Another Week Done

Well chums that's another week gone at the front. I can tell you I've not been too well since I've heard of my brothers death. It got me down a bit but I've picked myself up now.

I got the news last week. I received a letter from home that told me of his death. It's terrible news. What makes it worse is that he's not been married long and his wife is expecting a baby. The poor bairn will grow up not knowing him. It's terrible.

My brother, George, was in the Royal Welsh Regiment. He joined up before me, in 1911. He enjoyed the army, its what made me join up in 1913.

I received letter from my Dad and a copy of the report from his Corporal. It stated that he was killed on the 6th of may. His platoon were in an engagement with the enemy and unfortunately he was shot and died. It stated the usual facts that he was a brave sole, well liked by the men and a credit to our family. It said he fought with great courage and was on a special mission when his platoon got overrun by the Hun. It stated that he died from gunshot wounds.

I'm going to write a letter to his commander to get more information and find out where his last resting place is. I hope to visit it one day and pay my respects. He was a good bloke George, he was my older brother. I'll make sure his bairn knows of him and won't miss out, its the least I can do.

Well chums as for life at the front we relieved the French on the 6th and had a pretty normal time in the trenches other than the duration. We came out on the 15th, aye we were in there for 9 days, I couldnt believe it. We had had 5 men killed and 20 wounded in that time. At the beginning of the stint we were heavily shelled and then at the end we were getting sniped on. All the killed were sniped and all but 6 of the wounded were also sniped.

Our numbers were going down again but during this stint we had five 2nd Lieutenants and fifty men men join. The 2nd Lieutenants were A.S. Maciver, R.L. Breckell, L.C. Billington, R.C. Mason and W.E. Nairne.

When we came out on the 15th we were relieved by the Royal Warwick Regiment, our pals from Vlamertinghe. Unfortunately one of our chaps got picked off by a sniper during the changeover. Poor bugger, he must have thought he was getting out of danger only to get his life snatched away just as he was reaching safety.

Well chums we didn't go to Vlamertinghe, we marched off in a different direction to pastures new. This time it was to the Chateau Trois Tours in Brielen.

So were getting a grand tour of Belgium. Join up and see the world chums. Well at least Belgium. Oh and get to dodge some bombs, bullets and shells whilst trying to shoot some shady characters. What more could you want.

Well folks heres some snaps of the Château, it looks grand doesn't it.

Château Trois Tours

I have another one of the back of the place, this is it.

Château Trois Tours Back View

2nd Lieutenant E. R. Kelly joined us whilst we were at the Château. Of course we weren't staying in the place, were were in bivouacs again.

Well chums there's no rest for the wicked so today we've had our orders that tomorrow were going back to the front. A lovely life isn't it, we were in for 9 days and out for 3, now we're going back!

Well chums I must leave you now. Here's hoping all's well and I'm here to write to you again next week.

God bless,

Albert x