Letter to Jack 30th April 1918

April 30th 1918

32507/ 9th Batt Y & L
C. Company
12 Platoon L.G.S.
I.E.F.

Dear Jack
I am writing a few lines to you hoping that you are both in good health. It is a long time since I wrote to you till this week so I expect you will get two letters at about the same time. I should be pleased if you will send me a small book on the Lewis Gun and one which I think is called the soldier it gives you all information about guards, salutes and all army regulations etc. if you cant get one, send the best you can. I expect we shall have to do guards out here. I think they are getting on a bit better at llkeston now. I don't know when I shall get a leave, all leave is stopped out here for a bit. I hope you got that letter telling you I was amongst the snow and rain on the Asiago Plateau front, it did seem strange to be amongst the mountains for a month. I was very sorry to hear that Mr Thomas's son as got killed it is very sad. Write as often as you can as I cant get letters off very well when I am in the line.

With Best Love to you both
Harry

More Images of Italy, Photographs.

I have received some lovely material from an additional contributor, Rocco Chiarolanza. Rocco lives locally in Italy and has taken photographs of the British military Cemeteries on the Asiago Plateau. Follow the link to the beautiful images.

Rocco has also kindly offered to take photographs of any individual graves if relatives wish. Please email me if you have a special request. Many thanks Rocco.

Link to Rocco's photographs.

Jono Wood has also provided two more of his topographical images showing the latest movements.
Click here for topographical views

Letter to Kate April 26th 1918

April 26th/4/1918

32507/9th Batt York & Lancs Regt
C Company
12 Platoon L.G.S.
I.E.F.

Dear Kate
Just a line to let you know that I am going on alright and that I am in good health. I had a letter from Ilkeston telling me about dad, I was very sorry to hear it but it as been wonderful how he as kept up. The weather here as been very changeable just lately plenty of rain but we have had it hot now and again. We can get plenty to eat were we are just now, such as fruit and eggs. The scenery is also very pretty. did you get over to Ilkeston, if you did, how long did you stop. I have had a letter from Jack and he told me that Mr Thomas's eldest son had been killed in Palestine that is the second son he has lost it is very hard lines and I was sorry to hear it. They were both officers. one was in the West Riding's Batt. There is only one son left but he is only about 17 1/2 years.
I have put a letter for you in Ethels envelope I hope you get it alright, let me know if you get it. Write every week if you can, it does not matter if it is only just a line or two.

With Best Love
Harry

Letter to Jack, April 22nd 1918

April 22nd 1918

32507/9th Batt Y & L Regt.
C . Company
12 Platoon L.G.S.

Dear Jack
I am sorry I have not been able to write to you lately but we have been on a fresh front on the Asiago Plateau it was different altogether from the Piave. We went up the mountain first time in motor cars as far as we could get. When we was on the plains it was very hot. but when we got to the trenches it was knee deep in snow and freezing. After we had been up a bit it started to rain, we gt wet through time after time. There was nothing doing only patrols we had a rough time now and again, we had to do outpost duty, we should be about two hundred yards in front of our own wire, you can bet what it was like out there in the rain and snow but we are down on the plains now and I am in the best of health. By the time you get this letter I shall have been out here 12 months altogether. I was rather upset to hear that father is dead. I had a letter from Ilkeston telling me that he had died April 7th. I have not been able to send any letters for about three weeks so they will wonder where I have got too. I am pleased you keep writing to me, I hope you are both keeping inthe best of health. We don't seem to be getting on very well with the war in France it would not surprise me if some of our chaps dont have to go back. Write back as soon as you can and let me know all the news you can. I suppose you have had the Zepps around your way again. I hope they are all keeping well at Ilkeston. I have met one or two fellows from Ilkeston and one from Kimberly in our battalion. I will write again soon I don't think we shall go up the mountains when we go in the trenches again, it does seem strange to be up above the clouds, I can tell you we see some fine sights, you would like to be here in peace time for a holiday. I am going to write to Kate now.

With best Love to you
both. Harry

The Battalion War Diary makes some mention of the rain and snow!
Harry's notepaper this time is rather different. On the front is printed "FOR SCRIBBLING OR NOTES ONLY.", on the reverse, "Question.......... Write only on this side of the paper, and not on either margin." Ex- school Teacher Jack must have sent him some old examination answer sheets! BL

Battlefield Tour - Harry's Flanders

A Battlefield Tour Company has designed a tour that is based on Harry's experiences, visiting the key locations mentioned in the blog.

Soverign War tours have kindly invited me along for a 3 day tour starting 30th May.

Jono Wood has also produced more of his topographical views so that the reader can get a very good idea of the lie of the land in Harry's latest location, the Asiago Plateau.

Scans of letter

Harry's letter to Kate, April 2nd 1918. A single sheet approx. 20cm x 17cm written on both sides. Jack's letter, written the same day is on a different type of paper. The envelope used is scanned in the previous post.
Click on the images to enlarge.

2 Letters, April 2nd 1918

April 2/4/1918

32507/ 9York & Lancs
C Company
12 Platoon L.G.S.
I.E.F.

Dear Kate
I have just got your letter dated 24/ I also got the money alright. Postal orders are alright. I have also had a letter from Jack and one from Ethel. Ethel told me that Jack had sent Willie a shilling for his birthday, it will soon be Connie's now. The weather here is very cold we have had frost and snow and it has been raining now two days, but still we are alright, it is very quiet not like beening in France. I am always glad to get a letter from you I have not been able to write any letters lately, but if you don't get one you will know the reason so you can write a line every week. I am pleased they are all keeping in good health at home and that dad does not get any worse. I will try and write you a long letter next time I write. Could you send me a stick of shaving shop and a piece of washing soap next time you write.

With Best Love
Harry

The envelope for Kate's letter. Note the censor's stamp. The letter's content also reveals that the post to Italy took about a week as Harry had received Kate's letter from 24th March. Is it any better today?

A "shilling" was worth 5p. Twenty shillings to the pound in 1918.

April 2/4/1918

32507/ 9York & Lancs
C Company
12 Platoon L.G.S.
I.E.F.

Dear Jack
Just a line to let you know I am going on alright. I was pleased to get your letter and to hear that you both are keeping well. We have had some frost and snow out here, but it as been raining for two days. I have had a letter from home and they told me you had sent Willie a birthday present. Things are very quiet out here a bit different to being out in France. things seems to be a bit rough out there now, but I hope things will change. I will write again in a few days and let you know a bit more news.

With Best Love to you both
Harry

P.S. Could you send a few envelopes and writing paper

Easter Sunday 1918, Card to Connie.

Harry sent this card to Connie from Italy. It would have most probably have been sent with a letter to Ethel.Click on the picture to enlarge.

Maps of the Long March to the Front, November 1917

There are now available topographical views showing the route taken by Harry's Battalion when they marched from the end of the railway journey from Flanders to the Front Line in Italy, a total of over 100 miles.

Click here to view the graphics

Letter to Kate Thursday 21st March 1918

March 21st/1918
32507/9 Batt York and Lanc Regt
C. Company
12 Platoon L.G.S
I.E.F

Dear Kate
Just a line to let you know that I am going on alright and I am pleased that you are keeping well. I have had a letter from Jack and one from Ethel, they are all going on alright except for the food problem which bothers them a bit. the weather here is grand very hot during the day but very cold at night. Jack is sending Willie a present for is birthday which is saturday. I have sent him and Connie a card or two I hope they like them. I am pleased that you write often as I am always glad of a letter from you. I think I shall get a leave sometime this summer if I have good luck. I will write again soon.

With Love from
Harry

Map of the March + "View"

Jono's topgraphical view of the two days' march 16th and 17th, is now available Click Here

This card is almost certainly the "view" referred to in the letter. Interestingly, it looks as though the censor had an unsuccessful attempt to block out the location!

Click on the picture for an enlarged view.

Letter to Jack Sunday March 17th 1918

March 17th/1918

32507/9 Batt York and Lanc Regt
C. Company
12 Platoon L.G.S
I.E.F

Dear Jack
I was pleased to receive your letter and tin of salmon. It is now Sunday night and it as been very hot we have had church parade this afternoon as we where all busy this morning cleaning up. We have just finished two days march, just over forty kilos so we had a good march and I had a pair of new boots so I went through it but I stuck it. I think we shall stay here a bit now, but we might get to a different part of the line. We had a grand place for scenery when last we were in the line, well the support line we were on Mountbello Hills I think that is what they call them. The mountains on one side and we could see right over the venetian plains for miles all fine country it was these plains what the Germans wanted when they made their advance. the Italians releived us when we were in the line they do seem a windy lot as soon as they got in the Austrians started to shell a bit, they all get in dug outs and they would not move. I don't know how they would go on up Ypres. The country is alright but I don't think much to the people a lot of the Italian soldier can speak English as they come from New York or some part of the States. If you see a small book any time which would help me with the Italian Language I should be very pleased if you would send it. I am glad you are both keeping well and I hope they are going on alright at home. I think it will be hot here in summer as some parts of the day now it is awful. We are having a quite time here, well it is a picnic against France. We cant grumble at the rations we are getting out here but of course it is the same thing over and over again. they are sending them on leave from Italy but I dont expect I shall get one for another three or four months yet time for the war to finish by then. I get your papers regular now and I noticed the piece you marked out in the guardian. I am sending you a view, I have been to this place a time or two. Write back as soon as possible and let me know how you are getting on.

With best Love to
you both
Harry

"Battalion moved by march route to Castlefranco on 15th inst & proceeded to BOLZANO the following day. The second day's march was long & tedious but no man fell out on either day." Extract from War Diary for 15th -16th March" Click to view full transcript

I do find it remarkable that Harry is using "Kilos" (Kilometres) quite comfortably - rather than miles. I'm not sure that his family would be quite so familiar with them. In the U.K. today, 90 years on, we stubbornly hold onto miles.

The "Guardian" is quite an up-market newspaper. Probably Jack's choice rather than Harry's! BL

Maps of the Italian Front and Background Information

A retired Officer from the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding), Jono Wood, has worked with The War Diaries and prepared some wonderful slides that give a picture of the topography of the Italian Front. Until this was produced I was working with a list of largely meaningless Italian place names.

Thanks to Jono we can get a much clearer image of what Harry was encountering. The plain, running down towards Venice in the South, with the mountains to the North, is clearly illustrated. We can also see how the river PIAVE looks with the several streams, as mentioned in the War Diaries.

Jono would like to dedicate his contribution to to all who laid down their lives with the BEF in Italy.
Battalion Billets in December 1917
Overview of PIAVE RIVER Front
PIAVE RIVER Front, Looking West
Map showing the Route to a new location, including MOUNT GRAPPA 16th-18th February
The route back to the MONTEBELLUNA area, 25th & 26th February

Jono has also now prepared an account that gives valuable background information on the Italian campaign. Certainly, it all becomes much clearer with the additional information.
Click here

Letter to Jack March 4th 1918

March 4th/1918

32507/9 Batt York and Lanc Regt
C. Company
12 Platoon L.G.S
I.E.F

Dear Jack
I have received your paper's and was very pleased with them I am glad that you are both keeping well. as I am alright at present. I am pleased to hear that you are able to stay at home and that the army will not require you. I have had a letter from Ethel and she says that dad does not get much better. I am glad that you have an idea where abouts I am things are still quite I hope they remain so. We are not doing so bad for food out here it would be better if we got paid more regular we have only drawn ten lires in a month that is equal to five shillings in English money, (25p - 50 cents! BL) so I think we shall have a bit to our credit, we get plenty of fruit out here oranges and apples etc. It will be Willie's birthday this month 21th but I shall not be able to send him anything. We see some fine scenery out here we are quite close to the mountains some of these take about five hours to climb and they are not the highest. it is different to flanders being out here. I think Kate will try to get a day or two off to see you she told me in her last letter that she would like to pay you a visit. Write back as soon as possible I am always glad to get a letter.

With best love to you both
Harry

Letter to Kate, March 3rd 1918 + Card to Connie!

Written on Sunday, March 3rd 1918.

March 3rd/1918

32507/9 Batt York & Lancs Regt
C. Company
12 Platoon L G S
I.E.F

Dear Kate
I am pleased you are getting on alright. I am in good health at present. I am glad they are keeping well at Ilkeston, it is Willie's Birthday this month. I hope the war will be over before it comes round again. It must be bad for you in England being so short of food it will be a good job when it is over. We are not so bad off for food out hear and cannot grumble, not in war time. I have had a letter from Jack he says that he and his wife are keeping well and that he will not be required for the army so he is alright, I am very pleased. Write as often as you can and let me know when you pay Jack a visit. The scenery here is alright we are quite close to the mountains and they look well. It takes five hours to get to the top of some and they are not the largest it would be alright out hear in peace time We can get plenty of fruit out here oranges and apples etc. but we dont get paid often enough. I think I must be a nice bit in credit.

With best love
Harry

(PS) Put I.E.F on letters not B.E.F.



We have a lovely post card to Connie where Harry refers to himself as "Dad". I have taken a small liberty in posting it here as it would, almost certainly, have been posted to Ethel. Somehow, it has found its way to the bundle of letters to Kate and Jack. I found it in the envelope addressed to Kate with this letter, so I've posted it with it!

The envelope is quite interesting. Harry has signed to say, on his honour, that the letter gives away no military secrets! BL

Updated picture of Connie & Willie

I have found a photograph of Willie and Connie that is in much better condition than the one originally used. It must have been taken about this time, looking at the age of the two of them. I have inserted the "new" picture in the post that introduces Connie.
Click to link to the post.

2 Letters - 22nd February 1918

Feb 22/2/18

32509/ 9th Batt
York & Lancs Regt.
C Company
12 Platoon L.G.S.
I.E.F.

Dear Kate,
I have received your parcel alright and it is very good. I have had a letter from Jack and one from Ethel I was pleased to hear that they are going on alright and that Jack is quite happy in his married life. Ethel tells me what a rum chap Willie gets and is a very good talker. he can say anything. I should very much like to see him and Connie. They tell me that dad does not get much better but he is getting an old man. I think he will be better as the weather gets warmer, well I hope so. Write back as often as you can and let me now how you are getting on.

With best Love
Harry


Feb 22/2/18

32509/ 9th Batt
York &Lancs Regt.
C Company
12 Platoon L.G.S.
I.E.F.

Dear Jack.
I received your letter yesterday and was very pleased with it. The salmon was alright and tasted a treat. I have seen nothing of the Batt you spoke of out hear, you ask me in your letter last time. I was pleased to hear that they were going on alright a Ilkeston and in good health. I am also feeling well myself. I am glad that you are getting on alright and I wish to be remembered to your wife. Ethel tells me that Willie was quite willing to go back with you last time you went home. he must be a rum chap. Kate as just sent me a cake so I am alright. With best love to you both Write back as soon as possible. Harry.

Letter to Jack, 18th February 1918

Feb 18th/1918

32507/9th Batt York & Lancs
C Company
12 Platoon L.G.S.
I.E.F.

Dear Jack
I am pleased to hear that you are both getting on well. the weather here is still very cold . we are very near the mountains now. I expect we shall get it hot when the weather does change. I should not be surprised if we don't have another move before long. I have been alright in Italy up to now. I hope to remain so. We cannot grumble at the quiet time we have had. Glad to hear that they are going on alright at Ilkeston. I think they would have been to see you only the train fare is such a lot of money. I was very pleased with the two papers you sent it was just what I wanted. there is some grand scenery round here it would be alright for a holiday in peace time, but I dont know when that will be. I hope it will not be long as I am ready to get back any time. What had Aunt annie to say did she stay long at Uncle Shelton's it was a very sad affair and I was very sorry. It will soon be Willie birthday again in March. but I dont suppose I shall be able to send anything as there is not much to get here. Write as often as you can.
With best Love
to you both
Harry

Willie will be two on March 23rd.BL

Scans of letter of 7th February 1918

Click on the letter for a large image.
Click on the letters for large image
To get an idea of the size, this letter is approx 7" x 10" (180mm x 250mm). The paper is very thin and Harry has only written on one side of each sheet. The letters from 29th August are on much smaller sheets of paper, approx 4.5"x 7" (11mm x 18mm). BL

Thursday 7th February 1918 - 2 Letters

Feb 7^th /1918
32507/ 9^th Batt York & Lanc Regt
C Company
12 Platoon L.G.S.
I.E.F.
P.S. (Put I.E.F. on address and leave Italy out)

Dear Kate

I have received your letter. I also received your parcel. it was in good order. The weather here is very cold at night, but it is quite warm in the day. I have received a letter from Jack he’s going on alright and said they were alright at Ilkeston excepting dad who does not seem to get much better. I was sorry to here the bad news I got about Jack Bonser and Uncle. Jack’s wife was headmistress at East Oxford Girls school and also head mistress of the Girls Night School. of course that is some years back. I don’t know how long she remained there, but I remember her quite well. He often sends me bits of thing which come in very useful. I don’t know whether I told you that I had a parcel from Mrs. Higgins at Christmas. I don’t know when I shall get a leave I don’t suppose it will be just yet as there is plenty to go before me, but anyhow I would certainly let you know. Ethel tells me what a job it is to get a bit of butter, tea or sugar. I hope you’re keeping in good health as I am very well at the present. Write back as often as you can and I will answer as many as possible.

With best love from Harry

Feb 7^th /1918
32507/ 9^th Batt York & Lanc Regt
C Company
12 Platoon L.G.S.
I.E.F.
P.S. (Put I.E.F. on address and leave Italy out)

Dear Jack

I have received your letter and I also got your small parcel alright. I was very pleased to hear that you are both keeping well and hope you remain so. The news was very sad which I have had about Jack Bonser and Uncle what had Aunt Annie got to say I don’t suppose she would stay very long especially were Aunt Polly was. I shall never forget her tongue. It does not seem that she has altered much. It must have upset Uncle a great deal when he heard about Jack’s death and no doubt it would make him worse. The weather here is still very cold at night but it is grand in the day. I don’t suppose the war will be over just yet it looks like lasting another twelve months to me, I hope I’m wrong. I think America has got to have a good to try at it before it finishes. Things look very bad in England as regards food they seem short all over of course we get our usual rations which is none to big, but we cant grumble we have missed something coming out here and leaving Flanders I hope we don’t go back again, things are very quiet out here, well they have been up to now but we don’t know how long they going to last. When in the front line we have had a fire at night and sometimes we have been in an old house so you can bet we are not bothered much by shells. I could not say where the H.A.C. is. It is a London Regt. I remember quite well when we were going in the trenches at Ypres they were just being releived. I got lost I could not get along it was up to the waist in slug and water. I came across some chaps who are also lost and they said they belong to the H. A.C. It is supposed to be a Toffs regt. Artillery is only a name they have given them they belong to the infantry. I don’t know how they went on but I found my way after wandering about for two or three hours. I shall never forget the times we had up there. I don’t know how we managed sometimes, but I don’t feel no worse for it now, but I hope that we don’t get anything like it again. We have to get our feet rubbed every morning with whale oil when in the trenches every morning it is cold at night.
Write back as soon as possible

With best love to you both

Harry

H.A.C. Refers to the "Honourable Artillery Company" - it took a moment for me to remember that "Honourable" is spelt with an aitch! Website

Thanks to all who are submitting comments. They are quite as interesting as the main blog! Click for full list of comments

Also, to find out what Harry is currently involved with, take the link to the Battalion's War Diary. War Diary (At the moment, he's just come out of the front line. Compare today's letters with the one from a week ago written when he was in the line! I'll put a scan of one of today's letters on the blog at the weekend) BL