War Diaries Talk

Mail

  • Misawa by Misawa

    Has anyone seem entries for mail delivery or lack of same? I`ve seen a few mentions.

    Posted

  • ral104 by ral104 moderator, scientist

    I've come across a few mentions before. Mail from home was probably a very welcome arrival.

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  • cyngast by cyngast moderator

    I came across one recently from the 5th Field Company R. E. The diary mentioned that mail was brought up to the unit in a forward area by cyclists. This was in October, 1914, northeast of Ypres, around Pilkem, I think.

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  • marie.eklidvirginmedia.com by marie.eklidvirginmedia.com

    An Article from Telegraph newspaper, regarding mail to troops in WW1. “Each week, more than 12 million letters were delivered to soldiers during the the first world war providing opportunities to exchange news with family and friends.” (Also censorship of such, with photographs) on link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/inside-first-world-war/part-ten/10863689/why-first-world-war-letters-censored.html

    Also an interesting Cartoon and Telegraph newspaper article, featuring WW1 cartoonist Bruce Bairnsfather: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/inside-first-world-war/part-ten/10865658/old-bill-cartoons-boosted-morale.html

    The first mail from England arrived for the 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment on 19 August 1914. http://talk.operationwardiary.org/#/subjects/AWD000340f

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  • ral104 by ral104 moderator, scientist

    Thanks, Marie. Interesting links as always!

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  • Misawa by Misawa

    I have a small book printed by a former CO of the 8th Bn City of London Regiment AKA the Post Office Rifles. The unit was formed out of personnel at the post office and on their way to France a sizeable number were pulled out of the unit and, wait for it, sent to the mail center to sort mail for the rest of the troops. For some it must have been a let down but for those who missed Vimy Ridge where the regiment was pretty much wiped out, it must have been a stroke of providence.

    One unit mentions not receiving its allotment of field post cards and when they finally did, they were retreating after Mons and had to burn them with the other official papers.

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  • ral104 by ral104 moderator, scientist

    One of the things you really get a sense of when reading the diaries is the enormous number of skills and trades which went into supporting the frontline fighting units.

    You'll also find people pulled out of other units because of their skills in railway management or mining or any number of other arcane disciplines.

    Posted