to get off, a married man should also. 

Well I've no more news, so must close.  Hoping this finds you all well at home. 

Your loving son Joe

Billie - Saturday 15th April 1916

Dear Janey,

Just a line to let you know I am going on all right.  We are in the trenches again and having a pretty rotten time of it what with the weather being so bad and the bombardment we have had, well it is enough to drive one to drink.  However just another day and then we go back a few miles for 8 days, and I hope when that is up we move back for our long expected rest. 

I had a letter from poor old Bunny's Pater last night, but I will forward it.  We have been out of the trenches today for a rest, so a couple of gunners and I went round to the cemetery and planted lots of rots with yellow flowers on Bunny's grave, and it looks decent now.  We are wondering if we would be able to get an officer to take the photo of it, to send to his people. 

You will no doubt know that all leaves are stopped and do not look like starting again.  John also asked me to ask our officer if he received the souvenirs that he took for him, so you might tell John that none of them were received; the Corporal who had to post them must have kept them. 

I suppose you will all be very busy now.  I wish I could only get home for Easter, but I am afraid there is not much chance.  However I suppose we must hope for the best.  Well this is all the news, hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Kindly remember me to Thompson's father. 

Billie - Thursday 13th April 1916

Dear Jess,

Very many thanks for letter received a few days ago from Liverpool; also thank Janey for her letter. 

We are in the trenches again, and we are having it jolly rough.  The weather is something cruel pouring with rain and blowing a gale at the same time.  We came in the trenches with our ordinary boots on, but had to go down to the village last night and get our thigh boots.  We had a time going for them, the water was up above our knees in places and today the mud and water is still above our knees, so you may bet we will be jolly thankful when this little spell is up. 

You would no doubt get a great shock when you hear Bunny had been killed.  It was a great blow to all of us.  He was killed the last night in the trenches at the last spell.  He was acting team commander, and was just going out to change the sentries when a minerwerfer burst on the entrance to the dug out, so he stood no chance of escape and was killed instantly.  He was awfully knocked about in fact I would not have known him, only for the fact that he had a special way of his own of doing his puttees.  However we must make the best of it, war is war.  There are no signs of our being relieved, of course we have plenty of rumours, but we are fed up with them, as so many that were supposed to be right have turned out wrong after all. 

I was sorry to hear Mrs Kennaugh had been ill, and sincerely hope that she is better by this.  I suppose you will be very busy.  Mater will hardly know what to do with herself when John and you are married and Sarah goes to take up her appointment.  I suppose Janey will be rather anxious now about Thompson, but hope he will not be called up for sometime as yet. 

I had a letter from Joe and he seems quite cheerful, and he has good reason to be, after having six weeks rest and still out, however I hope they are out for a considerable time yet.  Well I think this is all.  All leaves are stopped again, and I hear that after the 18th of this month they are stopped permanently, so that is nice isn't it? 

Kindly remember me to John and all at Woodside.  Hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Billie - Wednesday 12th April 1916

Dear Janey,

Very many thanks for letters also thank Mother for the lovely parcel received on the 10th in grand condition.  We are in the trenches again and up to the present are having it jolly rough.  The weather is absolutely rotten, rain all day, it is getting sickening. 

I was awfully sorry to hear you had been ill, and hope by the time this reaches you that you are feeling better.  I was pleased to hear all are well at home also the aunts and cousins, kindly thank Tom for his letter.  Well I suppose you will be very busy preparing for the great events, and shan't I miss them!  I do not think there is any chance of getting off at all.  If everything goes off all right I might be home in 5 weeks, but of course they keep stopping them now and then just to put them further back. 

You might send me a few shillings out, but do not send postal orders as we have a great deal of trouble to get them cashed, and then we do not get the full value for them.  I am going to return the P.O. from the Gift Committee and you can get it cashed, and please sent the money in hard cash as we get good value for that.  I had a letter from Joe and he is still out of the trenches. 

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

Your loving brother Billie. 

Joe - Wednesay 12th April 1916

Dear Mother,

I received the parcel and letter and thanks for same.  I was pleased to hear you are all A1 at home. 

We are still out of the trenches and having a fairly decent time.  Well about a leave - I will not be able to manage it this time; in another month or so I might strike lucky.  Syd was going to take me up to the Captain, but Syd was told that there were only six going on leave and that five or six were left over from last time, so we didn't go to the Company Commander.  We have been having decent weather although it has been showery today. 

It is not a bit of wonder men can't get a leave, why officers and sergeant majors are going on their second leaves, so that explains why chaps can't get their first leave.  I have plenty of socks, money &c to be going on with so you needn't send any of these.  You can send me some more envelopes, and a pad as well. 

John and Jess will be very busy preparing for the weddings.  Well I'd have liked to be present, still it can't be helped.  Well I must close.  Hope all at home are well. 

With love to all Joe

Billie - Wednesday 5th April 1916

Dear Janey,

Very many thanks for letter received yesterday, also thank Mater for the lovely parcel which I received on the 3rd in splendid condition.  The pork was lovely - quite a treat; we fairly did enjoy it and no mistake. 

We are out of the trenches, but just in the village, in large dug outs, and we are having quite a decent time.  The weather is lovely now, quite like Summer and almost too warm to do anything, but the nights turn very cold.  You will no doubt know now that we have lost poor Bunny; it was a great shock to all of us and must be a terrible blow for his girl and his people.  John will be upset when he gets my letter telling him the bad news. 

Oh, you will no doubt know that all leaves are stopped, I don't know why but it seems as though I will never get a leave at all.  I met the Captain whilst out yesterday, and he told me he'd had a letter from John asking if it would be possible to get me a leave for Easter, but he said he did not see how it could be done, unless I could get some chap to change with me, and I don't see how I am to manage that; in fact I should not have the cheek to ask anyone, as everyone wants to get leave as soon as he can to see his people.  However something may turn up between now and Easter and with a bit of luck I might manage it, but of course we can do nothing if all leaves are stopped. 

I was sorry to her you were not well and sincerely hope you are much better ere this reaches you.  Sarah's time will be short now, and she will be having a very busy time of it.  You might kindly thank Mrs Mayne for the lovely cake; also thank Miss Rooke for the chocolate.  I will drop them a card as soon as I get time.  I suppose Pater will be very busy yet and must feel the strain very much.  Pleased to hear Joe is A1 but I hope his lot are not coming near us as it is rather warm here at present.  You will all be very busy and not have much time to yourselves.  Jess will not have very long and will be quite busy at Liverpool.  Well I think this is all the news at present so must close, hoping all are well, as this leaves me in the pink.  Must close now as we are going to gather flowers for Bunny's grave.  Cheer Oh. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Joe - Tuesday 4th April 1916

Dear Mother,

I received parcel and letter on Sunday, a day earlier than I have been receiving it these last few weeks.  The handkerchiefs arrived and also a letter from Janey yesterday.  I hope Janey keeps better. 

If you have weather like we are having these last few days you will be able to knock about a bit.  We have had it very hot although it does not look too bright today.  You can please send me some more of that toffee as we can't get any decent out here.  The place Janey mentioned at first is the place where we are (St Pol).  You might let me know where Billie is, as Janey forgot to put it in her letter.  I got a surprise when I heard Alpin had been called up; I thought he would have been over military age.  I received the Sunday Pictorial and John Bull from Jennie, it's jolly good of her to send papers every week and I will write to her soon.  Well I must close.  Hope this finds all at home well. 

With best love to all Joe

Billie - Monday 3rd April 1916

Dear Sarah,

Just a line to let you know I am going on all right and out of the trenches. 

You will no doubt be sorry to hear poor old Bunny was killed on his birthday, 31st March, and buried in the village here on 1st April.  I cannot tell you how I felt when I knew, and I would not believe it till I went and saw him.  As you know Bunny was my most intimate chum ever since I joined the army, and we always got on so well, that I can hardly realise he is gone forever.  I wrote to his Father last night and broke the news very gently to him and told him all particulars and asked him if there was any little thing I could do for him out here, as I would be only too pleased to do it.  We went to his grave yesterday and put one or two things tidy, and then covered the grave with daffodils and as soon as the pioneers are finished we are going to make it as nice as possible.  I can hardly think of the state his people and his finacée will be in, when they hear and it must be a terribly sad time for them.  You might ask Janey if you have got time, to write to his girl and to his people.  I enclose the addresses. 

The weather here is lovely again almost like Summer and it is a treat to get outside it is so warm.  You might send me another writing pad in the next week's parcel.  Well I must close now, hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

I've written to John today and broke the sad news to him. 

Joe - Sunday 2nd April 1916

Dear Janey,

I received your letter and was sorry to hear you had been bad.  I think you work too hard. 

Well, we are still out of the trenches, and I don't know when we will go back.  I was talking to Hugh Bailey and he gave me your message.  I don't know whether I will be able to go down on leave next time our Company draws; I doubt it.  What dates are John's and Jessie's weddings?  I think you told me John's was the day before Jessie's. 

We are having grand weather now, it's just like Summer and I hope it continues to be fine for a few months.  There has been a heavy bombardment going on somewhere up the line; it has been on a few days now. 

You needn't send me any ham or bacon, and we can get eggs out here cheap enough, but you can always put one or two oranges and apples in my parcels, as we can't get any out here.  Father will likely be as busy as ever, I will write to him this week sometime.  I have written to Billie today; I think it is time he had a rest - over 12 months in the trenches and never a rest - I can't understand it. 

We were inspected by Sir Douglas Haig last Friday, we have had plenty of inspections lately.  John will likely still be having a good time, it will be a nice change after being out here.  Well I must close.  Hope all at home are well. 

With love to all Joe