The wonderful comments received by readers have required a complete re-organisation. The original system was fine for the few comments that were being received but was not structured enough to cope with the volume that is now being sent. For the moment, there are two "Comments" blogs available. If you really don't like the "new" one, please let me know.
Please address specific comments to the post concerned. However, if the comments are generally about the whole project, it makes it much easier for me to deal with them if you add them to the latest post.
All the answers to questions that I have made have not been transferred to the new "Comments" blog. I'll try to go through and re -enter them. Apologies.
Finally, I do really welcome comments and emails. They have made all the hard work well worthwhile. However, it is more difficult to add comments received by email than those received by the Blog "comments" system.
Comments. Fresh Approach.
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20 comments:
i see what you are doing and i love it, it helps me understand how the soldiers felt back in the days of ww1.I am in the canadian military and me and my buddys are waiting for the next post, keep up the good work.
Jeremy
Hi!
For the life of me, I do not know how to access the letters. All I see are the comments. Please help!
Thank you,
London, Ontario
This is an awesome look at what was happening in the world then...too bad there wasn't the technology then there is now in order to interview and get their comments recorded in a manner that all could be able to partake in, like they are now doing with the WWII vets that are still around.
Keep up the great work!!!!!
Looking forward to the next letter home.
Norway calling.
We discovered this blog today, and then you will understand what we have been doing. I and my husband have been sitting here reading on our computers. The story is more facinating than I have words to express. We are both teachers, and I guess this story will be part of what we tell and show our pupils when we are dealing with WW1 in the 9th grade in the future.
Thank you ever so much.
While I understand site management and all, I really would like to know what happened to Harry today!
A wonderful project. It makes the horrors of war seem almost mundane, an indication of how it must have affected those who were there. My uncle was with the CEF and was fortunate to come through with no physical injuries, just the emotional scars from his experience. Thank you for helping so many to remember.
Rob
London, Canada
Hi from Okotoks, Alberta, Canada
Thanks for doing this blog. It has enabled me to connect somewhat with my late grandfather who was gassed at Ypres in WW1 but survived to return to Saskatchewan, Canada to work on the railroad. He lived the final 20 years of his life impaired by severely damaged lungs.
I look forward to the next blog.
-Bill
Found this blog through the CBC and have really enjoyed it.
There is no bitterness, anger or frustration just a stoicism that shines through in Harry's posts to England. How lonely it must have been fighting in the trenches and waiting, waiting, waiting for letters and parcels from home. I wonder if the 'folks' back in England had any idea what these poor chaps were going through.
Hello,
I discovered this blog after the CBC story in Canada. I have read all the entries since the beginning, and this is a wonderful project. The letters manage to bring us back to 1917 and 1918, and I am very much looking forward to the next letter. Thank you so much for your dedication in bringing the letters to life!
I don't know Harry's fate, but I am afraid that I now have a good idea, from "reading between the lines" of a few of your editorial comments. I hope I am wrong...
Absolutely fantastic !!!!
What a great way to follow a soldiers personal journey through WW1. I know it must be a labour of love and I'm sure everyone who is sharing this experience really appreciates all the work you are putting into it. Good on ya !!!
Dear Sir,
Ihave just discovered your blog, thanks to a French newspaper, and I have been very interested to read nearly out all your ancestor's messages. I am personnally involved in WW1 as my grand-father died the very first month of the war (30th august 1914)and I discovered a large part of the story of m father's family when I decided to trace his soldier's story.I visited Pilkem Artillery Wood Cemetery(near Passendaele)and the grave of the Welsh poet Ellis H. Evans (Hedd Wyn)killed in action with thousands of brave british soldiers: 'A fine day's work' said General Haig! I think that you are going to make a good job revealing the new generations a large portion of a disappeared life of 90 years ago. Courage, continuez!
Jean-Paul.
Interesting work! Thank you! Greetings from Germany, Simon
Simply, honestly, genuinely... thank you.
Dear Bill,
Wonderful and inspiring blog. What a lovely man your grandfather sounds. Surely he must make it through.
With regard to the lost letters between Harry and Ethel. I think I would feel uncomfortable reading such letters. Marriage is such a private relationship.
I am touched that Harry writes so differently to his sister - protecting her. A very gallant man. It must have been dreadfully hard for his family to wait for each letter,not knowing when the war would end.
Thank you Bill for sharing with us this wonderful correspondence.
I posted this blog to a popular military miniatures forum - we are all reall heavy history buffs.
There is great apreciation from all of us regarding this effort you are putting forth.
THank you so much.
hey im in love with ww1 not
Related to the letter of Jan 29/1/18
I have no idea if this is the case, as the multiple references to 'they' are confusing:
I wonder if the rum bottle reference was made with respect to the newspaper having an account of the front line but not mentioning the rum bottle.
"but they (the paper) left the rum bottle out (of the account) which they (the soldiers) never forget to take" (on the long march after??)
thankyou for honouring us in allowing us to read this story.
I have been very iunterested in the letters ever since they were featured on a CBC programme. My grandfather was on the Western front in the worst of the battles and came home to England with a bullet lodged in his back. I believe they were never able to remove it (too risky all those years ago)or maybe they decided not to bother since he was alive!
I am a high school history teacher, and I wanted to thank you for undertaking this project, and how glad I am that it has been received well. Making history relevant and accessible is a challenge I face every day with my students, and projects like yours are invaluable. Thank you for sharing your personal history with us.
If anyone is interested in reading more personal stories from the wars, there is a website called the Canadian Letters and Images Project which has archived hundreds of personal letters, mementos, telegrams, etc from Canadian soldiers during the wars.
M.B in Toronto,ON,Canada
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