Letters to Kate and Jack

TWO letters written on Sunday 30th December 1917. The Battalion's War Diary records only that there was a church parade on that day, so he would have had the time to write. Reminder, the days in 1917 match 2007 so the 30th December was a Sunday for Harry also.


December 30 1917
32507
9th Batt York and Lancs
C Company
12 platoon
L. G. section
BEF Italy

Dear Kate

I have received a letter from you and was very pleased, it is such a long time since I had one. I have not received the parcel yet and I hope it will come I am ready for it I think parcels will reach us all right after Christmas. It is very cold at night but in the daytime it is alright. I hope you got home for Christmas and found them well and enjoyed your holiday. Did you get the card I sent you. I have had a letter from Jack he’s getting on alright, I am pleased to hear it. I hope Connie is better when you receive this letter. Let me know how Willie is if you happen to get home. Has Annie been to see Jack since he got married. Ethel said she was very likely going after Christmas. Glad you are getting on alright at Leeds but I did not expect you would like it the same as London. I hope you have had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Write back as soon as possible and let me know how you are all going on

With love from Harry

30/12/1917
32507
9th Batt York and Lancs
C Company
12 platoon
L. G. section
BEF Italy

Dear Jack

I have received a letter from you and a box of biscuits all right. I got them on Christmas morning and you can bet how pleased I was. I have also had a letter from Kate she said she was having a holiday this Christmas the first for seven years. I hope she enjoys herself. I’m sorry to hear that Mr. Thomas’s son as got killed what date did it happen. I have had a letter from Mrs. Higgins I shall write back as soon as possible. Ethel says Connie has not been very well lately but I hope she gets on alright. I am pleased to here you are getting on all right and very happy. I hope you enjoyed yourself this Christmas. They all seem to be well again at home except Connie and I think she will be alright. Glad you liked the card I sent you. I thought it would suit alright. It is very cold out here at night but it is alright at daytime. Write back as soon as you can and let me know how you are getting on.

With best love from

Harry

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas to all our readers. There is quite a community out there.

As you will have gathered, Harry is now in Italy. He is currently billeted in MONTBELLUNA, about 30 miles North of Venice, at the foot of the Dolomite mountains.

In the morning Harry would have watched a football match. (Soccer, for those readers from across the Atlantic.) 9th York and Lancasters won 7-1! He enjoys a Christmas dinner of roast pork with Christmas pudding, fruit and wine. The day is rounded off with a concert. (See the Battalion's War Diary for more details.)

Christmas Card from Ethel

This is the only item of correspondence between Harry and Ethel, his wife, that has survived. Harry would surely have treasured this. How it survived, how it got home? Sorry, I have absolutely no information on that. Click on the images for a larger view. The "silk" card is quite impressive.

Kate's Examination Results

More searching has turned up the vellum certificate that Kate earned in her examination in June 1917. Her brother John had written to her giving advice on how to prepare for it. (He was a school teacher before he became a clergyman.) I'll link to the scan and transcript of the letter.

The language and termininology are quite entertaining. Could the "Royal Sanitary Institute" exist today? "Inspector of Nuisances " is a wonderful job title.

Intriguingly, Jack signs the letter to his sister "with best love J. E. Lamin" not "Jack" or even "John"!

Was this just from habit after writing letters as a clergyman? Was he being a little pompous? Who knows?

Letter to Jack December 1st 1917

Dec 1st 1917

Dear Jack

I have just received a small packet from you and was very pleased with it. It was a good job it was something that would keep as it was the dated Nov 8th. I have also received a letter Nov 14th. The lady you are marrying I can remember quite well. Well I hope you are married by now. I can remember two lady teachers Miss James and a Miss Meredith who were at East Oxford. We have had some good marches this last fortnight which I should have enjoyed better had we not quite so much to carry. The weather has been just right for marching the roads are very level out here you can see all the big hills or mountains in the distance with snow on them the scenery would be grand in summer time. I am pleased they are going on all right and home and that you are keeping well. glad to hear about Kate. I think it is very good of them to buy you a present worth about £10 it should be a good one. We are getting on better for food now but very short of bread. Don’t forget to put Italy instead of France I hope you have a Merry xmas and a Happy new year. I’m going to try to get a card to send you for Christmas. Write back as soon as you can and don’t forget.

Yours Harry