|
BEF. France 2nd July 1918
My Dear Mother, Many thanks for the parcel of good things which I
received last night and please thank
Carrie and Eliza for what they sent, and please thank the others for
their nice cards, which I shall always keep.
I hope you won't be offended but I must say I am sorry you sent the
razor, for it cost a tidy bit, and if you remember, I only asked for
some razor blades, but never mind, I thank you very much all the same,
and please thank Aif for me.
I am sorry that you didn't hear for nearly a fortnight, but still Mother
dear, you know I wouldn't keep you waiting longer than could be helped.
We had a nice supper of the parcel in our dugout last night, one of the
boys in my dugout went suddenly on leave last night, after waiting
eighteen months, so I'm sure he deserves it.
I am sorry that you didn't get the souvenirs I sent you, but let me know
if you get the green envelope and the rosary that I sent you. I shall
always keep that little one you sent me, and I sincerely hope it will
bring me home again, for I am looking after myself with all my might,
and you must admit, shells want a lot of dodging at times, but I am ever
so careflil Mother, for I know you want me back, and I want to come back
as I came out, I don't want any wounds, for you can get such cruel ones
out here at times, and while they can be dodged, then that's me. I've
heard of fellows wishing for Blighties and all they've got is a wooden
cross, the best plan is to play the game and so trust luck if you come
through, but I can't help mentioning that four times in the last
fortnight I have dreamed I was home shortly, for this business can't
last long now that Austria has crocked up.
I am glad that you sent Dad out some tea and sugar, for with a drop of
tea and a pipe of tobacco he is quite content, and we are issued with
plenty of tobacco, and the best part is wasted.
Cheerio
Your loving son, Johnny
xxxxxx
PS
Dear Mother, The next time you want to send me soap, please make it a
wedding present, for as we
don't usually get a wash for about ten days when we are in the trenches,
and seeing the size of the tablets of soap you sent me, then I am
certain I shan't want any more soap for duration. To tell the truth
Mother, I haven't even used one of the tablets you sent in the last
parcel, so you can guess what a sight we look at times.
Cheerio
Johnny
Just 3 weeks before the Armistice Haig decided upon a final push for
victory in Northern France, and on the:-
23 October 1918
Heavy enemy shelling at 1.20 a.m. caused casualties in the assembly
area. The 98th Brigade led the attack which began at 2.00 a.m. 'A'
company on the left, 'C' company on the right with 'B' company mopping
up. At 2.45 a.m., Captain Tate of 'B' company reported "on the
outskirts of Forest, all going splendidly, very few casualties." At 3.45
a.m., 'A' company reported that they were in FOREST, suffering heavy
casualties. By 6 a.m. the village was secure and the 4th Kings and 5th
Scottish rifles took over and continued the attack to the next
objective.
John Edward Marriott M.M. was killed in this action.
|