Walter takes a holiday

The next few weeks are going to be very busy for me, as I prepare for a new job and move from Atlanta to New York City. Alas, my writing and research for my book about Walter has had to take a back seat to getting things settled in the midst of great change.

In the meantime, feel free to peruse the archives of this site to find out about this remarkable man. I'll be back before you know it!

Some of my more interesting posts (in my opinion):

Did you ever know a goose that wasn't?

Sailing the World at 17

Sunstroke and the Army's Exit Process

The Workhouse and Firvale Infirmary

The Lincolnshire's New Recruit

Aden and the Delhi Durbar

The Ring and the Clock

The Disadvantage of a Uniform

1939 - Preparations and Changes

Walter and Bert

Dealing with Incorrigibles at Sheffield Union Homes

Found an interesting resource at the Sheffield Central Library/Local Studies Center that discussed the ways the Homes handled problem children. From Sheffield Union: The Scattered Homes for Children Historical Sketch, presented by the Children’s Homes Committee to the Sheffield Board of Guardians, 20th March 1907, Sheffield Independent Press LTD:

Other Methods of Dealing with the Children. . . Four other methods are in use, viz – a) boarding out; b) emigration; c) training ships for boys; and d) special Homes and training institutions.

Walter always speculated that older brother Harry was sent to Canada after he ran away from the Homes. Haven't been able to verify this, but we're still working on it:

b) Emigration – Within the last five years some 44 children have been emigrated to Canada, either through Dr. Barnardo’s Homes or the Catholic Emigrating Association (Father Berry’s Homes), and in reference to the large majority of these children we have encouraging reports.

Wonder if Harry was among the 44?

Walter and Bert, of course, were sent to the training ships - Walter to the "Clio" and Bert to the "Southampton" (picture above is of the Southampton boys):

c) Training Ships – In the case of boys who appear to require a more rigorous discipline than our Homes provide, and especially with those given to absconding, we have found training on ship-board a useful expedient. Within the same period of five years six boys have been sent to the “Southampton,” on the Humber, four to the “Clio,” at Bangor, and one to the “Wellesley” on the Tyne. The authorities of these ships undertake the responsibility of placing the boys out on their discharge.

Still hard for me to imagine Walter as requiring a "more rigorous discipline" since he was the model of respectability when I knew him.

1st Ypres via field messages

One of the most intriguing resources I uncovered while researching at the Imperial War Museum was a 2-volume set of actual field messages from the first battle of Ypres in autumn 1914. Well, truthfully, I didn't uncover it on my own; the outstanding staff at IWM pulled it for me when I requested sources for the battle. At any rate, it gave me a new perspective on what was happening on the ground for the 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Corps.

The messages, encased in protective sleeves, come in a variety of formats. The higher up the chain of command, the more likely the messages are to be typed or written on official forms. Down in the trenches or on the run, the troops had to make do with whatever scraps of paper they could find. But to see the real messages - not reproductions - was an incredible way to follow the battle.

Some excerpts:

Nov. 12 2:30pm. From 9 Bde To Linc. R: “North. Fus being heavily shelled and expect attack. In event of their being driven in which hope will NOT be the case you could if compelled fall back on new trenches by farm and hold on there at all costs warning Bedfords before doing so. Reconnoitre and see slate of preparedness of trenches.”

Nov. 13 9:30am. From 9th Bde to OC Amb Vlamertinge: “The Battns at present in 9th Inf Bde are as follows: 1st N Fus, 4th Royal Fus, 1st Lincolns, 1st royal Scots Fus.”

Nov. 13 9:50am: From OC Lincolns To Bde Major 9th Bde: “The enemies trenches are getting very close to my line. ? a trench near the house opposite the Bedfords left, a small gun of some sort appears to be throwing shells very close to the front of my fire trench. Is there any means of tackling this? ?? artillery would be dangerous to our firing line. Have we any rifle grenade or anything of that sort? The big guns are commencing to shell again here. Can our artillery get on to them?”

Nov. 13. 10:40am: From 9 Bde To Linc Rgt: “Please report your fighting strength.”

Nov. 13. From Lincolns (Pte W. Warner) To 9th Bde: “2 killed, 14 wounded.”

Nov. 13 1:16pm From 9th Bde To 2nd Echelon 3rd Div: “Issue of rum tonight is very desirable.”

Nov. 14. 3:25pm From OC Lincolns to 9 Bde: “the West Riding machine gun was knocked out by a shell. I have now no machine gun on my right flank. Both mine are out of action. Is it possible to obtain one as I think there should be one on my right flank.”

Nov. 14 3:35pm: From OC Lincolns to Mde Major 9th Bde: “ I should like more wiring on front communication trenches and drainage to existing trenches. I am afraid my men cannot do much digging as they are done up and must sleep if possible. Some arrangement must be made for water supply as the pump is not now available.”

Nov. 14 4:20pm From Lincolns to 9th Bde: “I have no men in reserve or support but 20 men in the rallying ?(redoubt??)”

If you're ever at the Imperial War Museum, request to see: First Battles of Ypres 1914 Messages of 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, Attached 1st Corps, Volume I & II. Fascinating stuff!

More on Hill 60

Back in September I posted an excerpt from Walter's letters concerning the Battle of Hill 60 in April 1915. At that time I'd had a hard time finding much about the Battle of Hill 60, though I could find quite a bit about Hill 62. In the original post I questioned whether perhaps Walter had meant "62" instead of "60." I should've known better since he rarely got any detail wrong.

I've recently come upon a couple of good sites about Hill 60, including this one from firstworldwar.com and this one with map and pictures.

Any good resources on Hill 60 (April 1915) out there in addition to internet sites?