Uncle Fred's WW1 letters

I have just transcribed my Mum's Uncle Fred's WW1 letters. It was something I had wanted to do for ages as the ink was fading gradually. Anyway, I thought you might like to read them and fwd-on. Who knows, if they are out there in the public domain, somehow, somewhere, they might just help show the insanity of it all. Perhaps even now his death will reach out across the years and help in some small way to save the lives of others.

Adam.

24th May (1915)

My Dearest 'Sis' Ada

Before this reaches you - you will have read of the smash up we have had on the Kingridge. I fell into it properly. As I arrived at the trenches about 8pm Sunday night. On reaching there the Huns' were shelling for all they were worth, it was like a huge sheet of fire, but I made my way to where my poor pals were, I can hardly recall how I got to them unhurt and waited with them until the attack, which we know must soon be, took place. It came about 10pm and although our boys - or what was left of them - fought bravely we could not stop the enemy and we had to evacuate our first two trenches. By Heaven dear the lads did fight, even to getting out of the trenches as the Germans advanced and fighting them hand to hand, my officer died whilst fighting them with his fists, my corporal - God bless him - took on four of them, I saw him settle one and then I and another boy went to his help, I accounted for two of 'em, then a shell burst on us killing my two pals and the other German but only blowing me into the trench.

This fighting lasted until about 7am in the morning when it died down. On Monday night we were relieved and taken to behind the lines. Then came the sad part - roll-call - Ada I had to cry, we had no officers in my company, I was the only N.C.O. and of my platoon there is only me and one man out of 38 - do you wonder at me breaking down. My company lost all N.C.O.'s bar me, and 140 men, altogether our regiment lost 420 men. Our Brigade General praised and thanked us for the way we held the enemy as we did, for you see the bombardment had killed and wounded so many that when the Huns came - Prussian Guards they were - there was only a few of us left to meet the attack and as the Brigadier says - he wondered that any one had lived through the shelling.

Well dear 'Sis', some unseen power is protecting me, I had no idea I was going to such an inferno. Hope you are still well, give my love to all at home, to yourself also, ta ta

Your loving Brother
Fred

June 6th (1915)

My Dear Sis Ada

Please excuse assorted note paper as the 'shops' here are all 'closed'. I trust you have by now read my letter to Hilda - note my new 'address'. Have you visited Stepney - seen Ted's letter if not here is one for yourself. I have no doubt you have read of the terrific fighting at Festubert. Well my dear, we have been in the thick of it with the 'regulars' and let nobody say in the future that territorials are only Saturday afternoon or show soldiers. By gum Ada our boys did go when the order was given but it was a sad sight to see your old chums, especially those from the office, getting bowled over all around you. The hottest affair was when my platoon and another were ordered to attack a trench at the end of which was a fort containing three machine guns.

The Germans in here had been doing a lot of damage on our either sides, so at 5.30pm on the Sunday evening we made the attack. It was a terrible business, they let us have it with bombs and machine guns, but our boys pressed until all our bombers were killed and then a call was made for volunteers to go in and bomb them. I went to the front, and thank God was just in time as the 'beasts' were coming on at us again when they noticed the lull in our attack, and working hard throwing bombs like a demon I drove them back to the fort, when I looked round there was not a man near me for 30yds a good job the 'Huns' didn't know it. Well I 'gave them' over 100 bombs to 'play with' but to this day I cannot make out how I missed 'stopping' a bullet or a bomb.

I went back for a man and we had to work hard and build a barricade to guard against a counter attack, which did not come off. Next morning when fresh men had arrived, we had lost all N.C.O.'s and nearly all our men the previous night, we made an attack on the fort itself, it was nothing for after firing a few shots and wounding a few men the Germans surrendered. There were about 40 men and an officer, the others had escaped down a secret trench to what they thought was an empty trench but ran into the Canadians and not one lived to tell the tale, the Canadians take no prisoners. Well for my services, I was made a sergeant on the field and recommended for the D.C.M. whether I shall get it or no I can' t say as to be made Sergeant straight away is a 'bit' high. Well my dear altogether during the few days fighting we had 690 killed and wounded. (tell Hilda that the young man she saw got a bullet that first hit my nose, cutting it, and then entered his breast seriously wounding him. All my particular chums, bar one, are gone. As our battalion is so depleted we are hoping that we shall see no more fighting and carnage, our boys think they have done their bit, we must wait and see eh??

Well Ada I have written you a long account and as duty now calls I will conclude in the hope that you and all at home are well and longing to see you all again, my love to Ada, Elsie, Hilda, Oh, and the babes, accept my love and wishes.

Your ever loving 'bro',
Fred

November 6th 1916

Dear Ted,

I cannot express my feelings in writing at the loss of poor Fred. All the information I can gather is that he was last seen leading and encouraging his Platoon when the order to Advance was given. There was no going back with Fred, and you can take it from me that he went on until he could go no further.

I enquired daily if there is any news of him in the hope that he is still alive. If he is taken prisoner which I think is highly improbable knowing him as I do, he must have been severely damaged.

Memories of the good and bad times we have had together are continually occurring to me and of his coolness and cheery manner during the hottest times we have had.

He was a Sportsman to the backbone and knew no fear and if there was anything doing Fred was there if possible. It is very hard to lose such a great chum after so many months of fighting. By losing him the Regiment loses one of its bravest soldiers, and he will be missed by all who knew him and his fine qualities.

Questions are asked me daily if anything has been heard of him, and it makes me sad to give the same reply every time.

To his Mother, Sister and yourself I extend my heartfelt sympathies at the loss of so brave a boy. I hope the time is not far distant when on leave I shall be able to explain matters more clearly.

For the present I will conclude Au Revoir. Hoping you are bearing up.

Yours sincerely,
Charles Harris

6th November 1916

Mr Edward H. Morel,

In reply to your letter of the 8th inst., I can only inform you that Sergt.F.C.Morel went into the attack with his Company on the 7th October last, and that he has not since been seen. Only a handful of the Company survived. Whether killed or taken prisoner I am convinced that he was at the time gallantly doing his duty as he always did. He won his D.C.M. at Festubert in May 1915 for the most gallant conduct which I myself witnessed, and I have the pleasure of recommending him for his decoration. Both then and later he was always gallant, honest, straightforward and fearless: an N.C.O. of whom any Battn. might be proud.

I sympathise with you and all his family in his loss, but at the same time when the unsparing efforts of every patriot were most sorely needed. Yours faithfully,

(Sgnd) Hon.Peel Capt. & Adjt. Acting Officer C. 5th London Regt.