Posted on by leftoverlondoner

28th November 1918

Dear Emmie

I have not heard from you for a few days now but hope to have a letter by tomorrow. I suppose they have gone to the Reception Camp. I was buglar on guard last night: the guard room was a stable and rather draughty and an old French woman was kind enough to give us hot coffee at 10pm and 5.30am. but the funny part I was going to tell you was how I had to get up about four times in the night to have a rest. I think it sounds rather funny but it is a common occurance when we are crowded. It has been raining today and is very miserable out.

We are now in a small village named Muchin [?] but I think we are going on to Tournai in a couple of days time. For winter billets it is suggested so I hope and guess they will not be barns as we are in now. We are having classes on various subjects and I am in for a bit of book keeping. (Please excuse the ups and downs of this letter but it is nearly dark.) The various particulars wanted for the classes are Name, No. address, religion, last job, experience and about one hundred and one other things. I was told that the Government are helping apprentices by making an allowance so if I go back as an apprentice it will not [be] so bad.

I think this last advance made by us was wonderful: the way the engineers got bridges over rivers was very smart. A bridge strong enough for any load could be thrown over a river at an average time of about 6 hours.

Towards the end I think Gas was used in nearly every shell by the Germans, but there was not so much metal in them. The nearest I had a shell burst to me was about 15 yards so I was lucky compared with some. I happened to be behind a cooker at the time and a piece of shrapnel broke the shaft and punctured a petrol can at my feet but the ear is over now and I don’t suppose all this interests you only I havn’t much more to write about. It is Thursday today so I suppose you are off to G.F.S. or club well I won’t be there to meet you for some little time but I hope that goes fast.

Well I will now conclude

With Best Love from Will

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

24th November 1918

Dear Emmie

Yours to hand of the 18th inst: it was addressed to the Reception Camp but only took one day in getting to me from there. Glad you liked the carte-postal. I bought that at Bully-Grenay when I was on the Lens sector about two months ago. Of course you know I have moved from there and we arrived in front of Cambrai about 8/10/18 before it was taken. We attacked on the south side and within three days had outflanked it and were round the back of it. We have had some lively scenes in open warfare and it is not bad when the enemy is running away especially as Johnny did towards the end, in motor cars. I am now at a place named Auberchicourt, rather a nice name to go to bed with, but we are moving tomorrow and I will let you know in my next letter if poss, where we are stopping. We are now working our way southwards along the line. The batt: has already done nearly a weeks marching and we have about fifteen miles to do tomorrow. You say I don’t express a desire to be home, well I wish you could hear me sometimes. I won’t stay in the army five minutes longer than I can help. Dad expects me to go back and finish my apprenticeship but I was supposed to be out at 19 so I have asked him to state clearly on what lines he intends to take me back on. I am sorry to hear about Mrs Boston it must be a shock to Mr B. By the way, I wrote to Mr Ferraro the other day so I expect he will tell you. I don’t know what army we are in now. I think we have been transferred back to the first and are making for somewhere near the north coast. I have felt shaky on there being a revolution in England. I hope that it does not happen it would be one of the worst possible things. My watch still goes in fits and starts so I will not send it home yet. I would like you to send me some books please, about one a month I think would be sufficient.

Well my dear I will close now still longing for the time when I can (?) visit you at my leisure.

From Yours Ever

Will xxx

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

24th November 1918

Dearest Emmie

The night is dark and I am far from home and I also havn’t very much to say for myself but I will endeavour to write you a few lines. I generally get your letters in bunches but I hope I get one tomorrow as it is now three days. Of course they must be going to the Reception camp. I didn’t think of that before. I think I told you in a previous letter that I could not answer your puzzle of the cats & dogs although I pondered over it for some considerable time and also some other boys had a go at it but all failed. I am going to set you one now. Can you solve “151224169604” The puzzle is in the numbers as they stand without writing them again. Can you do it? I wrote to C Gibbs this evening. I think he has been gassed but only slight. Well my dear please excuse short letter and also pencil and let me have a nice long letter next time.

With Fondest Love

From Will xxx

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

19th November 1918

Dearest Emmie

Just a few lines to let you know that I am going on alright with my new job. It does not seem true that the war is finished, it must be glorious in London now with all the lights on full. The rumour is that we are moving down the line but I don’t know how far or what for.

I am looking forward to either a leave or my ticket now so we won’t be long now. One regt. out here got so excited that they wouldn’t go on parade and boo’d the colonel: now they have 60 vacancies for leave taken away from them so I suppose our batt felt a little benefit. It’s silly to get revolting out here. I suppose I had better start saving for civvy life now I don’t think I have a much as a collar stud. Oh yes, I have a watch chain and a swastika to wear but of course I’ll want something to attach it too.  How is the organ going. Does it sound any better now. I can almost guess what it is Bertie thinks I will be surprised at but we gave been taught out here not to be taken by surprise. Ask him if he compres. Please excuse this paper but I will let you have some better next time if poss. Oh! For somebody to say good night to. I wonder if you care for me so much now do you? I hope so. What is happening to W Lowry now have you heard.

Well my dear au revoir

With Fondest Love

From Yours Ever

Will xxx

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

15th November 1918

Dearest Emmie

Just a few lines to let you know that I am going on alright with my new job. It does not seem true that the war is finished, it must be glorious in London now with all the lights on full. The rumour is that we are moving down the line but I don’t know how far or what for.

I am looking forward to either a leave or my ticket now so we won’t be long now. One regt. out here got so excited that they wouldn’t go on parade and boo’d the colonel: now they have 60 vacancies for leave taken away from them so I suppose our batt felt a little benefit. It’s silly to get revolting out here. I suppose I had better start saving for civvy life now I don’t think I have a much as a collar stud. Oh yes, I have a watch chain and a swastika to wear but of course I’ll want something to attach it too.  How is the organ going. Does it sound any better now. I can almost guess what it is Bertie thinks I will be surprised at but we gave been taught out here not to be taken by surprise. Ask him if he compres. Please excuse this paper but I will let you have some better next time if poss. Oh! For somebody to say good night to. I wonder if you care for me so much now do you? I hope so. What is happening to W Lowry now have you heard.

Well my dear au revoir

With Fondest Love

From Yours Ever

Will xxx

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

13th November 1918

Dearest Emmie

Now that the war is over or at least the fighting finished I have found an easy job well behind the line. I would have been much better it had come along about four or five months ago but now that the scrapping is na foo I am glad in one way that I have seen some of it and also done a little bit to wind it up. I am buglar at the 24 Div’s reception camp: that is where the men go to either going up or coming down the line. It is a kind of half way house. It was on the very last day of the fighting that I took this job over and of course if I don’t like it I will ask to be taken back to the Batt.

I do one day on and one off and always a night’s sleep so I should be alright.

You may guess that on the night of the 11th we had a bon time. We had a big bonfire of hay and straw which is not properly out now and two big carts were put on and also a lot of cordite and coloured lights. It is roumoured that we are gpoing back for about two months and then start demobolizing and I hope it comes off quickly too. Of course more men will be able to go on leave so I should be home about the end of Jan: As special arrangements are being made for demobilizing apprentices I hope to get off early in the new year. (and then I will make up for lost time.) You ask me if I still care as much for you, well when I get home I will show you. I hope you think I have stood the test well being away from you for so long a time. I am longing for the time when I can give you a pettit baiser a real one

From Your Ever Loving

Will xxx

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

12th November 1918

Dear Emmie

Just a few lines to let you know that I am still going on alright. I am buglar for a time at our reception camp and will let you have an address soon. The armistice is signed and of course all is quiet for a time so now we won’t be long. I think I thanked you for the cigs if not I do so now. You may guess there was a bit of cheering yesterday and everybody had a smile on their face. What was it like in London last night I would have liked to have been there. My address now is Drummer W.M. 19073 (9th B. Sx. Regt.) 24 Div: Reception Camp, B.E.F. France. I don’t suppose I will be here long as I would like to be with the Batt for Christmas. I was told last night the C. Gibbs has been slightly gassed; I hope it is not bad.

Well I will now conclude and write more next time.

With Fondest Love

From Yours Ever

Will

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