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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 1916 Apr. 23rd Tue.

Mr. and Mrs. H. Wadsworth have learnt that their only surviving son, Private Albert Wadsworth, Beds. Regiment, died. A few weeks ago he was reported to be in a critical condition in Rouen hospital with gas and shell wounds, but it was hoped he would recover. He died after much suffering at the age of 22. He had joined the Duke of Bedford’s Regiment in December, 1915, and went to France the following July, his last leave being in October, 1917. Only seven months ago his parents lost their younger son on the Western Front.


NBT 1916 **** Tue.

Now living at Bow Brickhill Caldecote, the wife and family of Private T.G. Richardson, Beds. Regiment, have been informed that he has died of wounds in France. He was the oldest son of Mrs. Richardson, of Ravenstone, and married a daughter of Mr. J. Dimmock, of Great Brickhill. Private Richardson was severely wounded in the head, and died of his wounds on July 17th after being treated in a French hospital. An officer of his platoon writes;

“Your husband had been in my platoon since March and always showed himself to be a good cheerful worker, and his death is a great loss to my platoon. Hoping you will accept my sincere sympathy. Yours sincerely, B. Colchester.”

Private Richardson, who had joined the colours in July, 1915, leaves three small children apart from his widow, whose brother, Private Charles Dimmock, is in hospital at Liverpool suffering from wounds.


NBT 1917 Jan. 23rd Tues.

Resident at the School House, Bow Brickhill, Mr. William Edward Burton acted as treasurer to the fund for providing each village soldier with a Christmas parcel, and has received a letter from Trooper C. Collins. He is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Collins, of the Post Office, and from Mesopotamia writes;

“I can assure you our boys will be more than delighted to know those at home are thinking of those who will not be able to spend this holiday at home we so keenly look forward to. I do not think more useful articles could have been selected, as you can imagine what with the mud and cold in France and the terrible heat out here, socks are very useful things. The cigarettes and malted milk tablets, the former no doubt all of us enjoy more or less, and the latter are just what our infantrymen want when on the march, as they are so nourishing. I hope by next Christmas all of us will be at home safe and sound and that this war will be at a peaceful end. I hope you will convey to each person who so kindly contributed towards this most acceptable parcel, my sincerest thanks.” Trooper Collins joined the Royal Bucks Hussars shortly after the outbreak of war, and is now on active service in Mesopotamia. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a clerk on the L. and N. W. Railway.

(Mr. Burton’s son, Antliffe, of the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars, died in England on Wednesday, March 28th, 1917, and is buried in the village churchyard.)


NBT 1917 Mar. 13th Tue.

Lance Corporal E. G. Day, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Day, of Bow Brickhill (who have lost one boy) is serving in the Royal Fusiliers, and as a bomber has been in several very tight corners. Regarding the death of her son, in writing to Mrs. Cocking, of North Wingfield, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Captain H. J. Ricketts, his Company Officer, states;

“Your other son, Corpl. J. Cocking, was rescued after having been wounded, owing to the great bravery on the part of one of his comrades, Lance-cpl. E. G. Day, who at great personal risk got him in, and the lad is now in hospital and doing well.”

(Ted Day, as he is always called, was home on leave at Christmas, but never mentioned the incident to his father. He is an old football player, and it was mainly due to his cleverness and skill that Woburn Sands Stars won the Cup League without losing a match.)


NBT 1917 Apr. 24th Tue.

Mrs. W. Millard has received the following letter from the Sergeant of her husband’s platoon;

“Dear Mrs. Millard. I regret to say that your husband was wounded in the left leg on April 6th and was taken to hospital, where he is going on well and very cheerful. He is not at all badly wounded, and no doubt you will hear from him soon, but he wished me to write to you. He will be greatly missed by all, as he was a good and steady soldier, and we all wish him the best of luck. Yours faithfully, Sergt. Clements, Platoon Sergt.


NBT 1918 Jan. 29th Tue.

Mrs. Shephard, who since coming to live in the village has gained great respect for her charitable endeavours, has been informed that her brother, Lt. Howard Hallum, M.C., has died of wounds in hospital at Port Said. In ‘The Schoolmaster’ of January 26th appears the following tribute;

Lieut. Howard George Hallum was a much respected member of the staff of Foundry Lane Council School, Southampton, before going abroad. He had been a member of the 5th Hants. Volunteers for 14 years, and had reached the rank of Sergt. Major when he left for India on December 12th, 1914. He received his commission during his stay in India and was a very popular officer, so much so that he was the recipient of a presentation on his promotion from the men of his company. Quite recently he was awarded the Military Cross for distinguished bravery in the field. ”

Another journal states that “while tying up a comrade’s wound he was shot in the spine.”


NBT 1918 Jan. 29th Tue.

Having received no letters for two months, Mr. and Mrs. Collins, of the Post Office, have heard that their eldest son, Signaller Corporal Charles Collins, has been awarded the Military Medal. He writes;

“To-day we were decorated by General Allenby. He pinned the riband on and shook hands with each one and congratulated us.”

A comrade, writing to his parents at Bletchley, says;

Corpl. Collins won the Military Medal by remaining at the signals when only he was left to “carry on.” His conduct was noticed by General Allenby, who highly commended him, and he was promoted corporal forthwith.”

Joining the Royal Bucks Hussars, he was sent to Egypt two years ago, and has taken part in the heavy fighting in Palestine. He is aged 23, and before joining up was employed as a goods clerk at Fenny Stratford railway station. His brother, Arnold, is serving with the Somerset Light Infantry on Salisbury Plain.


NBT 1918 June 18th Tue.

Mrs G. Waite received news last week that having been badly wounded her husband, Gunner Waite, had been removed to England. Later the same day she received a telegram from a hospital at Whitstable asking her to visit him as soon as possible as his condition was critical. Finding he had severe injuries to the face, hand, leg and side, she arrived on Sunday morning and stayed with him until Monday morning, when he seemed a little better. Gunner Waite had been in a hospital bombed by the Germans, and had been the last to be carried out.


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