The Telegraph Book of Readers' Letters from the Great War

by Gavin Fuller

  The Telegraph

  BOOK OF

  READERS’ LETTERS

  FROM THE GREAT WAR

  EDITED BY

  GAVIN FULLER

  Introduction

  The letters published in the Daily Telegraph during the First World War tell a different story to the entrenched notion that it was the ‘war to end war.’ Curiously the battles of the war don’t engender a single letter in the newspaper – whether this omertà was decided upon as a policy decision by the newspaper or even perhaps the authorities rather than the readers is, alas, one lost in the mists of time, but it does seem remarkable that even events such as the sinking of RMS Lusitania did not generate letters of outrage in the newspaper.

  Nevertheless the four and a quarter years of conflict meant that the Telegraph’s readers found plenty to write about and the paper became host to a number of letters from the great and good – members of the Royal Family, leading politicians and authors all put (or had put on their behalf) pen to paper to the Editor. One thing that is striking when reading through the newspapers of the war is the number of letters asking for donations, whether it be money or other articles; this book could have been filled with the letters from those asking for our readers’ assistance, and even as the war drew to a close there were still contributions of this type appearing. In the early days of the war, these letters do make one wonder just how efficiently the supply chain to our armed forces was being organised by the Government; a request for readers to donate field glasses to officers for example, or to supply mufflers for our soldiers, or stockings for our sailors doesn’t really reflect well on the powers that be, whilst others cast a sadder light on things.

  What our letter writers often do though, is provide another aspect to a country facing a war like none it had fought before, and this throws up a number of questions. For example, ‘Just what should our clergymen’s response to this situation be?’ created a serious debate amongst our readers. The frustrations of men not in the full flush of youth but who wished to do their bit for King and Country are, perhaps unsurprisingly with this newspaper, writ large, as are the grievances with those who are in that flush but not perceived to be doing so. It is prescient that the first letters of the war are concern for the nation’s food supply given what was to ensue with the German submarine campaign against our merchant shipping. Some of the letters make one’s jaw drop – a canon extolling the joys of the French Riviera or our organ builders arguing that just because there is a war on why should people stop buying their products? And some make one wonder – why on earth would a council deem the lending of fiction from its libraries unsuitable during wartime?

  Just as it was a war beyond comprehension on the front line, it was also a war felt and fought on the home front like none before. Collected together for the first time, these letters paint a portrait of a society scarred by tragedy, guilt and grief, but also of a country battling to give their all and to ‘do their bit’. Most of all they reveal a nation joining together as they try and come to terms with a war that would alter the course of their lives forever.

  Gavin Fuller

  August 2014

  4 August 1914

  CARE OF NATION’S FOOD

  SIR – At a time of national crisis, when less than ever can we calculate what may be the requirements of the future, it behoves all patriotic people to take the utmost care and thought that nothing, however small, which may be of eventual service to the people is neglected.

  In view of this we venture to suggest that the multitude of small unused or uncropped plots of ground should at once be planted with such food plants as it is possible to sow at this season of the year. It is too late for corn of any kind, too late for potatoes. Turnips, however, should do well after the rains of the last few days. Turnip-rooted beet, carrots and onions – of suitable varieties – would in a favourable autumn yield fair-sized bulbs.

  Every day is of importance, as the time is not far distant when vegetative growth will cease for the year.

  There are also in almost all gardens beds surplus stock of cabbage and savoy plants. Let them be planted out as far as can be, and let the remainder be at once given to cottagers and others who will do likewise.

  These may seem trifling matters, but the day may come when trifles count, and from personal observation of the enormous number of unused corners and odd plots of land, we are convinced that the total increase of foodstuffs would be by no means small if everyone with land would do as we suggest.

  It should also be impressed on farmers not to leave vacant any land that may be profitably used in the manner we are urging.

  W. Wilks, Secretary, RHS

  Frederick Keeble, Director, RHS Gardens, Wisley

  Royal Horticultural Society, Vincent Square, Westminster, S.W.

  7 August 1914

  CIVILIANS AND THE HARVEST

  SIR – All patriotic men desire at this critical period to do their duty to their country. It is a mistake to suppose that military service is the only, or in many cases the best, means of carrying out such duty. There is at the moment no greater national need than the speedy harvesting, without interruption, of the present bountiful crops of wheat and other cereals in this country, and the resowing of the land with similar crops as soon as possible. In some districts the shortage of agricultural labour is considerable, and is daily increasing. This is due partly to the calling up for military service of Reservists and the embodiment of the Territorials, and partly to the non-arrival of the Irish labourers who usually visit England at this time to help with the corn harvest. The difficulty is accentuated by the impressment for military requirements of many of the farm horses. Local labour exchanges are being instructed by the Board of Trade to help the farmers at this crisis as much as possible, and the Board of Agriculture is sending a circular on this subject to local chambers of agriculture throughout the kingdom. May I suggest that civilians, regardless of all social distinctions, who are at present unable to serve their country in other ways should, through the nearest labour exchange or otherwise, offer forthwith their patriotic assistance, either continuously for the next three weeks or alternatively during the weekends, in the process of getting in the harvest?

  Yours faithfully,

  Charles Bathurst

  House of Commons

  THE GERMAN EMBASSY

  American’s Strong Protest

  SIR – I today have addressed to the American ambassador a note, a copy of which I beg to enclose to you. The matter is one of such moment that it ought, I feel, to be given currency in your columns.

  Sincerely yours,

  S. Gross Horwitz

  London

  TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR

  MY DEAR SIR – I note with deep regret and concern that the affairs of the German Embassy have been taken over by you. A more unfortunate diplomatic performance it is difficult for me to conceive. At a time when all the nations of the earth – the United States in particular – have been engaged in promoting the cause of peace, the German bravo privately has been engaged in hatching the means of profiting by their pacific policies. The world is now awake, and realises that the disturber of the repose of all men, this German blusterer, drunk with self-infatuation, would sacrifice all interests to his own. Millions already are sufferers as the result of his unprovoked iniquities. Locked up in London, I, an American citizen, find myself unable to obtain even funds; thousands of others the same. Bankruptcy upon vast masses of beings already has fallen, and upon vast masses more must bankruptcy fall unless the course of this latter-day barbarian promptly be arrested. That, in suc
h circumstances, the American nation should, directly or indirectly, give sanction to the German cause by lending itself to the transaction in London of German affairs is pollution to the American name.

  In a just cause the law of nations sanctions such a course, but not in an infamous one. Far from it. International ethics justify, on the contrary, a banding together of all nations against an imperious brigand, bent upon subjugating all people to his will. The country which has deputed you hither, he has insulted equally with all other countries. He has, in other words, caused an incalculable number of human beings throughout the world to suffer in an infinite variety of ways. It, therefore, is, I feel, incumbent upon some American citizens sternly to protect against the action which the American Embassy has taken. Hence do I beg leave to request in my own name, and in the name of hundreds of thousands of other Americans, I feel sure, that you will at once notify to the German people that you are unable in any capacity to act for them.

  With profound assurances of regard,

  I am, dear Sir,

  Sincerely yours,

  S. Gross Horwitz

  Berkeley Hotel, Piccadilly, W.

  8 August 1914

  COUNTRY HOUSES

  Use as Hospitals

  SIR – There must be many who, like myself, are willing to lend their country houses on the east and south-east coast of Great Britain, and in the neighbourhood of London, for hospital purposes in the present crisis.

  There will certainly be an influx of sick and wounded to this country within a short time, and we must make every possible effort to accommodate them under the most comfortable conditions.

  For the purpose of converting the houses into hospitals and convalescent homes expert advice is advisable, and will those who are prepared to offer their houses on these lines write to me with full particulars of their houses and accommodation at 26 Victoria Street, London S.W., where I have made arrangements for all inquiries to be attended to by those who are fully competent to do so.

  I feel certain a central bureau of this description would considerably facilitate the medical departments of the Admiralty and of the War Office, and enable them to get a list of people willing to lend their houses at the shortest notice, and, in addition, enable those who wish to help in this way to do so in the most efficient manner.

  Yours faithfully,

  Sutherland

  Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland

  10 August 1914

  HOSPITAL FOR ALLIES

  Lady Sarah Wilson’s Plea

  SIR – As a soldier’s wife – one of the many in England today who have a smile on their lips while fear grips their hearts – I make an appeal for a fund to organise and equip a base or stationary hospital for English, French and Belgian soldiers, to be established at a convenient spot on the Continent, the locality of which would be determined by the progress of hostilities.

  Naturally, plans for the moment must be obscure, but it would seem that it is at present intended to bring disabled soldiers back to England for hospital treatment. When I was in South Africa during the Boer War, I constantly witnessed the arrival of the injured after an engagement, and I can only say, with such scenes vividly before me, that I am haunted day and night by the idea of those grievously wounded having to face additional discomforts in the shape of a crowded ship, of a rough sea. I am not referring to those slightly wounded.

  We know full well that the Government arrangements for the sick and wounded will be in every way as efficient as the expeditionary force itself; but in a struggle of this kind, when all available hospital space will be taxed to its utmost limits, it would be an inestimable boon to the Army base hospitals to have some cases – perhaps the most severe ones – taken off their hands.

  It should be called to mind that during the Boer War over 20,000 patients were treated in a supplementary hospital. I allude to the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital organised by my sister, the late Countess Howe, and the late Lady Chesham.

  I propose to form a small committee and to run the hospital under the auspices of the Red Cross Society.

  I further hope to engage the best available surgeons and nurses.

  If the public will entrust me with their money, I will guarantee that, as far as energy and hard work will go, the soldiers will get full benefit for every penny subscribed.

  He gives twice who gives quickly! Surely this were never more true than now, for seldom, if ever, have our dear ones been so suddenly called to the battlefield.

  Subscriptions and any gifts in kind will be gratefully received and acknowledged by me at 16 Grosvenor Street, W., which the Hon. Mrs George Keppel has generously offered as an office for the proposed fund.

  Yours faithfully,

  Sarah Wilson

  12 August 1914

  GERMAN TREATMENT OF ENGLISH LADIES

  SIR – I have seen it stated that the Germans have treated with courtesy and kindness English travellers who happened to be in their country on the outbreak of war. The narration of my own unfortunate experiences may serve to convince your readers how different are the real facts.

  On Saturday, 1 August, a party, consisting of a German officer, who had permission to escort me as far as the Dutch frontier, my chauffeur, and myself, left Homburg in a motor car, intending to make for Cologne. We travelled on the right bank of the Rhine as far as Rüdesheim, and took the ferry boat across to Bingerbrüch, where we were turned back. There were pickets everywhere, and whenever our car was stopped, which happened frequently, people crowded round it. We were not actually molested, but the attitude of the inhabitants was distinctly hostile, and they made use of many uncomplimentary expressions.

  We returned to Rüdesheim, and made progress as far as Braubach. There we were met by a hostile crowd, and were forced to go before the Burgomaster, who told us he had been informed by telephone that we were spies. This was not pleasant news, because we had heard that a good many alleged spies had been arrested, and some of them had been shot almost immediately.

  Finally, after our luggage had been searched, we were taken by train under military escort to Coblenz. Next morning we were required to present ourselves at the prefecture, and after telephoning in various directions the officials permitted us to depart.

  Returning to Braubach, we recovered our motor car, and succeeded in reaching Cleves about ten o’clock the same night. Next morning we resumed our journey, but were stopped on the German side of the Dutch frontier, just beside the barrier, and rigorously searched. After being kept waiting for five hours in a village street, we were informed that the road by which we had come was closed to motors, and two soldiers were told to accompany us to Wesel.

  On arriving at Wesel we were instructed to drive to the citadel, and, to our extreme astonishment, the officer in charge ordered us to be thrown into prison. I was put in a dirty cell, bad enough for the worst criminal, and as a special concession I was given a cane chair to sit upon. The weather was very hot, and the want of air in the cell caused me much physical distress. After a couple of hours or so the sergeant yielded to my earnest entreaties that I should be given better quarters, and conveyed me to the rooms occupied by himself and his wife.

  A Military Court

  Next morning I was summoned to appear before a military court consisting of three officers, and was severely catechised, my answers being taken down in writing. Afterwards my imprisonment was not so rigorous, as I was allowed to stay in a big room guarded by a sentry with a loaded rifle. In the afternoon the wife of my officer friend arrived from Düsseldorf, and visited the citadel to intercede on my behalf.

  However, the authorities would not release me until a telegram came from the British Ambassador, about half-past nine in the evening, after which both my chauffeur and myself were set free. My German companion was detained until the following morning. In the meantime I heard from the wife that he had been given a high appointment on the general staff of one of the army corps.

  Thanks to his good offices I afterwards obtained a pa
ss for myself and my chauffeur, as well as permission to buy petrol. My troubles were not yet at an end, but it will suffice to say that, escorted by four soldiers in a motor car, I at length reached the frontier at Gronaü. Here I thankfully bade goodbye to German territory.

  I was received most kindly by the Dutch officials, who provided me with a pass to Rotterdam, where I spent the night. The next day I got another pass from the British Legation at The Hague, and in the afternoon I motored as far as Bergen-op-Zoom, where the car was obliged to be put in an open truck. Sitting in the car, my chauffeur and I accomplished the journey to Flushing in six hours. The steamer was waiting already, and I was thankful to have a good night’s rest. Next day the ship left at eleven o’clock, and I reached Folkestone at seven o’clock, where I was met by my husband.

  Yours, &c.,

  Mary Stewart Mackenzie.

  47 Berkeley Square, W.

  13 August 1914

  CIVILIAN NATIONAL RESERVE

  SIR – A movement is on foot by which men who can find no other way of serving their country shall form themselves into local bodies which shall drill and learn to shoot, organising themselves and forming a reserve without worrying the authorities in any way.

  In this small town we have raised 200 such men, who are hard at work drilling and at the butts. We have had 250 applications from other centres for details as to our method of organisation.

  I should be happy to send these to anyone who desires it. No one can tell the course of this war, nor predict how far in a few months’ time the existence of some hundreds of thousands of additional who have had some elementary military training may affect the situation.