"The most wonderfulest City in Italy"


Feb 1/1919 32507/9 Y&L

Dear Jack
Just a line to let you know I am alright I have not much time as I am very busy man this week I have been working in the Church Army dishing tea out in the afternoon and night. I dont get away till 9.30p.m so I have not much time the job is alright, but I expect we are moving next week so I shall have to go back to the company, but address my letters the same as I get them alright We have a parson in charge of us of course he is like all the rest a bit of an old figgett. (fidget?) gets excited now and again, so you have to talk to him a bit. We have had supper with him these last four nights, of course we have cooked it between us. Well before I had this job I had a weekend at Venice, about three days, It is a most wonderful city, all built on small islands and their is some fine buildings. I went in S. Marks Church it is a wonderful sight, well I enjoyed my self very much, I got £5.00 to go with so I expect I shall be debt now but that does not matter so long that I am on the right side, and I thought I shall never get another chance. I will tell you all about it when I see you I hope to be seeing you in the summer time. Well write as often as you can I am pleased to hear that you and Agnes are keeping well. I hope you will write as often as you can. I am very pleased that they are going on alright at Ilkeston, Ethel tells me what a rum chap Willie gets I shall be glad to get home again I would rather do any thing than go on parade and do guards in fact I think I would rather be in the trenches in Italy. I am just going to have supper now.
With best love
to you both
Harry


32507/9th Batt
Dear Kate
I am getting on alright and am sorry I ask you to send me a shilling or two as the next day I was given a week end leave. I got £5.00 and went to Venice it is one of the most wonderfulest cities in Italy, it must be a sight in summer time to see the boats on the river and canals We put up at the Grand Canal Hotel, and we was alright. I have bought Connie and Willie a broach and Ethel a present, things are very dear, but I did not mind, and I had a shilling or two left. I will tell you all about it when I get home but I dont know when that will be, I hope it will not be long, only men with slips are getting home and I dont think our firm have got any work so they not bother with slips. I am glad that they are going on well at home, and pleased to hear about Connie I hope she will be able to walk soon I am working in the Church army Hut this week so I dont require any money, the job is all right plenty to eat, so you bet I dont grumble I have just made supper stewed meat, onions and potatoe and a piece of toast not bad, I dont think I shall be here above a week. I will write again soon but write as often as you can
With Love
Harry

9 comments:

Janell said...

I am so pleased that Harry and some of his fellow soldiers were allowed to see the sights of Venice which seems to have done wonders for his mental health. Venice certainly made an impression on him. I wonder if he was ever able to return. It seems that the poor economy affecting many countries was playing a major role in post-war discharge and return of soldiers to civilian life. The lucky ones had job prospects at home; Harry and the others must have had real concerns about the future.

Anonymous said...

Soldiers from Australia took up to 12 months to return to Aus. As a result many having time in England after the war ended married while they were there and later brought their wives to Aus. Of course we must spare a thought for the many who were wounded or ill and many who continued to die long after Nov 11.

Anonymous said...

Dan Quayle would be thrilled to see how Harry spelled "potatoe". Vindication!

Anonymous said...

Hello Harry:
Glad to hear you've had the chance to see Venice. We have packed now and are ready to move In somewhere north on the Aisne line. Should be there in a day or two. Stop by for a read when you have the chance.

Regards,
Sam

Anonymous said...

Hello Harry:
Glad to hear you've had the chance to do a bit of sight-seeing. We're on our way north to the Front in railcars that may hold 40 Frenchmen, but not as many of us strapping American lads. Soon our sight-seeing will be in No Man's Land. Stop by for a read when you can.

Stay well,
Sam

Kittybriton said...

It's wonderful to hear that you've had a chance to see Venice, Harry. It is one of the places I've long wanted to visit. And you got to stay in one of the posh hotels too! I should think it made a pleasant change from huddling in drafty trenches.

Anonymous said...

Hello Harry:
Just a note to tell you that we are finally IN somewhere on the Aisne Line. This company was the first to see No Man's Land. Some of the boys have already been knocked off, but we're getting wiser and give as good as we get. Trench life is all that it's been cracked up to be. Stop by for a read when you get the chance. Stay well.

Regards,
Sam

Anonymous said...

Harry sounds a lot happier than he has done in recent times. It's good that he's getting decent food at last. Let's hope he gets to go home soon and get a job.

Anonymous said...

good that he's getting decent food at last. Let's hope he gets to go home soon and get a job.

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