Postcard
Postmark Hounslow
Date illegible.
For God, For King & For Country
Y.M.C.A.
With
H.M. FORCES ON ACTIVE SERVICE
Patron
Military camp Dept.
H.R.H. Duke of Connaught
Patron
YMCA National Council
H.M. THE KING
Dear Father & Mother,
I arrived here safely about 12.30.
I think I left my toothbrush (a yellow handled one). Please send it on at once as it is a new one & I
don't want to buy another one.
Heard nothing yet about Mr Helm's letter.
Alvin
Still making preparations for the draft. Taken away our working suits and given us two suits of khaki
drill.
***************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow 27 May 16
Mr & Mrs A.E.Whiteley,
Glen Lea,
Sowerby Bridge,
Yorkshire.
***************
Letter
Wed night 24 May 1916
Church Army Recreation Hut
Dear Father & Mother,
I have at last got into my uniform.
In the first place we have no horses, shall not have them in fact until we get out there.
I am very pleased I have managed to get into this regiment. They are a splendid set of fellows nothing like what we should have got at Clipstone.
So far of course I haven't much news. I have got my uniform & kit, which includes two suits, three
shirts, two pairs of pants, three pairs of socks, two pairs of boots, two towels and endless brushes.
1
Of course I feel very strange in uniform, but like everyone else I shall get used to it.
It seems weeks since I left dear old Sowerby Bridge. Hounslow is a very pretty district indeed. We
have the flying corps stationed alongside us and the aeroplanes are flying over us all the time we are
drilling.
We rise at ¼ to 6 every morning and knock off usually at 4 o'clock. We get plenty of good food
though of course as can only be expected it is in a rough and ready way. There has always been
more than I have wanted.
My address for the present will be
Private Alvin Whiteley
25th Batt. Royal fusiliers (Frontiersmen)
Hut No. 30
Hounslow Heath.
Sorry I shall have to close now. Will send you more news next time.
Yours affectionately
Alvin.
***************
Letter
Church Army Recreation Hut
Friday Night 26/5 1916
Dear Father & Mother,
Just another line to say I am going along all right.
My clothes will very likely be coming home tomorrow, so you should receive them about Tuesday or
Wednesday. I have put nothing in to wash as I shall get all washed here. The underpants are
extremely coarse and will make me sore if I am not careful. Will you please send me as early as you
can:
2 pairs woollen pants
2 pairs of my thin socks (the best I have).
We are getting plenty of food, but of course have to buy our suppers out. We have a canteen where
we can buy anything in the tinned line and then we have the Church Army Hut for coffee, tea, buns
etc. In addition there are any amount of places specially for soldiers, near the barracks, where we
can get some splendid cheap suppers. If you send anything in the food line when you send the odd
things I require, please send me something of a dry nature (not jammy or syrupy) which I can cut into
and then put away till I want it again.
Four of us in our hut are eating together and buying jam, marmalade & little things like that just to
finish off our teas; we can get these things quite cheaply, so don't trouble to send anything of the sort
as it would only add to the expense of postage.
2
I want the socks to wear under my rough army socks as they say it helps to keep the feet from
becoming sore; then too they will be more comfortable to wear to my ordinary boots when I go out in
the evenings.
I am liking the life here all right and am panning down to it very well. The great thing that helps is
that all are very decent chaps and extremely sociable. Of course, so far we have done nothing but
right turn, left turn, about turn, form fours, quick march, step out there in front! We might be a pals
battalion, nearly all the chaps being from Bradford, Leeds & district.
They allow us plenty of leaves here, which would come in splendidly for fellows living in the south,
but they are not of much use to us chaps living up North. At present they allow two week-end leaves
per month, that is, we can finish at dinnertime Saturday, but we must be back in time for the first
parade on Monday morning. This of course would mean that I should not get home until late
Saturday evening and should have to be setting off back during Sunday evening. Of course it would
cost me about a sovereign to get home for just this short time. I shall have to try to work a longer
leave somehow, but I am afraid it will be difficult just now.
Lieutenant Haggas is coming down from Bfd. Again next week so perhaps that will help things a little
in this respect.
Please get those things away on Monday certain, so that I shall get them early next week.
I shall be glad to have a line from you soon.
My address is still the same:
Pte. A Whiteley
25th Batt. Royal Fusiliers (Frontiersmen)
Hut No. 30
Hounslow Heath.
I am likely to stay at this hut now for a while.
Yours affectionately
Alvin.
**************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow 9 June 16
Glen Lea etc.
**************
Dear Father & Mother,
Friday June 9th 1916
Thanks for you letter enclosing time tables.
Never mind about the Hooson's there are enough homes in the cart without bringing more in. It isn't
Hooson's that I blame, but our confounded weak-kneed Government, which through its blooming
rotten laws allows its tribunals to make fish of one and flesh of another. Don't worry for a minute,
because I am taking every care of myself and am proud that I am doing my duty (not for king &
3
country, but my parents, sister & sweetheart and our homes, present & future. That is all that I am
out to fight for, so there).
Please don't get me any more socks until I ask you as I have all I require at present and it is not
advisable to have a lot of luggage about as shelves here are only sufficient for the army Kit, without
anything else. I you have not already sent them away, please keep them by you until I ask you for
them.
That moggy you sent is grand. I have had some nice suppers with a piece of this and a nice juicy
apple.
I have now absolutely recovered from the inoculation and have been at drill all day today. I am so
well indeed, that today our Swedish Drill instructor fetched me out in front of our squad to show them
how some of the exercises should be done.
How do you like the enclosed photograph? Can you recognise me?
Nothing further tonight - in haste.
Yours affectionately
Alvin.
**************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow 15 June 16
Glen Lea etc.
**************
Letter
Thursday June 15th 1916
Dear Father & Mother,
I have put in for a pass for this weekend, but am not yet certain whether I shall get it. I shall do my
best to get off tomorrow (Friday) night, so please leave a key underneath the ash tub tomorrow night
when you go to bed.
Don't wait up; for me because even if I get off (which is very uncertain) it will very likely be in the
small hours when I turn up.
If I am not in bed when you get up on Saturday morning, don't expect me before late Saturday
evening, because if I don't get my pass until Saturday morning, I shan't be able to leave here until
after dinner, so in that case it will be towards midnight before I arrive at Glen Lea.
I hope you will be able to understand the above, though it is very confused on account of being
uncertain about when I shall get my pass.
Well, I haven't any more news, but what will keep until the weekend.
Best love to all.
Alvin
4
***************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow 6 June 16
Glen Lea etc.
***************
Letter
Tuesday 6 June 1916
Heading Church Army Recreation Hut - montage depicting soldier striding along ridge, rifle at
shoulder arms, flat peaked cap, pouched bandolier, jodphurs, puttees; background Union Flag, down
in the valley field guns conducting a barrage.
Dear Father Mother & Margaret,
Thanks for your letter enclosing the Money Order for 30/- shillings, which I cashed last night. I have
also received the Courier. The parcel has not yet come to hand (6.30) but the postman (a soldier told
off for the job) has just gone up into Hounslow for the mail and it may be among them. So as to
avoid any chance of a parcel going astray it would always be as well to send a postcard or a letter
separately at the same time as you post the parcel.
It wasn't necessary to send any more socks as I can always wash a pair out any time as we have
clubbed up in our hut for a ring gas jet and kettle.
Hurrah! The parcel has just now come in and looks very tasty indeed. I shall have a good supper
tonight anyway. The Yorkshire looks all right anyway. You ask me what I want most. Well, there is
nothing that I am really short of; what you send just comes in nicely to eat after we have had the
camp tea - you see they don't provide us much in the sweet stuff line, nor do they give us any
supper, but we do very well in this respect, as several of the chapels here have soldiers' rooms
where we can write, play games and have refreshments in the evening. They absolutely give the
stuff away. For instance yesterday evening I had a right blow out for 3d. I had two cups of coffee
(½ d per cup) six full size loaf slices of brown & white bread and two buns - not bad eh!
I find you did not include any socks in the parcel as you said in your Saturday's letter.
You ask me how we get on this wet weather. Well, Sunday was rather wet in the evening and it has
been rather showery since. Of course after church parade on Sunday morning we have no more
parades so if we get wet then it is our own look out. When on parade, if it rains, they look well after
us and rush us straight into the huts and usually give us lectures on one thing or another. I tell you
straight they are taking every care of us and I am thankful I have been sent here, especially after
hearing the stories of men who have had to go just where they were sent.
I am feeling better and better every day. I am absolutely in the pink of condition. Today I have had
my second dose of inoculation and so far haven't felt any ill effects. The four of us who chum
together have all been done today, but so far I haven't felt any ill effects, but I mustn't crow too soon.
Anyway I shall try not to be poorly. I kept my spirits up last time and was quite all right and shall be
all right today.
We are a splendid lot of chaps down here, as chummy a lot as ever I could wish to be with and we
are having a real good time - all as jolly as can be and every man jack of us looking A1.
Cheer-oh!
5
Yours affectionately
Alvin
Thompson & the Tidswells will be soon amongst it eh? Don't you think young Hooson will be
clearing off on his own soon?
****************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow 21 June 16
Glen Lea etc.
****************
Letter
Tuesday 20/6/16
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret,
I have arrived here again all right and am once more settled down.
I arrived at St. Pancras at 4.30 this morning and went to the YMCA hut for my breakfast. By the time
the train arrived at London it was packed with soldiers who were going back to France. It was the
same at the YMCA, in fact all round the stations were practically nothing but soldiers either coming
from or going back to France. It made me feel thankful that I was not going with them but going to
Hounslow instead.
I haven't done any drilling today. After breakfast four of us (Alvin included) were set on to get in
some coal. A truck arrived today and a cart has being going back & forwards between the station
and the camp. We had to wait nearly an hour after each load so you can guess we have had a soft
job on. In fact the four of us in the whole day have only shovelled in 9 tons, or 2¼ tons each.
I have got the brooches for Mother & Margaret and enclose them. I hope you will like them. They
are just like our cap badges, only in coloured enamel.
Well, I haven't anything more this time, so will now close.
Yours affectionately
Alvin
****************
Envelope
Postmark 23 June 16
Glen Lea etc.
****************
Letter
Thursday 22 June 1916
Dear Father & Mother,
I haven't very much news for you this time.
6
When I was passed at Halifax I asked them what to do about my insurance card and they said it
would have to be given up in the ordinary way when it expired. Now I am told that I ought to have
given it to my collector as soon as I enlisted and that I may have to stamp it myself from then up to
the present. Anyway, will you take it at once for me and ask him exactly what to do? You can tell
him that I enlisted on May 22nd and you will find that my card is fully stamped up to that date. If he
tells you that I shall have to stamp it myself up to that date please put the stamps on and take it out
of what you have in hand of mine. Perhaps he will give you a form for me to fill up - I don't know. If
you can get nothing definite from him, please call as soon as you can at the Refuge Office in Halifax
(it is in Alexander Scott's building on Commercial Street, I believe) and see what they have to say.
Of course you must take my book to have it properly filled up.
Am still keeping very well & hope you are all well.
Yours affectionately,
Alvin
*****************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow 25 June 16
Glen Lea etc.
*****************
Letter
Sunday 25 June 1916
Dear Father & Mother (not forgetting me Margaret)
Thanks for Mother's letter which I received yesterday.
I'll bet you two ladies have been swanking with your new brooches haven't you?
Don't worry about my having had to come here and leave Hooson's. they are all right so long as
they can manage to keep out. There are lucky ones and unlucky ones.
I'm sorry to hear that Jack has to go back again. When a fellow has been out there so long and his
time has expired he ought to be allowed to finish.
As regards Jayes I think I have come off a lot better than he has. In fact I have come off jolly lucky
all round, I reckon.
Yesterday three of us went to Richmond and had a really good outing. After tea we took the penny
motor bus to Twickenham and went to Eel Pie Island (a little island which stands in the middle of the
Thames); we then went all down the riverside back to Richmond, had supper there and so back to
Hounslow. It was simply glorious as you would see from the card I sent Margaret yesterday.
I am writing this after dinner, which has been very nice: about 1lb beef, cabbage, 2 decent potatoes,
large chunks of bread, stewed figs. I have had a real good blowout.
Where I shall go this afternoon I don't know - we are all sat round lazily smoking, reading & writing
and wondering what to do.
Well, I have nothing else this time so will dry up.
7
Yours affectionately
Alvin
Am still keep A1.
*******************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow 27 June 16
Glen Lea etc.
*******************
Letter
Tuesday 27 June 1916
Dear All,
Thanks for the parcel of grub, which has come to hand quite safely. It is all extra special and will
come in nicely to finish teas and for occasional suppers.
The newspapers are beginning to brighten up now, especially this morning; what with Russia still
keeping going and now the Italians and ourselves the Germans have properly got their hands full. I
confidently believe that there will never be anything for the Frontiersmen to do even if we should get
sent out. As you say I shall be all right if I don't have to leave here. I should be sorry if I had to go to
another camp; we are at a champion spot here.
Three of us went to Richmond again on Sunday and had an early supper (smoked bacon, two eggs,
jam, bread & butter for a shilling - you can get cheaper meals down here than at home so long as
you know the way to go about it). Then we walked all down the Thameside (about five miles) as far
as Kew and then got a tram back to Hounslow. Last night I went to the swimming baths & then to
the pictures.
As regards the Income Tax paper, I have been thinking of coming home on Saturday until Sunday
night, so will it bring it with me and fill it up there, that is if I come and I think I shall.
Have nothing further this time round so will now finish.
Hoping all are well,
Yours affectionately Alvin.
******************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow 30 June 16
Glen Lea etc.
*****************
Letter
Friday 30 June 1916
Dear Father & Mother,
8
Have just heard that passes for the weekend have been cancelled; they may be allowed tomorrow
but if your don't hear anything don't expect me.
If I get away I will wire you.
In haste
Alvin
*****************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow
Glen Lea, etc.
*****************
Letter
Saturday 1 July 1916
Dear Father & Mother,
I was very sorry to have to send you a telegram this afternoon instead of coming home myself, but I
was not by myself - all passes have been stopped; we don't know why definitely.
Last night we were told that the captain had gone to the War Office and that until he came back in
the evening passes would be suspended. However, nobody got any passes last night; then today it
was the same. We are given to understand that our camp is shortly to be turned into a convalescent
camp for the wounded soldiers and on that account we shall be transferred to some other camp,
very likely in some other part of the country and may have to go at a minute's notice; that accounts
for their not granting these passes. As soon as they have anything definite from the War Office
(which may be any day) they will let us have passes as usual, if the War Office grants us a few more
days, so I am still hoping to get home at an early date.
About that Income Tax paper, will you now please send on those particulars that I mentioned, that is
the amount of interest the Permanent allowed me in January or February this year and the figures
£179 pounds odd, which I think you will find on a slip of paper in my bank book. Please also say
whether the Permanent says interest free of Income Tax.
Will you please send me down thirty shillings? (Three ten shilling notes, registered of course, will
do).
I think I have nothing more this time and hope that next time I write I shall be able to say something
more definite about our position here.
Yours affectionately
Alvin
********************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow 7 July 16
Glen Lea etc.
*****************
9
Letter
Sunday 2 July 1916
Dear Father & Mother,
I am pleased to say that all has blown over and they have received instructions from the War Office
that we shall not be removed for a month or two yet, but still that doesn't give us the passes we had
put in for yesterday. They have given them out to us this afternoon and made them valid until
midnight tonight. If they had made them until tomorrow night I should have come home this
afternoon. However that is off now.
Lilian will probably be able to come down to Wimbledon next week end for a fortnight & I shall
arrange to come back with her. As I shall make this my summer holiday I had better have some
more money, so I have asked her to call during the week. In addition to the 30/- you are sending
down by post, please give her two pounds to bring down for me as the thirty shillings won't see me
over the fortnight & bring me back at the end, and the additional two pounds will be there if I require
it.
We didn't get to know until this dinnertime that all was right, so I decided to stop in until tea time and
write you that everything had turned out right. Perhaps I shall go to Richmond this evening.
Yours affectionately
Alvin
Happy once more.
One or two cards for me Margaret & six kisses xxxxxx
I have now got a regimental number, so will you please address me as follows for the future
Pte Alvin Whiteley, No. 41739
25th Batt. Royal Fusiliers (Frontiersmen)
Hut 30,
Hounslow Heath.
*****************
Letter
Thursday 6 July 1916
Dear Father & Mother,
Before writing this letter I have had a word with the sergeant-major (I am getting quite chummy with
him now) and he says that there will be a general inspection of the members of the draft and in a
day or two after that he thinks that we are practically certain to get leave. I have had a letter from
Sam today telling me that Crabtree has been taken ill again and he would like me if possible to
induce the captain to release me for while. The captain says it can't be done but I have got a tip
whereby it may be possible worked and I have written to Mr Helm to that effect. The S.M. says I
have to see him early next week and he will endeavour to let me off on his own - I hope he can. For
the present however the draft is still in force.
I had a letter today from Bernard Rhodes and he tells me that he is home on his last leave.
Nothing more tonight. I will keep you informed of any new development.
10
Yours affectionately,
Alvin
******************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow 7 July 16
Glen Lea etc.
******************
Letter
Friday 7 July 1916
Dear Father & Mother,
Thanks very much for the letter enclosing £4 which I have received quite safely. I had better have
something to fruz(?) on if we have to go at once, but we can get to know nothing. It will be sickening
if they keep us on at this hop for weeks, not knowing where we are.
One thing I am glad of and this is that we now know definitely that we are for the tropics; if not Africa
it will very likely be Egypt. Today we have received our big rain helmets. I just wish you could see
me in it.
Regarding money. I don't think I shall want anything sending out to me, because being on garrison
duty we shall be able to sub. occasionally. They are very slow at the excise office in ordinary times,
so now I expect they will be more so. If they want my regimental number now you will be able to let
them have it.
Yes, as you say the papers seem all right, but do you know we haven't started yet. Very shortly
there will be much bigger move at a certain place, at least so our sergeant-major tells me. However
we must wait and see, whether he is right or not.
There are no new developments yet, but I will not fail to advise you of any fresh change.
Hoping you are all keeping very well, and please cheer up as everything will be all right. I am quite
happy myself about it all, and so are all my chums. Still keeping very well.
Yours most affectionately
Alvin
*****************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow 12 July 16
Glen Lea etc.
*****************
Letter
Tuesday 11 July 1916
Dear Father & Mother,
When I got back I found your Friday's letter waiting for me, as well as the Courier.
11
As I told you in my morning's postcard I didn't get into barracks until 12.30. Fortunately no roll was
called last night and when it was called this morning there were only three absentees out of the 260,
so you can see that very few are dreading having to go out; in fact now that we have had this leave it
has seemed to make us all feel more content and settled. The train I got joined up at Doncaster to a
train from Newcastle and so I dropped across a few of our boys, and had company all the way to the
camp. When we arrived, nearly everybody was up and we didn't get to bed until getting on for two
o'clock; we kept on talking & talking. The boys who were not for the draft had very kindly made all
our beds ready for getting into and we appreciated it.
Today we have received two suits of khaki drill and they have taken back our working suits and old
boots. I do look a toff in my sun hat and cotton suit, I can tell you. Of course we shall not start to
wear them until we get into hotter climates. I have also got a rifle; in fact, we are quite ready for
marching off at a minutes' notice.
This afternoon as I was coming off the parade ground the quarter-master came to me and told me
that they had received a letter from Bradford, but in view of the uncertainty as to the date of our
sailing they could not release me, as they must be in a position to put their fingers immediately on
every draft man as soon as they receive definite sailing instructions from the War Office. If they had
definite news and the sailing date was not for another fortnight or so, they would be glad to oblige Mr.
Helm, but with things as they are they cannot.
No one can say when we shall get the instructions, so I cannot be certain how soon I may be able to
get home again, or even if I can get home. When the news does come it could easily be to cancel
the draft for the present or telling us to clear out at once. Until further notice we shall not be allowed
to have any last passes. From this you will see that we are just as uncertain as we were before I
came up home, with the exception that we have at least had a nice little week-end at home.
All the men seem to be very much more cheerful now that they have been able to get home and
especially so as we have now received these two suits of khaki drill, which proves definitely that we
are for the tropics.
Your affectionate son,
Alvin.
******************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow ? July 16
Glen Lea etc.
******************
Letter
Wednesday 12 July 1916
Dear Father & Mother,
I'm glad you have sent on my toothbrush with the sweet cake.
Will you please send me at once three of my cotton striped shirts; the mended ones will do. We
have been advised to have them for use during the heat of the day, but they say we must put our
flannel ones on to sleep in. Also, if you can, get me three pairs of home-knit socks (good length leg -
12
about 12 inches from sole to top of leg) somewhere & send them on at once. Take the money out of
what you have of mine.
I am sending you the group photo I told you of. You will find me knelt down nearly in the middle.
There is the old Sergeant Major fair in the middle, an officer on his right had with hands crossed.
The crossed hands are just above my shoulder. Can you recognise me?
Nothing else, In hurry to catch post,
Yours affectionately
Alvin
Nothing fresh about the draft.
*****************
Envelope
Postmark Hounslow 9.45 pm
13 July 16
Glen Lea etc.
*****************
Letter
Thursday 13 July 1916
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret,
At last it has come as you will have seen from my telegram.
The captain told us at noon today that we shall have to up at 4 o'clock tomorrow and have packed up
by 5 o'clock and off very soon after; we shall be sailing before evening. I heard that we shall be at
Gibraltar by Sunday.
Don't send those shirts, but send me the socks, because I shall want them. I have bought two khaki
cotton shirts for wear in the daytime. Don't be alarmed, I won't sleep in them; I shall just have them
during the day and sleep in my flannel ones.
I haven't any news for you apart from the above; of course, that is enough for one day isn't it?
Please don't worry at all about me; I am quite confident that everything will be all right and that I shall
come back safely in the end. I am quite resigned to whatever comes my way and am thankful that
we are not going to France. If we look after ourselves we shall be quite all right and you can depend
upon it that I shall do that.
During the voyage I will write you as often as possible, so please don't be anxious if you are a long
time without news, because it is a long journey.
My new address will be
Pte Alvin Whiteley 41739
25th Batt. Royal Fusiliers (Frontiersmen)
British Expeditionary Force,
British East Africa.
13
Ask Jones when you must write, because it will be no use writing every few days to Africa.
Cheer up - keep smiling - everything is all right.
Yours affectionately
Alvin
*****************
Telegram
POST OFFICE TELEGRAPHS
Eyre & Spottiswood Ltd. Lond.
If the receiver of an Inland Telegram doubts its accuracy,
he may have it repeated on payment of half the amount originally paid for its transmission, any
fraction of 1d. less than ½ d. being reckoned as ½ d.; and if it be found that there was any
inaccuracy, the amount paid for repetition will be refunded. Special conditions are applicable to the
repetition of Foreign Telegrams.
Office of Origin and Service Instructions.
Hounslow A
Postmark Sowerby Bridge 13 Jy 1916
Handed in at 2.55 Received here at 4.13h
TO{ Whiteley Glen Lea Sowerby Bge
Sailing tomorrow post nothing before receiving todays letters best wishes to all
Alvin.
*****************
Postcard
Postmark London 17 July 1916
Church Army Recreation Huts
14/7/16
Have just got aboard at 3 pm after travelling since 7.15. will write again as soon as possible.
Love to all
Alvin.
*****************
Postcard
On Active Service
London
RECEIVED FROM H.M.SHIP
NO CHARGE TO BE RAISEDAUG 7 16
(signed by censor - Hopkins 2 off.)
Glen Lea etc.
*****************
Letter No. 1
Somewhere at sea
14
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret,
I am commencing this letter on Monday afternoon (17 July) but don't know when it will be posted or
reach you. We have not passed through the Bay of Biscay and I am pleased to say that it has been
very kind, nothing like so rough as it usually is. In fact the weather has been gloriously fine since we
left.
We started from Hounslow on Friday morning at 7.15 and reached Devonport (censored) about
2.15, where we embarked at about 3 o'clock. We did not set sail until 5 o'clock Saturday morning
and we were escorted until evening by two torpedo boats which left us when we were supposed to
be out of the danger zone. I don't think we shall be in any danger of submarines for the rest of the
voyage.
(Three and a half lines deleted)
There are quite a number of men aboard from other units, all presumably going to the same
destination. We have men of the Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Royal Engineers and
Royal Garrison Artillery. Of course we are somewhat crowded, but we mustn't expect to have the
comfort of a liner when on active service. At night we have to sleep in hammocks, another new
sensation, but I am going to sleep on deck as often as the weather will allow. On Saturday night our
platoon was told off to guard a portion of the boat, and we had to sleep on deck then and the
experience was all right. About the sailing I have nothing much to tell you; it is interesting because it
is a new experience, but it is very monotonous and to think that we shall have six weeks of it!
In case I cannot always get two letters written and posted at the same time will you please always let
Lilian know when you have received one and I will ask her to do the same.
With regard to parcels don't send many and don't put in anything of much value, because having to
come so far there is always the risk that it won't turn up, and I shan't want anything much above what
the Army supplies us with.
Food aboard is far superior to what we got at Hounslow in so far as it is cooked beautifully to a turn
by men who have spent years at the work; in fact it tastes nearly like home cooked food. We have
(two words pencilled over) that had much stewed meat; it is nearly always roasted beef & mutton,
stewed rabbit, etc. For breakfast we have porridge and bread & butter with occasionally a lump of
steak. Dinner is usually a three course one of vegetable soup, roast beef or mutton or fish or rabbit,
potatoes & cabbage or peas and plum pudding. Tea is usually bread & jam, but yesterday we had
rice & stewed apples. You will see from this that the feeding is A1.
Wednesday 19th July.
After being out at sea a few days they have rigged us up a canvas plunge bath on deck and now we
have got into better latitudes it is very much appreciated. In addition there are a number of sea water
showers in the wash houses.
Thursday 20th July
We expect today to pass a mail boat, which will take off our letters so perhaps I shall not have so
much more to say in this one. I am feeling splendid now and all of us are beginning to look like a
crowd of niggers.
15
The father of one of my chums is the proprietor of the Shipley Times and my chum is sending
articles home concerning the journey and if they are published he has promised to have copies sent
on to you as they appear, so you will know to look out for the news if you occasionally get this paper
sent. You needn't send any thanks to the publishers for the paper; I am seeing to that. Please cut
out the articles for me to read on my return.
Last night we had a concert on deck and there are some jolly good artistes amongst the crowd, in
fact quite a number of professional singers, humorists and theatricals. All these little things help to
pass the time on better.
Friday 21st July
We have been advised today in orders that there will be a mail bag for England made up shortly and
that we must get our letters handed in to be censored. I don't know, but I should think we shall
shortly be calling at some port where the mails will be landed; so far we have touched no port and
have only seen land once since we left (no doubt the French coast seen the first day out). It is quite
evident that we are going quite out of the regular shipping routes because we have seen very few
vessels indeed, and we have already been at sea a week. How strange it feels to be at sea so long
without seeing any land. However, that is neither here nor there; the essential thing is that so far we
have not been molested and I should think that the danger is indeed very remote now.
I daresay you will by now be wondering how it is that you have had no news, but you can quite see
that it would not do to take a troopship to ports more often than is absolutely necessary.
However, I am absolutely in the best of health and feel quite happy and hope that everything is all
right with all of you.
Yours affectionately,
Alvin
xxxxxx
Mother & Margaret
Possibly some of the things I have written will be crossed out by the censor but I have been as
careful as possible.
******************
Envelope
Glen Lea etc.
******************
Letter No. 2
Postmark Cape Town Kaapstad
8 August 16 4.30 pm
No. 2
Tuesday 1 August 1916
On the high seas.
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret,
I think that today you will have received my last letter, posted at Dakar on July 24th
16
Our transport put in at this port about noon on the above day. Our officers went ashore for about
four hours and the mails were put off, but we, the troops, were not allowed to land - how we should
have liked to get off and stretch our legs for an hour or two. Just fancy we have now been afloat for
about a fortnight and we do not think we shall touch land again until about a week from today - then
we shall still have several thousand more miles to go before we reach our destination. This letter will
not be posted until we land so I imagine it will be somewhere about the end of August before it
reaches you.
Last Monday morning we were quite pleased to find that after all there was some land left in the
world. Seen from the harbour, Dakar appears to be a very pretty place and apparently very
prosperous - all the houses are white with red roofs and there are some very large imposing
buildings, evidently government offices. We could see one or two factory chimneys, but I don't think
there will be much manufacturing going on; the businesses here will be mostly of merchants trading
with the French Colonial planters and the natives (Senegalese). In the harbour was a French
battleship and a transport which was being filled up with Senegalese troops. As soon as our boat
anchored in the harbour (we stood out in the middle and did not run close up to the jetty) several
blacks, very scantily dressed, came alongside in a rowing boat and wanted us to throw them shillings
and they would dive for them; they were very clever at the job and always caught the money before it
had got far below the surface of the water. They knew enough English for the job and whenever we
showed them a penny they would say "No one silling - one silling - penny no damn good - one
silling". However, after a little while one or two more parties came alongside and the competition
became quite brisk, pennies being dived for as eagerly as the shillings had been previously. More &
more niggers came along, some selling cigarettes, postcards & fresh fish, which we hauled up to the
deck with string & old hats; they must have reaped quite a harvest - the beggars knew how to
charge. This place Dakar is on the North West coast of Africa in French Senegal.
Well, since we left Dakar things have been much more lively aboard; we have had some sports
running for about a week and they have provided us with plenty of amusement, some of the events
being very funny indeed. We have had:- tug of war, obstacle races, cock-fighting (men not birds),
potatoe race, apple bobbing, bolster bar, swinging the monkey, wheelbarrow race, stocking & rattler
and deck quoits. These items have helped to pass the time very well indeed.
Last Friday July 28th, at 8 o'clock in the evening we passed the Equator, or "crossed the line". King
Neptune and his suite came aboard and read out the following proclamation:
"I Neptune, King of the Seas, hearing that his Majesty's Australian troopship Suffolk is passing
"through my most spotless domain, TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, be it be known that I,
"Neptune, the King, have boarded this ship tonight, hearing that you gave got aboard many people
"who have not been cleansed according to my most unalterable laws. Therefore I decree, first, that I
"personally inspect the vessel tonight and, second, all those that I mark as unclean be taken
"tomorrow from different parts of the ship and shall be duly washed and made fit to enter my most
"cleanly territory. There is no appeal against my decree, for I am Neptune, King of the Seas, and
"have with me my professional cleansers who shall do what seemeth good in their eyes".
"Woe be to the individual who tries to evade my laws.
"Given under my hand and seal.
This 28th day of July 1916.
Neptune Rex"
Of course as now it is already quite dark by six o'clock in the evening, it was impossible to carry out
the ducking operations on the Friday night, so it was commenced on Saturday afternoon. At two
o'clock all the troops were paraded at their respective parts of the vessel and Neptune and his staff
17
came round picking men here and there from each detachment. About thirty men were picked (I
was not one of them so I must have looked fairly clean) then we all gathered round the canvas bath
on the forecastle deck to witness the show. On a platform at one end of the bath stood old Neptune,
trident in hand and decked out with a tin crown and flowing hair & beard to his feet; with him were
two or three of his court. On another platform along the front of the bath were the doctor, who
sounded all the men's hearts with a megaphone & felt their pulse and the barber with a huge
wooden razor and a pail full of flour paste, with which he "lathered" the victims by means of a
whitewash brush.
The men who had to undergo the ordeal were seated one by one upon the edge of the bath, duly
sounded and shaved, then pushed and pulled over into the bath where they were well ducked by
three more of Neptune's attendants, who saw to it that all had a good ducking.
The fun was fast & furious and when all the picked men were ducked, Neptune's policemen went
round the crowd picking more men for ducking. As soon as we soldiers thought enough men had
been put through it we made a rush for it and threw old Neptune & his attendants into the bath and
threw bucketsful of water upon them in addition to turning the hosepipe upon them. Eventually the
sailors got possession of the hose and turned it on us, scattering us in all directions; first the sailors,
then the soldiers took it from each other until in the end we were all more or less pretty wet. I for one
got the full force of the hose on my trousers seat. What a time we had; we were for the time being
like a lot of schoolboys just given an unexpected half-holiday and we let things rip to some pattern.
With the exception of one wet day last week the weather has been gloriously fine ever since we left
England, but how miserable it is at sea when in rains and it did rain too, came down in torrents from
Tuesday morning until Wednesday noon. I happened to be mess orderly just then, so did not get it
so bad, as we have to spend a lot of our time below deck when on that job, and the other fellows
have to clear up above. Now, day by day it is getting quite cold; in fact we have now entered into
Africa's wintertime, but it is nothing like so cold as our winters are, still it is cold enough for comfort.
One of the stokers aboard this vessel is Frank Howard; one of the Sowerby Bridge newsagent's
sons and he seems to know pretty nearly everybody to know in Sowerby Bridge; we have lots of
talks together and I find him to be a quite decent chap - he is about 35. He expects to be back in
England again about Christmas and will probably come to Sowerby Bridge. If he does he will call to
see you, so you must see that at least he has a cigar and a drink. There is also a lad, about 21, from
Halifax, who is in the Navy and is off to South Africa there to join another ship. I didn't know him of
course, but still it is interesting to come across someone from your own place. They tell me too that
there are one or two Halifax men amongst the A.S.C aboard, but so far I haven't struck them, so they
must not be any one that I know.
I have just broken off the wave to a passing ship, the second we have seen since leaving Dakar.
The first was a liner passing in the dark, the night we left the place, and this is a small Dutch liner, the
Ophir of Rotterdam. It is quite a change to come across some evidences of life when you are out in
the wide ocean. What we shall do when we actually walk on land I really don't know. The other
signs of life are fish, and funny things we have seen. Our Sergeant-Major saw a whale one day
while we were all below at tea and one or two of the men say they have seen sharks, but I have
seen neither so far. We have run across several schools of porpoises, fishes about two feet long
which do not swim under the water in the ordinary way but keep leaping out of the water, in & out, in
& out, all the time; then too we come across a large number of flying fishes - these are nothing like
so large as what I had imagined - they are about the size of a silver herring with two long fins like
wings and they pop out of the water and fly along the surface for about a dozen yards, looking very
much like swallows in their flight.
18
Well, I haven't much more news to report this time, perhaps something else will turn up before I
close this, but I must say that I am keeping very well indeed. What else could you expect - a
fortnight at sea, with no hard work to do? Oh, but I am forgetting the mess orderly business. This
comes round to us in turn. Two of us have to look after fourteen (we seat 14 at a table), draw the
rations, and clean up after each meal; we have to wash u; the breakfast things in cold sea water with
no soda, then clean the knives with emery cloth, polish the forks & spoons with bath brick and polish
up the tea can & two large cans in which we fetch the meat & vegetables. All must shine like silver,
otherwise there is trouble. At dinnertime they give us about a quart of hot water for washing up with still no soap or soda, so you can guess what a job we have to keep everything free from grease and
yet we do it somehow. Fortunately we only have to do it for four days together.
Yesterday I had to scrub down the steps of the companion way leading to our deck. Again cold sea
water and no soap, they were quite nicely clean when I had finished with them.
Will you ask our Margaret to send me a nice little letter someday? Please send me the Sunday
Chronicle every week.
I hope Father is wearing up my old footwear, shoes as well as boots as it would be useless to keep
them for me as they will only get hard and brittle.
Saturday August 5th. We expect to touch Cape Town on Tuesday next but are not certain whether
we shall land there, but it is quite likely that we shall get a route march, which will be very much
appreciated. How nice it will be to walk on dry land again after being at sea for over three weeks. Of
course it would be better still if we could go and stroll round on our own for an hour or two, but I
suppose they are afraid that if left to ourselves some of us may skidaddle. It is not even certain that
we shall get the route march though I hope we shall. This vessel we are on is going to Australia after
calling at Durban so if we don't get off at Cape Ton we shall at all events tranship at Durban and then
go forward to our destination, which we shall no doubt have reached by the time you receive this
letter.
Well, I have nothing else fresh to report, but shall have more news after touching Cape Town. I am
still keeping very well and my chums tell me I have filled out again and look more like I did when I
first went to Hounslow. However the fact remains I am absolutely A1 and am determined to keep so.
Keep smiling everybody
Yours affectionately
Alvin
XXXXXX
For Mother & Margaret
*****************
Envelope
On Active Service
Passed by Censor C T Bailey Lt
Glen Lea etc.
*****************
Letter No 3
Sunday 6 August 1916
19
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret,
I am managing to get this letter through without being censored. Frank Howard, that I mentioned in
letter No. 2, will be able to get ashore without any difficulty and has promised to post this for me, so it
will not have to be read by the officers aboard. When I sent you my first letter one of our officers sent
for me to his bunk and told me that if I cared to write a letter to Lil and not have it censored, he would
sign the envelope as though it had been censored; it was very good of him and he would have got
into a row if I had let it become known that he had done this. In that letter I told Lilian of the route we
have taken and suppose she will have told you. It is on account of taking this roundabout route that
you have not received many letters. However, you would rather be without letters than our boat
should have gone through mine-infested water. This is only our second mail bag and you may rest
assured that I shall write you at every opportunity, though they may not always be long letters - in
fact we may have difficulty in procuring paper & envelopes later on, though I have a little stock in
hand.
Well for the voyage. We left Hounslow on Friday morning, July 14th, and sailed from Devonport early
on the Saturday morning; in the evening of the same day we saw the coast of France in the distance;
from that date until Monday, July 24th, we never sighted land again, when we called at Dakar a port
on the North West coast of Africa (French Senegal); we stayed here about four hours, landed our
mails and then off again; since then we have not seen any land and only very few vessels, but we
expect to reach Cape Town on Tuesday, August 8th ; we shall stay only a short time here, then go
along the coast to Durban. Here we shall have to get on another vessel which will take us to
Mombasa as the Suffolk is going direct to Australia after leaving Durban. I should imagine that we
shall be at Mombasa in about three weeks from now, but of course can say nothing definite. It may
be that we shall be held up a little while at Cape Town or Durban waiting for another boat. There
may be no more mails sent home until we reach Mombasa.
Did I tell you before, that we had a good sized gun mounted at the stern of our vessel and it was not
taken off until we got to Dakar. They have taken every care of us in that respect.
I am pleased to say that I am feeling exceptionally well and through being always in the sea air, even
sleeping in it. I have developed an enormous appetite and we are being well fed - much better than
at Hounslow - in fact, instead of margarine we get real butter (it is Australian & tastes very well) and
we get a very good variety of food.
Well, I don't think I have anything more to tell you this time - we shall have more to report after
seeing Cape Town - so I will now close with love & best wishes to all.
Yours affectionately
Alvin
Keep smiling everybody.
I am told there is a mail from England every week - please write me weekly.
I don't know how things are in Europe, but I wonder whether you will have any Zeppelin raids again.
I believe I would insure if I were you, for the sake of about a sovereign. If you do I would take out a
policy for £200 for Undercliffe, house alone, and £400 house and contents for Glen Lea. Just think it
over carefully.
*****************
20
Postcard
On Active Service
Postmark Durban 13 Aug 16 4.45pm
Picture of Ocean Beach, Durban.
Glen Lea etc.
Sat 12/8/16
Dear Father & Mother,
Just a card from Durban. Have not been allowed to go ashore but a large number of people are just
treating us by throwing oranges & sweets aboard. Still going on all right.
Alvin
******************
Envelope
On Active Service
Passed by Censor
Glen Lea etc.
******************
Letter No. 4
DURBAN
12 Aug 16 11.30 AM
No 4
Censored RM Hains?
S/S Suffolk
Indian Ocean
Thursday 10 August 1916
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret,
At our next calling place we shall be leaving a mail bag for England, so I thought I had better drop
you another line although I haven't much to report.
On Tuesday we were very disappointed on reaching *---------- to be told that we should not be able to
get ashore on our own. However we were allowed the privilege of a route march through the town ,
possibly four or five miles altogether, and it was a treat to be able to march on dry land and see
shops and civilians after being at sea for over three weeks. The reason we were not permitted to go
about on our own was because the Australian troop who have bee called here previously have acted
so outrageously that the governor of the castle will not give permission for troops to roam about and
repeat the doings of the Australians, who seem to have made themselves very unpopular at every
place where they have been called.
Several small buying parties were given permission to go ashore after the route march in order to bur
in things for their chums and themselves and I happened to be standing at a gangway when one of
these parties went and I joined myself up to them. Well, it is a quarter hour's quick walk from the
berth where we were laying to the first shops and I had just got into a tobacconists, buying a stock of
tobacco for my chums and myself, when in bounced and officer and ordered me to double back to
the boat at once as she was sailing immediately. I was very much disappointed as I wanted to get
one or two souvenirs of our stay, but the postcard I sent Margaret will have to suffice; though it is a
poor one I couldn't do better in the rush. Anyway I got back to the boat all right, but one or two men
had to be left ashore and were brought out to the Suffolk in a launch. Had it not been for the fact that
there was a brawl going on at the foot of the rope ladder amongst some stokers and a discharged
soldier, all of whom had had too much drink, and it appears they could have been aboard in time,
21
they would have been severely dealt with. As it was they had to spend the night in the guard room
and on being brought before the O.C. on the following day they were let off with a reprimand.
*--------- is a very nice place with some magnificent buildings and is in a very nice position at the foot
of the mountain. As we entered the harbour in the early dawn the mountain presented a beautiful
picture and I should have very much liked to get a picture as we saw it; indeed a number of the men
tried to find one but couldn't; some men obtained cards showing the town with the view in front but
the finest view is seen from the side as we saw it.
Although it is now the depth of winter here, it was gloriously warm, but of course the ordinary trees
were quite bare, but the tropical ones were very nice indeed. We should very much have liked a
longer stay, but shall have to be content with what we saw; at all events we have been through the
place and have a small idea of what it is like.
After this mail, there may be no more until we reach our destination, which I should imagine should
be in about a fortnight yet, making an interval of nearly a month (possibly more) before another letter
follows this one home. I see from the sailing lists that there is a mail boat from England every week
so think there will be a post weekly. I hope there will be; if so please write me every week, won't
you? I too will write to you at every opportunity.
I may not always be in a position to lay my hands on paper & envelopes, although I have a supply at
present, so shall be glad if you will enclose me an envelope & two sheets of thin writing paper with
every letter you send me. This I am using is a pad from which I can tear sheets; you will be able to
get one at a stationers.
Well, I don't think I have anything more to say this time, beyond the usual remark that I am still
enjoying the very best of health, so will bring this letter to a close with love and very best wishes to
all,
From yours affectionately,
Alvin.
I suppose you will have sent me those socks I asked you for. I hope they are plain knitted, not
ribbed, because plain will be much more comfortable to the feet. Please bear this in mind whenever
I ask for more.
*******************
Envelope
Postmark Durban 13 Aug 16 - 5pm
London 10 Sep 16
Glen Lea etc.
No 5
*******************
Letter No. 5
Sat 12 Aug 1916
Dear everybody,
I am writing a short note in a hurry.
22
We have just arrived at Durban and are moored alongside the quay, waiting to be transferred to
another vessel, "The Comrie Castle" which already has aboard a number of Royal North
Lancashires.
Some people stood on the quay side are posting the letters for us.
We have had a splendid voyage so far and I am keeping very well.
In a hurry, so must close.
If I have a chance I will send you another letter before we leave Durban, that is if we stay on here
some time.
Yours affectionately,
Alvin.
********************
Envelope
On Active Service
Glen Lea, etc.
No. 6
22 Aug 16
Base Office 6 1531
********************
Letter No 6
S/S "Comrie Castle"
Friday 18 Aug. 1916
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret,
Now we are getting very near the end of our sea voyage, which we expect to complete on Sunday
next after being over five weeks on the water - seems rather a long time doesn't it, and yet it seems
but a few days since I stepped aboard the "Suffolk" at Devonport, but we seem to lose all regard of
time on this job.
At Durban we had a very good reception, where as I told you large numbers of oranges and sweets
were thrown to us! In addition several cases of tobacco and some sacks of oranges were sent
aboard for distribution. It ran to half a pound of tobacco and four oranges for each man; the tobacco
bag was stamped "From Durban Women's Patriotic League, Natal". If we had only been allowed to
land I am sure we should have been given a good time in the town, but of course we must bear in
mind that we are on active service. Perhaps we shall fare better on the return journey, but we shall
not worry about things of that sort when once we get our noses towards good old England.
The "Comrie Castle" is not so convenient a vessel as the Suffolk especially as regards deck space,
but downstairs on the sleeping deck there is more air space. I am still continuing to sleep on deck as
I cannot stomach the stifling atmosphere downstairs. My hips are getting quite hard now, though
they were it a bit raw the first few days. I don't know whether I could sleep on a feather bed but still I
would like to take the risk.
23
Nothing at all new has happened since I wrote you last - just the ordinary ship's routine goes on from
day to day. We get more concerts aboard as the decks are more conveniently arranged and we
have discovered some talent amongst the Lancs - they have a good cornet soloist and a chap who
gives spoon solos something after the style of a nigger minstrel's knick-knacks.
Phew! It is hot here, but when you can dress suitably it is all right. We have had to cut our drill
trousers into shorts, but not merely to the knee; we have had to cut them to about half way down the
calf and turn them back; this is so that if we get into a district where there may be a lot of flies or
mosquitoes or if we have to go through any thorny bush country we can cover our knees up by
turning down this extra length and tucking it under our puttees. Well, I spent two hours on
Wednesday afternoon slashing up trouser slops and penking and sewing. I did mine in a fancy way
- I slit the outside seam from the knee to the bottom and put a V shaped gusset in, making it into a
bell bottom, so that when it is turned back it fits more loosely round the thigh. I put a button & button
hole in so as to hold it up. This morning, on parade, the officer called me in front of the men and
showed them how they ought to have done theirs, saying that they looked a very scraggy lot as they
were and all must alter them who could. Of course I have had to stand a lot of good humoured chaff
about it. You would laugh to see us all in our short trousers, shirts and - nothing else, except of
course our sun helmets, which me must always wear, or we should get sunstroke. From above the
knee downwards my legs are quite brown, but when we land we shall of course have to put on our
socks and puttees.
When we go aboard the "Comrie Castle" at Durban we found a large number of men of the Loyal
north Lancashires who had been down to Wynberg, just outside Cape Town, having a rest during
the rainy season. These men are mostly regulars, who at the outbreak of war were stationed in
India.
Will you please send me a cheap indiarubber sponge? Don't get it at a chemists, but a cheap shop,
6½ d or so. Also send me one of those insect belts to wear next to the skin for keeping down
insects. I think you will be able to get one at Boots' or Taylors for a shilling or two. So far I have kept
free of anything of the sort, but when we get onto land I don't know how we shall fare in that respect.
I may be able to buy a sponge here, but still please send me one - it will be much more convenient to
have a bath with when I have only a limited amount of water at my disposal.
I have kept wondering this week where you would be. Have you been to the seaside? I suppose it
is Wakes Week, isn't it? Mine's something like a holiday isn't it? Fancy having been at sea for more
than five weeks! And practically no work to do! Still I would much rather have been having my usual
fortnight, and yet this will be the experience of a lifetime which comes the way of only a few.
We cannot form any idea of how long the affair out here will last, but the idea in the south was that a
few months will see the end of it - still the essential thing is how long will the European struggle go
on? We, here, are quite in the dark as far as that is concerned - we get practically no news through.
Sat They have just told us that the mailbag will close this afternoon and the letters will posted when
we land, so it will be a month or five weeks yet before it reaches you. It does seem a time doesn't it?
I have nothing fresh to tell you, but am pleased to say that I am keeping extremely well, in fact the
whole voyage has been remarkably free from sickness and the weather has been splendid - we
have had only one wet day and only a few rough days as regards the sea. The last few days have
been glorious.
I think I would like some sweets occasionally, but don't send anything that will melt quickly - not
toffee or plain chocolate, but something that you think might keep fairly well. Don't send too much at
once, because we shall not get much keeping space.
24
I will now close with love and best wishes to all,
Yours affectionately,
Alvin.
********************
Envelope
On Active Service
Passed by Censor H Scott Lieut.
Glen Lea, etc.
No 7
F.P.O. No. 302 25 IU 16
********************
Letter No 7
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret,
I am writing this letter tonight by the aid of a very dim candle lamp and consequently cannot see
what I am writing. We have a mail bag closing early in the morning and we have been so busy that I
have had no opportunity to write earlier so you must be content with only a short note. I will write
more fully by the next mail.
We arrived in the harbour at about 7.30 on Sunday morning, and detachments were put ashore in
turn. We actually stepped ashore at 9.40 am on Monday morning and were busy entraining all
morning, actually leaving for the interior at 1.45, had tea served at 5.30, arrived at a junction at 11.30
where the train stopped until 5 o'clock the following morning and got to our base camp at 10.20
yesterday (Tuesday) morning.
We have been extremely busy ever since, putting up tents and one thing and another.
Please excuse more tonight as it is impossible to see now.
I am still keeping very well.
Hope you got my Monday's telegram telling you that I had landed. It cost me 4/-, but I thought I
would send it to save you a few weeks' anxiety.
I have received a copy of the Courier and understand there are some letters waiting to be given out
yet.
Yours affectionately,
Alvin.
Have just received parcel , socks, shirts, etc. Thursday morning.
Xamined H Scott
*******************
Letter No 8
Wed Aug 30/1916
25
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret,
At last I have found time to send you a letter with a little with a little more news in it after having been
settled down here for a week. Of course I am not permitted to tell you the name of the base camp
where we are stationed, but it is in a splendid situation. It is on a sloping plain of several miles
extent, up amongst the hills, and therefore very healthy, with mountains on each side. Twice this
week in the early morning light we have seen the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, the
largest mountain in Africa, about forty miles to the north west of the camp, the mountain is round
about twenty thousand feet high.
The life here is quite interesting. We are in wigwam shaped tents, ten men in ours, all Bradford men
apart from myself, and all of them splendid fellows; the tent is about 8 yards by six yards. We have
reveille at 5.30 am, roll call at 6, then Swedish drill for about half an hour. Breakfast is served at
about 8 o'clock, we parade at 9 am for about an hour, dinner at 12.30, parade again at 3 o'clock for
an hour, tea at 5o'clock, roll call at 6 pm, and usually turn in at 9 o'clock. The feeding arrangements
are very good indeed - we have a field kitchen for our own company:
Breakfast - Coffee, bread, butter & jam (a piece of bacon every other day)
Dinner - Tea, bread, butter & jam.
Tea - Stew & bread & butter (the stew is A1 and contains a large amount of meat. The meat
is fresh ever day - we have a large herd of cattle in the camp).
I am gradually developing into a backwoodsman as I have been put onto the firewood fatigue; a
party of us goes up into the woods behind the camp every morning at six o'clock instead of having
Swedish drill - we take with us a cross-cut saw and several axes and have a real good time cutting
down trees which we chop up and take back to camp for use in the field kitchen. It provides us with
plenty of exercise in addition to training our hands in the use of the axe and saw. We usually have to
go on for about an hour's chopping again sometime during the day. There are other fatigues to fetch
bread, meat & water.
Of course the first few days until we got more settled down we were doing fatigues all day long but
now we don't have much to do from 10 o'clock until 3 o'clock on account of the heat, which however
is not terrific at present; in fact it is more like September in England - just nicely warm during the day
with a slight nip in the air at night. We are quite comfortable in our tents at night, each man having
been served out with a waterproof groundsheet and a good new blanket. I don't require my overcoat
at night anyhow.
It is surprising what jobs we get put onto in the army. On Monday we started making a wash-house
for our company from trees fresh cut down and corrugated iron. For the floor we cut up some anthills, spread them over the floor, crushed it well with a roller, and rolled tar into it. The ant-hills are
wonderful things made of sand (practically like cement) about 8 to 10 feet across and four to five feet
high - this is quite the average size of them, though you might think I am exaggerating. Inside the
formation of the chambers and passages is absolutely marvellous.
Our greatest worry has been the large amount of red sand we have to contend with, but we are quite
used to it by now and think nothing about it, it has got into everything, our hair and all our belongings;
it is very fine powdery stuff, more like cocoa than anything else.
The weather has been beautifully fine ever since we arrived here, except for a few heavy showers
yesterday - I understand that the rainy season is just commencing as we shall have to expect these
showers - one thing they have settled the dust problem for us.
26
I can imagine that all you people at home are full of sympathy for me and my chums for the
hardships we are having to undergo out here, but do you know, we have found no hardships
whatever and are all as happy as can be; we get plenty to eat, plenty of fresh air & plenty sleep, with
not too much work. We have all we require except our loved ones at home and our wants are very
few; on this account please don't send too much stuff out here as it may never reach me and it is no
good throwing good money away.
The parcel you sent me arrived quite safely last Wednesday morning. Thank you very much - the
socks are splendid and just a comfortable size; the toffee had candied somewhat, but still it tasted
very nice for a change; the cigarettes are very nice as a change from the African tobacco, but don't
trouble to send any more as I can get them so cheaply here. Besides this cheap African tobacco we
can buy some good English cigarettes, Will's King Stork, at a cost of ten a penny and they are very
nearly like Gold Flake. The Oxo will come in splendidly. The health salts too come in very handy.
We get tobacco issued and I have always more than I require in hand.
It is not advisable to enclose letters in parcels as they may be stopped, then too it is always better to
send a letter separately telling me that a parcel is on the way, then I know to enquire for it, in case it
should go astray, but as I said before please don't be continually sending parcels.
In mother's letter enclosed in the parcel she said that she would try to bear up and keep good heart
and told me to do the same. Neither any of you nor Lilian must fret about me being out here,
because I am very comfortable and happy and am looking forward to being able to keep so and
come back to good old Yorkshire sooner than a lot of people think. I am absolutely all right and want
you all to cheer up and keep quite content, because if you don't it will only end in making me
miserable and at present I am far from that.
So far the only wild animals I have seen have been one or two springbok, animals very much like
deer and very timid; we have seen them in the woods when cutting timber. At night time we
occasionally hear jackals & hyenas yelping. On Monday while I was on the fatigue building the
wash-house, the main body of our men went on a route march on the plain and came back with
various stories of the animals they had seen, some had seen a lion, another a cheetah, some saw a
couple of giraffes and, of course, a number of springbok, so I am sorry that I missed that march. Of
course all these animals are very timid and bolt as fast as they can. They have to be hunted
properly, before they get dangerous, and we have instructions not to fire upon them.
Well, I am afraid I have nothing more to tell you this time, so I will now conclude with best love to all
from
Yours affectionately
Alvin.
Thursday 31/8/16
Oh, I forgot one or two things.
We have a YMCA even out here. It is a most enchanting building, made of mud & logs, thatched
with thin trees and rushes and looks very pretty. They have a piano and sell tea, coffee & buns, so
you can tell it is very well patronised. We usually go down before dinner and again in the evening.
27
When telling you about the animals, I forgot to tell you that we have all kinds of birds, vultures, kites
and the like in addition to smaller yellow birds which we take to be canaries.
Last Sunday, our choir, the Fusiliers, conducted a musical service in the Church Tent. The man who
was playing for the hymns & service could not tackle the anthems, so I played for them. We gave
"The Radiant Morn" & "Seek Ye the Lord", the tenor solo being taken by Ralph Smith, a good tenor
singer from Bradford. After this service we went across to the YMCA and repeated the anthems
there. At both places our efforts were very well appreciated.
I think this is all, but I am looking forward to another letter from you, which should be due any day.
*******************
Envelope
On Active Service
Passed by Censor
Glen Lea, etc.
F Harris C 7
I.E.F. B-F.P.O. No 222?
Postage Free
No 9
******************
Postcard
On Active Service
Glen Lea, etc.
Passed by Censor
E Childe Capt
FPO No 302 4 SE 16
PIGEONS
The only Paper dealing solely with Fancy and High-Flying Pigeons
Illustrated
TELEgrams - Fanciers, Idle.
IDLE, BRADFORD.
phone - 8, Idle.
Date as Postmark
STATION - Idle, G.N.R.
Dear Father & Mother
Sat. 2 Sep 1916
Thanks for your letter posted July 20th also Chronicle for July 16th and Courier for July 23rd.
We have just been ordered that we have to leave this camp tomorrow, so it me be some days before
I can send you a letter - sorry not time tonight, but will send one as soon as possible.
Still keeping first class.
Yours affectionately,
Alvin.
******************
Envelope
On Active Service
Passed by Censor
No 10
28
Glen Lea, etc.
A E H?
******************
Letter
ARMY Y.M.C.A OF INDIA
Headquarters: 86 College St., Calcutta.
INDIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE "B" (crossed through)
No I am not in India
Korogwe Sat 9 Sep 1916
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret,
I was very pleased to receive last weekend at Maktau your letter posted July 20th and regret that I
have not had an opportunity of sending you a reply before this apart from the card which I managed
to scribble last Saturday. On that day we were all vaccinated in the morning and at roll-call in the
evening were informed that we had to change camp, so everything was immediately hurry and
bustle.
On the Sunday a number of us were issued with new boots and I was fortunate enough to get a pair
and they are extremely light and comfortable with no heavy hob-nails; in fact just as easy as a pair of
walking-out shoes.
Well on the following day we set out by train for our new destination, not this time in compartment
carriages, but in steel covered luggage trucks, twenty five to a truck; it was all right during the day as
we could walk about the truck and even ride on the top to view the country. At night it was another
matter when we had to sprawl about the floor, putting our feet in other chaps' faces; still we got there
all right, much better in fact than another train load I saw yesterday, all smutted up from head to foot;
they had had a forty mile run in open trucks, raining most of the time. The first evening we stopped
at Gaveta from six until midnight, made camp fires, each man being served out with a lump of beef
which he had to cook himself. Many of us got onions and some butter and had a real siss-up (?) (Oh
yes, we still get butter served out in tins - it is fairly decent but has just a slight taste of tallow). After
we had had our meal we sat round the camp fires singing songs and telling stories, quite a romantic
scene. We spent the whole of this night and next day & night in the train, arriving at our present
station at 10 am on Wednesday morning. One good thing about the train journey was that we
stopped longer at stations than we did actual travelling; we should rush along at a big speed for
twenty of thirty miles, then stay an hour or two at some station or other, for another train to pass us,
the same distance in England would have been covered in about four hours or so.
We are now in German East Africa in a beautifully cultivated district, much more luxurious in
vegetation than the British East that we were in - of course we haven't seen much of British East as
a matter of fact.
On Thursday we had a long march out into the countryside through large sisal hemp plantations and
eventually halted at the edge of an orchard of lime fruit trees. What a treat this was! I squeezed the
juice of half a dozen limes into my water bottle and made a real tasty drink. Most of the men brought
back a score or two of these limes - in our tent we must have well over two hundred and are able to
make splendid lime juice by boiling them in empty motor spirit tins. Then too we can improve our
coffee and tea splendidly by putting the juice of half a lime into it. We are not doing at all badly you
will see as regards small luxuries.
29
At the YMCA canteen we can buy all kinds of dainties at quite reasonable prices, also tobacco &
cigarettes (English) can be obtained much more cheaply than at home.
We are not troubled here with the red sand that we had at Maktau but it is much hotter and I can
stand the heat all right, because we are dressed suitably for it; the most discomforting thing about it
is the perspiration, which absolutely streams down my face and actually runs down my glasses. Still
that is nothing.
I have felt no ill effects from the vaccination but of course have the three sores on my arm which I
suppose will soon heal up.
If you have not paid my insurance premium by the time you receive this letter, please pay it at once
so as to keep everything in order.
Please let Margaret send me a short letter soon.
This morning we have engaged a native to do the odd jobs for our tent, washing utensils & clothes
and fetching water. We are having quite an exciting time with him, all trying to learn the native
language (Kiswahili) and making a bit of a mess of it, but still getting the work done by him, all for the
magnificent sum of one rupee per week for the whole lot of us (2d each it runs us).
I am still continuing to keep in the very best of health and having a very happy time.
Best love to all
Yours affectionately,
Alvin,
******************
Envelope
On Active Service
Glen Lea, etc.
No. 11
******************
Headed letter
Y.M.C.A
On Active Service in British East Africa
In case the address I gave in my last letter has gone astray, I give it again
Pte. Alvin Whiteley 41739
25th Batt. Royal Fusiliers Frontiersmen
Letter 11
B.I.E."B".
India Office
Korogwe
London W.C.
Monday 25 Sep 1916
For all future letters from you. The old address
Is all right for letters you have already posted.
Dear Father & Mother
30
I haven't much to tell you this time, but thought I had better let you have a line to tell you that I am
keeping quite all right and enjoying the best of health.
However I had better tell you that my last letter, No 10, was written in hospital here. Don't be
alarmed - it was nothing serious. I believe I told you that we were all vaccinated before leaving
Maktau; well, mine went all right until a fortnight ago when my arm began to swell and pained me a
little, so I reported to the doctor and he ordered me to hospital, where they told me I had got septic
poisoning. They gave me hot fomentations and drew out all the matter and I was discharged quite
all right after being in ten days, during which time I had every attention.
The hospital here is a splendid institution; each ward is made up of several marquees all connected,
so making one long marquee, down each side of which are arranged spring mattress beds, just as in
and ordinary hospital. Each ward is in charge of a nurse (sisters the soldiers call them) assisted by
two or three RAMC men. When a man goes into hospital he has to give up all his kit & equipment
and is served out with a pyjama suit of grey flannel, which serves both as a day suit and sleeping
suit. The food in hospital is splendid. For breakfast we had a basin of beautifully light porridge with
milk and sugar, tea, bread & butter & bacon. Dinner we had at noon - beef, potatoes & vegetables,
followed by a basin or rice or sago pudding with plenty of milk on. At dinnertime, and in fact at any
time during the day, we had lime juice cordial (Rose's). For tea we had tea, bread & butter, cheese
& jam: then about seven o'clock had a pint of delicious cocoa served out. From this you will see that
I had a good time taking all things into account.
Back in camp I found everything going on just as slowly as usual, patrol marches, guards, etc. They
have now stopped issuing butter to us and instead they give us a good issue of bacon every morning
which is far more palatable & preferable.
The rainy season set in here last Thursday and I give you my word - it can rain here. It made our
camping ground into a proper quagmire, but the tents are quite dry inside; now however we have
drained the ground very effectually by putting shallow ditches round each tent, which we turned off
into deep trenches which run down between the lines. We expect the rain to last for several weeks,
then we shall have months of perpetual sun; it is a good idea to get finished with the rain all at once,
isn't it?
We expect a mail in here in a day or two, so I am looking forward to receiving a letter & newspapers
from you. All these letters are welcome I can assure you.
Well, I have nothing more this time, so will dry up.
Best love & good wishes to all
Yours affectionately,
Alvin.
******************
Envelope
On Active Service
Passed by Censor
Glen Lea, etc.
A E H?
F.P.O. No 337 3 OCT 16
No 12
31
******************
Letter No 12
Y.M.C.A.
On Active Service in British East Africa
Korogwe, Monday, 2 Oct 1916
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret,
Thanks very much for parcel number three (Aug 8th), which came to hand last Friday, enclosing
Courier & Chronicle also letter. Everything arrived in splendid condition and everything was very
tasty; I can't tell you how pleased I was to receive the parcel, but as I have said before please don't
send me a parcel unless I specially ask for anything. I don't want to throw your kindness in your face
- far from it, far from it, but the fact is that I can buy all these things here at the YMCA stores and I
have nothing else to spend my money on. There is very little difference between prices here and at
home. Tobacco & cigarettes (English) can be bought more cheaply than at home and we can get all
kinds of tasty things - tinned fruits, jams, biscuits, etc., so you see my point. For instance that last
parcel cost two shillings to send, very likely making the total cost five shillings, which I think you could
use to better advantage at home. Please don't misunderstand me, but really I had far rather that you
didn't send any - not even in the clothing line, of which I have an abundance; in fact if you send me
any more clothing I shall be embarrassed as to where to put it. We have precious little room for what
we have. In addition to this our company gets gradually split up as we go along - we leave a few
men at most places we stay at, so you can see what a task the postal authorities have on hand to
find men. It is far different here to being in France, where men of one unit stick fairly well together.
You see I don't want anything losing. I should be extremely sorry if ever one parcel went astray.
Another thing - it is a great mistake to put a letter inside a parcel - how am I to know whether to
inquire for a parcel. Every parcel you send (when I ask for one) you should tell me about in a letter
posted at the same time. You see when you put a letter inside a parcel, both the letter & the parcel
may go astray together - and to me out here a letter is more welcome than any amount of parcels.
The powdered alum will come in very handy for keeping down the jiggerfleas which get under the
toenails. It isn't often you come across serious cases amongst white people and when we find any,
the black boys can get them out quite painlessly for us. You find natives with toes eaten off, but that
is through getting them in for years on end. You needn't be alarmed about them so far as I am
concerned. I haven't caught one yet.
I haven't come across Sapper Wyley yet, but will keep on the look out for him.
So Jack has joined the Navy? I think he has done the right thing. In any case it is a much cleaner
and healthier job than being in the trenches.
And still the Hooson's manage to keep at home. Well, let them - they'll be considered as so much
muck when all this lot is over. We chaps who are in will at least be able to hold up our heads and
have something to speak about. Wherever a number of men gather together when we come home,
I can see such men as Hooson's & Percy Shoesmith & brother slinking out of sight whenever the war
is spoken of.
Yesterday I received you letters of August 15th and am pleased that my letters posted at Dakar
reached you safely. I think by now you will just have received the letter the letter I posted aboard the
"Comrie Castle" the day before landing at Killindini. This will be the beginning of a series of letters
which as far as possible I will try to get away once a week. As we are under orders to remove any
32
day to a fresh station I may not be able to get a letter away to you for more than a week. It will take
us a few days to reach our new destination, but I will send you another line as soon as we get settled
down again.
Lil sent me her photos I a neat little leather case and I shall be pleased to receive our Margaret's.
Tell her to put on a pretty smile when she has it taken and she must write me another nice letter
when she sends the photo. The letter she sent with yours in the parcel was champion for a little girl
of her age.
I shouldn't care for Harold Jayes' job in the Navy. Five weeks seems long enough for me to be on
the water, not to mention months together.
Have you been away for your holidays yet? It is now October 1st, so I suppose you have been away,
or perhaps you may be at Blackpool as I am writing this.
Socially we are having some very good times here; the YMCA is a splendid thing for us soldiers and
helps to pass some very cheerful evenings.
Last Saturday week we had a splendid concert at which I officiated at the piano. On the Sunday
evening we had a musical service at which an officer and the YMCA secretary both gave solos.
Here again my services were requisitioned. Wednesday evening we had yet another concert with
this time Cinema pictures - what do you think about that? I appeared here also.
Last Saturday (Sep. 30th) we had the finest concert of the tour at which we had the services of a
band, which styles itself "The Korogwe Military Band". It has been got together during the last week
or so and gives a jolly good account of itself. It was a splendid change to have them give a selection
at intervals during the concert, mostly ragtime, but just the sort of stuff to suit a crowd of fellows.
On Friday night I went on guard at 5 pm until 5 pm Saturday. It was quite an interesting experience
during the night, when two of us were on sentry together. We do two hours on and four hours off.
Well, I think I have about exhausted my stock of news this time so will now conclude, with the best of
love and good wishes to all of you.
Yours affectionately,
Alvin
Xxxxxxxxxx
For Mother & Margaret.
I forgot to tell you that I am still keeping very fit. My arm is quite all right now. Two of the sores have
dried up and the remaining one is dry and seems ready for coming off any time, so is quite out of
danger of anything recurring.
*******************
Envelope
Pflanzung Kiswani
G.m.b.H.
Post Tanga D.O.A.
On Active Service
Passed by Censor
33
Glen Lea, etc.
No 13
*******************
Letter No 13
ARMY Y.M.C.A. OF INDIA
Headquarters: 86 College St., Calcutta.
Indian Expeditionary Force "B"
Y.M.C.A.
Sunday 8 Oct 1916
Dear People,
Just another few lines to tell you that I am still getting along very well indeed.
Last Wednesday night we had a farewell open air concert at Korogwe and a jolly good show we had
too. The Korogwe Military Band appeared again with great success. I also officiated. Our captain
and one or two other officers gave us some very good items.
On Thursday morning at 11.30 am we set out by train for our present station, a run of just over 40
miles. We had a good send off by the band. The journey down was very interesting. I and five
others formed the train guard for the journey and owing to a shortage of trucks we and a large
number of men had to ride on top of the trucks and clambered up and down at each station, where
we (the guard) had to parade with fixed bayonets from end to end of the train in order to keep the
boys inside the train and not to let them roam around. It was a gloriously dirty ride - but after all it
was preferable to riding inside, where they were packed like so many sardines. We had occasional
slight showers which helped the soot from the engine to stick beautifully to our clothes and faces.
However we landed safely at our present station about 3.15 the same day.
The place where we are now is a beautiful one on the coast. It is very prosperous looking well-built
town with some really splendid buildings - all white walls and red roofs, but of course all these places
are now empty - just one or two shops are struggling along in a very small way (run by Portuguese
or Greeks). Of course there is the usual native bazaar in full swing. There are some splendid hotel
buildings but I think only one of them is carrying on - the Grand Hotel. The other afternoon several of
us had tea and cakes on the verandah of this hotel which over looks the promenade and the sea.
Some swank, eh? And what's more we are going some evening to have dinner there just by way of
a change from the army issue. They put on a very good dinner for 1 ½ rupees (2/-).
Every day we have two bathing parades - 6.30 am and 4 pm. These parades are very much
appreciated. We are camped about five minutes walk from the sea shore and to get to the spot
where we bathe is very much like going down to Babbacombe bay at Torquay.
I wonder what you are doing at home at this very minute (4.30 Sunday afternoon - 2 o'clock at
home). Just resting after a nice real English Sunday dinner, I would imagine. I wonder what you
have had, Yorkshire pudding, a bit of nice sirloin or crop, with broad beans, parsley sauce & baked
potatoes, followed by custard pudding? Ah! However I suppose I shall get back to all those tasty
dishes sometime in the dim future. I think we tommies will never grumble again when once we get
back into civi life again. Mind you, we are doing jolly well as regards food and getting quite as much
as we can eat. This morning we had bacon, bread & butter & jam, with coffee; at lunch we had tea,
bread & butter & jam, and we get some real good jam too - makes that I have never come across
before - it is mostly a South African brand that we get now and comprises the following selection grape, pear, apricot, peach, damson & apple, pineapple & melon, then occasionally we have some
34
called quince, which to me seems to be a mixture of five fruits (from the name quince) there are
plenty of seeds in this kind. In addition there is always the old familiar Tickler's Plum jam to fall back
upon - we also get greengage made by this firm. I understand that tonight - for dinner we are having
stew made from tinned bully beef and potatoes.
We can buy fruit very cheaply here (we buy it when we can't pinch it). For instance the other day we
got a bunch of 40 splendid bananas for 25 cents (fourpence), then again we went out one day and
got a basket of tomatoes for our tent. There would be about 8 or 9 pounds, for which we gave one
rupee (1/4); they were just like English tomatoes in taste, but only about the size of a plum.
I wish you could see me now. I am sat on the YMCA (a beautiful large airy building, with piano & two
billiard tables - presumably a club or something before) wearing nothing but a very thin cotton singlet
(which cost me ¼) and a pair of short trousers, not to mention a very greasy face. A little while ago a
band went past (oh, wasn't it awfully glorious or gloriously awful? - whichever you prefer). This band
is made up of a crowd of niggers who have collared instruments left by the Germans when they
evacuated the town; they are constantly parading the town and make no end of a rotten din - every
man blowing his eyes out in an effort to make a bigger row than the next man to him, and the
drummer beating the whole lot of them put together - anyway, they manage to get out something
approaching a tune.
Last night we had an A1 concert and when it was all over one of the officers present invited four of
us, Alvin included, to go down to the officer's club. Well, we went and had a splendid time until one
o'clock this morning - refreshments and cigars galore. Very decent of them to ask us to entertain
them, wasn't it? There were eleven officers from various units, including our captain and lieutenant
in addition to a staff captain of the name of MacMillan, who I am told is a millionaire and owns
tremendous tracts of big game preserves and plantations up in the Nairobi district of British East
Africa.
I am pleased to say that now all the sores have dried off my arm, leaving decent clean flesh again,
so there can be no further trouble to be expected from that quarter. Now I am feeling absolutely as
fit as a fiddle and notwithstanding the heat - I still have a splendid appetite.
I am looking forward to another letter from you soon. By now there must be several in the country
chasing me round. You see our battalion is so split up about the country - a handful of men here and
another handful there - that the letter bags have to go round from one camp to another in search of
the men. This just shows the reason why I do not want any parcels sending, except I specially ask
for anything. The last letter I had from you (a week ago) was dated August 15th - nearly two months
old.
Well, I think this is all this time, so will bring my epistle to a close, hoping that you are all keeping
well.
Best wishes to all
From Yours affectionately,
Alvin
Xxxxxxxx
Mother & Margaret
*******************
Envelope
On Active Service
Postal Censor
TANGA
35
Glen Lea, etc.
No. 14
*******************
Letter No 14
Tanga, Sunday 15 Oct 1916.
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret,
Just another line to let you know that I am getting along all right, but I am sorry I have had no mail
since a fortnight today, but am hoping that something will turn up in a day or two. I am always
delighted to receive letters from home, but I shall have to be thankful that so far I have been able to
get letters off to you fairly regularly, and after all that is the most important thing.
Last Sunday evening I witnessed one of the most interesting of sights, which does not fall to the lot of
many white men. Evidently last Sunday was the Christmas of the natives here and they make a
proper to do about it. I am afraid I cannot adequately describe it to you, but here goes. During the
daytime they were constantly having processions round the town, headed by that lovely band that I
described to you in my previous letter; there was no special feature about this part of the
programme, apart from the fact that the costumes of the men and women were gorgeous - evidently
having been reserved for these special affairs. The evening programme was more exciting.
Imagine yourself, if you can, in a native African village made of mud huts with thatched roofs, tall
coconut palms waving aloft their feathery heads (swank), the whole made more impressive by a
glorious full moon with not a cloud in the sky. Have you got that? Well, the play is in two scenes;
the first and most important one was held in the main street of the village; practically the whole of
the native population was gathered here; the 'band' occupied a position in the middle of the street
and for at least two hours played one tune, a sort of chant; meanwhile all the men danced round the
band - well not exactly danced, but shuffled along with a lot of fancy movements of the shoulders
and hips. They did not go round as children at home do the "Ring of Roses", but followed round in
single file, one behind the other. On a raised platform outside this ring was a "beauty chorus" of
women doing a funny sidelong sort of wriggly dance, all crowded together, so that you could scarcely
have got a pin between them; there must have been fifty of them dancing on a space of about five
yards by two yards. Everybody there taking part in the show, as well as the onlookers, kept up this
monotonous chant without ceasing.
In another part of the town, or I should say village, as it is a village on the outskirts of the main town,
there was a peculiar business going on which I took to be a marriage market. About thirty girls and
young women danced round in ring of roses fashion this time, to the accompaniment of a native
drum and one or two native instruments, one being a single stringed affair which a man just plucks
with his fingers and another being merely a tin affair filled with pebbles to make a rattling noise. In
the centre stood a nigger of tremendous size with a wonderful feathery head-dress , and he was
constantly shouting out long strings of words which conveyed no meaning to us. Each time he
recited his "piece" the women struck a weird chant, at the end of which they would give some awful
shrieks, though not really unmusical in sound. Evidently this was done to show the intending suitors
what lovely voices the girls possessed. These women were "got up" awfully, their faces being
absolutely plastered with white powder of some sort, feathers & other ornaments in their hair,
besides ornaments through the ears and nose (through gradually stretching the lobe of the ear by
putting in things of increasing size, they make the lobe into a very thin band of skin, like elastic, and it
is no uncommon thing to see them wearing a cigarette tin (50 size) in their ears and proud of them
they are too. Occasionally a nigger would break through the ring and take up a seat in the centre
where he could watch the women more closely. One could see him scrutinise one female in
particular for a considerable time, then he would hold a confab with the big nigger aforesaid
(evidently a chief of some sort) and hand over some money and march off with his "prize". This was
36
repeated many times over, all to the monotonous dub dub of the drum, the one stringed fiddle and
the rattle box. On the whole it was quite an interesting evening.
Last Tuesday the Cape Corps gave a concert and I officiated at the piano, this time absolutely
without music - oh! what a time it was. The Cape Corps is formed of "boys" from Cape Colony - sort
of half-breed - black and white, and their sense of music is not of the best. They would start a song
in one key and finish miles higher or lower - still we got through.
On the Wednesday night we were given a ripping firework display, with fireworks left by the Germans
when they evacuated the town. The "band" obliged with a few selections, making us think for the
moment that we were at home witnessing a gala of some sort.
Thursday night we gave a successful concert in the hospital grounds, after which we artistes were
given beautiful cocoa & ginger biscuits, also cigarettes.
Friday morning, we set off at six o'clock to see the place where the British forced their landing here.
We cooked our own breakfast and had quite a happy picnic, being allowed to go back to camp as we
pleased. This week we have altered out drilling and marching time to early morning. We have
reveillé at 5.15, are served out with hot tea or coffee (we have always some bread and jam left over
from the previous day so can get a nice little snack before we set out), march off at 6.15 for a route
or company drill. We had two route marches of about ten miles this week. We have breakfast
(nearly always bacon, which we cook ourselves) at 8.30, and are free to do as we wish for the rest of
the day, but in this heat we aren't inclined to do much beyond dawdle about and smoke & read or go
up to the YMCA for a cup of tea.
From this you will see that we have had a fairly interesting week and it has given me something to
write about, even though I have no letter from you to reply to. However, there may be mail in a day
or two - I hope so.
I tell you what I would like you to do with all those old magazines we have knocking around "Radio"
& others. Take them to the General Post Office and ask them to send them forward for the troops.
They make no charge and all this reading matter is very acceptable to us soldiers besides helping to
clear out the lumber for you.
Yours affectionately,
Alvin
*******************
Envelope
On Active Service
Passed by postal censor TANGA
Glen Lea, etc.
Censored R M HAINS, Cpt.
No 15
*******************
A reminder of my changed address
Pte. A.W. 41739
25th Batt. Royal Fus. Frontiersmen
B.I.E."B"
Tanga 20 Oct 1916
37
India Office
London WC.
Letter No. 15
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret.
I was very pleased indeed to receive yesterday your letters of August 22nd, 29th and September 4th,
also newspapers for a month (four each Courier & Chronicle - Aug 13th to Sep 3rd).
In your letter of Aug 22nd (a very short one) you say that you have posted at the same time a parcel,
No 4, containing a long letter with all the news. This parcel unfortunately has not yet come to hand,
but I sincerely hope it will do. As I have said before you must never put letters inside a parcel as it is
not allowed by the postal authorities.
Things out here are not so well conducted by the postal people as in France and there is much more
likelihood of parcels going astray. Letters are, however, looked after as being more easily handled.
On account of the letter in the parcel I hope it will come to hand quickly as it is already two months
old. I want the letter far more than what is in the parcel. News of all of you at home is much more
valuable to me. You ask me whether I want a parcel every two weeks or a larger one every three or
four weeks. Well really as I have explained to you in my previous letters, I don't want you to send me
any parcels at all as I can get all the dainties I require without you having to pay such heavy postage.
Really if you continue to send these parcels I shall be cross, but I know it pleases you to send them still I would very much prefer that you send me none. I don't care for the idea of you spending
money on parcels which will often find their way into the hands of someone for whom they are not
intended.
I am answering our Margaret's letter of September 2nd separately as it will please her to receive a
letter all on her own.
I am glad you got my cable safely, which was worth the money it cost me just to relieve the anxiety of
you and Lilian. You will all be glad to receive the news.
They seem to be very stringent now as regards to calling men up - but on the other hand a lot of men
slip through who ought not to do. I really cannot understand how Hoosons have managed so long to
stay out, but never mind I can hold up my head when I come home. How has Mr Marshall gone on?
Perhaps now as I write (Oct 20th) he is already in khaki. Really I don't what the world is coming to. It
is going mad and the people in it (at least the rulers).
Bernard Rhodes is in France and I understand that he is trying for a commission. Percy Shoesmith
has been called up and although he is a blooming "conscript" yet he gets a commission straight
away at his own job with good pay. He of all people does does not deserve a commission. If we
come home before the war in Europe is done with I think I shall have to go in for a lieutenancy as
well, but I am very happy as a private among my chums.
That explosion at Low Moor was a terrible affair wasn't it? It was posted on our news board "a
Yorkshire munition factory" so I wondered whether it was anywhere near home.
You ask me how I am faring with my food out here. Very well indeed! We have absolutely nothing
to grumble at in that respect; we get as much (and more) as we can eat, plenty of good freshly
baked bread. For breakfast one week we have bacon and the other week porridge (We have to
38
cook our own breakfasts), lunch we get just tea, bread, jam and in the evening stew made always of
fresh meat & potatoes with occasionally haricot beans.
The weather here on the coast is much better than we had inland - we only get very occasional
showers. Our camp is beautifully situated amongst coconut palms and mango trees about 5 minutes
walk from the sea shore.
How is the gardening going on? Margaret tells me you are having cucumbers and garden peas (Oh!
My!). Now I suppose everything will be all done with. Have the roses been a success at all?
I am glad to hear that Joe Tasker has got a decent job in York. He deserves it. You remember Mrs
Culpan who attended King X - her son has been badly wounded in the arm and back - perhaps you
already know that. That fresh complexioned young fellow who used to sit next to me in the choir has
also been wounded, losing the sight of one eye. His name is Leonard Hanson - perhaps you don't
remember him.
As far as I myself am concerned, I am sorry that I haven' any news for you; things are going on just
the same from day to day and I am still keeping very well.
Hoping that the parcel will arrive very soon, when I will write you again. I will draw this to a close,
With Love and Best Wishes to all
Yours affectionately
Alvin
XXXXXX
XXXXXX
******************
Envelope
On Active Service
Glen Lea, etc.
****************
Letter 17
Passed by Postal Censor
Tanga
R M Hains
FPO
No 304
2no16
Tanga, 1 November 1916
Dear Father, Mother & Margaret,
What a splendid mail I have just received from you - parcel no 4 (August 29th) with the long letter,
parcel no 5 and letter, both dated September 12th. The parcels have been very acceptable and I
thank you for them very much indeed and dare hardly ask you once again to refrain from sending
these parcels, but honestly I assure you, much as I enjoy the contents of the parcels, that I would
much prefer that you should not send so many. With food and other things being so expensive I am
sure you will want all the money you get for housekeeping expenses. I can buy all these things
myself and I have nothing else to do with my money but buy little luxuries for myself. As regards
smoking materials I always have more than I can get through - we are issued with two ounces of
39
tobacco every week. Cigarettes of course we have to buy for ourselves, but then they are cheaper
here than at home. We get paid regularly and anyone who is not foolish enough to gamble his
money away has quite enough for his needs.
Now for your letters.
Yes, evidently the Hooson's are starred, but I always maintain that I live under a lucky star - in fact I
consider myself lucky to get out here for such an unusual trip - something to remember for the rest of
my life.
Good old Field. He knows a thing or two.
I am sorry you did not go to the seaside, but I hope I shall hear in a later letter that you have been to
Blackpool after all.
I am pleased the roses have been a success and only wish I could just have taken a peep at them. I
see plenty of luxurious flowers out here, but the good old English rose needs some beating.
Peas, potatoes & celery. We get plenty of potatoes, but no peas or celery. We get haricot beans
though in our stew.
Yes, we can get plenty of fruit and very cheaply too, but those peaches and cream were delicious. If
you really feel you must send parcels, please don't send more than one per month and then no
larger than either of those two that you have sent (numbers 4 & 5).
I am glad to hear that you are occupying you mind by knitting for the soldiers. I often think that you
womenfolk have the worst part to bear by sitting at home and wondering how things are going with
the boys. We always have something to interest us and consequently keep our spirits up.
Glen Lea evidently suits our Margaret, when you can't wash her clean. I can't get my arms or knees
clean, but my face I can keep fairly clean. You see with wearing our helmets we don't get our faces
tanned, just reddened.
This whipping the men in from theatres & other places sounds very much like the press gang days of
a hundred years ago. Still I suppose it is necessary - there must be a tremendous number of men
who are dodging service.
I am very pleased to hear that Willie has got back to business again and hope he will be able to stick
it until I get back again. Poor Sam he will have had his hands full; it's bad enough running a business
like his with a decent staff in such troubled times, without having to turn and run it with a few girls.
I've never heard anything from Jack Priestley since before I joined up. I often wonder how he is
getting along. I hope he is all right.
Many thanks to our Margaret for the chewing gum. Please give her half a dozen kisses for me - right
good ones.
I haven't much news for you, things going on pretty much the same from day to day. We have plenty
of things to interest us. Last weekend we had an A1 boxing tournament, splendid prizes being
given, some as much as £20. On Monday night five blacks were put into the ring together at the end
of the show and provided some amusement; of course they knew nothing of the art of boxing and
simply went for each other until they couldn't hit any longer.
40
We have the same old early morning parades, the same old lazy day, and the same pleasant
bathing parades in the afternoons. A few days ago, by way of a change, we had a Marathon race
(only a three mile course, but quite long enough in this climate). We have also had a water polo
match and some aquatic sports.
Latterly, instead of giving concerts in the Bismarckplatz, we have built a camp fire in the evenings
and all gathered round in a big ring and had a sort of go-as-you-please concert - songs, recitations,
and tales. It is quite romantic to stand or sit about in this huge ring, a big log fire blazing away,
casting curious reflections on men's faces, the cocoanut palms waving above us, and a small
crescent moon in a beautifully clear sky?
A few days ago we had one of two wet nights, but it usually managed to clear off by morning and the
weather seems to be quite settled again; in fact the last two or three days & nights have been
beautiful. They tell us that from now to Christmas the weather will continue to get hotter, and
goodness knows it is hot enough already. Still I shall manage to stick it all right.
Well I don't think I have anything more to tell you this time apart of course from the usual story that I
am well & all that sort of thing and hope that you are all continuing to keep in the best of health.
Yours affectionately
Alvin
xxxxxx
*****************
Envelope
On Active Service
Glen Lea, etc.
Passed by Postal Censor
Tanga
R M Hains
F.P.O. No. 304 6No.16
*****************
Letter 18
Tanga 4 Nov 1916
Dear Father & Mother,
I haven't much news for your this time, but I am taking this opportunity of sending to you my love and
best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
It will be a sad Christmas for a large number of homes in England, but please be as happy as you
can for my sake, because I am sure to be all right and much better placed than millions of other men.
How do you like my Christmas card? I have made it from the cloth cut off from the bottom of my
trousers when I made them into "shorts". I enclose one for Margaret as well.
It doesn't look much like Christmas weather here. It is extremely hot, but a glorious day
nevertheless, with a beautifully clear blue sky and just a nice gentle breeze to temper it down.
41
The evenings are splendid, and of course the most comfortable part of the day. Just now there is a
good half moon - almost full.
We may probably move off from here in a day or two and I don't know how the postal arrangements
will be, so please don't be disappointed if I am unable to a get a letter away each week; you know I
will do my best to write you as often as ever possible; even if I have no news I will at least let you
know how I am keeping. At present I am very well and hope that all of you at home are the same.
Well, I wonder what the "Happy" New Year will bring. Peace I hope, at the earliest date. I don't
know how things are going on out here, but I wish they would buck up. You will probably know more
about the progress of the campaign than we do, we only get all kinds of rumour, each one of which is
usually contradicted the following day.
I think I have nothing more to say, so will now conclude with love and best wishes to all.
Yours affectionately,
Alvin
Xxxxxx
(letter contains two pieces of khaki cloth each with a message written in ink. Love and
Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year from Alvin to Father & Mother (and to Margaret).
East Africa 1916.
*******************
Envelope
On Active Service
Mr & Mrs A.E.Whiteley,
Glen Lea,
Sowerby Bridge,
Yorkshire,
England.
Passed by Postal Censor
Tanga
R M Hains (in pencil)
*******************
Tanga
10 Nov 1916
Dear Father & Mother,
I have had a splendid mail this week, one well worth waiting for, and I don't think anything is missing.
I have a month's letters from Lilian as well as a parcel of sweets, three letters from you (Sep 19th,
25th, & Oct 3rd, the latter enclosing a very sarcastic letter from our Margaret about a soldier living next
door to you) the parcel containing sponges, insect belt, soap, cigarettes and sweets. In addition I got
a letter from Irvine Spencer. There has evidently been some delay in the mails, in fact a rumour got
spread out that a mail boat for East Africa had been torpedoed on the way out, but now I seem to
have received everything right up to date. Oh! And I got of course a month's newspapers too.
The sponges will come in very handy and are just right - you see I shall want them when I come to
have to bath myself in a pint of water. Fortunately we haven't been reduced to such dire straits yet,
being able to go swimming in the sea here every day if we like. A week or two ago I managed to
obtain a small loofah. They grow out here wild and we occasionally come across them; they are a
42
vegetable and grow above ground, like a large green banana sticking up out of the earth. We just
have to strip the skins off leaving the fibre, which only requires washing and drying.
I am glad to say that up to now I have no need for an insect belt, being able to keep myself quite
clean, but it is handy to carry about with me ready to use if ever one should be necessary, which I
sincerely hope will not be the case.
Now to reply to your letters.
In the first place I am still keeping very well.
I put the powdered alum into my socks occasionally and so have not been troubled with jiggers. At
our last place many of the men got them in their feet, but I never did. Here there don't seem to be
any at all. Somehow I don't seem to be troubled with insects to the same extent as some men are.
Don't send any more alum - this will last a very long time.
I am very pleased to learn that Mother is keeping much better and hope she will continue to be so.
I wrote to Albert about six weeks ago and of course addressed him as A battery, but perhaps he will
get the letter all right. I note that he has been put in B battery and will alter his address next time.
How strange everybody envies me of my trip out here. I don't envy the chaps in Flanders, and think
I was fortunate to get out here, but then I always was a lucky chap.
So Arthur Hanson is in the Navy at last. I don't think he will care for the job but still it is a much
cleaner life than being in the trench mud.
You ask me to let you know what I require most. Really I short of nothing and please don't on any
account send me any more clothing - I can always get socks and shirts as I require them; in fact I
feel a right toff now since I got a khaki shirt. Can you imagine how I look? I wish I could send you a
photograph of myself. I have of course boots & puttees, bare knees, short khaki cotton trousers with
an 8 or 9 inch leg, khaki shirt with shoulder straps, breast pockets and turn-down collar and of course
My big sun helmet. Wouldn't you like to se me?
You tell me that all the fighting is over in East Africa. We can't get to know whether it is or not, but so
far we haven't come across any.
It must be very hard for all these older men to go for soldiers, because I understand that the
government is very stingy as regards meeting the liabilities of married men Lots of people would
expect getting up to £2 a week allowance but I learn from the papers that the average amount
granted over and above the 12/6 separation allowance is 6/2 a week. I think a lot of folks will be
having to sell their homes or else store their furniture.
The cigarettes you send come in very nice just for a change, but as I have told you before I always
have more tobacco than I can smoke and cigarettes are cheaper here at the YMCA than at home.
I wrote Charlie a letter from Korogwe on Sep 18th, so they will have my changed address by now.
I hope you told Aunt Maggie not to send me any clothing, because I can get all I require here. I
could smile when you tell me you will send me some socks for winter. We don't have any winter out
here, and if anything it will be hotter at Christmas than it is now.
43
No! and I don't think I shall stay out here a day longer than I can help. As soon as things are over I
shall be only too pleased to turn my back on this country.
You say again that you are going to send a small parcel every two weeks, but please don't on any
account send more than one per month and then don't make them any bigger than what you can put
into a Rowntree's toffee tin. You see if we should be sent home at an early date and you have sent
parcels every fortnight there may be any number landing in this country when I have landed back in
England and it is 10 to 1 that they wouldn't be sent on to me.
A week ago I sent you a novel kind of Christmas card which I hope will reach you all right.
Last Sunday one of the captains took nine of us for a sail in a yacht (about the size of those at
Blackpool) all round the harbour and away out to sea. We had quite an enjoyable trip from 2.30 to
5.30.
We have been expecting to move away from here this last few days, but we are still staying on, how
long for I cannot say.
I am enclosing a postcard showing one of the buildings in this place (the police barracks) and if I can
get hold of any more will send send some later.
Love & best wishes to all from
Yours affectionately
Alvin.
Am sending Margaret a letter card by same post.
******************
Postcard
Postkarte - Carte postale
Best Wishes to all
Alvin
East Africa
10/11/16
Mr & Mrs A.E.Whiteley
Glen Lea
Sowerby Bridge
Yorkshire
England
Walter Dobbertin, Kunstverlag, Daressalam u. Tanga D. O. A. No. 121
Picture of Tanga D.O. Afrika
Polizeiboma
******************
Envelope
On Active Servce
Glen Lea, etc.
Passed by Postal Censor
Tanga
R M Hains
F.P.O.
44
No. 304
15 NO 16
******************
Letter 20
Tanga
14 Nov 1916
Dear Father & Mother,
I am just dropping you a line though I have no news from you. It is very probable that our regiment
may be split up into sections all over the country and that means very probably that parties of men
get away from the main body and do not get letters or parcels for a very considerable time. On this
account I shall be glad if you will not send any more parcels unless I specially ask you to do. Please
don't think I am ungrateful and do not value the parcels you send, because I appreciate them very
much, but I don't want any of them to go astray and get into the hands of anyone else.
In my last letter I said you might send one parcel a month, but under the circumstances please don't.
I am still keeping very well.
Nothing new to report.
Love & best wishes to all,
Yours affectionately,
Alvin.
******************
Returned Envelope
Postmark 18 Nov 16
Private Alvin Whiteley
41739. 25th Royal Fusiliers
Frontiersmen
B.I.E.B.
India Office
London W.C.
Location uncertain
Infantry Record Office
Try Albert
Lower Willow Hall
Sowerby Bridge
Hounslow
*******************
Letter
Lower Willow Hall
Sowerby Bridge
Nov 17th 16
Dear Nephew
I was pleased to receive your letter & especially pleased to know you was keeping fit & in the best of
health. You must have had a most interesting & enjoyable voyage & your experiences should profit
45
you very much in years to come. Your father was on the other night & read me a great number of
your letters. You must look well after yourself & try & keep your spirits up. I am doing as well as can
be expected under the circumstances. All the works & factories are very busy & all the foodstuffs are
pretty dear everyone seems to have plenty as they are all earning extra good money. We are
having some nice weather now just a keen frost in the air, which no doubt is healthier than so much
wet. We had 5 o 6 weeks & rain nearly every day. I am just on points of getting finished potato crop
& I have also a lot of artichokes. So we are all right for vegetables this winter & I am having a couple
of Cock Chickens killed today & have plenty of eggs in pickle. I wish I could send you some but I am
hoping you are having good food & plenty of it.
The Soldiers in England speak highly of the food they get & their fine physche proves it. I had a long
letter last week from Joe Holt in Egypt & pleased to say he is in the pink. I also had a letter from
Lewis Crossley & am writing him today. We had a lot of Soldiers come home on 5 days furlowe
yesterday also a lot of sailors & they look in the pink & as blythe & gay as can be. When you come
back you should be able to make a living by lecturing about all you will have experienced & seen. &
then you life may be spent in pleasant places & I hope with everlasting peace. We must all keep
stout hearts & wait patiently for the War Clouds to be rolled back. Surely the future has more
sunshine in store for us. I expect when you get back you will not be content to settle here. You will
have seen so much of the world & become a rover. That there will be no tying you down again to
inside life. Well we cannot all see the world but must be proud that you & your comrades are willing
to see & travel it for our benefit. No doubt you will have got used to Military ways & thereby find it
less harrassing than it was. I am inclined to think the war cannot last long. There is bound to be a
crack & I can't see that it will be the Allies as we seem to have Soldiers & Sailors enough to go thro'
another war or two, it is a treat to notice the spirit of our lads. They are absolutely fearless &
undaunted & the Military & Naval Training has done them all a lot of good & created a grand spirit of
discipline that is no doubt beneficial to the Empire. We shall soon have Xmas here & our hearts will
all go out to you on Service. What grand times we look forward too when we have you at Home
again, which we hope will not be long. More good fellowship & Brotherly love such be the outcome
of the great sacrifice. However, you must bring back some Trophies for your little sister. Then she
will be running on to show them to our Eddie & they will have great fun. The absence from these
little folks of sunshine makes us cherish them more & it is nice to think such brave fellows as you are
protecting them. But I am almost at a loss what I can say further that may be of interest to you, so
will conclude with Good Wishes & the best of luck to you & all the Khaki lads & 3 cheers for the
Union Jack.
I am Most Resply. Yours
Uncle Albert
Private Alvin Whiteley
41739. 25th Royal Fusiliers
Frontiersmen
B.I.E.B.
India Office
London W.C.
*******************
Envelope
On Active Service
Passed by Postal Censor
Tanga
R.M Hains
46
Glen Lea, etc.
*******************
Letter 21
Tanga
19 Nov 1916
Dear Father & Mother
It is only a few days since I wrote to you and have really nothing much to tell you now, apart from the
regrettable fact that we are officially informed that a boat from here to England carrying several
weeks' letters (probably seven weeks they tell us) has been torpedoed and sunk on its way home. If
you have been about two months without letters you will now understand the reason. It is perfectly
ridiculous they should keep; our letters so long in the country without sending them. I cannot say
how keenly disappointed I was to hear of this, because I am sure you will have been very anxious at
being so long without any news from me, but you must always think that I am keeping all right and
that no news is better than bad news.
Best love to all
Yours affectionately
Alvin
See inside
I believe of the letters which may be missing would give you the new way in which our letters have
to be addressed,
Pte Alvin Whiteley 41739
25th Batt. Royal Fusiliers (Frontiersmen)
B.I.E."B".
India Office
London W.C.
Of course we are still in East Africa, but evidently our letters go through the India Office more quickly
than if addressed direct to East Africa.
*****************
Envelope
On Active Service
Passed by postal censor
Tanga
R M Hain
Glen Lea, etc.
******************
Letter 22
F.P.O.
28No16
Tanga
26/11/16
Dear Father & Mother.
47
We had a little mail in yesterday with just a handful of letters - I only got one, the one Mother sent
from Blackburn, October 25th. We expect the remainder of the mail here tomorrow, but unfortunately
I am leaving East Africa today.
In the first place I am fairly well, though the reason I am leaving is that I am being invalided to Cape
Town we believe. I have had an attack of dysentery followed by a mild dose of malaria and the
doctor said it would do me good to go down south for a while. Please don't be alarmed, because I
am absolutely all right; in fact judging by the way they are invaliding men it seems to me that they
cannot be particularly fast for them. The word "invaliding" looks serious, but really it is just a holiday
they are giving me. There are three other chaps from my company going.
If it is Cape Town we are going to, I understand that we shall be sent to a large convalescent camp
in the suburbs - Wynberg I think. I don't know how long I shall be kept there.
The only disappointing thing about it is that I shall have to wait much longer for my letters & parcels
to be sent to me from the battalion, but I shall l have to put up with that.
Please don't post anything until I can send you my new address. I will write you as soon as I land.
You tell me that Aunt Maggie is sending me some socks. Do you know I now possess five pairs of
socks without a hole in them. I have also four good shirts. In fact I am short of nothing. And then
you are sending a parcel to arrive for my birthday, but it seems that I shall spend Christmas & my
birthday at the Cape - away from the war. No doubt everything will be sent on to me by the battalion.
Well, I am afraid I have nothing more to tell you this time, but after my trip I may be able to send you
a more interesting letter.
Love & best wishes to all,
Yours affectionately,
Alvin
*******************
Postcard
On Active Service
Postmark Wynberg Cape 22 Dec 16
General Post Office Cape Town
Glen Lea etc.
Dear Father,
Wynberg 22/12/16
Here's a card for you as well. Still keeping in the pink.
Alvin.
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Postcard
On Active Service
Postmark Wynberg Cape 22 Dec 16
City Hall Cape Town
Glen Lea etc.
48
Dear Mother,
Wynberg 22/12/16
Here is another card.
I sent you a letter on the 20th, so haven't much news for you this time.
Yesterday I went to tea to the house of some Bingley people who have lived here 33 years.
Yours affectionately
Alvin
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Envelope
Returned to Post Office
By Military Authorities
As undeliverable.
R.Ls.,L.P.S.
Pte. Alvin Whiteley 41739,
25th Batt. Royal Fusiliers (Frontiersmen)
B.I.E."B".
India, Office
London W.C.
*******************
Glen Lea,
Sowerby Bridge
25 of
December.
Dear Brother
I once more take the opportunity of writing a few lines. This morning when I awoke I found in my
pillow-case a thin gold chain and a rosy apple and an orange a pin cushion which was like this.. and
some crackers which I pulled this morning. I found in one a ring, in another I found a length of coral
beads and in another a little clock I found. I got a dorothy bag full of chocolates, a scotch plaid box
full of chocolates and a pot with some raisins in and Almond nuts. and french Almonds in and half-acrown. and a beautiful eiderdown for my baby dolly's bed or carrige. I think I have done well don't
you. Mother and Father and me went up to Aunt Sarah Alices to our tea. I think this is all from your
loving sister
Margaret.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. With love and best wishes xxxxxxx (35 in all)
P.S. the hoosans are still at home safe and sound shirking.
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Envelope
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On Active Service
Postmark ?berg Cape
? Dec 16
Glen Lea, etc.
*******************
Letter No. 26
Wynberg
27 Dec 1916
Dear Father & Mother
Here is my Christmas story, which I think you will agree has been as "merry" as possible,
considering the fact that I am somewhere about six thousand miles from those I love. What a strange
thing it is to spend Christmas away from home, but my thoughts all the time have been there and I
hope that you have all been happy and had a good time. It is sincerely to be hoped that never such
a Christmas will be spent by England again.
It is such a different thing here. Christmas is kept up, but there isn't that Christmassy feeling about it.
I haven't heard Christmas hymns sung or played once. I will start my story where my last letter left
off. In the first place the weather is glorious. Anything more beautiful could not be desired, every
day being like one of the very few days we get in summer in England, and being on the coast it is
splendidly bracing. I am looking and feeling splendidly fit - quite brown in fact.
Now for the story:Last Thursday I went to the home of some people named Foulds from Bingley and they gave us (me
& a chap from Bradford) a splendid tea. We had pigeon pie - double helpings - cakes & sweets of all
kinds, strawberries and cream, home stewed peaches (peaches both raw and stewed seem to be a
favourite dish here and at present they are very plentiful and cheap - 15 or 20 for a shilling). Here
again the house was a very big villa - all the folks who have invited me out so far are in very good
positions. Foulds is a tile maker in a very big way and has been out here 33 years - I should take
them to be about 60 years old. Besides the two of us, they had to tea their son's wife (a woman
about 40), their married daughter (about 30 with one baby boy) and a Miss Foulds, about 35,
evidently a niece, who is over on a visit from Bradford - been here about six months. The son's wife
asked us to go to dinner & tea on Sunday (Christmas Eve); so of course we accepted. And what a
good bust up she gave us. There were two more soldiers there, another invalided Yorkshireman
who is coming home be today's boat and an Australian from a transport, also leaving today, at
present in Cape Town harbour and bound for France.
We had soup, roast goose, stuffing, apple sauce, mashed potatoes, fresh garden peas, French
beans. What a pile it looked, but I had a second helping, then we had plum pudding with custard,
second helping here too - next we had raw peaches and finished up with almonds and raisins.
Some blow-out! Eh?
I have an enormous appetite now - don't know where I put it all. At tea we had the goose cold,
stewed peaches and cakes - I've seen no spice cake yet. Well, we had to clear off in time to be back
at hospital by 8.30. On arrival back I found a very good concert in full swing - two sopranos (not one
of them a patch on my Lil) one bass, one tenor, a violinist and a lady cellist. They went on until about
ten o'clock.
I think I told you before that no passes were being granted for Christmas Day and really the Red
Cross gave us a splendid dinner in hospital. This is my Christmas Day. I rose at 7.30, breakfasted
at 8 o'clock; at 10.30 I went to church, but we didn't have Christmas Hymn; there was the usual
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Prayer Book service and the hymns were "O come all ye Faithful", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing",
"While Shepherds Watched". At the close of the service two carols were sung - "The First Nowell"
and another that I have never heard at home.
At 12.30 we had our Christmas Dinner and a huge success it was! We had turkey, sausage stuffing,
apple sauce, boiled unsweetened rice, potatoes, cold roast ham and then Christmas pudding. As
each man filed out of the dining hall he was served out with half a mug of claret (rather less than a
gill) with lemon in it and bottles of lemonade with which to sharpen the drink were given us. Each
man received a packet of fags as well. At 2.30 we had some sports and at 4 o'clock had afternoon
tea on the grass served by scores of ladies, young, middling and elderly. I had three cups of tea,
several thin sandwiches, all kinds of fancy cakes, chocolates, sweets and cigarettes, also bon-bon
crackers. They did us very well indeed. After tea we continued the sports and at 6.30 had another
tea, this time in the dining hall - just cocoa (or milk) and buns (as many as we could stuff into us); on
coming out I got a quart of fresh milk. At eight o'clock we had an impromptu concert amongst
ourselves and closed a very successful day be retiring at ten o'clock.
Yesterday, though not a pass day, they decided to give us special passes for the afternoon, so I &
two more fellows, both men who came out in my draft & like myself have been invalided down here,
went down to Cape Town and had quite a pleasant time; we went on the pier and climbed the tower
- free to soldiers. I don't know whether I have included a view of the pier in the cards I have sent
you; it is just a small tower at the sea end of the pier and from it you get a lovely view of the town.
After this we went to the Castle and attached ourselves to a party who were being shown round 6 at
a time by a guide - here again soldiers free; it is really a very interesting place; dating back to 1666,
when the Dutch held sway here. We were shown all over the place. Of course we had another
cheap tea - steaks & eggs - at the institute I told you of and then back home.
Up to the present I haven't had any of my letters or parcels sent down from German East. I do wish
something would turn up quickly. I have had nothing since that last letter I wrote you from Tanga,
the day before I sailed for South Africa. All we chaps who have been invalided are in the same boat
- the postal service in German East is rotten - nobody seeming to care whether we get anything or
not.
I can still say nothing definite about posting letters, so for the present don't send anything. It seems
quite likely that I shall be coming back to England by the next transport. I have heard of no men
being sent back to German East after having been invalided. A transport is leaving today taking a
large number of invalided Englishmen from Wynberg back to England so I imagine that I shall be in
the next batch. I dare hardly build up on it coming true, but I am hoping that I shall be so lucky. I am
told that the last lot left about two months ago, so it may still be a couple of months from now before I
leave here. However I will keep you fully informed of everything.
8 pm. 27/12/16. I have just been informed that I have to parade tomorrow with the probability of
embarking the same day for England. Hurrah! I think it best under the circumstances to write this
letter & enclose another photograph, even though it may reach you after I have landed. Tomorrow
will, no doubt, be all hurry & rush and I shall have no time to add more to this letter so will post it
tonight.
Love & Best wishes to all
Alvin.
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Letter 27
Somewhere at sea
51
Wednesday 24 January 1916 (sic)
Dear Father & Mother,
When you receive this letter you will know that I am once more safe on English soil. We are now
only a few days sail from home and I am writing this letter now and will post it as soon as ever I get
ashore and will then write you again if necessary.
Well, we left Cape Town in a hurry and rush on Thursday, Dec 28th, and got aboard the Union Castle
liner "Briton". We did a very quick run to the island of St. Helena (where Napoleon died), which
place we reached the morning of January 2nd. In the afternoon of the same day the Comrie Castle
arrived there from England. This is the boat which took the Frontiersmen from Durban to Mombassa
in August. The following morning a convoy of troopships which left Cape Town a day or two before
us escorted by the battle cruiser "Glasgow" joined us. This vessel was in the Falkland Islands battle
when we defeated the Germans. We attached ourselves to the convoy and all left St. Helena on
January 4th. Then commenced the slowest journey I have known - you see we can only go at the
speed of the slowest boat amongst us and this is very irksome to us who are on a very swift boat. I
we had been allowed to cut along on our own we should have been in England several days ago,
but for safety's sake we must keep with the convoy.
Well, we arrived at Freetown in Sierra Leone on the 10th. Here the "Glasgow" left us after handing
us over to an auxiliary cruiser named the "Orana" I believe. While at Freetown each boat had a gun
fixed on her for use against possible submarine attacks. So far they have not been used except for
target practice and I sincerely hope that they will not be used in real earnest. (My words it is rough
now - the boat is rocking terribly and it is a difficult job to write). We left Freetown on the 14th, since
when we have not sighted land, but plod wearily along on our journey to Blighty. How glad we shall
be when we get there. When we are not engaged in manoeuvring we steam in the following order
Orana
Kiara
Beltana
Aurora
Port Napier
Suevic
Maori
Tahiti
Briton - us
The "Orana" is an auxiliary cruiser in charge of the convoy. All the other boats are full of Australian &
New Zealand troops. Besides ourselves there are aboard the "Briton" a lot of men from India, South
Africans and Kaffirs who are going to France for labour on the docks.
What will happen when we reach England, we don't really know, but understand that invalids are
sent to a hospital to be sent before a medical board after which we shall get leave. This should not
take more than a day or two, so now we shan't be long before I am home again Of course there will
be no necessity for me to be kept in hospital, because I am now quite well. It will be merely a case of
having to go through the hospital to be discharged again.
Meantime I send you my love and best wishes.
Yours affectionately
Alvin
Monday morning Jan 29th. We arrived here (Devonport) at midnight yesterday - and are going
ashore today. Hurrah. Now we shan't be long.
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