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FROM THE CONTEMPORARY LOCAL NEWSPAPERS OF NORTH BUCKS (BUCKS STANDARD, NORTH BUCKS TIMES, WOLVERTON EXPRESS)
With today’s internet a wealth of official information is available regarding those who served.
In an age before local radio and television, families often allowed letters to be published in the local press from their loved ones on active service.
However, for their descendants the letters reveal a more personal aspect, graphically describing the experience of the people and providing an insight into their personalities.

NBT 1917 Sep. 11th Tue.
Regarding the death of their son, Rifleman W. Windmill, Mr. and Mrs. W. Windmill, of the Cock Inn, Billington, have received a letter from the Officer Commanding a machine gun section;

His loss is very keenly felt by all of us as he was extremely well liked and a most useful and willing worker. He had not been with us more than four or five weeks, but during that time we easily found out his worth. I can only offer my most sincere sympathy in your trouble and hope you will bear the loss bravely.”

(Private Windmill had been instantly killed by a shell, which exploded near the door of a dug-out. Three others were wounded.)

ALSO AVAILABLE IN BOOK FORM AS ‘LETTERS FROM THE FIRST WORLD WAR’ FROM WWW. LULU.COM,
PRODUCED WITH THE INVALUABLE EXPERTISE OF ALAN KAY & ZENA DAN.