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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 1915 July 8th Tue.

Private W.R. Tofield writes;

“I will try to give you a short account of what we have done. After a lot of marching about we at last got the job to go trench digging well under the fire of the German guns, but luckily for us they did not fire on us. Then we packed up again and went to another place. After a day or two’s rest we strengthened a reserve trench. After a few days we had orders to go in the fire trenches. People in England cannot realise what this is like. Talk about being in --- oh, dear! As it is you see I am safe and sound. You know how lucky I always was and it still clings to me. I am sure I shall see this lot through; so this will be cheering news to you, I know. Another thing, mother, if ever you hear anyone say what is the good of our ‘Terriers’ to us just put a good word in for them, for one who has seen and been with them in the trenches. One must admit the Germans are a clever lot, - if a dirty and cowardly race in this warfare, - but with the ‘Terriers’ and the fellows that have to come they will have to face an Army just a few points better than theirs. So now you know what to expect in a few weeks’ time, ‘Victory.’ I am writing this letter in the firing line, and it will get posted when we go out in the early morning for a day or two’s rest.”


NBT 1915 Oct. 19th Tue.

Formerly billeted in Soulbury with Mrs. Wren, Private A. E. Stocker writes to her from hospital at Nottingham;

“I suppose you have heard that we have been fighting at ---, and have done very well. I was fighting with another regiment; I lost mine, but on Sunday morning they retired while I was helping two wounded chums. I was fighting two days, and when I got wounded I was behind the German lines, where I had to stop for two days. All the time I was there with no food or water, a big battle and bombardment was going on. I was buried up several times and I thought my last day had come. I could not stay there any longer, waiting for help, so I crawled to the British lines, and in the dark got fired on by the British, but luckily I was only slightly hit. I shouted out and they soon stopped and gave me help. I thank God for bringing me out safe. I have plenty of bruises. My worst wound is in the right thigh, but I am pleased to say no bones are broken. I am getting on fine now; only it means a long time yet before I can get out of bed. I shall be very pleased to hear from you or anyone who will write; the days are like weeks. You can tell the Soulbury people that everyone went into battle bravely and made a good fight.”


NBT 1915 Nov. 2nd Tue.

Private F. Tofield has died of wounds. In a letter to his mother the Captain of his company writes;

“It is with great regret I write to tell you that your son, serving with my company of the 6th Oxon. and Bucks. Light Infantry, was wounded yesterday morning, the 16th inst., about 6.30, while working on the wire entanglements. He was doing most important work in company with eleven other men and an officer under cover of a heavy mist, when unfortunately a chance bullet hit him and passed through his chest a few inches above the heart. We brought him in on a stretcher but before reaching the ambulance he died. He died peacefully thinking of you. He said, ‘Tell my mother I am wounded, and die as a soldier doing his duty.’ His death will be a loss to our company. He was a good worker, reliable and trustworthy, and for that reason was allowed to work on the wire. I trust that your loss may be lightened by the knowledge that you gave your son, and he gave his life for King and Country.”

A memorial service was held on Sunday in the Chapel of which Private Tofield was a member. A good number of villagers were present and suitable hymns were sung, closing with an impressively rendered “Peace, perfect peace.” After the service the preacher, the Reverend J. Gray, paid a tribute to his memory, and whilst the congregation stood the “Dead March” from Saul was then played by Mr. Bert Turney. In the village much sympathy has been extended to his parents in their bereavement.


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.