Simon Jones Posted 11 May , 2005 Share Posted 11 May , 2005 This continues my earlier posting in 90 Years Ago 8 May 1915. This is one of Walter Stamper's earlier letters, written from Ypres to his sister, the day after the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was relieved in Polygon Wood by the 4th Rifle Brigade. Regards Simon 18/4/15 My dearest Isa I was very pleased to get your most welcome card & to hear you were all well Ted[?] & Kit included. We are just out of the trenches this morning & I must tell you have the honor of having your letter delivered to me there. When we came out there was one of the most Terrific Bombardments going on you could ever imagine I am thinking Mr German got it good & hot of course they were returning it so you can imagine what it was like but we just marched along taking no notice although they were shelling the road we were on. We spent some part of our time in the woods at the back of the firing line. A most beautiful place if it had not been knocked about so by their shells large trees cut in half & some torn up by their roots. Some part of the time we were digging trenches under fire all the time I am beginning to think I bear a charmed life as the others keep going one by one. We are very proud at being mentioned in Gen French’s Dispatch again I can tell you we get some hard work to do for it. I should like a Lincoln paper sometimes that is if you would like to send one there I think you have got a long letter this time so must close with fondest love to Father Mother & Yourself & my kindest wishes to Mr & Mrs Hebdon ?? as always your loving brother Wal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandsonMichael Posted 11 May , 2005 Share Posted 11 May , 2005 Simon, Good thinking to continue this topic here and thanks for sharing another letter. Is it your intention that we add background information as in the other thread or do you have a different approach in mind? Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Jones Posted 11 May , 2005 Author Share Posted 11 May , 2005 Simon, Good thinking to continue this topic here and thanks for sharing another letter. Is it your intention that we add background information as in the other thread or do you have a different approach in mind? Michael <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Michael et al Do please go ahead and put the letter in context as with the other thread, that would be terrific. Regards Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandsonMichael Posted 11 May , 2005 Share Posted 11 May , 2005 From the P.P.C.L.I. War Diaries: Mon., Apr 12, 1915 POPERINGHE, FLANDERS, BELGIUM Marched to huts at VLAMERTINGHE and arrived 6. am. 11.30 p.m. A Zeppelin came over Camp & dropped 6 bombs. No damage. ---signed Capt. R. T. Pelly, O.C. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Tue., Apr 13, 1915 VLAMERTINGHE, FLANDERS, BELGIUM Sir H. PLUMER, the Corps commander visited the Battalion. ---signed Capt. R. T. Pelly, O.C. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Wed., Apr 14, 1915 VLAMERTINGHE, FLANDERS, BELGIUM Marched to YPRES and Evening took over trenches from 4th R.B. No’s 3 + 4 Coys in trenches No’s 1 + 2 Coys in Support. ---signed Capt. R. T. Pelly, O.C. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Thu., Apr 15, 1915 VLAMERTINGHE, FLANDERS, BELGIUM Rumours of expected attack by Germans (Casualties 2 wounded ---signed Capt. R. T. Pelly, O.C. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Sat., Apr 17, 1915 VLAMERTINGHE, FLANDERS, BELGIUM Relieved by 4th R.B. and returned to billets in YPRES Casualties 4 killed 3 wounded. ---signed Capt. R. T. Pelly, O.C. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Sun., Apr 18, 1915 YPRES, FLANDERS, BELGIUM Remained in billets in YPRES ---signed Capt. R. T. Pelly, O.C. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Mon., Apr 19, 1915 YPRES, FLANDERS, BELGIUM Remained in billets in YPRES casualties 4 men wounded. ---signed Capt. R. T. Pelly, O.C. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Tue., Apr 20, 1915 YPRES, FLANDERS, BELGIUM Heavily shelled in YPRES. Btn. Turned out of Barracks in afternoon + waited round pond till time to move off in evening. Moved up to trenches in POLYGONE WOOD and took over from 4th R.B. No’s 1 + 2 Coys in trenches 3 + 4 Coys in Support Casualties 2 men wounded ---signed Capt. R. T. Pelly, O.C. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. [Cas. 1st – 21st – K 7. W .1 + 21] (Unproofed version – work in progress) Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Jones Posted 12 May , 2005 Author Share Posted 12 May , 2005 Excellent, many thanks Michael. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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