 WW1 Letter from the Front |
DRIFFIELD AND WOLDS GENEALOGY |
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WW1 LETTERS FROM THE FRONT YOUR KING AND COUNTRY NEED YOU RECRUITS WANTED ! EAST YORKSHIRE WAGGONERS Are urgently needed as DRIVERS FOR ARMY SERVICE CORPS and ROYAL ENGINEERS Quickest way to get to the Front – JOIN THE EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT ALL OTHER REGIMENTS REQUIRE GOOD RECRUITS Age 19 to 38 years SHOEING SMITHS and SADDLERS ARE WANTED. Age 19 to 45 Pay 35s per week, and separation allowances Apply at once for Information and Enlistment to COL-SERGT E DOBSON Army Recruitment Officer 49 MIDDLE STREET N, DRIFFIELD NEW BATTLION – A new battalion has been formed called the 18th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment with Head-quarters at Richmond, for “Bantams” – men of 5ft to 5ft 2ins Amongst the appointments gazetted on Wednesday night, was that of Mr J.T. Burton, son of Mr Burton, of the Key’s Hotel, Driffield. He has been appointed to a Commission as Second-Lieutenant in the 6th Batt. Durham (King’s Own) Light Infantry. Mr Burton was trained in the O.T.C., Bridlington Grammar School. Mr and Mrs T. Dixon have received a letter from their foster son, Harry Barmby, who as a volunteer, came over to fight with the New Zealand contingent. He was wounded in the foot in Dardenelles, and now writes from Abassia Hospital, Cairo, saying he has recovered from the wound in the foot, and the blood poisoning resulting therefrom, but has since been attacked by dysentery, and sent to Egypt, and will probably be sent back to his home when discharged from the Hospital. ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF THE WAR HOW IT WAS KEPT IN DRIFFIELD The anniversary of the declaration of war was observed by an intercessory service at the Parish Church, and a public meeting in the Market Place, on Wednesday night. The officials at the Parish Church were unable to find sufficient seating accommodation, except by the use of additional chairs and seats for the large congregation desirous of taking part in the service. Apart from the general public, there were present – the platoon of Volunteers under Commandant T. Holtby, the Special Constables, under Group Leader Col. G.A. Duncombe, D.L., J.P. (both these marched from the Territorial Hall, headed by the Town Band), Nurses of the Territorial Aid Society and the Church Lads’ Brigade. The service was commenced by the singing of the well-known hymn “Rock of Ages,” followed by the reading of a short lesson. A letter from the Archbishop was read. THE PUBLIC MEETING followed in the Market Place, and was the largest that has been held there for a long time. Mr H Naylor, J.P., presided and he was supported n the platform by Col. G.A. Duncombe, Mr Chas. Smith, J.P., Commandant T. Holtby, Mr T. Minnit Good, and Mr R. Holtby. Mr Naylor made feeling reference to the men who had given their lives in the struggle and moved the following resolution :- That on this anniversary of the declaration of a righteous war, this meeting of the citizens of Driffield records once more its inflexible determination to continue to a victorious the struggle to maintain that ideal of liberty and justice, which is the common and sacred cause of the Allies. After speeches and applause, the proceedings concluded by the singing of the National Anthem, led by the Town Band under the conductorship of Mr Geo. Potts. Lieut-Colonel Sir Mark Sykes, Bart., M.P., of the 5th Battlalion Alexandra Princess of Wales’ Own Yorkshire Regiment has been appointed to the staff in Persia. Mrs Harrison, of Belle Vue Street, Trecynon, has received the sad news from the War Office, that her brother (Pte Clem. Mayo), who previous to the war, lived with her, has died in Germany. Neither the cause of his death nor the date of his demise is stated. He belonged to the Welsh Regiment, and went out last August with the Expeditionary Force, and was made a prisoner of war last November. He was also a brother of Mrs F.B. Harrison, Skerne Road, Driffield. With the news of his death sent by the War Office is enclosed the following note :- “The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of His Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow. – Kitchener.” A MISSING DRIFFIELD SOLDIER A letter has been received by the friends of Lce-Corpl. Hy. Bradly, Eastgate S., Driffield (who was reported as missing on April 23rd), from Mr Louis Mallet, of the British Red /Cross and Order of St John, dated July 14th, which says :- “With reference to your enquiry for L.Cpl. H. Bradley, 9987 A. Company, 2nd East Yorkshire Regiment, we deeply regret to say that we have heard unofficially that Bradley was killed on the afternoon of April 23rd, in the attack at Ypres. Our informant tells us that he saw Bradley’s body; that he belonged to the same Section, and that they were close together at the time. He says Bradley was hit in the head. We should tell you that we are not ourselves inclined to accept this evidence as final, but we thought it right to pass it on to you.” A DRIFFIELD LAD WITH THE CANADIANS The following letter has been received by us from Pte Jack Green 12711, 1st Canadian Division, 5th Batt 2nd Bdge Transport : - “Sir, I hope you an find room in your paper for my short letter. Being a native of Driffield and district a few years back, now with the Canadian Division at the Front, I have read with interest the letter in your papers from some of the Driffield boys out here. Of course there are lots of different opinions about this war; of all wars we all have our views, some one way and some another, but we are all out here to win, and by the help of our Allies and the people at home I think there is no fear any other way. Now, dear Mr Editor, what I was going to say was that although fighting with and beside quite a lot or Yorkshire regiments ever since we arrived in France, I have never yet seen anyone from Driffield that I happen to know, only one or two that came with me from Canada.- Cpl H Hunsley, one of my best friends, who was killed in the battle of Ypres in April, a fine soldier and my sympathy is with his father and mother at losing such a good and cheerful son. Well, there are a lot of ups and downs to go through out here. We used to think it would be over before the winter set in, but I guess we are here for a while yet. We are in a nice quiet place at present, the quietest place we have struck yet, but still we get a fed “Jack’s” across. They don’t seem to be getting at all short of shells; the way they spend them on our aircraft is not slow, as many as 138 was fired at one over us last night, but still he came back safe; quite exciting to watch them burst all around the machine; sir, they are the brave men and no mistake and have the nerve of the real old British lion; we owe a great lot of thanks to our airmen. Now, sir, with our big war loan, our miner’s in Wales, and the shell makers all working I think by God’s help we can soon decide this awful war. I hope to meet a few of the old town boys out here before long, as I know there are quite a number of them here, but it seems my luck never to run across them. Wishing you and your paper every success; I forgot to mention I receive your paper nearly every week and spend quite a lot of my spare minutes reading down the news from Driffield and around. In a few weeks time I hope to pay a few days visit to Driffield and around. Now I must close, wishing all the boys from your district out here and at home the best of luck. Captain Phillip Lloyd-Graeme, who was gazetted Lieutenant ten months ago, and became Captain two days later, has now been promoted temporary Major in the 5th Yorkshire Regiment (Scarboro and District Territorials) Among the names of those who have received decorations from His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russia (with the approval of His Majesty the King) we are pleased to notice the name of Lieutenant J. Downie, M.B., Yorkshire Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C. (T.F.), who has had the Order of St Anne, Fourth Class, inscribed “For Valour in War” conferred on him. The following letters have been received from Lce-Corpl R.H. Temple, 4th Northumberland Fusiliers, a grandson of the late Mr Geo. Temple, auditor on the N.E. Railway, and formerly of Driffield :- I am writing this in a farm house 200 yards from a shell wrecked village. I explored it this morning with a chum; and I think many aspects of the war were brought home to me in a manner I had never realised before. In the centre stood the Church, in which for 200 years the simple souled Belgians had listened generation after generation to the voice of the village priest. Little children had been brought there to be christened and welcomed into the Church of Christ; young men, and maidens had pledged their love to one another and in the Churchyard crosses and tombstones marked the spots where dear ones had been laid to rest. Now, the fabric, which was built by loving hands – by some Mason’s Guild, no doubt – is a heap of ruins. The spire has been shattered and has crashed through the roof. Great holes appear in the walls, the windows – many of them of stained glass – are all broken; and splintered timber fills the body and porch of the now desecrated edifice. Weeds, rank and tall, hide the small wooden crosses, and the whole graveyard looks like a wilderness. But even as one stands and gazes at the vandalism of the Huns, one can imagine the Church re-built in years to come and the people worshipping with greater devotion on account of what their fathers suffered. Opposite the Church is the priests house, the roof fallen in, the walls pierced here and there by shells, the furniture – what remains – broken and littered about the floors. One of he father’s round black hats lay foot trodden among the refuse. Above the front door the figure of the Virgin Mary remained “in situ,” unharmed, as if by providential care. The garden – the care of which, one could imagine had been the priests – was like the churchyard, choked with weeds. Here and there blooms were to be seen on the rose-bushes and in one corner a big clump of monkshood, in full flower, contrasted strangely with the grasses and nettles. A little further down the street an open door showed the interior of a blacksmith’s shop. Two sets of wheels, newly rimmed, stood against the wall. The anvil and remaining tools were all corroded with rust, and one wondered where the men were who had slung the hammer and made sparks fly to the delight and terror of the village children. Near by is the cottage where we go for water. The low squat chair, still standing near the door opening into the garden made me picture some old Belgian grandmother sitting thereon – knitting perhaps to fill in her time – the headless and footless doll lying on the ground near by made me think of the little one who had played there also. Grandmother and child may have been among the many refugees who went to England in the early days of the war. The Mayor’s house stands at the corner of four cross-roads in the village. It also bears signs of bombardment; the roof is depleted of most of its red tiles, the windows are smashed and the frame-work broken. I passed into what had been the office. The floor was one mass of official papers, registers of all kinds, and books containing the village accounts. Some of these dated back for 150 years, and were executed in beautiful copper plate writing and figuring. To anyone who loves the handling of old records, who loves them as something sacred, the sights of these monuments of industry and patience, lying damp and debased on a floor covered with soil and debris, was sufficient to bring a pang to the heart, and a jar to the intellect. As records they were priceless. A little may be gathered from the wreck in days to come, but many record of historic value will be lost forever. There is not a house undamaged in the whole village, most of the shops have been rifled of their contents; the woodwork fittings are all broken and lie on the floor amid receipted bills and business papers. Every garden is over run with weeks and waste grain; for barley, oats, and wheat are now to be seen in full ear all over the place. The small avenue of trees, planted along every approach to the village, have also limb show. Truly a deserted village and a desecrated one also; and all this ha been done in the name of German culture. Would to god their philosophy for the last 50 years had had a little more love and brotherliness about it, then the breaking of “The Mother Heart of Europe” might have been avoided. Leaving the village with a sadder heart than when I entered it, I took shelter in the priests house till a thunder shower passed over, and stooping down I picked up what appeared to be the outlines of a sermon. The text at the head was as follows :- “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good-will towards men.” My whole being echoed the prayer, and I trust the day may not be far distant when we shall all see it answered. THE POSTMAN’S KNOCK – A number of townspeople may have wondered why the familiar rat-a-tat of the postman has not been heard at mid-day during the past week; the explanation is that the usual delivery has shared the fate of that of the afternoon, and for the time being has been discontinued. The delivery of letters will only be in mornings and evenings on week-day and this will be accomplished in some instances by young women who have taken the places of some of the men. The evening delivery takes place at 6.30, instead of 7.30 as herefore, so it will be necessary to post early in order to ensure delivery the same night. D.C.M. FOR A YOUNG DRIFFIELD SOLDIER We are pleased to record the fact that Lce Corporal F. Donald Bentley, 6108 King’s Royal Rifles (machine gun sections), second son of Mr Thos. M. Bentley, Skerne Road, Driffield, who is serving with the colours in France, has been awarded the D.C.M. The young soldier, who is only 19 years of age, went out last April and he is the first of the many brave men who have gone out of our town to receive distinction. In a letter to one of his brothers he thanks him for some acceptable things sent our and then goes on to say :- “I am this time going to try and give you an idea of what things have been like with us the last three weeks, without giving away any secrets and without abusing the privileges granted by the green envelope which I am using. I cannot give you the dates, but I can give the correct sequence of the happening. After seven days in he trenches we were relieved one morning about one o’clock, and got safely down to our temporary billets by three o’clock, where we thought we should get a good sleep. However, sleep was a myth and we were called out about five o’clock to hear that the men who had relieved us had to evacuate the trenches on account of liquid fire, which you will have read so much about. We hurried back to the trenches and the gun section took up positions in a wood which allowed us to enfilade the Germans. In the afternoon our boys made a very gallant attempt to re-take the trenches, but the time was very badly chosen and the attempt failed. At night our officer took a coporal and my section down into a little dell to support a very much weakened line. The night was fairly quiet, but just before dawn, the artillery of both sides took it into their heads to fire as many shells as they could at one another’s firing line. By the way, about half an hour before the bombardment started, the men whom my gun was supporting evacuated the trench and left myself and the other five of our team to look after about 300 yards of trenches. It was the second time they had gone, and in the first instance our corporal succeeded in getting them to go back and he thought he would probably be able to do so again. However, he did not return and I did not know what to do. Try and imagine yourself in the same position. I had not to think of my own personal safety, but of the five men in my charge and also the 300 yards of trenches. Then a terrible thing happened, four of the fellows lost their nerve, completely and left me. I could not blame them as an enormous shell burst about three yards behind us and smothered us all with dirt, but fortunately not hitting any one. I did not know what to think then, but one of the fellows stuck to me like a brick. I had fired about 1000 rounds and I think they must have spotted the continuous flame coming from the barrel, as they seemed to make a dead set at the corner. We then did what I thought best. Between two of us, we managed to carry the gun two traverses down, and we stayed there to seed if the Germans showed any signs of coming across. They did not come and we stayed there until the bombardment quietened down to just an occasional shell. Then I set out to find the nearest troops to let them know that no one was on their left. This done, we went up to headquarters to report to our officer. It was two days of the hottest fighting I think that could happen. My section turned up without a man touched and I thanked God that it was so, as they are all about my age. The outcome of it all was that I was taken up before the Colonel, and he just thanked me in soldiers words by saying “I think you did very well and I will see that your name is brought to the General’s notice.” It does not sound much, but it meant a lot to me and I don’t want any recognition for my own sake, but if anything comes of it, I shall be awfully glad for the dear old dad.” In a postscript the writer says, “Since I last wrote I have been elevated to the rank of Lance-Corporal.” We congratulate our young townsman on his success and hope to hear of others who have gone from the town being honoured. A couple of letters have been received from Pte L. Malkin (Driffield), who is with the 9th Yorkshires in the Dardenelles. The first is dated August 11, in which he says :- “We have been in the firing line for six days, and got relieved this morning. By the help of God I have managed to get through without a scratch so far, though thousands of our poor fellows have fallen in the fight against the fore, as I expect you will know before this reaches you. We don’t know whether we shall be off back again to the Front as we have lost such a lot; it was very nearly as bad as the Australians landing, but we made a name for ourselves and if we have to go back, we shall all go with a good heart, and hope to bring this war to an end before long.” – The second letter is dated August 19th in which the writer says :- “I expect you will receive the earlier letter the same time as this one as we had to go to the firing line the same night, and I was not able to get it away. We have had seven days in the trenches and have got relieved for a day or two. I have had the luck so far to get through without a scratch, although I have had some narrow escapes.” Mr Geo. Verity, of Exchange Street, Driffield, has received some letters from several of the former members of his class at the Primitive Methodist Sunday School, now serving their country somewhere in France, from which we make extracts : Pte Fred Belt, writing on Aug. 20th says :- “We are at present in the trenches and have been nine days in; at the beginning of the week we had a heavy thunderstorm which made the trenches very unpleasant. I received the sweets sent by the class, and I wish you would give the members my sincere thanks.” – Pte P. Stockton, under date Aug. 28th writes :- “We are out of the trenches once again. After doing a spell of nine days in the trenches and three in reserve. We had a tremendous lot of rain and the trenches were a foot deep in water; we were doing a bit of pudding, but it wasn’t very comfortable. The building we are now billeted in is the most comfortable one I have stayed in since we came out here; it had been a school in peace time.” - Pte Robt. Garner, whose letter was posted at the Field Office, on Sept 1st says :- “We have nice meetings out here on a Sunday, when we are out of the trenches by our preacher, who was at Newcastle. We are going to the trenches again to se our old companions. You would laugh at our lads going to the trenches; we have mouth organs and other kinds of music; you would think we were going for a holiday. That is the spirit you want; we never think about the danger. We shout over to the Germans and ask them how they are going on. You would be amused to see us cooking our food; we shall know how to cook our food when we come home – not half. When we have a big victory we shout to the Germans, and tell them the news. After that we give a close look out, because they get a bit angry and send us what they call a sausage. This thing goes round and round and you have to get out of the road as soon as possible, for it drops in the trench, which means death. We get really excited with it of course, but we get used to the game. We can sleep in the trenches when they are sending shells and bullets.” All the lads express their thanks for parcels sent out. AMBULANCE WORK IN DRIFFIELD Last Friday a large company assembled in the spacious and beautiful grounds of Mr A. Good, Rosegarth, Driffield, to witness the presentation of the certificates &c., gained by members of the St John Ambulance Association. Lady Nunburnholme distributed the certificates &c., as follows :- First Aid Certificates :- Louisa Simpson, Maria Etherington, Mary Fawcett, Madeline Kelsey, Clara Verity, Florence Townsend, Elsie Woodcock, Nancy Woodcock, Frances Wiles, Grace Geary, Ethel Dawson, Mabel Brown, Connie Head, Gladys Good, Susannah Verity, Edith Wallis. Voucher – Eliza Clayton Medallion :- Mary Hendry, Mary Wilberfoss, Mary T. Fawcett, Mary Spencer, Isobel Chambers, Dorice Kettlewell, Rose Botterill, Mary Dandy Labels :- Helen Holtby, Sophia Holmes, Mary Owsten, Sarah Harrison, Lucy Johnson, Clara Oliver, Amy Everitt, Annie Sanderson Home Nursing :- Ethel Dawson, Edith Wallis, Hilda Scotchburn, Margaret Jordan, Alice Pluck, Nancy Woodcock, Elsie Woodcock, Sarah Paterson, Madeline Kelsey, Mary Eccles, Grace Geary, Mary Eccles, Grace Geary, Mary E Fawcett, Dorothy Hives, Nellie Jordan, Jessie Suffield, Gladys Good, Louisa Simpson, Frances Wiles, Clara Verity, Esme Parkinson The mother of 6856 Private John William Hodson, A Company, 6th East Yorkshire Regiment, has received a communication from the Record Office at York, dated September 10th, that he had been killed in action in the Dardenelles, on 21st August. He was the second son of the late Thos. Hodson, who was for 21years in the 84th Regiment and was the only surviving son of his mother and she a widow, living in King Street, Driffield. On visiting her on Tuesday night, we found her very much distressed at the occurrence, but between her sobs she said, “It’s very hard; but he has died in a good cause.” The deceased was well known in the town and district, having for some time been in the employ of Mr G.R. Simpson, V.S., and afterwards with the Oil Company, and also a member of the Territorial Force. He was 35 years of age. Mrs Hodson has received the following letter from Sergt. R.E. Ward, of the same regiment :- “Dear Mrs Hodson – I am taking the liberty to write and tell you that I am sorry to say your son was killed in action on 21st August. We buried him in the evening. He died a gallant death. We were all very sorry to lose him. He was a cheerful, good comrade. I have his pocket book and watch, which I will send you on first opportunity. I hope to call and tell you all about it. Please accept all our heartfelt sympathy in your terrible bereavement, but you must remember he died a soldiers death, thinking not of himself, but of his dear ones at home.” NAFFERTON Captain J. Stuart Nornabell, The King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, who was wounded in Flanders in October last, has just had another operation on his right arm; it has been most successful, and the arm is progressing favourably. He is now in a nursing home in London. Capt. Nornabell had the honour of a visit from her Majesty Queen Alexandra and the Princess Victoria, and subsequently received a panel portrait autographed by Her Majesty. WETWANG Mr and Mrs Sykes have recently received news from their grandson, Corpl. Len. Sykes, who is attached to the Royal Marines (Portsmouth Battalion). He has been doing service in the Dardenelles, and is now in England. He was wounded during their landing in May, and at Anzaqc, Gaba Tepe, he displayed such courage and gallantry that he received a certificate for such conduct at the hands of Major-General Paris, commanding the Royal Naval Division at the Dardenelles. We are sorry to say that he has been wounded for the second time, and his wounds are of a more serious nature. He now lies in Gosport Naval Hospital, having been shot through the neck, the bullet finding a lodging place in his left lung. He has been under X-ray treatment but no operation has yet been performed. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope that the bullet may free itself without the need of any operation. SOLDIERS CONNECTED TO DRIFFIELD & DIED IN GREAT WAR
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