A second letter to Kate, within 3 days.
This is one instance where material is incomplete. There is no sign of the remainder of this letter, just a single sheet. BUT, it is very significant.
Harry has been attached to the
Dear Kate
Just a line to let you know I am alright I am still in Italy at a small village called Rivalto it is very nearly in France it is alright I have finished cooking for a bit it is nice to get out D.H.Q broke up and all officers went to England so I was let behind my Batt had gone to Fuime in Austria what was left of them. I am now attached to the Royal Munster Fusiliers it is an Irish Regt they wear the shamrock behind the cap badge. I have not changed my badge. I still ....
Half a letter. The second page is missing.
There are several places in Italy with the name Rivalta. (Harry didn't quite spell it right.) This one is almost certainly Rivalta Scrivia about 6 miles (9 km) south-east of Alessandria, a couple of miles south of Tortona. BL.
Half a letter - but quite significant
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8 comments:
So, now you'll have to look up the Royal Munster Fusiliers records?
Wait, what?!? So everyone from Harry's old battalion, officers and enlisted, have all gone home: but for some reason Harry, one single man!, is left behind with another unit?!?
This letter to Kate sounds pretty calm, for what must have been total frustration!
What a caper! Are the Royal Munsters with the B.E.F? or are you all on your tod?
Fiume is Italian name for Rijeka in Croatia.
Rijeka became border town between Italy and Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Rijeka, Istria, Zadar, parts of Slovenia and islands of Cres and Losinj where kind 'present' for italian participation on side of entente.
They where promised much more but disappointment with italian ability to fight reduced its territory gains.
EXCEPT Harry says "It is very near France", which Rivalta Scrivia most definitely is NOT.
Any other possibilities (without burrowing into the Munster Rifles records...?
Hello Harry:
Sorry to hear you have been held back and shifted around a bit. I'm going through some big shifts myself with the loss of my rating into the bargain. Some class what? We're back into the mix somewhere north of Toul. Stop by for a read when you can, and keep your chin up.
Regards,
Sam
I have been to Rivalta scrivia, beautiful place
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