Date: October 27th 1917
Address: Church Army Recreation Hut or Tent - on active service with the British Expeditionary Force
From: Tom
To: George
In answer to your letter of 19th I am still in the pink. Have been in the line again, but out for a rest at present and I expect to go for a course on LG on 30th so that I haven't had such a bad time so far. There's nothing else but Minnies flying about the trenches.
The weather is R O T T E N.
Ginger Robinson came back top A Coy two days ago, still as noisy as ever. Albert Wilson is now ?/Sgt. Brimer is back came about same time as I did. Arty Gilmour is still here; he's had a sexton's job for some time but has rejoined when we came out of the line to REST. Lt Stearn is here again and Lt Rothfield is OC A Coy. Sgt Hope got made CSM but got Blighty first time up after promotion. Dicky Hope is CSM of D Coy. Crooks was Sgt when I came but has lost one stripe. Bob Kelly was Cpl, but lost both for being absent a few days off Blighty leave. All the batt news for the present. Tell Micky Smith that A Coy is in need of some reinforcements badly there's only two platoons and both very weak. He may volunteer after he has another course or two; he might have been Sgt Maj by now. I wrote to Lockey about a fortnight ago so he will probably have got the letter by now. Tell him I'm keeping fit.
Keep that job going. I see that the lads GET their rations, compre. If you cannot do your bit out here any more, do it when you are drawing rations. I'm in the pink and
Wishing you the Best of Luck
I remain
Yours, Tom
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: In WWI the German Army used a type of trench mortar called a Minenwerfer. This was nicknamed the 'minnie' by the Allied forces
http://www.phrases.org.uk/index.html
Monday, 25 August 2014
Thursday, 14 August 2014
A Trip to Middleton on Tees with the Wounded Soldiers
Date: June 21st 1917
Address: Not given
From: (in Tom Gray's handwriting)
To: Father & All
Received your letter this morning and pleased to know that the 15 quid has arrived. What you intend doing with it is quite right and I may say that the paymaster's statement of accounts is correct to the 1/2d. I still have my pay book and the previous communications from the paymaster and I am keeping them all, so that I know exactly how I stand; and I'll take good care (of) my credit.
My toe was a bit sore when I was walking and I found that my big toe nail had dropped off and was like a thorn in the flesh, toe is allright.
Yesterday there was an outing for 150 wounded soldiers from Brancepeth and Auckland. They were a few short so sent bus up here for reinforcements and I was sent with 17 men to help them out of the difficulty. That will be about the only time we ever reinforced with pleasure. Early on we lost a tyre off the back wheel and had to get another car to take some of the load. We went on with half a load, all of us on the good side of the bus. In turning a corner the bus tried to imitate a tank and climb up a retaining wall and only managed to get a yard from the ground. We were all on the side that was lifted so it fell back and righted in the nick of time; bent front axle and put steering gear out of action. We finished up with 14 of us on a 5-seater car, on the bonnet and footboards. The whole town of Middleton on Tees were entertaining us and we had two good feeds etc, a bit of a concert and set off back at 8pm, getting back to Hall 10.30. We got there after 2pm and the ride was fine, but in coming back it was raining and foggy and we couldn't make out the scenery. We were the first batch of wounded soldiers to visit the place, so you can guess what a reception we had, flags, etc, school holiday.
Address: Not given
From: (in Tom Gray's handwriting)
To: Father & All
Received your letter this morning and pleased to know that the 15 quid has arrived. What you intend doing with it is quite right and I may say that the paymaster's statement of accounts is correct to the 1/2d. I still have my pay book and the previous communications from the paymaster and I am keeping them all, so that I know exactly how I stand; and I'll take good care (of) my credit.
My toe was a bit sore when I was walking and I found that my big toe nail had dropped off and was like a thorn in the flesh, toe is allright.
Yesterday there was an outing for 150 wounded soldiers from Brancepeth and Auckland. They were a few short so sent bus up here for reinforcements and I was sent with 17 men to help them out of the difficulty. That will be about the only time we ever reinforced with pleasure. Early on we lost a tyre off the back wheel and had to get another car to take some of the load. We went on with half a load, all of us on the good side of the bus. In turning a corner the bus tried to imitate a tank and climb up a retaining wall and only managed to get a yard from the ground. We were all on the side that was lifted so it fell back and righted in the nick of time; bent front axle and put steering gear out of action. We finished up with 14 of us on a 5-seater car, on the bonnet and footboards. The whole town of Middleton on Tees were entertaining us and we had two good feeds etc, a bit of a concert and set off back at 8pm, getting back to Hall 10.30. We got there after 2pm and the ride was fine, but in coming back it was raining and foggy and we couldn't make out the scenery. We were the first batch of wounded soldiers to visit the place, so you can guess what a reception we had, flags, etc, school holiday.
Monday, 28 April 2014
The Durham Pals: News from the Front, Kitchener Criticised and the Reputation of Liver Pills
Date: 25th May 1915
Address: 14th Battalion Durham LI, A Coy, Halton Camp East, Nr Tring, Herts
From: Pte. T.Gray 15601
To: Father, Lily, Brother
Dear Father , Lily and Brother
We got your letter allright and pleased to (hear) you are all feeling fit. We are in the same condition. I thank you all for the cakes and etcs. which you sent for my birthday but if the Kaiser is to get one of the bullets ..... sent we must have at our disposal an unlimited suppy of ammunition; the bullets didn't last very long when there was two or three popping them off. The cakes were allrightand we saw to it that not a crumb was wasted.
George Curry's regiment came into the North Camp here last week and I went up to see him on Saturday and inquire if he had heard anything from his brother Bob. He was away on pass (Aylesbury and London) and I did not see him.
From the accounts in the papers the 8th D.L.I. did very well but suffered heavily. The British withdrew their line 3 or 4 miles at Ypres where they were fighting, so that will account for him being missing, probably he has been taken prisoner. If this is so it will probably be some time before any definite news is heard of him.
Bob is not an officer's servant. He was only servant for a fortnight previous to going into billets. He was not needed at the billets and since then the lieutenant(?) has been away at different places going through courses of instruction. He is now a captain (?). I don't think Bob's services are required. I had a PC from George last week and I got a letter today. He had about got over his vaccination innoculation. He has been on the range again and did badly but we have a lot of men as bad as him. Bad shots will probably be put on home defence or discharged, or they might even transfer them into some branch of the army where shooting is not so essential as it is in the infantry. For instance they could work in the A.S.C. stores, packing and unpacking etc. or they might be trained as drivers for the artillery. I saw a week or two ago that a bill was going through Parliament to give the Army Authorities the power to transfer men from a branch of the army to another if they thought it necessary. As he is a groom and on the transport he will be doing useful work and I think he will be supplied with glasses and I don't think he will be discharged for his eyesight. The transport men will probably be fully employed in bringing up ammunition, water, jam, bread and bully-beef for the men in the firing line. At any rate when he does get glasses he will be one of the thousands who are wearing glasses in Kitchener's Army. We have men who are now N.C.O.s who wear glasses and a few of the officers wear glasses. I have noticed before that men and lads wearing spurs strut about like the poultry with spurs.
I knew the deputy you mention as having happened as accident; he is Hugh Davis (not Davies) and his parents live in No.13 South T(errace?). I saw that the miners had got a 15% advance but I did not expect that you would get anything without seeking for it. Good luck. Do you ever see old Freddy my marrow?
I was wondering if your Carnival would be anything like the one last year. I remember two or three brave men who thought they were becoming in a dashing military uniform. Certainly they were bold; and they have proved themselves - brave. Evidently the bright coloured PEACE uniform fits them better than the FIGHTING khaki. Brindley the motor cycle scorcher will get his appetite satisfied now when he has to scorch over all sorts of fields in the training to make him efficient for active service.
I heard of Jack Amos getting knocked about. Our hut hasn't been as bad as that. We are not angels though. We get some sport after lights out ragging one another, just like boys at a boarding school. If we had been civilians and saw soldiers carrying on as we do we would say Look at those fellows like a lot of kids. But, we have to get some sort of amusement. Teddy Clark has been working at Easington lately and lodging with Gilhespy's. I knew he was going to be married and then he was going to enlist. He has now done both things and is he is in the Durham Pals. I bet Gulley is like a pouter pigeon now and Nesbitt will be very important. They ought to have Iron Crosses.
I knew most of the men belonging Coalbank but did not see the familiar faces of the Stabler family and only one Wilson. I guess they will be keeping themselves well sheltered in the attic just as they did in the National Miners Strike.
I expect Frank will have started on the first step to be a barber. I don't know whether he will keep on but it is money for nowt being a barber provided you have plenty of chins and nuts.
We had hard lines in the Marching Order Race last week. Twelve men represented each company and it was a race for 5 miles with full uniform equipment; and rifle, and I think we are all in a very good condition when we managed a tough job like that. I could hardly run a couple of hundred yards before joining but we were like team go-as-you-please.
We had some sports yesterday organised by a gentleman with plenty cash at the Wesleyan Hut. We had all sorts of games and competitions and the entrance fee of nopence suited us champion. Bob was orderly man and missed the earlier part of the sports. I made up for him and entered everything on the go, and I can boast without contradiction that I was a good looser. We had tea on the grass for nopence each and everybody had sufficient cash to pay the bill. We had games after tea and then the distribution of the prizes. The prizes included such things as liver pills, soap, cigarettes and baccy and tin toys. I got 4 prizes but I was not a great deal richer except for some soap and baccy.
George sent me a PO for 1s this morning for my birthday gift to buy a cigar with, but I think I'll buy my first pipe. The liver pills which Jack got for a prize have made a reputation for themselves allready.
Italy is now at War, and fighting against our enemies. I am of the opinion that now that Italy has joined in the chorus , that Germany and Austria will shorten their battle front so that they will more effectively keep their enemies back. I think that under cover of the pressure on the Western front at the present time the German Army will shortly fall back on the 2nd Line of Defence on the Rhine. The Dardanelles is proving to be a tough job and I would not be surprised if some of the Balkan states joined in.
During the last month our lines have been getting a gruelling with the gas and shells. In today's paper there is a list of the new Government. The important positions of Prime Minister, War Minister, Munition Minister, Forces ..(?) are filled by good men but I do .....what Mr.Balfour will do at the.... For some time past it has .... slowly brought to the British public the true state of affairs in France and also the fact ..... Every Man Must Do His Share. I agree with those who say that the Government ought to put everybody and all things under State control for the duration of war in order to get a sufficient supply of men, guns, ammunition, equipment, etc. Many things could be done away with for a time to release men for war service. I refer to such things as reducing tramway services, the sinking of new collieries, the building of new picture halls, etc. The starting of new concerns and money-making by excursions, trips, motor companies could wait. I do not mean every man to be a soldier but all the young fellows who are able enough and who are not employed on war service. Some skilled workers could do more useful work at home such as sending two or three Horden Colliery fitters to Elswick; while at many War Service Factories young fellows are employed at labouring who could (be) soldiers and their places filled by men such as paperhangers, and other soft jobs. For instance the new railway for the Hazard could be stopped, and the places of young deputies and overmen filled by older men. Also it is not necessary that all barbers, butchers, porters, etc should be young eligible men (Horden).
I think the letter by Bishop Furze (something like that) published today and other articles recently published make it very clear that instead of the "business as usual" method and the "voluntary" war service it is absolutely necessary that the whole of the British Nation should be called upon to do only necessary work if we are to end the war successfully. Our enemies are all on this war service basis and I hope the present Government will take a firmer control of affairs in order that this may be done.
I see that Kitchener has come through his criticism decently. His job has proved too much for him, his work of gathering together and training new armies is a very big job; and the position of Munition Minister is one which will keep Lloyd George very busy organising and controlling the munition output.
The critics of Kitchener blamed him for sending the wrong shells but he couldn't send all high explosive shells when there wasn't machinery to make tham fast enough and if shrapnel isn't much use it's better than nothing. It stands to reason that if we have two classes of shells and only one sort is used the supply of that kind of shell will run out very quickly in this war. We must remember that Germany has been preparing 40 years while we have been preparing 9 months.
We have been getting some new recruits lately, 5 last week; all ex-soldiers and 4 of them ex-policemen from Sunderland. Other two raw recruits came last night, they only enlisted on Saturday but have a mate in here.
We are still doing the same sort of work, field days, and drilling. The weather has been fine these last few days and today we have been drilling with our tunics off and shirtsleeves up. We don't wear pants, vests or waistcoats now so we will be sending our cast-offs home. They are only in the way here. The next time you send hose send socks instead of stockings. Stocking legs are too warm, as we have out puttees over our trousers.
We haven't done any shooting on the big range but somebody has been shooting today. Two companies of our men were on a three days scheme last week ............(2 lines illegible).
I don't think I mentioned that we had Sir Thomas Barlow(?) (the King's physician) down here a fortnight ago giving us a lecture. From a part of the lecture and other articles I have seen the last three months I have changed my mind and if I get the chance I will be innoculated before going out. I am now satisfied that it has done good in France.
I was orderly yesterday and it is my washing day and that is the (reason?) of the letter being (late).
(Illegible line) a terrible one unfortunately half a battalion of trained men have been knocked out before they got to France. They seem to have been on their way to the front when there was ammunition on them. By the way the casualties at the front are very heavy at the present time.
So ended an other epistle. Love to all.
Your loving son and brother
Tom
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
This letter was written in pencil (as were most of the documents) on YMCA provided notepaper. There are burn marks through this document which make some parts illegible.
Address: 14th Battalion Durham LI, A Coy, Halton Camp East, Nr Tring, Herts
From: Pte. T.Gray 15601
To: Father, Lily, Brother
Dear Father , Lily and Brother
We got your letter allright and pleased to (hear) you are all feeling fit. We are in the same condition. I thank you all for the cakes and etcs. which you sent for my birthday but if the Kaiser is to get one of the bullets ..... sent we must have at our disposal an unlimited suppy of ammunition; the bullets didn't last very long when there was two or three popping them off. The cakes were allrightand we saw to it that not a crumb was wasted.
George Curry's regiment came into the North Camp here last week and I went up to see him on Saturday and inquire if he had heard anything from his brother Bob. He was away on pass (Aylesbury and London) and I did not see him.
From the accounts in the papers the 8th D.L.I. did very well but suffered heavily. The British withdrew their line 3 or 4 miles at Ypres where they were fighting, so that will account for him being missing, probably he has been taken prisoner. If this is so it will probably be some time before any definite news is heard of him.
Bob is not an officer's servant. He was only servant for a fortnight previous to going into billets. He was not needed at the billets and since then the lieutenant(?) has been away at different places going through courses of instruction. He is now a captain (?). I don't think Bob's services are required. I had a PC from George last week and I got a letter today. He had about got over his vaccination innoculation. He has been on the range again and did badly but we have a lot of men as bad as him. Bad shots will probably be put on home defence or discharged, or they might even transfer them into some branch of the army where shooting is not so essential as it is in the infantry. For instance they could work in the A.S.C. stores, packing and unpacking etc. or they might be trained as drivers for the artillery. I saw a week or two ago that a bill was going through Parliament to give the Army Authorities the power to transfer men from a branch of the army to another if they thought it necessary. As he is a groom and on the transport he will be doing useful work and I think he will be supplied with glasses and I don't think he will be discharged for his eyesight. The transport men will probably be fully employed in bringing up ammunition, water, jam, bread and bully-beef for the men in the firing line. At any rate when he does get glasses he will be one of the thousands who are wearing glasses in Kitchener's Army. We have men who are now N.C.O.s who wear glasses and a few of the officers wear glasses. I have noticed before that men and lads wearing spurs strut about like the poultry with spurs.
I knew the deputy you mention as having happened as accident; he is Hugh Davis (not Davies) and his parents live in No.13 South T(errace?). I saw that the miners had got a 15% advance but I did not expect that you would get anything without seeking for it. Good luck. Do you ever see old Freddy my marrow?
I was wondering if your Carnival would be anything like the one last year. I remember two or three brave men who thought they were becoming in a dashing military uniform. Certainly they were bold; and they have proved themselves - brave. Evidently the bright coloured PEACE uniform fits them better than the FIGHTING khaki. Brindley the motor cycle scorcher will get his appetite satisfied now when he has to scorch over all sorts of fields in the training to make him efficient for active service.
I heard of Jack Amos getting knocked about. Our hut hasn't been as bad as that. We are not angels though. We get some sport after lights out ragging one another, just like boys at a boarding school. If we had been civilians and saw soldiers carrying on as we do we would say Look at those fellows like a lot of kids. But, we have to get some sort of amusement. Teddy Clark has been working at Easington lately and lodging with Gilhespy's. I knew he was going to be married and then he was going to enlist. He has now done both things and is he is in the Durham Pals. I bet Gulley is like a pouter pigeon now and Nesbitt will be very important. They ought to have Iron Crosses.
I knew most of the men belonging Coalbank but did not see the familiar faces of the Stabler family and only one Wilson. I guess they will be keeping themselves well sheltered in the attic just as they did in the National Miners Strike.
I expect Frank will have started on the first step to be a barber. I don't know whether he will keep on but it is money for nowt being a barber provided you have plenty of chins and nuts.
We had hard lines in the Marching Order Race last week. Twelve men represented each company and it was a race for 5 miles with full uniform equipment; and rifle, and I think we are all in a very good condition when we managed a tough job like that. I could hardly run a couple of hundred yards before joining but we were like team go-as-you-please.
We had some sports yesterday organised by a gentleman with plenty cash at the Wesleyan Hut. We had all sorts of games and competitions and the entrance fee of nopence suited us champion. Bob was orderly man and missed the earlier part of the sports. I made up for him and entered everything on the go, and I can boast without contradiction that I was a good looser. We had tea on the grass for nopence each and everybody had sufficient cash to pay the bill. We had games after tea and then the distribution of the prizes. The prizes included such things as liver pills, soap, cigarettes and baccy and tin toys. I got 4 prizes but I was not a great deal richer except for some soap and baccy.
George sent me a PO for 1s this morning for my birthday gift to buy a cigar with, but I think I'll buy my first pipe. The liver pills which Jack got for a prize have made a reputation for themselves allready.
Italy is now at War, and fighting against our enemies. I am of the opinion that now that Italy has joined in the chorus , that Germany and Austria will shorten their battle front so that they will more effectively keep their enemies back. I think that under cover of the pressure on the Western front at the present time the German Army will shortly fall back on the 2nd Line of Defence on the Rhine. The Dardanelles is proving to be a tough job and I would not be surprised if some of the Balkan states joined in.
During the last month our lines have been getting a gruelling with the gas and shells. In today's paper there is a list of the new Government. The important positions of Prime Minister, War Minister, Munition Minister, Forces ..(?) are filled by good men but I do .....what Mr.Balfour will do at the.... For some time past it has .... slowly brought to the British public the true state of affairs in France and also the fact ..... Every Man Must Do His Share. I agree with those who say that the Government ought to put everybody and all things under State control for the duration of war in order to get a sufficient supply of men, guns, ammunition, equipment, etc. Many things could be done away with for a time to release men for war service. I refer to such things as reducing tramway services, the sinking of new collieries, the building of new picture halls, etc. The starting of new concerns and money-making by excursions, trips, motor companies could wait. I do not mean every man to be a soldier but all the young fellows who are able enough and who are not employed on war service. Some skilled workers could do more useful work at home such as sending two or three Horden Colliery fitters to Elswick; while at many War Service Factories young fellows are employed at labouring who could (be) soldiers and their places filled by men such as paperhangers, and other soft jobs. For instance the new railway for the Hazard could be stopped, and the places of young deputies and overmen filled by older men. Also it is not necessary that all barbers, butchers, porters, etc should be young eligible men (Horden).
I think the letter by Bishop Furze (something like that) published today and other articles recently published make it very clear that instead of the "business as usual" method and the "voluntary" war service it is absolutely necessary that the whole of the British Nation should be called upon to do only necessary work if we are to end the war successfully. Our enemies are all on this war service basis and I hope the present Government will take a firmer control of affairs in order that this may be done.
I see that Kitchener has come through his criticism decently. His job has proved too much for him, his work of gathering together and training new armies is a very big job; and the position of Munition Minister is one which will keep Lloyd George very busy organising and controlling the munition output.
The critics of Kitchener blamed him for sending the wrong shells but he couldn't send all high explosive shells when there wasn't machinery to make tham fast enough and if shrapnel isn't much use it's better than nothing. It stands to reason that if we have two classes of shells and only one sort is used the supply of that kind of shell will run out very quickly in this war. We must remember that Germany has been preparing 40 years while we have been preparing 9 months.
We have been getting some new recruits lately, 5 last week; all ex-soldiers and 4 of them ex-policemen from Sunderland. Other two raw recruits came last night, they only enlisted on Saturday but have a mate in here.
We are still doing the same sort of work, field days, and drilling. The weather has been fine these last few days and today we have been drilling with our tunics off and shirtsleeves up. We don't wear pants, vests or waistcoats now so we will be sending our cast-offs home. They are only in the way here. The next time you send hose send socks instead of stockings. Stocking legs are too warm, as we have out puttees over our trousers.
We haven't done any shooting on the big range but somebody has been shooting today. Two companies of our men were on a three days scheme last week ............(2 lines illegible).
I don't think I mentioned that we had Sir Thomas Barlow(?) (the King's physician) down here a fortnight ago giving us a lecture. From a part of the lecture and other articles I have seen the last three months I have changed my mind and if I get the chance I will be innoculated before going out. I am now satisfied that it has done good in France.
I was orderly yesterday and it is my washing day and that is the (reason?) of the letter being (late).
(Illegible line) a terrible one unfortunately half a battalion of trained men have been knocked out before they got to France. They seem to have been on their way to the front when there was ammunition on them. By the way the casualties at the front are very heavy at the present time.
So ended an other epistle. Love to all.
Your loving son and brother
Tom
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
This letter was written in pencil (as were most of the documents) on YMCA provided notepaper. There are burn marks through this document which make some parts illegible.
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
Good News - We Are Going To France
Date: Not given
Address: 3rd Platoon A Coy 14th Battalion Durham LI, Halton Park Camp, Nr Tring, Herts
From: Bob
To: George
Dear George
I am glad that I can write and tell you that we are all keeping well and in the best of health. We are still enjoying camp life - it is nice and healthy and full of fun. Father was telling us that you had a boil on your face. You did not say anything about it in your letter. I hope that you have now got shot of it as they are not very pleasant company. I have got some good news for you, at least it is for us. The Sergeant Major picked twenty-five men out of each platoon to get ready to go to France. He said that we might be there in an about a fortnight or three weeks for musketry training. Tom, Jack and I are among the 25. Jim wasn't on parade or else he might have been one as well, but the captain will look after him (I guess).
We had a general inspection on Wed. and the Lieut.Gen told us that we had passed the elementary stage of our training. We are to begin with field training now upon the hills. We are hoping for a grand time. On Tuesday night we had a surprise visit from Dr Chapman and Mr Alexander the celebrated missioners and I can assure you that we had a grand time of it what with singing choruses and Dr Chapman speaking - it was the best night we have spent in camp. You will see by the paper that I am writing on that there is a YMCA tent here and concerts are being held every night and also singing competitions. Tom is mess orderly today, that is to say that he is the housewife because he has to look after the food and the tent. Your cousin George Curry of Hetton is camping about a mile off us. He is in the East Yorks. We saw him last night and he is liking it very well - they get plenty of food. His brother Bob has had to come home bad with pneumonia. I was going ot send you a postcard with a few views of camp life but there isn't any in stock. But you will see a real view in the postcard enclosed. We got taken just as dinner was being served out as you will see that some have meat on their plates. That big pan that you see in the front is called a "dixie". Each tent gets one of them for dinner, 14 or 15 men in a tent, and you should see the rush for lean meat. I think this is all the news this time only I like this better than putting in S.East 1 or S.West 2. We will send you one of our photos when we get taken with the rifles. Hope you are keeping alright and in the best of spirits.
With love from
Bob
Address: 3rd Platoon A Coy 14th Battalion Durham LI, Halton Park Camp, Nr Tring, Herts
From: Bob
To: George
Dear George
I am glad that I can write and tell you that we are all keeping well and in the best of health. We are still enjoying camp life - it is nice and healthy and full of fun. Father was telling us that you had a boil on your face. You did not say anything about it in your letter. I hope that you have now got shot of it as they are not very pleasant company. I have got some good news for you, at least it is for us. The Sergeant Major picked twenty-five men out of each platoon to get ready to go to France. He said that we might be there in an about a fortnight or three weeks for musketry training. Tom, Jack and I are among the 25. Jim wasn't on parade or else he might have been one as well, but the captain will look after him (I guess).
We had a general inspection on Wed. and the Lieut.Gen told us that we had passed the elementary stage of our training. We are to begin with field training now upon the hills. We are hoping for a grand time. On Tuesday night we had a surprise visit from Dr Chapman and Mr Alexander the celebrated missioners and I can assure you that we had a grand time of it what with singing choruses and Dr Chapman speaking - it was the best night we have spent in camp. You will see by the paper that I am writing on that there is a YMCA tent here and concerts are being held every night and also singing competitions. Tom is mess orderly today, that is to say that he is the housewife because he has to look after the food and the tent. Your cousin George Curry of Hetton is camping about a mile off us. He is in the East Yorks. We saw him last night and he is liking it very well - they get plenty of food. His brother Bob has had to come home bad with pneumonia. I was going ot send you a postcard with a few views of camp life but there isn't any in stock. But you will see a real view in the postcard enclosed. We got taken just as dinner was being served out as you will see that some have meat on their plates. That big pan that you see in the front is called a "dixie". Each tent gets one of them for dinner, 14 or 15 men in a tent, and you should see the rush for lean meat. I think this is all the news this time only I like this better than putting in S.East 1 or S.West 2. We will send you one of our photos when we get taken with the rifles. Hope you are keeping alright and in the best of spirits.
With love from
Bob
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)