Joe - Saturday 29th July 1916

Dear Mother,

I received your parcel dated 20th and thanks for same.  We are behind the lines at present, but very close to the trenches.  We might go in anytime but I think we will be going back for a good rest in a week or so.  We are having very fine weather, I think Summer is only starting.  I've written to our John and to Father, in fact I've sent quite a few letters off, but they seem to take a long while to get through. 

Have you heard anything about Billie?  Is he in the 4th Division.  The Division he used to be in relieved us in the last trenches but I told you about that.  Father will likely be as busy as ever.  There was a chap called Andrew Douglas, Janey was talking to him when he was down on leave, he was on our Gun Section and was killed on 3rd July.  He was a decent chap and I was going to write to his wife, but I was under the impression that our Sergeant was writing.  Well Sergeant Graham had a letter from Mrs Douglas and she didn't know her husband was killed, and she is in a terrible way, and I can tell you I miss Andrew very much.  He lived in Ginns.  Have you any idea where Frank Wilkinson is?  He thought he was coming to France.  Syd is all right, he showed me a letter in which Mrs Graham said you had telephoned to Warwick about Billie and that he was all right up to the date of enquiry. 

Well I must close, hoping all are well.  Best love to all,

I remain your loving son Joe. 

Wednesday 26th July 1916

Letter from War Office stating poor Billie as

WOUNDED AND MISSING SINCE 1st JULY. 

Joe - Tuesday 18th July 1916

Dear Mother,

I was pleased to hear all at home are well, and I'm pleased to tell you I am not the worse for the advance we have been in.  We have lost a lot of good chaps but it likely can't be helped.  I got a parcel yesterday when we came out of the trenches.  I think it had been waiting for me a week, as we never got any post in the trenches.  Oh, I've just received another parcel. 

Now don't worry about me, I'm tip top.  I think we have done our share, we have been in four charges.  Syd is all right, never believe rumours, it's marvellous how they get about.  Talk about souvenirs, German helmets and all kinds of stuff.  I can tell you the Germans did not want for anything, their dugouts were splendid and hardly any worse after all the bombardment.  The 8th Warwicks (Billie's regiment) took over our trenches and I was going up to see Billie but we had to move out any minute so I did not manage to get up, but a lad out of our lot was talking to a mate of Billie's and he said Billie was wounded so I think it must be true, anyway you don't want to worry, I think you'll have had word by now.  The war looks like drawing to a close and I don't think anyone will be sorry.  Our Division has taken a good number of prisoners and they seem pleased to give themselves up, but are very frightened they will get shot.  John will hardly get out here again, I, hope he doesn't.  Janey was right in what she said.  Well I've no more news at present so must close. 

With love to all.  Hoping this finds all well at Home. 

Your loving son Joe. 

Joe - Sunday 2nd July 1916

Dear Janey,

I received the parcel with the chicken in also that one from Coopers.  The chicken was grand and no mistake and we didn't half enjoy it.  What do you think of the news in the papers?  It is grand isn't it?  I can see the war finishing in no time.  We are not in action yet.  Well I want to catch the post.  By the way our Billie had been in the next village to us, but I think he has been moved, but we are not allowed out of our own village. 

With love to all Joe. 

1st July - First Day of the Battle of the Somme

"It was one of the largest battles of World War I, in which more than 1,000,000 men were wounded or killed, making it one of the bloodiest battles in human history."
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Somme

Joe - Friday 30th June 1916

Dear Mother,

I received your card also a parcel from Janey, one from Sarah and one with a pineapple from Jess and two apples, but I've not received the one you sent from Coopers with the tin of butter in.  We are still out of the trenches and I think a good distance from Billie.  I got a number of cards from home and from Jess and John and Billie and John for my birthday.  I expect you had a good time at Liverpool it would be a nice change for you.  You needn't send any more paper and envelopes at present.  If you are still able to send parcels (if not stopped) you might send another tin of health salts, as they make a good drink, but you need not send tins of butter we get them pretty regular.  Well I've no more news so must close. 

Hoping this finds all at Home well. 

Your loving son Joe. 

Billie - Monday 26th June 1916

Dear Jess,

Very many thanks for Sarah's parcel which I received in splendid condition a few days ago. 

You will be pleased to know we are out of the trenches and these last few days we've had a grand time and the weather has been great - scorching hot - and have practically nothing to do and no parades, we have quite enjoyed it.  We moved up here - just behind the line two days ago. 

I was very pleased to hear Mater was still down with you and having a good time of it.  Tell her to stay a week or two longer as I will not be home on leave for a week or two yet at least, but I will let you know as soon as I know for certain.  I was very pleased to hear Joe is out of the line and I bet he was pleased to get out of that little lot.  Glad to hear Janey is keeping better, also Sarah - she is not half doing some moving and by all accounts is doing jolly well.  I suppose Pater will still be working as hard as ever, and must be feeling ready for a decent holiday.  I had a letter from our John a few weeks ago, he is having to work a bit harder, but he cannot grumble as he had a good spell of nothing to do much. 

Oh the football team was invited to a dinner by the Colonel and officers of the Headquarters and we had a fine time of it.  We also had our photos taken, but we could not get our togs to be taken in them.  However we had the cup and that was the chief thing.  Oh Mr Hoskins was asking after our John, and said I had to tell him he was a long time in writing. 

Well I think this is all at present so must close hoping all are well and with kindest regards to all at Woodside &c. 

Your loving brother Billie.