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Home » War and Rebellion » First World War (1914-18) » Letters

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Letter from George V to the family of a First World War soldier killed in action
  • Transcription: '[1917] My dear Bill, Delighted to hear [...] you. I heard you were joining the Army so did not write. Now I have your address we can carry on. I offer you my hearty congratulations on your joining up. Really Bill, it is something to be able to take a man's part in our country's hour of trial, and I know you will play the game manfully. Vern[?] is on the Plain, and seems to be settling down well. I received a fine letter from him tonight. Also I received a letter from my brother Norman to say that he is wounded and in hospital at Rouen. Maybe he is in England by now. Hope so anyway. His wound is not too serious so I almost envy him. You will understand that feeling when you have been out here a while. Well, I see you have joined a famous [regiment (Gloucester i.e cap badges front & back] ...'
Letter written to Bill, who has recently joined the army, from A. E. Morris, 1917 [page 1 of 4]
  • This letter, dated 10 June 1917, was sent by W. Thomas Williams from the battlefields of the First World War in France. He writes about his recent experiences of the fighting and heavy shelling during the Battle of Messines. This letter comes from a large collection of letters sent by Thomas Williams during the First World War to his parents, Mr and Mrs Thomas Williams, Llanllechid. The following is a translation of the letter: 'Dear Parents, It is Saturday night and I have been up all night. It is fairly quiet at the moment so I am taking this opportunity to reply to Maggie's letter. I was very glad to hear that you are getting on so well. We have commenced upon another major battle and the enemy is up and there is much evil in this part of the country. We are staying in a farmhouse which is not far from the trenches and the land is so flat that the enemy can see everything which is happening. They have air balloons in the sky in front of us and they appear so close that you could almost throw a stone at them. When we arrived here there were people living in these farmhouses and the land had been worked with great care. They work hard to plant peas, potatoes, beans and wheat. About a week ago, when the battle commenced, the old farmers had to run for their lives and abandon everything. The greatest damage was done when our own shells were blown up. They had been stacked in piles nearby and when the shells started ...'
Letter sent from the trenches in France by W. Thomas Williams to his parents in Llanllechid, 10 June 1917 [image 1 of 3]
  • Company Sergeant Major John (Jack) Henry Williams, 10th Battalion South Wales Borderers VC DCM MM, from Nantyglo, Monmouthshire, was the most decorated Welsh First World War soldier. He was wounded in the right arm and, as a result, this letter to his Company Commander, Captain Cobb, was written with his left hand. Williams was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Villers Outreaux on 7 October 1918. Transcript: 'Block 2 Ward M Whitecross Hospital Warrington 12/1/18 Dear Sir Just a few lines in answer to your letter which I received today many thanks for your congratulations, I have received about a 100 from all parts, but to have it from such a soldier as yourself seems to add to the honour. I am delighted to see you are back with the Batt, no one missed you more than myself when you was away, your name was mentioned many times by the men that fought with you in worse conditions than we had in the big push, but its over at last and I long for the day when I have the pleasure of seeing you again, this side of the pond. I am pleased to say I am getting about but my arm is still in sticks and I don't suppose it will be of much use again, having it so near the end worried me more than the wounds. I had a few days leave xmas and had a time of my life, I am sending you a piece of the local paper you can see by it what they are doing for me at home. Please excuse the scribbling I hope to be able to use the right hand shortly, trusting these few lines will find you in the best of health. From yours sincerely J Williams PS Please drop a line when you have a chance.
A letter written with his left hand by Company Sergeant Major John Henry Williams, 12 January 1919 (incorrectly dated 1918), to his Company Commander [page 1 of 2]
  • David Williams, son of John and Elinor Williams of Royal Oak, Llanrhystyd, Cardiganshire, enlisted at Newport into the South Wales Borderers just before the outbreak of the First World War in July 1914 at the age of 26. Being older than his comrades, he was not sent to the Western Front until 1916. This letter was written in November 1917 whilst Lance Corporal Williams was recovering from his wounds at No. 5 Convalescents Depot, somewhere in France. It is rare for a letter in Welsh to survive - Welsh soldiers were encouraged to write home in English, so that the Army censors could read the contents. Sadly, David Williams died of his wounds on 19th April 1918 and is buried in Pernes British Cemetery in France. Translation: '27/11/17 Dear Mum and Dad I have the privilege of sending this letter to you Hoping you are all well, My health is improving greatly. I have moved from the Hospital to the Convalescent Camp, I sent you a letter about two days after leaving the Hospital I hope that you will have received it safely, by the time you get this note. And if you have sent a letter to the Hospital You need not worry They are sure to send it on to me, I am expecting a letter back with some news about the fairs, I will send you a word back as soon as I receive your letter It is pretty comfortable here. I do not know how long I will be here, one stays until the wounds have healed. I will let you know as soon as I leave here. I might be here for a week or two I cannot say, It is a healthy place. I have not met any boys from Llanrhystyd in france yet. But I have met some from Cardiganshire, I have no more news this time and hope that the war will be over soon, I send you these few words and warm wishes to you all, from you dearest son David, He will look after us all This is the address 12021 L Cpl D Williams A Comp 1st S.W.B. S Company: No 4 Camp No 5 Convalescent & Depot S23 A.P.O. France'
A letter sent by David Williams, from a convalescent depot somewhere in France, to his parents in Llanrhystud, November 1917, page 1 of 2
Letter from France, to 'Jack' from 'Dick' (Richard Richards of Ebbw Vale, South Wales Borderers), January 1916 [page 1, image 1 of 3]