John - Wednesday 14th July 1915

Le Havre

Dear Mother,

I was awfully sorry to hear that you are not better yet.  You must not worry about us out here. 
Billie is not in the trenches again and there is a rumour that they are going to be kept in reserve now that Kitchener's Army is out.  I can't say how long we shall be here.  A number of officers came out this week, and went up the line yesterday so it looks as if we are here for some time yet.  I am quite fit and ready to go back anytime. 

I received Sarah's letter and P.O., also your parcel.  I can't understand how it is my letters and parcels all go up the line.  They evidently do not notice the Base Address.  I had a parcel sent from School, by train and so far I have heard nothing about it.  I had a parcel from my class at school; it had been up to Rouen. 

I'm having a good time here parading the sick every morning so I'm all right while here.  I went on parade once but did not see the joke of going through all the training again.  I don't mind going back to the line but I do mind doing all the drill over again.  I saw the Sergt Major who gave me this job.  I have a nice time now.  We give the cooks an occasional tip and get some very decent grub. I can get a pass into town occasionally. 

I hear all leaves have been stopped up the line, still that is nothing fresh.  I got rid of the Game all right.  I bought some special soap in town and had a good bath with it.  No, I don't want anything in the clothes line at present but I'll let you know as soon as I do; only in my parcel please send me some three Nuns tobacco and matches.  Billie will no doubt dispose of the contents of my parcel that reach him.  I am quite all right and shall not mind going up the line anytime.  You must not worry about us and get knocked up.  I hope you are quite better now.  If we are staying here long I'm writing up for leave. 

Love to all at home John. 

Billie - 10th July 1915

Dear Jess,

Many thanks for the parcel which I received this morning.  Sorry to hear mater is not well and hope by now she is much better. 

The shirts arrived and will be quite a change for me tomorrow (Sunday) when I put it on, considering that all that was left of my other one I had to fasten together as best I could.  However we cannot help these little things, also the socks have come in jolly handy as I was wanting a pair. 

You'll be pleased to hear that we are still at the same place although rumour has it that we move on Monday but hope we are staying longer.  Many thanks for the photos they are great.  I've just been in for a coffee at the Frenchman's and they all think they are "tres bon".  You are quite right in your guess where we are (La Bassee) a few miles behind the firing line and whilst here we are having some very heavy training sometimes out from 4 am till 2 p.m. without anything to eat. 

Pleased to say all the grub arrived safely, and the tomatoes were a treat.  I'm surprised to hear you've got another cat.  Well I think this is all at present.  Hoping all are well.  Leaves have started again but they are sending less now.  Please send me some more envelopes.  Ask Father to thank J. Mayne for fags, it was very good of him. 

Love to all Billie. 

Billie - 9th July 1915

Dear Mater,

Many thanks for parcel received on the 7th.  The potted herrings were grand.  Sorry to hear you were not up to the mark but hope by now that you are quite well.  We are still at the same place and I don't know when we will go back to the trenches.  We are training very hard now to get some of the stiffness of the trench life off us.  We've been up at 4 a.m. three mornings this week and not got back until 2 p.m. and I can tell you we had had enough and were just about famished as we got nothing to eat. 

We were inspected by Lord Kitchener, Prince of Wales and a few other knuts.  It was rather a long job but we did not mind the waiting as it was a fine day.  We will be out on manoeuvres all tomorrow night. 

Kindly thank Aunt Eliza for her P.O. - yes we can get them changed and thank Jennie for her letter.  Have you received all my letters as I've written a lot lately 4 home in the last 7 days so hope you have got them?  You might try and guess where we are and I'll tell you if you're right.  We are about 8 miles behind the firing line so we have got rid of the guns for a bit, so our nerves are getting a rest. 
How is John getting on, I've not heard from him for sometime?  We have a fine time at this Frenchman's.  Bunny and I have been to dinner a few times and we get a good bust up.  I'm in his place now writing this and Bunny is jawing away to him.  We are just going to have a cup of coffee and jolly fine it is. 

Well I think this is all the news so must close.  Hoping Mother, Father and all at home are well also all the aunts as it leaves me in the pink.  Send me a shirt by return as I have just got a bit of one wrapped round me. 

Love Billie. 

P.S. I forgot to tell Jess about Blighty.  Well it is like this.  When a man is wounded his name is entered on a form and there are three forms it could be entered on:

* A is too dangerous to be moved. 
* B is for England - hence Blighty. 
* C is to be kept in France. 

Billie. 

John - 8th July 1915

Havre

Dear Jess,

I am awfully sorry to hear that Mother is not well and hope by this that she is better.  She must just cheer up and not worry so much - I think that is the reason for her being ill. 

There is no prospect of going up the line yet, in fact they say we shall be here most likely another month.  I proposed to Billie that she should come here for her holiday so you can come as well if you like.  It is a jolly decent place this, I have got a permanent job, taking chaps down to the Dentist.  I have been down seven times since I came here.  Of course when you come I shall get a permanent pass, which means that I shall be able to go down everyday.  If Billie and you could only come for a few weeks it would be lovely. 

The latest news of my Battn. is they are working near La Bassee; that is why we are not joining them just yet.  I had a letter from Billie yesterday and he told me all his adventures. 

I had a pleasant surprise in town this morning.  I saw a party of officers and was surprised to see Bert Bennett, Marley (St Bees) Stan Wilson (Dentist) and about a dozen more 5th Border chaps.  Of course we had a decent chat.  They are just staying here until tomorrow and then going to Rouen.  They were all pleased to see me but not half so pleased as I was to see them.  Their huts are just about a hundred yards from my tent so I'm going to see them again tonight in town.  They all look extremely well, and so they ought after such a long holiday in England.  They must be short of officers in the 5th Border if they need 14 reinforcements.  Ewbank's brother was there as well.  I have not had my last week's parcel which you sent me word you'd sent off.  I suppose it will have gone up the line as several of my letters did. 

I must close now as I want to enclose a letter which I want you to send to Joe. 

Love to all John. 

John - Tuesday 6th July 1915

Base Details,
18th Camp, Havre.

Dear Janey & Thompson,

Thank you both for your letters and the enclosed.  I fairly did have a stock to read on Sunday.  I am pleased to say I am all right now and hope to go up the line sometime this week.  Of course we don't know definitely that we shall got this week.  In fact there is a rumour that we are staying here for another few weeks.  I hear that our lot are busy hay- and road-making so they will not require our services for that if true.  They have moved further south so I was told to La Bassee by one of our Lieuts. who came to take us up. 

The weather here is simply scorching, heaps warmer than I have ever experienced it in England.  It will be jolly hot travelling especially seeing it will take us about 48 hours to get to our new destination.  I am expecting to get a leave fairly soon, there are not many who have got more than 5 years service in with the Batt.  When I get mine I think Billie will get his.  Of course they might consider that I have had enough leave down here but it was not my fault that I am here. 

I've had one of my teeth filled but I want a few front ones filling, the dentist said I should have them done soon but he could not do them for me.  Perhaps I shall get them done when my leave comes. 

I must close now as it is time for Parade.  Hoping all are well. 

Love to all John. 

Billie - Sunday 4th July 1915

Dear Mater,

Many thanks for the letters, parcels and papers which I received.  I expect you will have heard from John by this.  I think he must have been moved to England. 

We are having a pretty good time here resting although we have 8 hours' drill every day and they have arranged for a route march every day at the hottest part of the day and each time we have been out yet our officer has got lost and kept us out about 2 hours after our time; but still this is merely a detail but it is not very nice.  Pleased to hear all received the picture P.C.s. 

We are just going to see the Frenchman again; he is a fine sport and gives us lettuce every night for supper.  I would not mind having a few War Loans as I think they are all right. 

We have not had a change of underclothing for 5 weeks.  You might send me a pair of fairly thin socks now, also one of my cotton shirts, as mine is out getting the perspiration dried out of it, and have to wear my jersey until it dries.  It is one of those white cotton ones with black stripes, at least it was but you ought to see it now - all torn and as black as can be.  I dare not wash it or it would fall in bits, and we don't know when we will get a change.  Don't send me a new one, but be sure it is a thin one. 

The heat is too awful for words.  I like the notepaper you sent last it comes in handy.  We have an easy day today; church parade at 3 service in a field, and then we are finished. 

Well I think I've given you all the news so must close.  Hoping all at home are quite well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving son Billie. 

Billie - Friday 2nd July 1915

Dear Jess,

Many thanks to Sarah and yourself for the lovely parcels which arrived in splendid condition.  We are still out of the trenches resting although we are employed all day long bayonet fighting &c.  We paraded at 7.30 this morning for a bath and we have just got back 10.30. 

The weather has been very changeable here, hot and wet.  We had the bath 10 yards from the shaft of a coal pit and the bath belonged to the company.  It was a fine bath and we enjoyed it.  We expect to be moved up anytime now.  Pleased to hear all are well and hope you are still so.  We are going to see the Frenchman again.  We had a concert out in the other night and they would have me to sing, so I gave them the song "Until". 

Sorry to hear John's wound is not healing well, but you can rest assured it is not a poisoned bullet, as they don't use them in machine guns. 

Well I think this is all at present.  Thank Aunt Sally for her letter and tell her I'll write as soon as I've time.  You were right in guessing our position on the line, but we were further up and nearer to Hill 60 than you thought, before we made our first move.  All leaves have been stopped so I am afraid that there is no chance at all. 

Hoping all are well, as I'm still in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie.