I have just unearthed a tray of material that I wasn't aware existed. Most of it was from my mother's side of the family but, mixed in were several items that must have come from Ethel's belongings.
The most exciting find was this picture of Harry when he was in the army.
I can only think that the photograph was taken at the training camp but if any expert out there would like to correct me (or even confirm that view) I would be most grateful.
Harry is on the front row, extreme right. The photograph has had a tough journey. I've tried to make the best of it but decided to post it now rather than waiting for an "ideal" version.
I now have version that is "tidied up". Many thanks to John Murray.
Note;
1. The letters in the stained glass - could be "Rugeley".
2. The chap with a wrist watch on the front row. Very rare in 1917.
3. Harry's belt is upside down!
I'm also collating all the comments into one place. They have been, without exception, very pleasant, kind and encouraging.
Exciting new material; 28th July
27th July -Messines Ridge letter scans
For new users of blogs, at the risk of stating the obvious, everything is in the reverse order from that of a "normal" journal or diary.
If you want to pick up Harry's story and follow it properly, it may make sense to start with the first archive, July 2006 and to work forwards to August 2007. (Actually August 1917). (To make things even more complicated, each archive is also in reverse order - the latest material appears first!)
Today I upload scans of the letter written a few days after the main assault at Messines Ridge.
This letter to Harry's brother Jack was written on June 11th. The main assault that was described in the letter took place on the 7th June but the battle continued until 14th.
Click on the letters for an enlarged view.
Note that the last page is on a completely different type of paper!
22nd July; More on Messines Ridge
I need to let the reader know that we have a gap in the letters. I don't think that Harry didn't write any, I suspect that a small bundle was lost or removed. I know that this is slightly against the spirit of the blog, but the family at home would probably have had the comfort of letters.
I have, thanks to a helpful reader, found the location of Harry's Unit for this battle. It would appear that Harry had achieved objectives by the 11th, when he wrote two letters.
Click on the map for an enlarged view.
Harry was part of the 23rd Division. Two large mines, shown as small circles on the map, were detonated just ahead of Harry on the morning of 7th June. Their objective was likely to be "Hill 60" or "Mount Sorell".
As the explosions took place at 0310, the cameras of the day were almost certainly incapable of recording the event. However, I have included a link to a movie of a similar mine exploded a year earlier before the Somme Offensive. Click here
Five live Interview Friday 13th July
BBC Five Live broadcast an interview on their Drive Time programme last Friday.
Click to Listen
Letter to Kate, 14th July 1917
July 14/1917
Dear Kate
I have received your parcel it came in very nice. we were just getting ready to move when I got it, we went in lorries so I did not have to carry it far I can tell you there was not much left as me and my pals were short and we could not get anything where we landed. It is a country place a few miles behind the firing line. The weather is lovely, we are all enjoying the ride. I’m in good health but we have had a rough time this last week or two going on working parties at night digging trenches and one thing and another. One night we were between our lines and the Germans but we all came out alright. It’s a bit rough but it might be worse. My address is the same. Will write again soon. Glad to hear they are all right at home.
Yours truly
Harry
These parcel are just right plenty big enough.
6th July 1917, Letter to Kate
July 6 1917
Dear Kate
I have received your letter was very pleased with it. I have received some nice letters from Jack he seems in very good health only very busy. Letters are very nice out here. Don’t send any cigs we get plenty out here you could send chocolate or biscuits anything to eat. envelopes about half a dozen. Ethel tells me Willie gets a rum chap always running away and getting into things. Write back as soon as you receive this letter. Address 32507, 9th Batt York and Lancs C company L. G. Section 12 Platoon BEF France. I think this is all just now will write again soon
yours truly
Harry
Five Live Broadcast
BBC's Radio FiveLive boadcast an interview to update listeners on Harry's progress to date.
Click to hear the broadcast
Scans of Early letters
The first letter from Rugeley Camp to sister Kate. I've had several requests to include scans of the letters. In "quiet" periods, I'll upload them. This one was written in the relative comfort of the training camp.
Jack, Harry's brother.
25th June
I have just realised that we haven’t introduced Jack, Harry’s brother, the recipient of around half the letters.
John Ernest (Jack) Lamin was born in 1870 to Henry Lamin.. He was considerably older than Harry.
By the 1901 census he was an elementary schoolmaster living in Oxford. Harry is recorded as staying with him. Oxford is mentioned in quite a few of the letters so Harry must have stayed there for a while.
In 1917 John was a clergyman living in Newland, Hull Yorkshire.
He eventually became a canon (an honourary title in the Anglican Church, given to senior, well respected members of the clergy) attached to the Cathedral at York.
Willie knew John quite well and always referred to him in a respectful manner. I haven't yet established details of the latter part of his life.
Link to readings of letters
15th June 1917
The following audio files are now available .
BBC "Five Live" interview with Harry's grandson.
BBC World Service broadcast about the Blog
Harry's Grandson reading a letter to brother Jack after Messines Ridge
Harry's Grandson reading a letter to sister Kate after MessinesRidge
There is an RSS feed on the blog, double-click the orange RSS icon on the IE toolbar to subscribe. On Firefox, click the RSS icon on the address bar.
Harry's letters about Battle of Messines Ridge
June 11th /1917
…. Dear Jack
I was very pleased to hear from you and that you are going on all right I have been to the place you mentioned in your letter we went there for our bath about a fortnight ago. The part of the line and we are in is straight forward so you will know where I am. We have had another terrible time this week the men here say it was worst than the Somme advance last July. We lost a lot of men but we got where we were asked to take. It was awful I am alright got buried and knocked about but quite well now and hope to remain so. We were praised by the general and all, everybody said we had done well, quite a success. I will tell you more when I see you. Mention the name of the place you think I am in and I will tell you whether you are right but I think you will know one of the worst fronts on the line but I think we are having a change of place. When you receive this letter write back and let me know all news you can. It is a rum job waiting for the time to come to go over the top without any rum too. The C.O. got killed and our captain, marvellous how we escaped. The biggest part of our company are scotch man from the Scottish Borderers. I can’t tell what they say they are not like Yorkshire men and we were the fifth wave over. I am glad they are alright at home and getting on well. The little book you sent is very nice it will come in useful I will read it. Glad you have wrote to Kate. My address is the same Y & L. I will write againAnd soon and let you know how I am getting on.
With best love from Harry
could you send me a small tin of salts or lemon something to put to water only a small tin, anything that will not take up much room.
June 11th /1917
Received 21.6.17
Dear Kate
I was very pleased to receive your packet everything came in a very useful. I was very pleased to hear you are going on all right did you receive my letter. We have had some very rough times up here lately especially the last time we were in the trenches you see we had to go over the top. its a rotten time waiting for the order. we had to go over at three in the morning. the bombardment was awful lucky to get out but I’m very pleased to say I am alright and hope to remain so. There was a parcel waiting for me from Ethel and Annie when I came out, it was nice to have some cake and tea. we never had anything but water for about a week, biscuits and bully a bit of Jam but never mind I got over it. I am very pleased Connie is going to school I do hope she gets on alright-I think they all keep well at home. The weather here is very hot I wish it was a bit cooler. Do not be long before you write. My address is 32507 ninth York and Lancs Batt C Company L. G. section B.E.F. France. There is nobody in my company from our way not that I know of you see a mix them up now there is a lot of scotch men with us you can hardly tell what they say. I have been a with the Lewis gunners the last month but I don’t know for how long. It was only three of us came back out of our section after the last fight. I think this is all just now, I will write again soon and tell you more.
With love from
Harry.
9th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment
War Diary entries for the Battle of Messsines Ridge
1917
June 7th At 3.10 am (zero hour) our artillery opened up a terrific barrage on the Hun front line & simultaneously the mines under Hill 60 and the CATERPILLAR were blown. At zero +1 (minute) the first wave consisting of B Coy on the left & A Coy on the right went over, and were followed by D Coy (moppers up) & C Coy (Harry's Company) in support at short intervals. The attack progressed very favourably and by zero + 30 the Bn had reached its objective and began consolidating. Very few casualties were sustained in the actual attack. At zero + 3hr 40mins the 8th Bn York & Lancaster Bn & the 8th Bn KOYLI on the right and left respectively, went over from our objective and reached the final objective of the Brigade.
June 9th The Bn remained in its objectives until the evening of the 9th. During this period the Bn underwent heavy shelling & sustained many casualties. B Coy also relieved the 8th Bn Y & L in the front line on the morning of the 9th. On the evening of the 9th the Bn was relieved by the 1st N Staffs Bn. The total casualties sustained were officers - killed 4 (including the C.O.) wounded 6. O.Rs - Killed 39, wounded 211. Died of wounds 9. Missing 18. **
Night of 9th/10th June On relief the Bn moved by motor lorry from KRUISTRAAT to SCOTTISH LINES. Capt. D Lewis took over temp command of Bn at midday on June 7th* from Lt Col Bowes-Wilson, killed in action 7.6.17. Coys at O.C Coys disposal for cleaning up and re-organisation
* Added in very small writing as a superscript.
The very last line took a bit of understanding. To decipher; "Companies are to do whatever their Company Commander feels suitable to clean up and to sort out the organisation".
I would suppose that the gaps due to casualties needed to be sorted.
**To understand the scale of casualties, the battalion would consist of around 1000 men. Over a quarter were killed or wounded in this "successful" attack.
Battle of Messines Ridge
June 7th 1917 was a significant day for Harry.
For the last 18 days and nights there has been continuous heavy bombardment of the German Lines.
At 0250 the bombardment stopped and Harry and his colleagues were ordered to lie down.
A 0310 the largest man-made explosion to date blew apart the German front lines at Messines Ridge. 450 tonnes of high explosive, in 19 mines, was detonated. The explosion was heard in London and Dublin.
"Gentlemen, we may not make history tomorrow, but we shall certainly change the geography."
Remark by General Plumer to his staff the evening before the attack
An account of the battle can be found on the FirstWorldWar.com website, on Wikipedia or on many other sources.
We need to wait for any news of Harry, to determine his fate.
At the front
Two letters written on the same day with a slightly different emphasis.
June 2/6/1917
Dear Jack
Very pleased to receive a letter from you and to hear you are going on all right. We have had a very rough time lately the Germans were only about 40yds away from us, we had a very trying time for the first, but I don’t care so long that I keep alright. It will be a good job when the war is over. Ethel tells me they are alright at home but Willie as got a cough. Hope will soon be better. I hear Connie has started school and that she likes it. I hope that she gets on alright. I have not received a letter from Kate yet but expect one any time. this is my address 32507 9th Batt York and Lancs, C Company, 11 platoon in B.E.F. France. I think I am going in for a Lewis Gunner. (Internet link) I don’t know yet I will let you know next time I write we are having a bit of a practice this last day or two we have been out of the trenches. We get plenty of tobacco but little bread out here. Write to me when you receive this letter and let me know all you can. I am glad to receive a letter.
With Best Love
from Harry
2nd June 1917
I received your letter. I am pleased to hear you are going on alright they all seem to be getting on all right at home which is something to be thankful for. The weather here is lovely and we have had to fine time this last fortnight. We are still out of the trenches but we might go back anytime. Jack has wrote me telling me he has had to leave his lodging and go to the vicarage – I hope he gets on all right. Write soon and let me know how you are getting on. Jack has sent me some sardines and chicken paste which is all right here and it works the bread and butter down. I am glad Connie is going on alright at school I don’t think it will do her any harm. They tell me Willie and Connie keep very good friends which I am glad to hear.
With best
love from
Harry
Additional letter to Jack
This is a letter that was included in the bundle of Harry's letters. As it is contemporaneous with Harry's and, clearly, has some link, I have included it. I believe that the writer was killed almost a year later.
No 11/1141, No 4 platoon
A Coy, B.E.F. France
May 30th 1917
Dear Sir,
You’re kind and welcome letter dated May 22 to hand and many thanks for your interest in me. It certainly set me thinking at first until I read further into it and then it became quite clear how you got in touch with me. I am trying to carry out my part in the contract and hope that I may be successful. Your very nice and cheering booklet of which I have had very similar copy I have passed on to a young friend private W. H. Adams who is in the same platoon and company as I am and he is very much taken up with it. He was delighted with it. I have had quite a considerable number of letters and textbooks and so on from the headquarters YMCA and must say here how the work of the above is appreciated by the boys in
I remain
yours sincerely
H. Bentley
"Newland" is, I believe, in Hull, Yorkshire. I think that this could well be the author of this letter. Any confirmation? I believe that Jack was attached to the Anglican Church there. Has anyone any record of John Lamin in Newland 1917.
The Arcadian
The Arcadian was a Royal Mail ship that was employed as a troopship and ammunition carrier. She was torpedoed and sunk in Mediterranean 15th April 1917 by a German submarine. 601 troops were on board and 75 of those perished.
Harry mentioned it in his letter to Jack on 13th May. It is interesting to consider how the information about it may have got to him.
Letter to sister Kate
13th May, 1917
Dear Kate
Sorry I have not written to you for such a long time no doubt you’re being wondering how I am getting on. I should have wrote to you only have been so busy always something to do never any time to spare. I am in the best of health at present the weather here is very hot. We had a good voyage across the channel it was very calm. I think we are going further up the line tomorrow so can’t send you my proper address. I shall send it on to Ethel as soon as I get it so you can write for it. I have had some are moving about what bit I have been in the army. First I was attached the York’s then the South Staffords and West Yorks now I think I am settled in the ninth Batt York & Lancaster so you see I have had some moves. Write as soon as you get my address and let me know how you are getting on. I wrote to Jack and he seems to be getting on alright. I will write again as soon as I can.
With Best Love
from Harry
Arrival in France.
(No day included in the date but possibly written on Sunday 13th along with the letter to Kate)
May 1917
Dear Jack
Just a line to let you know I am alright and that I have landed in France. The weather here has been very hot. Not at all a bad sort of place. There is a pretty town about two miles away on the coast but it is out of bounds. This is my address we have got to put it in the middle of our letter. I don’t know why. 33502 Pt Lamin West York Reg number lines 33rd IBDAPO section 17 BEF France. No doubt you have read about the Arcadian going down. Well the draft to Mesopotamia which I should’ve been on had it not been for my teeth, was on it. I have heard from one that was on it. he was in the same hut as me at Rugely. I think they were about all saved. Write as soon as you get this letter as I should be going up the line of next week and perhaps get to a different regiment so write
yours truly
Harry.
Training Camp 1917
As you may have realised, there were no other letters from the training camp that were preserved.
It sounds, from the first letter, that Harry had just arrived at Rugeley camp and so we could work out roughly how long the training lasted at that time.
In 1914, at the start of the war, training was planned to take around eight months for an infantryman like Harry. By the spring of 1917, this had been reduced significantly. I can't find any specific evidence to determine the length of training, but I do know that Harry was in France by mid-May. Mid-February to mid-May is only 3 months.
We must realise that the previous summer of 1916 saw the terrible battle of the Somme where tens of thousands of men were slaughtered before breakfast. The trenches needed replenishing with men and the obvious solution was to reduce the training period. I suppose there was no real problem as no amount of training could prepare those young men for what was to follow.
"Dripping" in the last post, refers to the fat that was left after meat was cooked. Before the days of cholesteral and sodium, "bread and dripping" was a common dish in the industrial midlands of England. I can remember enjoying it in the 1950s. The fat from the Sunday joint was spread onto bread. Liberal amounts of salt was added and, that was it. Full of flavour, cheap and quite nutritious. Not too healthy.
Travel to the training Camp
It's quite likely that Harry would have travelled by train from Ilkeston to the camp at Rugeley. There were, in 1917, very few alternatives. The problem in determining a route is the complexity of the railway system at the time.
In 1917 there was a plethora of small railway companies servicing the highly industrialised area around Nottingham and Derby. In Ilkeston there were three railway stations. (There are none now) One of the stations, Ilkeston North, was about two hundred metres from Harry's home in Mill Street. At Rugeley there were two stations, both of which are still operating.
My railway expert can't come up with any conclusive evidence to determine the route Harry would have taken so I will not attempt to guess. I can only imagine that the train would fill up as it approached its destination until it arrived at Rugeley full of new recruits.
This was almost certainly taken at the training camp at Rugeley. Note that Harry's belt is upside down! That wouldn't have happened after training!
Harry's first letter on this Blog. Written to his elder sister Catherine.
37/74
M Coy
15 Hut
10th Training Reserves
Rugeley
Staffs
February 7th 1917
Dear Kate
I was very pleased to receive your letter. The weather here is very cold and we don’t get much fire. We have been vaccinated this week well last Monday but we have to do all drills just the same. Ethel says Annie’s cold is much better. I can’t get a shut of mine but I am lucky to keep as well as I do. We have four blankets a piece and a bag of straw about 6in. from the floor on three planks to lie on. There are 29 in our hut and there only suppose to have twenty. I think it will be another five or six weeks before I get a pass I am ready for one anytime. Ethel says Connie and Willie are alright he will soon be a year old now and have two letters from Jack he seems to be getting on all right. We don’t get too much to eat, bread and jam dripping we have to do the cleaning in turns but the cooking is done at the cookhouse. I have not got any fatter yet I don’t suppose I shall do
Will write soon
With Love
from Harry
