The following letters were written home to parents from the frontlines of World War I by our brave Kentish boys who so willingly volunteered to defend ‘King and country’ when the call came. Most letters have been condensed to fit the needs of this article.
Sheffield
To Mrs Celecia Rouse of ‘Highfield’, Spring St Sheffield, from the Ministry of Defence, New Zealand, Nov 1917: ‘I have much pleasure in informing you that your son Sergeant Claude Rouse (29), who joined up while visiting NZ, has been awarded the military medal for gallantry in the field of action. Please accept my hearty congratulations on his having gained such a coveted distinction. Sgt Rouse is one of the men who landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 22 and fought throughout the whole campaign. He was one of the last seven men to be evacuated and later drafted to Egypt. In the Palestine conflict, Sgt Rouse showed conspicuous gallantry in Gaza, where he single-handedly captured two Turkish guns. For this, he was awarded a military medal.’ Sadly, only days later, Mrs Rouse’s next communication informed her that Claude was killed in action on Nov 14.
Catholic chaplain Rev O’Donnell in France writes to John Pfau, baker, Main St Sheffield telling him how his son Private William Pfau (20) was killed on 25 Aug 1918 under tragic circumstances: ‘During a recent battle, your son, being an excellent soldier and brave lad of German extraction, called out in the German language as he walked towards a trench in which there were 40 Germans. They put up their hands and made signs they wished to surrender. Pvt Pfau went back to his trench and reported the matter, then said he would return to their trench and bring them in as prisoners. A second time he called out to the Germans, and again their hands were raised, so Pfau walked up to their trench. As he came near, one of the Germans fired point-blank at him with a revolver, killing him instantly. Pfau’s mates, who were watching, immediately turned six machine guns on them, then attacked with bayonets. Only three were taken alive. Young Pfau certainly showed great courage, and had he lived, he would have received a decoration. He was laid to rest in the field of glory near the spot where he so gallantly fell.’
Beulah
Well-known Lower Beulah residents George & Hannah Edwards had no less than six sons serving as members of the armed forces abroad – a proud record for any parents. Their sons’ names were James, George, Charles, Arthur, William and Bert Edwards. In July 1915, oldest son James Edwards writes, ‘I have a poisoned hand. I am in the hospital in Malta at present. We get treated well here. All the nurses in this hospital are very nice. Nothing seems a trouble to them. We have concerts three times a week, but these get stale sometimes. I am wanting to get back to the front with my mates, helping them to kill more of the Turks. We had two hard fights with them. They don’t like our bayonets; they run for their lives when we get at them with ‘the steel’. I don’t mind the bullets, but I don’t like the shells. I have had a lot of narrow escapes but have not been hurt much yet. When we landed at the Dardanelles, 17 left the steamer in one boat, 15 were killed, and the remaining two were taken back wounded. By the time this reaches you, I will be back at the front again.’ George & Hannah Edwards were advised that their son Private James Edwards was killed at Lone Pine on 7 Aug, 1915. All their other sons returned safely from the war.
Staverton
Private Albert Davies to his parents, Dan & Emily Davies (Aug 1915): ‘We landed at Gallipoli on May 12. I saw Mel Shepheard, who was wounded a few weeks ago but is all right again now. Also heard Clem Jubb is in Alexandria and nearly well after his wounds. I saw the place where poor Ira McNab was killed. It happened on the first day after they landed there. Sid Duff has arrived at last.’ Later, Albert Davies wrote from Gallipoli (Oct 1915): ‘Only one left out of six mates, the rest having been sent away sick at different times. I am fortunate to be one of 18 men selected as bodyguards to British General Sir Ian Hamilton (commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on the Gallipoli Peninsula) when he relinquished command and returns to England.’
West Kentish
Driver Ted Harvey writes (Mar 1917) to his parents, James & Martha Harvey: ‘You will be pleased to know that I am with my brother Frank in Egypt, living in the same tent. It seems like old times to be with him once more. I had rather a rough time in the hospital but am quite well now. All three of us brothers met up in Egypt. Brother Percy was very excited to see us the first night he got back from the Peninsula. He only had a two days’ spell in Egypt before starting back into action, this time on his horse as the whole regiment has changed to cavalry work. He has had some very narrow escapes. It could have been nothing but an Unseen Hand that has protected him during seven months in the trenches. I suppose you would like to know how we spent Christmas. For Christmas dinner I had ham, beef, vegetables and plum pudding. My Christmas stocking contained one pint of beer, two soft drinks, one cigar and two packets of cigarettes. I expect both Frank and I will be in action before this reaches you. We are anxious to do our bit towards pushing this dreadful war to an end.’ Later, Frank Harvey (22) was reported wounded and gassed.
Claude Road
Sheffield’s Anglican minister Rev Wm Best conveyed to Mrs Jessie Hetherington in Jul 1917 that her husband Private Victor Hetherington had been killed in France. His young wife Jessie (nee McCoy) with her two infants Victor Jr (3½) and Olga (1) were left to mourn their loss. Out of over 30 who had enlisted from Claude Road, this was the first casualty, although two more were reported during the week: Private Jock McCoy, suffering from gas poisoning, and Private Tom Elliott as wounded.
Railton
Lance-Corporal Arthur Hoodless (29) to his parents, James & Eva Hoodless (Dec 1916): ‘I am writing this letter on paper taken from an old ledger in a most beautiful church near Verdun, France, which has been blown to atoms. The bullets are falling all around me as I am writing. Some of the most beautiful buildings in the world are here where this terrible battle is raging and are all being destroyed by the murderous Huns.’ Among the church ruins, Arthur says, he picked up two richly embroidered stoles and a cardinal’s white biretta (4-peaked-cap) damaged by fire, dirt and bullet holes. He posted these relics home to Father O’Connell at St James’ Catholic Church, Railton, who, upon receiving them, reverently preserved them in the Railton church. Three months later (Mar 1917), Presbyterian Army Chaplain with the 9th Battalion wrote to Mrs Hoodless: ‘You have doubtless heard by cable from the Defence Department of the lamented death of your elder son, Lance-Corporal Arthur S. Hoodless. Arthur was in C Company of this battalion and had been in the trenches only two days when the troops went on the attack, pushing the Germans back with gallantry in the face of a barrage of high explosive shells. Arthur was hit in the legs by one of these exploding shells. He was removed to the casualty clearing station, but after a day or so, the shock and effects of loss of blood began to be felt. Your son passed peacefully away on 25 Feb 1917. The Anglican chaplain conducted the funeral service in the presence of your other son Cyril. I have some confidence that your son had his faith fixed in Christ, which I am sure you will find a source of comfort in your hour of sorrow. I pray that God may grant you that comfort which He alone can give. Lance-Corporal Hoodless was one of the steadiest and most reliable of the men of the battalion. He was popular with his mates and trusted by his officers. Respectfully, Rev Wilson Macaulay.’
James & Eva’s youngest son, Cyril Hoodless, writing (Aug 1915) from Cairo: ‘Cairo is a lovely city but so filthy and dirty. I visited the pyramids yesterday: 450ft high, all granite, in 20-ton blocks, brought from 500 miles away. I also saw Herbert Shaw from Stoodley and Russell Singleton and Jack McGuire from Sheffield. Poor Albert Day died of pneumonia soon after we landed. We followed him to his last resting place and all felt so sorry for him. I have been through the big hospitals and have seen some terrible sights – one poor fellow with a strong body but without either arms or legs. We are having corned beef and rock biscuits now and will soon be moved to the firing line in the trenches at the Dardanelles.’ Later, Cyril Hoodless (March 1917) wrote from France: ‘I am still in hospital suffering very much from trench feet caused by the intense cold and wet in the trenches, but I am getting the best of care; the Red Cross nurses are so very kind. Everything was done to make us happy.’ Two months later, Private Cyril Hoodless (aged 19 yrs, 9 mths) died of head wounds received while in action on 31 May 1917, just three months after his older brother Arthur Hoodless was killed.
Stoodley
One of three brothers at the front, Private Jim Mawer writes (June 1915) from military hospital, Malta, to his parents, Samuel & Susan Mawer, at Stoodley: ‘I was seven weeks on the Gallipoli Peninsula under fire and four weeks in the trenches. It is very rough and hilly where we are. Our trench is about two miles from the beach, but on top of the hill are the Turks’ trenches. If you lift your head a little over the trench, you’ll get a bullet. That is how my mate Herbert Shaw stopped one. In the trenches, we couldn’t get water. I did not have a wash for over a fortnight, and in seven weeks I only had my clothes and boots off for three hours. The stench of the dead Turks is terrible. Ever since we landed, the firing only stopped for four hours to allow the Turks to bury their dead. I was sorry for poor Lionel Weeks. He was lighting the fire to boil the billy for dinner when he got wounded. I know the taste of a bullet; one went through my trousers and burnt my leg. I got sunstroke and was taken on the hospital ship to Malta. It was a treat to have a bed to sleep on instead of the hard ground. I hope soon to be at the front again.’
Jim writes (Sept 1915): ‘I have had two months in bed on a milk diet and feel terribly weak. This enteric fever is a terrible disease to get. I expect to be sent to England for some months to regain my strength. I heard that brother Jack was wounded and is in Egypt. I have not received any mail since I came here.’ Jim writes again (Oct 1915) from the Red Cross Hospital, England: ‘Just a few lines to let you know that I am still living and having a good time. We left Cardiff Hospital three days ago, and now we are at Hereford. It is a very nice place. The nurses work so hard and get no pay, just doing it to comfort wounded and sick soldiers. We are allowed out every day from 1:30–5pm. We Australians get a lot of attention – they make such a fuss of us. Some very rich ladies live here, and they are always taking us out for motor car drives and to tea. Yesterday, several of us went out in a motor car about 90 miles into the country. The views were just beautiful. You could not wish for better treatment. I am getting quite strong and fit again. Soon be ready to have another slap at the Turks or Germans. I am anxious to get back; I owe Mr. Turk another hit.’ Two years later (Nov 1917), Jim’s parents received word: Private Jim Mawer wounded in action.
From third son Driver Keith Mawer (Aug 1917) to his parents: ‘Arthur Hoodless has been killed. If you see Mrs Hoodless, tell her that I put a nice little cross on his grave. I saw him a few hours before he was killed. We both enlisted together. It seems very hard. I have lost nearly all my best mates over here, but I suppose it is God’s will. I am lucky to be living myself after what I have been through these last five months, but I don’t think I can go on much longer.’
In March 1917 Hon John Hope (Sheffield), speaking in parliament, drew the ministers’ attention to the matter of bogus telegrams, presumably coming from sons at the front, requesting that money from their parents be forwarded to them. He cited several instances occurring locally. The minister, replying on behalf of the attorney-general, believed the best remedy was to publish such facts as widely as possible so that people would make more careful enquiries before forwarding money.