The contents on this page remain on our website for informational purposes only.
Content on this page will not be reviewed or updated.
 |
|
|
||
|
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. |
||||
|
W.E. 1915 Mar. 12th Several children’s essays on the Kaiser have been forwarded to ‘The Daily Mirror.’ One has the following comments from Fred Smith, aged 12, of Nash school; “The Kaiser is the German Emperor and he is a very wicked man and nearly heathen. … His commands to his soldiers are to respect nothing, and he don’t deserve a capital K to begin his name with. The Kaiser says he is God’s Lieutenant. He is a wicked wretch.” W.E. 1918 July 26th The Captain of her husband’s Regiment has written to Mrs. A. Smith, of Hillside Cottages, Nash, regarding the death of Gunner Allen Smith, Royal Field Artillery. He was killed in action in France on May 7th, 1918, and with the whole of the gun crew being wiped out, they were buried in the village of Mericourt. Being sent to France on November 14th, 1917, Gunner Allen had joined the Forces on June 5th, 1917, and was previously employed for 19 years as a painter at the Wolverton Carriage Works. In a letter to Mrs. Smith, the foreman of his Department speaks of him as a most conscientious workman, whose loss is deeply regretted by his workmates. He was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Smith of 15, Clarence Road, Stony Stratford, who have now lost both their sons in the war.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
