Billie - Monday 29th May 1916

Dear Janey,

Very many thanks for lovely parcel received in splendid condition, also thank Mother for her parcel and money we quite enjoyed it.  This parcel is a treat and I can bet we enjoy it. 

You will be thinking I have been a bit slack with letters just lately but the fact of the matter is we have been on four days practising attacks and bivouacking out at night and long marches all day.  We came back here yesterday so hope to have a few more decent days. 

You will no doubt be pleased to know we won the football cup, and it really is a beauty.  We had it presented to us last night and after the presentation the camp officers provided the team at H.O. with a real dinner and I can tell you we had a great time and the champagne was flying about like water.  I never enjoyed myself better and I only wish there were more cups to be played for, if we'd get a time like last night. 

I was very pleased to know from Jess's letter that Mother is in Liverpool and having such a good time.  The change will do her good.  I will write to Jess and she tomorrow. 

I was pleased to hear all are well at home.  Well I think I've no more news so must close, hoping all are well as this leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Joe - Saturday May 27th 1916

Dear May,

I was pleased to receive your letter & thanks very much for the cake your Mother sent.  We are in the trenches, but we are expecting to move back shortly for another rest.  You will have a change now working up at the farm, it will keep you busy.  We have been having some rain these last few days, but it seems as if we are going to have it fine today.  I am enclosing a pansy it was grown in the ruined village near our reserve trenches.  It will not be long now to Haytime a month or two at anyrate.  How is your Grandma Watson keeping, I expect she is better again.  I heard the other day Alex Johnston was killed, he was in the R.E.s sapping a god number of Whitehaven chaps have been killed lately.  The photo's that Jennie sent were very good Fergie had got a smile on.  Well I've no more news at present so must close, hoping this finds all at home well, with love to all

I Remain,

Your loving cousin

Joe

P.S. thanks very much for the [?] Fergie sent. 

Joe - Tuesday 23rd May 1916

Dear Sarah,

I have only found time to answer your letters now.  I expect you like your new work.  If you are having weather like we are at present it will be all right travelling.  I hear Mother has gone to iverpool to Jess, for a holiday; it will do her good.  I was pleased to hear Billie has got out for rest at last.  I think we are going back for another rest and some training.  I had a letter from Jennie and some photos also a letter from May I will have to write to them as soon as I have a little spare time.  Thompson won't have very long at home now unless he gets his appeal granted.  I think he should. 

I met Gilbert Pearson he is in trenches on our right.  He looks well and is a proper Jock, Gilbert has been out here about the same time as out Billie, but he has had one leave, and is looking forward to another. 

You will likely be keeping your business on still, Millie will be in command.  I got the 10/- all right, and thanks very much for same.  I am not in need of any money or anything just now.  I have had a few letters from Jessie, she seems to be settled down in her new home.  A good number of Whitehaven chaps have been wounded and some killed.  Well I've no more news, hoping this finds you all well at home. 

I remains, your loving brother Joe. 

Joe - Monday 22nd May 1916

Dear Mother,

I received your parcels and letters, but I am sorry to say the one containing the lemon cheese got a bit of a smashing up, the pot wasn't broken but most of the contents had run out, nevertheless At will be eaten just the same. 

We are out of the front line and in the reserves again and are going back for another rest in a few days; anyhow I think we have had our last turn in the firing line in this spell.  There was a lively do last night, the Germans started bombarding and our chaps finished it.  We had our first experience of "Tear" shells and we don't want any more.  Our eyes watered for long enough and smarted. 

I see by Janey's letter that you have gone to Liverpool; it will be a nice change for you.  We are having scorching weather and we are basking in the sun, in some very queer surroundings - all the houses down to the ground and talk about fruit trees, the mass is one mass of orchards.  The last day we were in the firing line, about half an hour before we were relieved, we were sitting in the dug out and one or two chaps sitting outside and Fritz had been sending over some rifle grenades.  Well we heard one coming and Jack Rimmer (from Whitehaven) just got his head and shoulders in the dug out when one burst 2 yards away.  He was wounded in two or three places in the leg, and after he had the wounds dressed, he set off to limp down the trench when another grenade came and got him again, also an officer; but I'm glad to say they should pull through all right.  I'm sure they will get to Blighty. 

I wrote to John whilst in the trenches.  Syd is all right and in the pink.  Well I must close

Hoping all are well.  Love Joe. 

Billie - Friday 19th May 1916

Dear Mater,

Very many thanks for the lovely parcel received a few days ago, also for the letter received yesterday.  Also thank Aunt Sallie for the lovely cake and fags she sent me. 

Well we are out resting or should I say training and we are having a jolly decent time of it.  We have been playing football a great deal and our team is excused all parades to allow us to do a bit of training so we will be fit, and I can tell you I feel a lot better for it.  We played the 7th Battalion last night and licked them 4:0 so now we stand a very god chance of winning the Brigade Cup.  If we win this, the officers are going to stand us a slap up feed &c so you may guess we are all pretty keen.  The cup we are playing for is a beauty and competition is very keen, and the gates we get are good. 

I was pleased to hear Janey had gone to Roa Island for a few days as I am sure the change would do her a lot of good.  Pleased to hear Father and you are well and hope it will not be long before I come on a visit to see you.  I had a letter from Sarah a day or two and she seems to be having quite a decent time of it although I expect she will have plenty of work, but she always was keen on work and I reckon this will suit her down to the ground.  I also had a letter from Jess and she seems to be having a very busy time and from all accounts she must have a lovely home now. 

The weather now is a treat - if anything it is too hot, but we have a stream here so can have a bathe when we like, so it is not so bad.  I was sorry to hear Joe's lot are having such a rough time and I hope they will soon be out of it.  I think it was the lot that relieved them that relieved us. 

Well I think this is all the news so hoping all are well, as this leaves me in the pink. 

Cheer oh.  Your loving son Billie. 

Joe - Sunday 14th May 1916

Dear Mother,

We are still out of the trenches and having a fairly decent time.  I heard yesterday that we are not going back to the trenches we came out, but I think we have to go in once more, then perhaps another little rest, then move to some other part of the line.  I expect my parcel will arrive today and then I'll get this letter away.  Bob Skinner is in England now also Tom Donnan, so I hope they pull through all right. 

I had a letter from Jess, I will write to her in a few days.  They hadn't a long honeymoon.  I think there will be a lot more chaps called up, now that compulsion has come in.  Billie will be ready for a rest and no mistake and it's quite time he got a leave.  I had some good cracks with Gilbert Pearson- he has been out nearly as long as Billie, but he has had a leave.  If you look in the papers you will no doubt often see the place where we are, and just take notice of the different places where mines have been exploded, and then mention a few names and I'll tell you which is right. 

"A" company played some French sappers at football yesterday and we had some fun; the best part of the Frenchmen hardly knew how to kick the ball so our chaps let them score.  We won 5:3 but it was not a matter of goals - it would have been a cricket score if our lads had wished. 

I had a letter from Jennie and some photos, so I will write to her and I will write to Aunt Sallie and thank her for her loaf.  I was going to send a letter with a chap who was going on leave but he got away before I had time to give him it.  Oh I've received a parcel all right and thanks for same.  Well I've no more news at present so must close.  Hoping this finds all at home well. 

With love to all Joe

Billie - Sunday 14th May 1916

Dear Jess,

Very many thanks for the letter received a few days ago.  You will no doubt be pleased to hear we have really been relieved at last and we are now 15 miles behind the line resting.  We are in barns in a village just outside a decent town, and they grant a few passes every day so it is not so bad.  I went yesterday and had a jolly decent meal for a change. 

We had it jolly rough the first two days we were out as we went up the line a bit and bivouacked in a wood and had to go digging every night for 8 hours and jolly hard work it was too.  I never felt so tired in all my life.  The weather was awful while we were on this game - poured with rain the whole time, but it made no difference we had to go on digging wet or fine, so we were in a nice state I can tell you, covered in mud and wet through.  However after two days of this we were ordered to pack up and clean ourselves a bit and then we set off to come here.  We were inspected on the road by the Army Corp Commander and he was very pleased with the way we marched past.  We are having a fairly easy time of it up to the present and you may guess we are enjoying ourselves.  The whole brigade has been issued with new rifles and bayonets so it looks promising for a bit of scrapping. 

I got a threepenny piece out of your bride's cake and a pal of mine got a silver donkey out also.  I expect to be home on leave in about a month's time with a bit of luck.  Well I think this is all the news up to the present so must close.  Hoping John and you are quite well and with kindest regards to all at Woodside. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

Just had a letter from Sarah she seems to be having a nice time in Dumfries.  Oh the Scotch short cake you sent me was great. 

Billie - Saturday 13th May 1916

Dear Janey,

Very many thanks for home letters and parcels received a few days ago.  You will no doubt be pleased to learn that we are at last away from the line and are now in a small village situated outside a fairly decent little town and they grant a few passes every day to go into this town so it is not so bad.  I went yesterday and had a good look round and had a jolly good meal - pork, beans and potatoes - quite a change after army rations especially those we have had lately. 

I was awfully sorry to hear you were still not well and hope by this reaches you that you are much better.  At any rate you must take greater care of yourself, it is no use keeping peggin' on; you have a jolly good rest and tell Thompson from me that he must try and get an extension.  I'm sure he ought to when you see the petty things some of them are getting them for.  At any rate you must not worry yourself, it will all come right in the end. 

I was pleased to hear Father and Mother are well, and hope if things go on well too be home with you all in a month's time.  However do not build too much on this as they may stop again any time.  I am sorry to hear Joe was having such a rough time and hope they'll soon move him away from that quarter.  I must write to him in a day or two.  Our brigade has been issued with new rifles and bayonets yesterday.  Kindly remember me to all, hope Mr Ray is keeping better. 

Well I think this is all the news.  Hoping all at home are well, also all aunts and cousins.  Cheer oh. 

Your loving brother Billie

Joe - Wednesday 10th May 1916

Dear Mother,

I received your parcel yesterday and thanks for same.  We came out of the trenches last night and are out for 6 days.  I was sorry to hear Janey has not been well and expect she is better again.  Jess will likely be back at Liverpool and settling down. 

Jim Williamson was accidentally wounded; a chap was cleaning his rifle and he fired a round, wounding Jim in the thigh, but as luck happened it is not very serious, no doubt he will get to England though.  We are having fairly decent weather now and rain now and again, but still we can't complain.  I got Janey's letter the same day as the parcel.  Bert Kelly went on leave today so he will be in Whitehaven shortly.  I wrote to Billie a while since but have had no reply yet.  I was talking with Gilbert Pearson today.  He is just on our right, he is in the 6th Black Watch.  I had a letter from Sarah today from Dumfries; I must write and thank her for the 10/- she sent me.  Well I've no more news at present so must close.  Hoping this finds all well at home. 

I remain, Your loving son Joe

Billie - Tuesday 9th May 1916

Dear Mater,

Very many thanks for the lovely parcels received last week also for the money I received safely.  Also thank Sarah for the money she sent.  I will write to her as soon as I get time.  Yes the wine arrived in perfect condition. 

Well you will no doubt be pleased to hear that we have really been relieved at last, but up to the present we have not had much rest.  We marched about 5 miles back and had a couple of days' rest and then we came just behind the firing line and we were digging here for 7 hours right of the reel, so you may guess that we were pretty tired when we got back at 3 this morning.  We are bivouacked on top of a hill and the weather is awfully cold, wild and wet - so you may bet we are looking forward to when we move from here.  These bivouacs are a treat and no mistake; they were up when we came and if you get full stretch half the chaps wouldn't get in - if you have your head under the shelter you have your feet out.  However we move from here tomorrow and go off back behind the line some 15 miles or so, so we do not mind putting up with this for the present.  We will not be able to send many letters while we are on the move so do not be alarmed if you do not hear from me for a few days. 

I was sorry to hear that Janey was not better; you want to get her to stay over at home and look after herself.  Pleased to hear the rest are all well.  You won't half have a small family with Jess at Liverpool and Sarah travelling.  You will no doubt be feeling a bit lonely but never mind there are better times in store for all of us.  Tell Jess and Sarah I will write as soon as we get settled down, also I'll write to our John.  Sorry to hear Joe is having such a rough time and I hope they will soon be moved from that quarter.  I hope Thompson is well. 

Well I must close as I want to catch the post.  Hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving son Billie

Joe - Tuesday 2nd May 1916

Dear Janey,

Thanks for letter and parcels received.  I also received one from Ghyll Bank. 

Well we are back in the trenches again, we are going up to the firing line tomorrow, we have been having a rest in reserves.  I will not be able to write many letters for another 6 days so you will know the reason. 

Thompson will likely be busy.  I hardly think his group will be called up although there is no telling.  I will give Syd a piece of the bride's cake, I got a threepenny piece and a small silver horse show out of the cake so I didn't do bad eh?  Nearly all the chaps in our section drank Jessie's and John's health and I think we all wished there were weddings every day.  You will have to thank Jess for me and I will write to her when she gets settled.  I will have to write to Billie and thank her for her parcel too. 

Leaves have started again but I don't know whether I will be enough to get.  I would like to see Billie get home - he has had a long spell. 

You would likely hear about B. Skinner and all the others.  We had four killed and one wounded the other night so we had rotten luck.  Well I've no more news at present so must close. 

With love to you all.  Your loving brother Joe. 

Billie - Monday 1st May 1916

Dear Janey,

Very many thanks for Jess' parcel received last night which all enjoyed so much.  I have not cut the cake yet so I will let you know if I get anthing out of it.  I was very pleased to hear everything went off all right, I suppose you were not sorry when it was all over eh? 

The weather now is lovely just like proper Summer and you can guess we are making the most of it.  I am out resting for another day and it is quite a treat to get one's equipment and coat off and get cool.  After this spell we are out for 24 days so we will get a rest if nothing else, and it will be a treat if this weather continues. 

Did you see the photo of Bunny in the Daily Sketch last week.  Well you will no doubt know that all leaves are starting again, so I should not be so very long now, at least I hope not.  I was very pleased to hear all are well at home. 

What do you think of the doings in Ireland?  They are getting to a nice pitch are they not?  Have you heard from Joe lately?  If so, is he in the line again?  Yes, you might send me some more money please seeing we will be out for 24 days.  I had another jolly decent parcel from the Director two days ago; jolly good of him is it not?  Suppose Sarah will be very busy now.  Does Thompson know when he will be called up, not for some time yet I hope? 

Well I think this is all the news at present so must close, hoping all at home are tip top as this leaves me in the pink. 

Cheer, oh.  Your loving brother Billie.