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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.

W.E. 1915 May 21st

In a telegram, the parents of Stanley Pitkin, New Zealand Contingent, have received news of the death of their son, aged 20, in the Dardanelles;

“Deepest sympathy, lost your son, Minister Defence.”

From Whaddon, Stanley had emigrated about four years ago to New Zealand, and, having volunteered for active service on the outbreak of war, was drafted to Egypt.

(Further information is given on the Roll of Honour website for Whaddon.)


W.E. 1916 Aug. 11th

Regarding her son, Private Thomas Hopkins, of the 2nd Battalion, Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry, Private Reeve writes to Mrs. T. Hopkins, of Vicarage Road, Whaddon;

“Tom was killed in action on the evening of July 28th. His death was practically instantaneous, passing away within five minutes. I am very sorry to say it appears as accidental, as we were relieving the trenches. I was second from him, and it seems from some unexplainable cause a bomb exploded just behind him, inflicting severe wounds. What remains of the platoon all send their deepest sympathy to you in your sad loss.”

(Private Hopkins, the son of Thomas and Lucy Hopkins, was killed on the Western Front, aged 21. He had lived at Whaddon, the village of his birth.)


W.E. 1917 Feb. 2nd

News has arrived that 29 year old Private Ernest Pitkin, of the Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry, died on Friday, January 12th at Rouen Hospital, from a fractured pelvis and exhaustion. Seven weeks ago he was badly crushed by falling earth, when heroically saving the life of a comrade who was partly buried. His mother and brother had gone to see him just before Christmas, and although he was then cheerful there was only a slight hope of recovery.

(Born at, and a resident of, Whaddon, Private Ernest Pitkin was the son of Edwin and Annie Pitkin, of 28, Queen Street, Wolverton Road, Stony Stratford, who have lost two other sons in the war. Stanley Pitkin died from wounds received in Gallipoli, and on being discharged from the Army the eldest son died from consumption.)


W.E. 1917 May 5th

Private Albert Miller, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, died on Saturday, April 28th at a hospital in France, from wounds received on the Western Front on Easter Monday. Aged 20, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Miller, and before joining up had worked in a tannery at Olney.


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.