by Bill Lamin
1st [February] Battn in the line. Left Bn [of the] Right Brigade
Disposition:
B Coy Right Front Line Coy, C Centre
D Left
A Support Coy
2nd & 3rd In the line. All works, competitions and general cleaning up referred to in final part of January diary maintained with unabated energy until relieved by the 11th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS on the evening of 3rd. Platoons moved independently by route CIANO – BUSCO thence to billets in BIADENE. Bn in billets at 11 p.m.
As readers have probably come to expect by now, Harry used the time out of the line to write to both Kate and Jack.
Feb 7th /1918
32507/ 9th 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 [i.e. Harry’s wife and his children] 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. [Harry’s brother] 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 things 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 [food rationing had finally been introduced in Britain in January, largely in response to the German U-boat campaign against Allied shipping]. 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 7th /1918
32507/ 9th 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 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. [Honourable Artillery Company] 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 [sludge?] 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
This wonderful letter from Harry to Jack gives us, for once, a great deal of information. He introduces some new characters that I know nothing about – since there is no one left alive to ask, readers will have to draw their own conclusions. Aunt Polly sounds like a dragon, but who knows? Aunt Annie is unlikely to be Harry’s sister, Sarah Anne, although she was always known as Annie. As mentioned, Jack Bonser would have been Harry’s cousin or another quite close relation. He seems to have died from wounds, and his death to have had a profound effect upon ‘Uncle Shelton’, who is possibly his father.
The sentence ‘I don’t suppose the war will be over just yet...’ was picked up from the blog and, with a picture of Harry, used on a set of postage stamps for the British Indian Ocean Territories commemorating the ninetieth anniversary of the end of the war.
The front line sounds bearable, certainly in comparison to the Ypres Salient. A fire on the cold nights would have been a luxury; in Flanders, however, a fire, or anything that gave away the presence of troops, such as the flare of a match to light a cigarette, would have immediately attracted a lethal attack from rifles, machine guns, shells or trench mortars – or all of them.
We then come to Harry’s best description of Flanders, written months after he left that theatre of operations. Perhaps he feels more comfortable describing it now he’s no longer there. The HAC he mentions (Jack has obviously asked him about it) is the Honourable Artillery Company, then, as now, a London-based Reserve unit which, despite its name, raised a number of infantry battalions during the Great War, as well as fielding artillery batteries. The horror of being lost in waist-deep ‘slug’ can only be imagined. Harry’s hope that ‘we don’t get anything like it again’ shows how much better the conditions are in Italy.
Trench foot was a serious problem among the troops and was addressed with regular inspections and the daily application of whale oil. In the muddy conditions of Flanders, and elsewhere, soldiers would be, understandably, reluctant to remove their boots and socks for the duration of a tour in the trenches which might be for up to two weeks. For that period, their feet would be constantly cold, dirty and wet, and liable to develop an infection that would, literally, rot the feet. Severe cases could lead to amputation or even death. Until the policy of inspecting and oiling the feet was adopted, the ailment had been a significant problem in the trench-bound armies.
Meanwhile the battalion continues to train – and to drill...
14th [February] Divl. Rifle Range allotted to the Batn. Practices in the musketry course part 1 continued. Remainder of the morning Coys at disposal of Os. C. Coys for Arms Drill, Saluting Drill and Platoon Drill. Lewis Gunners into Coys for range practice, arms drill etc. Signallers and Scouts under their respective officers. In the afternoon one good instructor and twelve men per Coy. (worst shots) reported to the Miniature [i.e. 25-yard] Range under L.G.O. [Lewis gun officer]. The 3rd replay for the Divl. Championship between 69th & 70th Brigade took place on the Divl. Football Ground MONTEBELLUNA, resulting in a victory for the 70th Brigade. Score 70th 3 goals 69th 1 goal. 10 N.C.O.s previously detailed, reported with 2nd/Lt W DARRELL to the 128th Field Coy R.E. for instruction in knotting and lashing. On the evenings of the 12th and 13th of this month, a party of artistes styling themselves ‘THE TIMIDS’ gave two excellent performances in the large hall of the Hd. Qrs Billet. The troop [troupe] was entirely composed of members of the 70th Field Ambulance.
The 9th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment was part of 70 Brigade which, with 68 and 69 Brigades, made up the 23rd Division, itself part of the Second Army.
16th [February] Battn. marched to LORIA and took over billets from the 12th Battn EAST SURREY Regt. Batt
n. moved off at 8.30 am. Route Posmo[?] – C. MORA – BUSTA. Dinners on arrival in Billets. Battn. in billets at 2 pm.
17th Battn. moved to VILLA FIETTA near CRESPANO. Taking over billets from the 19th Battn. Middlesex Regt. (Pioneers) Dinners on arrival in billets. Battn. in billets at 3pm.
18th Coys at Os. C. Coys’ disposal for inspection & thorough cleaning of billets and equipment. Signallers under their own officer. The Scouts under the Scout Officer climbed Mount GRAPPA where a detachment of Italians (65th Div) made them welcome and gave them a loaf of bread each!
During the rest of February and into early March, Harry was able to write several letters, while the battalion remained in billets and continued with training.
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
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 know how you are getting on.
With best Love
Harry
Harry’s father would have been seventy-three years old at the time – certainly a good age in 1918.
Feb 22/2/18
32509/ 9th Batt., York & Lancs Regt., C Company,
12 Platoon, L.G.S.
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 [at] 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.
A cake, tinned salmon – everything was indeed ‘alright’. The war diary, however, is still concerned with training, and especially musketry:
28th [February] ‘B’ and C Coys training in hill fighting on the MONTELLO. ‘A’ and ‘D’ Coys at Os. C. Coys disposal for Company training. Field Firing Range allotted to ‘A’ and ‘D’ Coys from noon to dusk. Specialists under their own Officers. During the month a marked improvement has taken place in the men’s shooting.
In his next letter Harry, rather touchingly, commiserates with civilians at home now enduring food rationing:
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.
Willie will be two on 23 March. A plentiful supply of fruit, especially oranges would have been an astonishing luxury for an East midlands man. Harry must be describing the scouting expedition to the top of mount Grappa, mentioned in the war diary entry for 18 February. It seems, too, that Jack has had confirmation that he won’t be conscripted.
For this letter to Kate, Harry used a ‘green envelope’, which were issued only sparingly to soldiers and were much coveted. instead of Battalion Headquarters reading and censoring a letter, the writer sealed it in one of these envelopes and signed the declaration on the front; it was then sent unread. The letter might be checked by a censor away from the front, although probably only a small proportion were, which in turn meant that a soldier could write quite personal details without fear of local embarrassment.
A ‘green envelope’, showing the declaration that Harry signed.
Harry’s next letter to Jack rehearses much of what he had written to Kate:
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 [quiet] 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 [£0.25] in English money, 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 [23rd] 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
Clearly Harry is not pleased with the pay situation. He should be receiving 7 shillings (£0.35) a week with a deduction of 1½d (£0.006) for ‘insurance’. (Who says that the military mind has no sense of humour?) By keeping back some of his pay, the Army would have been ensuring that Harry was saving well over a £1 a month – more than £50 at today’s values.
The war diary, meanwhile, is still detailing training, as well as a few sporting activities besides some more serious work:
6th–12th [March] Bn. relieved the 9th Yorkshire Regt in the line on the MONTELLO (Right Sector, Divl. Front), beco
ming Support Bn in the Brigade. Musketry, live bombing, grenade throwing, firing the Lewis Gun and training in Bayonet Fighting Course were carried out whilst in those billets.
Specialists were trained under their own officers. A Cross Country run was held on the 10th inst and various football matches were played between companies and platoons. On 10th inst Working Parties were supplied to the Right Front Line Battalion, to improve the Second Line.
Then, in the middle of March, the battalion, having received new orders, left the Piave front, setting off on a lengthy march to the west, to take its place on the Asiago Plateau in the Dolomite Mountains.
During the time on the Piave, the 9th York and Lancasters had been in the front line or in support for a total of around twenty-five days. Four days had been spent marching to Mount Grappa and back. Much of the rest of the time was spent in training, with a significant proportion of that directed towards ‘hill fighting’. The battalion had prepared well for its next location.
CHAPTER 9
ASIAGO – SPRING AND SUMMER 1918
SO THE MEN OF THE battalion marched away from the Piave front, heading west, the same direction they had taken a month earlier on the march to Mount Grappa. This time they kept going, moving to a different terrain and climate. After two days’ marching across the Venetian Plain, motorized transport took them away from the flat country up into the mountains, on to the Asiago Plateau. The weather in the mountains was extremely cold, wet and snowy, although in a month or so it would certainly change for the better. The war diary entry recording the move shows that the battalion was in good physical condition, and with good morale:
