Keep the Home Fires Burning - detailing wartime life in the towns and villages mentioned.

NBT 1915 May 11th Tue.

On May 1st, Private Horace, of the 1st Norfolk Regiment, writes to his mother in Thomas Street;

“We have had a lot of scrapping round here this last week or two. We are at the pretty little town called Ypres, and no doubt you have seen a lot in the papers about it and Hill 60. It was a bit of a struggle but the boys “did them brown” again; I dare say they are finding out they can’t beat the old lads yet. We have been under very heavy shell fire this last week; in fact a day or two ago the devils tried to poison us with their shells. It put you in the mind of a living hell while the bombardment was on, but it has ceased now. I wasn’t sorry when it eased up a bit. But the Huns didn’t have it all their own way, you may depend. No doubt the papers worry you a lot, but don’t take any notice of them whatever. It is true we have had a lot of casualties in our mob, but we can’t expect to have it all our own way if we are the Norfolks. Just try to picture to yourself what it is like for the poor Belgians, when we have driven the Germans out, when they come back and find their homes blown to atoms. It makes even our blood turn at times, although we are hard hearted devils when we have the Germans in front of us, and remember what has been going on. But they will have to pay back still more - at least I hope so.”

NBT 1915 Aug. 31st Tue.

Private Horace Pratt, of Thomas Street, has just returned to the Front after a week’s leave. On August 16th his company went into support trenches, being relieved by “B” Company for 24 hours, and of his experiences he writes;

“The Huns wouldn’t let us stay there long; they got rather warm, so nine of us, including myself, all grenadiers or bomb throwers as they are best known, had to go back into the firing line and give them a pretty hot time with bombs. We kept this up without a break until 2 o’clock the next morning. The Germans were then a lot quieter until about 6 o’clock on the 17th inst., when they bombarded our trenches with shrapnel. We let them carry on until after breakfast, then, with our own light guns and bombs at them, I think they soon found their mistake, as they became quieter for the rest of that day. We expected what we got at night, because the Germans appeared to be rather angry. They gave us a ‘nice little hell’ for a few hours, and we had to keep a bit low and quiet, but it didn’t worry the boys much as they are used to it. On the 18th inst. we let them have it a bit easy, but on the 19th inst. we hope to give them another hot time.”

NBT 1915 Oct. 12th Tue.

Mrs. S. Dodd, of Rutland Cottage, Heath-and-Reach, has received an interesting letter from Private James Hunter, of the Somerset Regiment. He was formerly billeted at her house, and is now in a Liverpool hospital. Describing the recent fighting in France he writes;

“I won’t be long before I’m better, and going about again. The scenes were indescribable. It was terrible to see your own pals getting killed and wounded. I don’t want to be amongst it again. I don’t think the war will last very long now as our men mean to get finished with it soon. I think there were a lot of casualties among our lot. The German shells were bursting over us while we were digging ourselves in. The first one killed a lad named ------, who was shot through the heart. Our transport wagons got shelled too; it was just like a hell on earth. . . . We had to march about 12 miles in the rain to support a Scotch regiment who had driven the Germans out of a village on Saturday morning. We were like wet bags when we went up into the line. The Germans had left one village in flames. They must have lost a lot of men as our artillery had been bombarding them for four days.”

NBT 1916 Feb. 8th Tue.

Regarding the death on Sunday, January 23rd, 1916, of their 24 year old son, Private Percy Rose, of the 19th Canadian Battalion, John and Louisa Rose, of Heath Green, have received letters not only from the Regimental Chaplain, but also the officer in charge of the platoon in which he was serving;

“Belgium, Jan. 24th, 1916. Dear Mrs. Rose. It is with a great deal of regret that I write you about the death of your son Pte. Percy Rose, of the 19th Canadian Battalion. He was hit by a bomb in the trenches yesterday, and died a few minutes afterwards. He was buried this afternoon at 2.30 in the military cemetery behind a wood about a mile from the trenches. I conducted the burial service, and many of his comrades were there. After the service the battalion pipes played a lament. This cemetery is looked after by the Loos Registration Commission, and your son’s grave will be marked by a cross with inscription, which the battalion is putting up. Your son was a great favourite with his comrades, and they mourn him as a friend gone, but his life has not been spent in vain. May God comfort you in your sorrow. Yours sincerely, R.F. Thompson, Capt., Chaplain, 4th Brigade Canadians.”

“Dear Mrs. Rose. As the officer in command of the Platoon in which your son was, I wish to convey to you my deepest sympathy. Although he had not been with us long he had won the respect and admiration of all his comrades, and the confidence of all the officers in the Company. We, feeling the loss so keenly, cannot help but think of the infinitely greater loss to you, and wish you to know we are thinking of you in your great sorrow. I want you to know that he died like a soldier, doing his duty. If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to call on me. Sincerely yours, J.S. Gzonski, Lieut., 19th Canadian Batt.”

NBT 1916 Aug. 15th Tue.

A few days before being wounded, Lance Corporal Horace Pratt, of the Norfolk Regiment, writes to a friend at Heath and Reach;

“This is no swank. On the night of the 26th we went into the trenches. On the way there the Huns started their little games again, sending gas shells over each side of us. The ‘boys,’ although they felt a bit faint, did not seem to mind this much, for they knew they were going to do some hellish work. In the morning about 7a.m., we were all lined up in the trenches; we had been told over-night what ground we had to take, so everyone was ready. The order was given, and everyone was over the top at the same moment. But before I go on to this, I ought to tell you a little about the splendid work of our artillery. They bombarded for about four hours before we went over the top, and there was not a Hun left standing in the first line trench, until they got fresh ones up, who, I am pleased to say, were some of the Kaiser’s ‘picked troops.’ After the bombardment we advanced, and were told to take the first line trenches, which we did, after a bit of a struggle, capturing a few prisoners. About a quarter of an hour after we made a bombing attack, the Huns started giving themselves up in scores. Seeing this, our boys gave a cheer, and at once started after the second line of trenches, and I am pleased to say, were again successful. I must say our troops still have a splendid spirit. On a job like this, get the Hun in the open, on his own, and I think he is the worst fighter I have ever met; in fact, from past experience, they are cowards at heart. One thing I must say, the old Bedfords are with us, and they are a splendid lot of fellows, and it was ‘some’ wood we took, but cannot tell you any more as the censor is awake still.”

Lance Corporal Pratt, the son of Mrs. H. Pratt, of Thomas Street, has been on active service for two years, and is now in hospital at Manchester.

NBT 1916 Dec. 12th Tue.

Mrs. H. Pratt, of Thomas Street, has received news from her brother, Trooper William Neal. Serving with the King’s Royal Irish Hussars, he has been slightly wounded in the head, and is now in a base hospital. The son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. Neal, he has been on active service for over two years, and writes to his sister;

“I got hit in the head as we were advancing over the top, but it’s not much, a kind of graze just above the forehead. I don’t think it means “Blighty,” wish it did, but I’m lucky. I got stopped on a proper Heath Feast Day (what!) Don’t worry about me, I’m still in “dock,” singing and shouting, but the Huns can’t hear me know.”

NBT 1917 Mar. 20th Tue.

News has been received by Charles and Esther Pearson, of Shenley House, Heath, Leighton Buzzard, Beds., that their son, Lieutenant Arthur John Pearson, of the Royal Flying Corps, is missing. He took part in an aerial battle, and his machine was seen to come down in flames behind the German lines. Enquiries are being made, but few hopes are entertained. Born in July 1887, he was educated at the Royal Latin School, Buckingham, & City & Guilds Institute, London, and during employment by the Western Electric Co., Woolwich; worked on the installation of telephone exchanges in China, South Africa, Australia & Belgium. In September, 1914, he enlisted as a private in the Royal Fusiliers, and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the 8th (Reserve) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, on March 27th, 1915. In 1916 he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, and during that year was awarded the Military Cross, whilst serving on the Somme. Taking his machine gun over the top, he had been immediately met by very heavy machine gun fire, but he nevertheless managed to reach the German wire, although since this was uncut he was unable to advance any further. He therefore mounted his machine gun in a shell hole, to cover the retirement of the men around him, and to stop any possible counter-attack, and after remaining in “No Man’s Land” for nearly six hours, with the help of one man then brought in both his gun and his servant, who was severely wounded. As per the official wording, (gazetted on 19th August 1916), the award was made “For conspicuous gallantry during operations. When held up by the enemy's fire after an advance through heavy fire, he established himself in a shell hole and held on for five hours. He then withdrew, bringing back his gun and a wounded man.” Lieutenant Pearson then joined the Royal Flying Corps, and having trained as a pilot at the Central Flying School, Upavon, became a member of 29 Squadron (France) in December 1916. On March 4th, 1917, flying DH.2, A2571, he shared in bringing down in the British lines an Albatros D.II, flown by Ltn. Max Bohme of Jasta 5, but between Roclincourt & Bailleul-sir-Berthoult, North East of Arras, would be killed when shot down in flames on March 9th, 1917, by Manfred von Richthofen of Jasta 11. Lieutenant Pearson has no known grave, but he is commemorated on the Flying Services Memorial, Arras.

NBT 1917 July 10th Tue.

William and Sarah Woolhead, of 8, Bryants Row, Heath, have received official news that their eldest son, Private Thomas Woolhead, of the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, was killed in action on 16th June. Age 35, he had been in France for twelve months. Of his brothers, Harry Woolhead, Leicestershire Regiment, is now known to be a prisoner in Germany, having been missing since May 3rd, whilst Private Arthur Woolhead, who served in France for six months, and seven months in Salonika, has recently been moved to Egypt.

NBT 1917 July 17th Tue.

On a perfect summer’s day, on Friday afternoon the remains of Private James Baker, of the 7th Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C., were laid to rest in the churchyard with full military honours. News had been previously received of his award of the Military Medal for gallantry on the field, this being for disregarding the advice of his officer, to go to the dressing station after being wounded, and instead attend to his comrades. On returning to the battlefield he was again wounded, and despite every attention at Leeds Infirmary died after seven weeks of suffering on Tuesday, July 10th 1917. A leg had to be amputated, and he underwent three other operations. Born at Linslade, the son of George and Hannah Baker, of Sandy Lane, Heath Road, Leighton Buzzard, he was aged 23, and had seen much action as a stretcher bearer. He is buried in Heath and Reach cemetery.

NBT 1917 Aug. 21st Tue.

A Lieutenant writes to the mother of Private Frank Strong regarding the death of her son;

“It is with very great pain that I have to confirm the news of the death in action of your son, Frank. He was killed in the early morning of July 29th by a German shell, and he suffered no pain. He was one of my best soldiers, and was always bright and cheery, so that his loss is felt very deeply by myself and the whole platoon. Please accept my very deepest sympathy with you in this misfortune. If I can give you any further particulars I will be pleased to do so should you require them. Yours faithfully, S. Collier, Second Lieutenant.”

Frank Strong had joined the Army about nine years ago, and when war broke out was drafted from India to France. Wounded at the battle of the Marne, after recovering he was wounded in the leg in the landing at Suvla Bay, and was transferred to Egypt, where he suffered from haemorrhage of the wound. Drafted to France, he was wounded on the Somme, and after recovering was killed when returned to active service. A brother was killed a short while ago, another is in hospital with a severe wound, and a third is in Egypt. The youngest brother is in the Mercantile Marine.

NBT 1917 Aug. 28th Tue.

Mrs. Pepper, of Leyton Road, Harpenden, has received a letter from a private in the Royal Berks. Regiment, stating that her son, Private Arthur Clive Pepper, aged 19, of the same regiment, has been killed;

“Clive was my most intimate friend, and had been for the past two years, and I was near him at the end. A great consolation is the fact that he did not suffer, as death was instantaneous, also he was buried decently. He was a great favourite with the boys and we shall all miss him very much.”

Private Pepper joined the Herts. Regiment in April, 1915, and after some months training was attached to the Berkshire Regiment, being subsequently sent to France. He came home four months later with a shrapnel wound in the neck, and trench feet, but returned to the front about Whitsuntide. He was a native of Heath, where the family lived for some years before moving to Harpenden.

NBT 1918 Oct. 1st Tue.

Lance Corporal P. Boyce, of the Essex Regiment, is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Boyce, of Thomas Street, and was reported wounded a fortnight ago. He has since been admitted to hospital in England, and in a cheerful letter to his parents says that two of his front teeth were knocked out by shrapnel. He was also wounded in the right elbow, but is now making good progress.

NBT 1918 Oct. 8th Tue.

Mr. and Mrs. G. Dickens, of Lane’s End, have received news that their eldest son, Private W. Dickens, of the Buffs Regiment, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery. This was for devotion to duty on the Italian Front, when carrying badly wounded men to safety under very heavy shell fire. He enlisted in early 1915, and during 16 months on the Western Front was twice recommended for distinction.