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

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  • This is the first letter sent home from abroad by Owen and because of the demands of the censor, he no longer writes in Welsh. He tells his family that he is still 'here', but that he may be moving sometime this week. The weather is good and he has been out all last night up the line. There is not much rest to be had, even when out of the trenches. Owen writes that he did not get much of the parcel they sent as he had to go up the line. The men's oversacks were left in the village and everything was lost - razors, biscuits and many other things. 'Other battalions' pinched everything but Owen isn't too worried about it as he is alright himself. He describes having to stay in the trenches for days, nothing to eat from breakfast until the next morning as he had to go to the front line to relieve another company. He tells his sister Lizzie they have seen a lot in the last three weeks and have had a few narrow escapes but that they should be thankful to God for pulling them through. He thanks his sister for the little hymns she sent and wishes he could go to Chapel as he is in the country. He hopes that she is feeling better and asks his father about sheep and the price of wool. Owen is glad they got the hay in and feels that God has been good to them. He closes by sending his best love to them.
Letter sent home from the First World War by Owen Ashton of Llawryglyn, 22 [July] 1917 [page 1 of 4]
  • Owen had been to a 'meeting' with a Wesleyan who was preaching that morning, and is working in the afternoon as there are no Sundays off. He talks about not having received parcels, and is not sure whether to ask for any more as they do not get delivered to the trenches. He hopes that a parcel will arrive when he is not up the line. His family had told him that Nicholas cooked potatoes in a little tin, and Owen says that they do that here too. He has to go to bed on hard boards and he does not know when he last slept with his trousers off as there are no blankets. He ends his letter by asking them to excuse his scribble as he is not responsible.
Letter sent home from the First World War by Owen Ashton of Llawryglyn, 30 July 1917 [page 1 of 4]
  • In this letter, Owen writes that he has not been well for the past fortnight, and still has something breaking out on his face. The other men are the same and the doctor has told them that it is the effect of gas. According to Owen, the gas is awful 'if we happen to get a good dose'. They had to wear gas helmets for an hour one day in the trenches, and many went to the doctor after a night when the gas was 'like fog', since it affects the eyes . Owen mentions that 'Johnny' [the Germans] has different kinds of gas. Owen goes on to hope that the son of Bronant will get better, and explains to his sister that, although several men from their area are fighting where he is, he does not get the chance to see them. He tells Lizzie not to bother to send a watch, but if she does, a five shilling one will do as it will get knocked about. He comments on the constant movement of troops.
Letter sent home from the First World War by Owen Ashton of Llawryglyn, 2 September 1917 [page 1 of 4]
  • Owen writes of having just come down the line last night. He was in the front line for three days and had a rough time. Some of 'the chaps' were killed, including the officer, who was shot by a sniper. He describes how this part is in an awful state 'we have to go all the way on duckboards, you can't see anything but shell holes, and them full of water' Owen thanks his sister for her postal order, asks her not to send any more, but perhaps would be pleased if she sent one for just a shilling. He has not had much sleep as he was just dropping off yesterday morning when the Germans 'opened a straff' on them and two pieces of shrapnel caught him on the left arm 'but I am glad to tell you I wasn't much worse' Owen comments that 'the People in England got no idea what it is out here'. Owen describes how they are under orders to be ready at two hours notice. He sends greetings to his parents and sister, writes about other friends and relatives at home, and then ends his letter in a defiant tone 'Johnnies [the Germans] is not going to have all his way ha ha'.
Letter sent home from the First World War by Owen Ashton of Llawryglyn, 2 December 1917 [page 1 of 4]
  • In this damaged letter, Owen expresses regret at [the deaths of?] Johnny and David Richards. He has been in the line again but came out on Friday morning, the 14th of December, very dirty and tired. He had been in the line for ten days, although they had been told that they were only going for forty eight hours. Many of the men have trench foot. Owen mentions Christmas and hopes to be further back by then. He ends his letter with kisses, which he calls 'some barb wire for little Mair' [his niece].
Letter sent home from the First World War by Owen Ashton of Llawryglyn, 16 December 1917 [page 1 of 3]
  • In this letter Owen tells his parents and sister that he is out of the trenches once again and in a village. He had been in the trenches for twenty-six days, following on from sixteen days in some other trenches. They took over the billets from the Welsh Guards and he bumped into 'Parry the Police' who is now a Sergeant in the Welsh Guards. According to Owen, the billet is a big barn ('hen sgubor to gwellt'). He feels that it is a treat to come to a place like this as there is no shelling. Owen was in a Church Parade that morning for the first time in a long while. Owen writes that four men had been lost in the most recent tour to the trenches and he tells his parents that he does not know what the reason for this is. There is plenty to eat at the moment; and the parcels from home kept him going while he was up the line. Owen ends by commenting that he thinks he will get lost next time he is home, as so much has changed - he hopes that God will be with them.
Letter sent home from the First World War by Owen Ashton of Llawryglyn, 28 April 1918 [page 1 of 4]