Letters from John Wesley Hetherington to his Family, 1916-1918 - Part 5

the winters in the trenches here.  A Sergt major of the Seaforths
told me of the fight they had to keep Fritz from breaking through
at YPRES in the earlier days, He gave the credit for the saving of
the lines here to the Guards. Ask any regiment in France to day
as to which Divn: they would credit with the finest work and
they'll  tell you "The Guards". I heard an Austn say we'd lost more
than anyone in a certain part near here and I told him to take a
walk to the cemetery at the top of the road. Ugh? they make me
sick. The men who are doing their bit and doing it with less complaint
on a poorer diet; and a great deal less money are the Tommies here's
to them every time. The 29^th Den divn did more than we did on the 
Peninsula, and the hardest and most critical fighting in France
took place before ever be saw the Country. If you're shopmates
are inclined to disbelieve it, I'll send them the names of some
of the Original force, Australns at that too, who will bear me out.
Well I've seen YPRES and I wish some in Austa could see it.
What a sight! A beautiful town, fine buildings, laid utterly to
waste. The grass grows in the Streets, the small enclosures in
the main street are over grown with weeds, scarcely a house has
missed destruction, and many of them must have been fine homes
in happier days. I was round Cloth Hall, and here seems to have
accumulated all the hate Germany could heap upon the defenders
sheer devilment to destroy such a place. Just outside the wall
of the town there are shell holes innumerable. The town itself
is deserted no civilians being allowed near and only a
few soldiers are to be seen in the streets. Shells still fall
around the vicinity but little remains to spoil now.
 

There isn't much war activity hereabouts, plenty big gun fire
at times but after the Somme, things are quiet and the troops
are just like a garrison. Some of the lines are only 15 to 20 yds
apart and it is quite possible to hear them talking, and to see
their sentries. It is a case of watching one another and I don't
think there will be any big decision obtained in this part
All eyes and interest centre further South.
I might say however that we are interested in the Compulsory
vote coming off soon. We have heard we have to vote and I
think we will Lit up the "FOR" figures. There are several
the first contingent of us, who have had no leave yet.
We lost 30% the originals last week, we are only about 60
strong of the Old Suffolk mob now.
I am still well behind the line getting good tucker and
am very comfortable when it doesn't rain. I believe the Anzac
men are to have a golden Aon their shoulder colours colours. Only
those in landing or evacuation or Lone Pine. Of course I will get all my
money at the finish. Mother needn't worry about that pay book. I can't
draw any of that back pay now that is the only difference. I have
one or two little souvenirs to send the Girls & other when I can
get them off. no more news at present Haven't seen Jim Hannah
since June. If Compulsion should come everything will be all right
at Home for Mother I have no doubt; and if you may probably be
exempt. Reinforcts are certainly needed now, and I they'll have to
adapt some new scheme to get hold of the shirkers.
Yours
Wes/.
In good health.
 

[*42*]
Somewhere in Flanders
Sunday. Oct 8th/1916
Dear Folks at Home
I have returned to the lost tribes to the land of mud
and swear words. After a glorious eight days
leave swallowed up in train journeys to Langby Darlington
and Oakham. It was great to get back to old England
for a week even, and I didn't waste much time in going
North. For a long time leave has been suspended, and
I was beginning to think I should have to give up the
idea of seeing Old Engd  this year, when I was advised
to make an application on spec: and it was granted next
day. Then after I turned in at night an orderly brought
a message to say all leave had been stopped and you can
imagine what I said about it. However found next
morning that this last was a joke put up on me by the
other Sergts, and so I lost no time in getting down to the
Station, in fact I camped in the YMCA all night near
the Station to be sure of catching the train. We left here
about 6 am got to Boulogne about 1 pm and had to wait
of the "Ferry" till the evening Here we had a chance to
clean ourselves up, hot & cold shower baths are provided
Then we only took 1 ½ hrs to run over to Blighty and
a train was waiting at the other side to take us up to the
Big Smoke London where we arrived about 12 pm.
Of course we had had two big stops on the way there, both
in France waiting of connections, but there isn't much
 

stopping when one is finally in England.
I spent the night at the Anzac Club in London, and
left for Newcastle next afternoon, getting to Newcastle
about 8.30pm.  Joe was the Station with Edith
and it was fine to see them again.
Then we went over to Bensham, and found Meg the
same old Meg not a bit different, a little thinner
perhaps but she is just as daft as ever and she expected
one to eat like a horse even meal. The girls are nice
looking and very pleasant and of course the boy to just
coddled. Joe is a little stouter but very much the same
I went up to Cousin John's next day, Sunday, I had sent
him a wire from London so they were looking for me.
I got off the car at the Wagrove Aven and gave Will Oliver
a look up. He wasn't in when I went, and when he came
in Mrs Oliver told him a stranger was waiting to see him. I
could have blown him over when he saw who it was. He
hasn't had to join up so Mr. Oliver died quite recently and
there is only will to carry the business on.
Well we had a walk up the old Turnpike and while we
were standing yarning cousin John came up, and claimed me
so down I went and stayed there all night. I talked till a
jaws ached, Went to Dilston Rd chapel at night, and saw some
old friends. I saw Mills Fred old cobber  twice or thrice
Also Mr Beckett, and some others. Parmley Hobart died lately,
Then we went to give Mr & Mrs Rutherford a look up but they weren't
in. We met them near the Workhouse, and they made me promise
to call next morning, I did so & had dinner with them.
 

Mrs Rutherford is just the same worrying because she hadn't
the floor washed, etc since she had come back from.
Allendale, where they had been for a few days
Lonie is married & lives in Hartington St also.
I could have stayed a week there had I had time Mrs
Rutherford was full of questions and between talking to her &
Mr R on the war I was kept busy.
Then I put the afternoon in strolling pound Newcastle
viewing some of the old sights and scenes. I went up to
Langley next day Joe coming up in the afternoon also, and
was glad to find them all well with the exception of
Mary. She is still confined to bed, and has had a weary
time of it I'm sure. They were all saying how much they
missed Mother & the rest of us from Newcastle. Jossie
lives quite near, her husband has been passed out of the
Army before he got into action owing to knee trouble.
They told me that Nellie, Wills' wife had died in June
Uncle Joe isn't much altered still keeping folks right
He says he never goes short of a job. Aunt is very much
the same but she must have had a worrying time with
Mary. I didn't go up to Thornly, Gate! Bert is in
the Canadians I believe. Then I sent a wire to Foster at
Melsonby next day & he met me at Pierce Bridge
Called to see Matt on the way, and then stayed at
Melsonby for tea. I like Fosters wife very much, she's very
kind and jolly. After tea we went to Aunts, just outside
Darlington, a very nice place called Blackwell. They have
A nice cottage there, Aunt Uncle & Meg. Uncle is very ill
 

at times his heart seems to be the trouble and also the
nerves. Aunt looks wonderfully well, and was awfully
pleased to see me. Maggie is just the same as ever
I walked into D/ton next morning about 2 miles beautiful
countyside. I also saw Bertha Brown one day Joe & I
called. Then on the Friday I left for Oakham, Walters
friends & found them all right. It was new ground
to me that. You can tell him I was quite surprised (and
delighted) to find so many new sisters in law to kiss.
Tre bon, Monsieur! - The next time I start on those
sort of missions I want a catalogue giving, me full
particulars as to how many ladies I have to meet and
whether they are kissable be unkissable. 'Twas worse
than the "landing" -(I don't think).
Well I found them nice & comfortable in such a dear old
sleepy town, I would never die of excitement in Oakham
unless they put me in they stocks in the Market place,
I admired the historical places, horse - shoes and all tell
him, and I hope when I come to peg out my last
claim that I'm allowed to choose a dear quiet old place
like Oakham as I'm quite sure a chap could sleep in
such a place without fear of a panic.
I've seen two extremes  Cairo and - Oakham
Never mind wal, its a fine old place, and your folks
are doing O.K. I was sorry to hear they have no
definite news of his brother yet.
I went from there on to London, where Joe met me
 

again & we stayed there all night.
I had to leave next morning at 7 30 am for France
& so here I am again.
My visit was very hurried & short but I'm thankful
to have had the pleasure of it. Joe had invested some
of my money in Consols I found & & have drawn
nearly all I could & turned it over to him to put
in safely for me so you needn't worry. I've plenty of
money & hope you have enough to do you properly.
Use up some of mine if you want it. I saw
lots of people why asked after yon all.
Maggies sister Edith lost her husband lately by
lead poisoning or something. The is munition making
now. I gave Meg some of the things I had intended
sending you but I'm getting some more for
Xmas
Love to Mother, got her last card all right
very nice indeed
With love to you all
Kindness regards to all I know,
Wes/.
In best of health.
Am inclosing a print which I would like you to preserve for me
Perhaps Fred would mount it & put in a small frame.
 

[*43*]
October 29/16.
Somewhere near the Big Push
Dear Folks at Home
Some time has elapsed since I wrote you
last as we have been on the move continually for nearly 3
weeks, and it has been so cold wet that I simply
couldn't raise a galop with pen or pencil. I managed to
get some souvenirs posted before we left Flanders & I hope
they reach you safely. I registered them so they ought to.
I think you will like them there are three paintings on silk
the larger one is for Mother & the smaller two are for Meg & Win
There is also something for Else in a separate parcel and I
have something for Fred which I have not yet been able to
get away. I have also two bonzer shell cases hand engraved
(by a French soldier which I am trying hard to get to England
for safe keeping. I expect to manage it OK however I
wish I had struck them before went on leave.
There is great business done in Xmas souvenirs, and the
Belgians are making some money. They ask extortinate
price for things, and where we are now in France it is
almost impossible to get some things at a reasonable price.
Loaves of bread cost about 9d each & small light loaves
at that. However the Tommies manage to pay these prices
I don't know, The Army Canteen's help us out a lot
they sell things at a reasonable price. We did a very
roundabout trip down here last move, even had a sight
of the Channel, through some lovely country. We came
 

through one district where apples were in abundance
& had some good feeds of fruit. Blackberries were
thick in the hedge rows. It is pretty rough life travelling
and very cold at times. Then we did a big days trek
about 35 Kilos ( about 20 odd miles) and I wasn't
half tired and I rode a fair bit of the way on the waggons
We skirted round Amiens, on the main road to Albert,
passing lots of German prisoners working on the roads.
The are some find looking chaps among them, but the majority
are of a poor type with faces which are no recommendation,
The men of such regiment as the Prussian Guard are fine big
chaps, also the Bavarians and towards the close of the day I
had the unusual, opportunity of seeing our men & squads of
Germans marching side by side. Our chaps were on their way
towards the front and the Fritziys were making for their "cages"
for the night. Our men compared more than favourably with them
As regards physique and they chaffed Fritzy good oh! as they
marched along side them. Our chaps would exchange remarks with
King George & all his staff if they bumped each other.
Well they are having to rough it just now & those Liverpool rioters
are quiet enough at present. It has been very wet & cold and
they are out in the open. Gone are the days of 4 blankets a
man & straw galore. Lots of them will be looking back to
their good times at Liverpool and one never hears a word of
as to how many hours they will drill. They have I blanket
a man, practically no shelter whatever, trudge through mud
 

up to the knees and are liable for duly 24 hrs a day, 7 days
a week. I often think I would like to hear their true opinion
of it all now. We arrived at our first camp nearing the front
after dark. It took us hours to do a few miles, when are were
diverted off the main road we simply ploughed our way
through mud, the horses stumbling and struggling with the
waggons Then when we got onto the main road again there
were motor lorries waggons & all sorts of odds & ends held up.
The traffic directors have a tough job especially where two or
three roads join, and progress is very flow. Then we struck
off towards for camp & the waggons got bogged, and no one
knew just where the camp was, nor how to get to it. Then
the drivers curse & swear, and try to flog the horses into an
extra pull. What a life! And we were cold & hungry with
no prospect of a feed either, nor shelter from the rain.
We got  6horses into the waggon & got up to the camp eventually,
dug out a tent from among the baggage & had to split wood
for pegs. We got it up somehow in the darkness & nosed round
the cookers for a drop of tea, and a bit of bread. That kept
the worms at bay for awhile and we turned in on the wet
ground dead tired. Next morning we shifted camp
again over ground captured on the first big push. The rain
had made the roads very heavy, and we had another long
wait on the road. We passed one French village (it had
once been a village) and the cemetery had been terribly knocked
about by shells. Graves were opened, beautiful headstones