Letters to the Editor revive memories from the front

No-Cache Letters to the Editor revive memories from the front

Wednesday, November 10, 1999

Letters to the Editor revive memories from the front

The following are excerpts taken from Letters to the Editor published in the Okotoks Review newspaper from those away at war. The letters date from 1916.

Sept. 29, 1916

(The following are portions of a letter received by Harold Banister from his brother Albert at the front).

Thanks for your letter which I received tonight, also tobacco which I will be on the lookout for.

We are in a very busy part of the line this time. I thought we were before but I imagine there are 20 cannon here for every one we had in the other place and here they keep up a steady roar day and night and the racket is far beyond description and pretty hard to imagine. I wish you could hear the shells sailing overhead; they make such a peculiar noise and lots of them are only starting on their journey of some six or seven miles.

We are all in dugouts in the back or side of a hill built up with sand bags and a steel covering which would turn flying shrapnel. At night you can hear the shells singing as they go past and they sound so much closer at night.

There are lots of prisoners coming in all the time, poor devils. I think they are only waiting a chance to give themselves up when they can safely do so without being shot by their own people.

The formation of the land here is chalk and the face of the country as far as you can see towards Fritz' lines is white where the trenches have been dug; you can imagine what sort of work it is going down six or eight feet in it, pick and shovel all the way.

It is wonderful what the British troops did in here before we got here. They must have gone through an awful lot.

There is one satisfaction, hardly a day goes past that the Germans are not driven out of their trenches somewhere and heading near their dear Fatherland; for my own part I think they are getting demoralized and I don't wonder at it; there are thousands of shells being poured in on them continuously and no man's nerves can stand it.

Nov. 3, 1916

From Archie Stockton in England to his parents.

'We feel that something unusual is going on here in England; I mean since coming here the boys have a clear understanding that they have to face some hard experiences shortly and be prepared for any sacrifice.

While in Canada, although we read and heard all about it, it seemed more like a picnic we were crossing the waves for.

We hung around Halifax from Sunday till Monday noon when we embarked, swung out in the harbor and anchored till Tuesday morning I got up at seven and the first thing I saw was one of our troopships going out to sea the sun shining directly on it.

The boat soon gets out of sight of land in Halifax harbor and although the sea was smooth the old ship heaved an unnatural deadly sort of a motion.

As I was sick I can not remember much that happened till we were two days from England, I was all right for the last 400 miles and saw the sea. It's wonderful all right.

The troopships followed very close together at night and spread out in different formations in the day time.

We zig zagged all over the place; a troop of submarine destroyers joined us there and one zig zagged in front of each ship and also the cruiser that lead us from Halifax.

We landed in the early morning and were all out by the middle of the afternoon.

I understand we will be attached to different battalions according to the fitness of the men; we are all being examined now. I had my examination today noon and passed physically fit.

I am sorry for some of the young fellows who will be cut off from their friends, as those discarded as unfit, too young or too old are left for fatigue.

Dec. 18, 1917

Dear Sam,

Many thanks for sending the papers so regularly. Only those who are cut off from civilization as we are, alternating between the wilds of Macedonia and Serbia, with mail arriving infrequently -- we have just received the first for three weeks -- can realize fully what it means to know that the next mail will bring news from home.

The war drags on and the end seems as remote as ever. As one casts one's eyes back to the number of men who left Okotoks, Black Diamond, Lineham and Millarville in '14 and '15 the recollection is a sad one.

Of those of my neighbors who spent the winter of '15 '16 with me in a Hampshire camp all, without exception, are either dead or permanently disabled.

The effect on those of us who are left to carry on, especially those whose movements are covered justly or unjustly, by a curtain of official secrecy, is to make us determined to 'stick it', no matter how long, until it is assured that these sacrifices have not been made in vain.

There can only be one end to this war, and to that everyone of us looks forward with confidence.

Just now I am in a front line camp in charge of a detachment of my company about two miles from Company headquarters, and one mile from another detachment of the same Company.

The weather is fine just as we have it in Alberta at this time of year and it is a great enjoyment, after the summer months of which I suppose the story will be told some day.

Believe me

Very sincerely yours

E.H. Stokes,
Lt. 3rd attd, 9th Border Regiment Pioneers, Salonika Force

(The Sam he wrote to refers to Sam Hodson, publisher of the Okotoks Review)

Feb. 1917

Word was received last week from W. Droppo at the front.

He says he is well and in the trenches and has received a parcel of tobacco, etc. from the Okotoks Ladies' Journal Club and he wishes to extend his sincere thanks.

He says those parcels from home go a long way in helping a fellow out when he is tired out and covered with mud.

Mrs. Peacock has received the following from her son Trivett in a dugout somewhere in France: 'Well, mother this is Christmas Day but so different to the Christmas days at home. I am writing to all my friends this afternoon in the quiet of a dugout.

We were issued a few presents this morning from the Canadian Field Comforts Commission; it was three handkerchiefs; one containing a box of Players Cigarettes, one a box of Frys chocolate and a pair of good socks.

I got a parcel too from Aunt Emma and am still looking forward to one from you, Miss Wyndham, Aunt Bessie and Ethel. Hope they have not gone astray.

Can't say much as you might not get the letters if too much was said the censor would not pass them. Please remember me to all kind friends and wish them a happy New Year.

From Tom Peacock, Ward 14, Bed 818, 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, England. 'We had a very nice Christmas here considering everything.

I have got to have my arm massaged when it has healed tight up; there is only a small hole now and they only get an inch of packing in it and after the last operation it took about five feet of it. Have not heard yet where the convalescent home is that I am going to.

Please thank all old friends for their kind inquiries and good wishes and wish them all a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year'.

other Remembrance Day stories in this issue:

Letters to the Editor revive memories from the front

Foothills to host services to reflect, respect and remember
RCAF POWs rekindle old friendships at reunion
Resident named last Silver Cross Mother of millennium
'Unknown' war hero has a name here in Okotoks

Search Okotoks and Surrounding Areas

!! new !!

search the western wheel

search regional white pages

search for real estate

News Stories

Opinion

What's Happening

Sports

Archives

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Letters to the Editor revive memories from the front

		The following are excerpts taken from Letters to the Editor published in the Okotoks Review newspaper from those away at war. The letters date from 1916. Sept. 29, 1916 (The following are portions of a letter received by Harold Banister from his brother Albert at the front). Thanks for your letter which I received tonight, also tobacco which I will be on the lookout for. We are in a very busy part of the line this time. I thought we were before but I imagine there are 20 cannon here for every one we had in the other place and here they keep up a steady roar day and night and the racket is far beyond description and pretty hard to imagine. I wish you could hear the shells sailing overhead; they make such a peculiar noise and lots of them are only starting on their journey of some six or seven miles. We are all in dugouts in the back or side of a hill built up with sand bags and a steel covering which would turn flying shrapnel. At night you can hear the shells singing as they go past and they sound so much closer at night. There are lots of prisoners coming in all the time, poor devils. I think they are only waiting a chance to give themselves up when they can safely do so without being shot by their own people. The formation of the land here is chalk and the face of the country as far as you can see towards Fritz' lines is white where the trenches have been dug; you can imagine what sort of work it is going down six or eight feet in it, pick and shovel all the way. It is wonderful what the British troops did in here before we got here. They must have gone through an awful lot. There is one satisfaction, hardly a day goes past that the Germans are not driven out of their trenches somewhere and heading near their dear Fatherland; for my own part I think they are getting demoralized and I don't wonder at it; there are thousands of shells being poured in on them continuously and no man's nerves can stand it. Nov. 3, 1916 From Archie Stockton in England to his parents. 'We feel that something unusual is going on here in England; I mean since coming here the boys have a clear understanding that they have to face some hard experiences shortly and be prepared for any sacrifice. While in Canada, although we read and heard all about it, it seemed more like a picnic we were crossing the waves for. We hung around Halifax from Sunday till Monday noon when we embarked, swung out in the harbor and anchored till Tuesday morning I got up at seven and the first thing I saw was one of our troopships going out to sea the sun shining directly on it. The boat soon gets out of sight of land in Halifax harbor and although the sea was smooth the old ship heaved an unnatural deadly sort of a motion. As I was sick I can not remember much that happened till we were two days from England, I was all right for the last 400 miles and saw the sea. It's wonderful all right. The troopships followed very close together at night and spread out in different formations in the day time. We zig zagged all over the place; a troop of submarine destroyers joined us there and one zig zagged in front of each ship and also the cruiser that lead us from Halifax. We landed in the early morning and were all out by the middle of the afternoon. I understand we will be attached to different battalions according to the fitness of the men; we are all being examined now. I had my examination today noon and passed physically fit. I am sorry for some of the young fellows who will be cut off from their friends, as those discarded as unfit, too young or too old are left for fatigue. Dec. 18, 1917 Dear Sam, Many thanks for sending the papers so regularly. Only those who are cut off from civilization as we are, alternating between the wilds of Macedonia and Serbia, with mail arriving infrequently -- we have just received the first for three weeks -- can realize fully what it means to know that the next mail will bring news from home. The war drags on and the end seems as remote as ever. As one casts one's eyes back to the number of men who left Okotoks, Black Diamond, Lineham and Millarville in '14 and '15 the recollection is a sad one. Of those of my neighbors who spent the winter of '15 '16 with me in a Hampshire camp all, without exception, are either dead or permanently disabled. The effect on those of us who are left to carry on, especially those whose movements are covered justly or unjustly, by a curtain of official secrecy, is to make us determined to 'stick it', no matter how long, until it is assured that these sacrifices have not been made in vain. There can only be one end to this war, and to that everyone of us looks forward with confidence. Just now I am in a front line camp in charge of a detachment of my company about two miles from Company headquarters, and one mile from another detachment of the same Company. The weather is fine just as we have it in Alberta at this time of year and it is a great enjoyment, after the summer months of which I suppose the story will be told some day. Believe me Very sincerely yours E.H. Stokes, Lt. 3rd attd, 9th Border Regiment Pioneers, Salonika Force (The Sam he wrote to refers to Sam Hodson, publisher of the Okotoks Review) Feb. 1917 Word was received last week from W. Droppo at the front. He says he is well and in the trenches and has received a parcel of tobacco, etc. from the Okotoks Ladies' Journal Club and he wishes to extend his sincere thanks. He says those parcels from home go a long way in helping a fellow out when he is tired out and covered with mud. Mrs. Peacock has received the following from her son Trivett in a dugout somewhere in France: 'Well, mother this is Christmas Day but so different to the Christmas days at home. I am writing to all my friends this afternoon in the quiet of a dugout. We were issued a few presents this morning from the Canadian Field Comforts Commission; it was three handkerchiefs; one containing a box of Players Cigarettes, one a box of Frys chocolate and a pair of good socks. I got a parcel too from Aunt Emma and am still looking forward to one from you, Miss Wyndham, Aunt Bessie and Ethel. Hope they have not gone astray. Can't say much as you might not get the letters if too much was said the censor would not pass them. Please remember me to all kind friends and wish them a happy New Year. From Tom Peacock, Ward 14, Bed 818, 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, England. 'We had a very nice Christmas here considering everything. I have got to have my arm massaged when it has healed tight up; there is only a small hole now and they only get an inch of packing in it and after the last operation it took about five feet of it. Have not heard yet where the convalescent home is that I am going to. Please thank all old friends for their kind inquiries and good wishes and wish them all a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year'.



other Remembrance Day stories in this issue:

	Letters to the Editor revive memories from the front Foothills to host services to reflect, respect and remember RCAF POWs rekindle old friendships at reunion Resident named last Silver Cross Mother of millennium 'Unknown' war hero has a name here in Okotoks


Search Okotoks and Surrounding Areas

			!! new !!
	search the western wheel	search regional white pages	search for real estate



News Stories	Opinion	What's Happening	Sports	Archives



website by iGods internet marketing