Letterbook for Harold Edwin Salisbury Armitage, 1916-1918 - Part 3

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
RCDIG0000398
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

At e Wntla 37 fer Austration con pcuction were delighted to see thes comty I have 66 the cordition tn bi taken a der Thantemee and 6 rerl th wth rather abundance Cream to than heaman best he begger stores in the lif This splended in taste feaned a dens treat teat Egg. ane frightfutl but big are when and rather reares about plocttful tack fom is se centained and as Holdsmith Strow in havellor eseted hlge people in wuch a country are very contented In all villages we passed through the abound men of military age was most morked The lady of thes hose rectie that gutare next par bon everyone seems full up of the war but awtious f Frity to be purhed will out of France first heuspopers come daty from England some and then gt the so badly of eer of thepe sdays ald Frity acoming ly as about to take a rew hate af the da The shrt are manellous T B.of H kaw what hewa talking about when he fave I years as humnn Although we have the affer hand it with take at well one 1907 before we fix of Irty England make a by mustake in not claing clore Frty we sas non
39 tes te take the Hace o lved Ce nearlyS 2 effecture B0t h Flander the number of duds the Tear ete he was surpowsing and even then W.bo actuity submarine bne to levenca Camio 2 up yor the citton inorgo H relief to be away from the haar Was bore this is so different to what it was tattiple It wan hell all the time there will them he mie new ow as I will ae hoping youre all as well or I am with that of wishes. tvery much hove to you all fo Holt here in Fanie ase driffed loage a tine o his hindny rgetten all about ot ull to day I have so many details to attend to that you mut ilcuse me wust no sending along I remember then ok nerl from Leare early this woak We I heard from Ruty Hal Nesliter bentis thes roo you & hamps san from Addrer trudger Your lotter were t20 shll het a two months to get contact the I hat have cansed mnot Anetralian mails to brand one I lefed in
21 conile ntce up for tine the pus 45 oy A countrattacks the ty he ay on aponnt as their pounder 10 away at ordure is writer for cow of the cot de them io good he have many trumpe gotnto play Irity is dong goeat falleny play to the nesteals with h tent Bentackland & but we cannot thent of peace o tie the Hun have laid down their ans followed by the uttimate dinatguation of stunland by the alloed difloratets whe the ane time monves notice the 45th has earled as last Ishould be crack battation. Iur glad i unsh is f they away at last as hed been a long time. You no yu doubt gcmumber the age clau be youing officien will if it hadnt been for Kunesh I would not have been allowed a leave when I did. Hes younger by the now has two stay in the old 1h I haven't heard mucch of the old Deigade for gowe time be we are (on vy Cope) in clase reer ready for what Berdwood callo hard fighting Bde is the top of ou ben Hangor CA.D. is pond of our Batt which he clarves lof of the Lte Cox has been fleating arrmed a food deat the last two or thee days so we feel thereto be something doing with hs before very ling
633 tme now for clove Ac but out in the upon 0 aportunity that way 4 we will ther than all the Rnoune ttheir adv. tug 2 have my the part wihs kong roule mare & hard training in the as mang afternoon have hardened our boys up considerably Notwrthetanding the fact that the ame which is seld in this village is equal to Pentie ane chaps an o We are pretty atoong against coimes in our Bile Sore of muce got on the lone last monday pay day such offence as dounkenciers AWt to brought a poristinartial which sat on the offendies with 6& mos Ht respectiy Stanway is not neve yet but some of his oothers have heard from him, he is out of Hoep &conafleing Co of Sannays would be and ideat one Havent heard from Boltons lately heave in stepped for awhile tanglw most of us dont want beare ald until were had a seop at Fitz fort for my part Id like to wait until the war is frunded but all the sam I dasday I wont say ne to leave an about3 months time. Wher I do get leave Ill get right away from thake nte muth halll so be some quiet spot tanpry getting white feather
45 ter beiled for ou he sod d much deffict ty my letter bat ther 44 in mly next lotter at it all ford unheo to refecially ynu allves well leving sone Roble to you but te ben ath for to the Sch sr bon hand for feors t n tiation Htore mough Tene you were mak No0 cructeto p hard a those is as a pretty county twith given 90 a enywhere of look fine new War are except very eld ones aont There Nage trainet to pull cast work chumo as well as to watch cow whepp. To work the clim the dog is put in a big round box justered to an axte which writes the chum by coys. The dog hast keep walking &thus turning the wheel until he fet ver tined Lock after dad them receive live that ther aroher tol
27 Simewhere in France Aug 3rd 1916 nst letter July 28th 1916 Befr. I think well be in 0 for we net Sened a have cen movnnyg up sleadily the last three days and are now al the imiediate tre fone He are at or two nut present per rear of the position from t our parent who lanned and according r to time arrangements we should be well netor in tt 3 days tiu abor M my old friends have five already. Horpesthilled Hillier M Laven fold A.H.S. lop) also while Tites is bowled over shell shock after st hs shalling of an advanced prrtun he was helding WCann fit a crack in the head Inglis lower part of face trucked crooked while Hibber Cold 7 is gine so you can see the old Bath fot severely parted in carrying an the work they were asked to de The renenants of our old Buth resisted I huge counter attacks from the Prissian Tuard thr hed the saw some of my old bup, they geets out of them. reckon they had the time of their lives Fight bombs in one could reckon how many hid theron The old Bide will get come decorations these have been recommended for very high mes Beasies the horwood foothalles is one while Than did great wir tis reow almost a puycical tirect theough overatranc
28 Melville cleaved 400 yds of He trenches with a bomb team, dis stll besserk he is said to be recommended for a V.C Campbell Cricketer) and Blackburn also did great work Hanulton was obsered kicking Huns out of a dug out Jock was mad and his language was lund, when he got in the possy he booked out 5 Intyestan queet time One of my platoon Hum has also been recommended for a decoration for carrying up bombs. My old C. Co. did great work- starled with 5 off 190 men and came out with 2 & 90 respectively. Many of my old afte have fought their last buttle. Hurrell, Keen, Mayfield, Eldridge, Shepley have all done their job- Lynch is still going strong. My boys have great contidence in themselvess, &so have I From what I can gather from the old Bryade - I have been right in what I have taught them, as I empharised bomb throwng, bayonet fighting, trench nishing, raving of mescage &conservation of supplies, so if my boys fail it wrnt be through want of proper instruction Weir. Redburg, Hamilton, Coombe (lieut now) and Rinning came through O.K, knnow the old Brigade is burg retraining &refitting. Our turn is next & am confident we will do as well as the 10th did, that I will pull through O.K. It is time a little luck (Mc. &) came my way, but I don't care a damn for -
51 any decoration as long as my boys finish up O.K. I heard from Boltons 3 days ago; they seem to think their Tommies are doing all the work the biggest mutake out as 3 dinewns of Donnues Jurled at what our Division did at first try? I have only war news to send so must wind up Anyhow Ill go into action with the calm arcurance that I have done my duty to my men to my country If I happen to fall,- rest content with the knowledge that I have played the game, and done my gob thoroughly, which is move than some folk in Khake can conscientionsly affirm I am hopeful of getting through o.x, but you will know long before you get this if yprive heard nothing- well no news will be good news Hin O.K. Don't wrrry of letters are few tirregular during the nest few weeks - will probably be very busy Beat of all good wrehes to you ell, long lives. happiness, success, good health, & procpenty to you all - svery much lone from your loving son Roll NB. The above particular are for home use only Ive taken pity on your lack of real news in Austoalia but keep mum
533 pact 124 disguit a hagion aith ante the Give 4 12 tat ae te been a long time 4 as nuntad tege t ctentetet a Yoy 4 opporn Ma 24 May were ad on 2 ture bult. tore tt of the baithu that seheme again we were out out te the front hine id Iwhick Caral attack but Jacko didn't Durfur to Tenneal Job were Porntes missed those the came here then Hi has not had one said in are always shipled just as onr turn was coming off Cusbaix W miased the big stunt at Amentieres became we were wanted here, now we saem to have nucced this I can tell you us feel awfully disappointedr in alslute readiness to hush off, but the order to n forward livent some thy men are all collectively tseparately well trised bouet throwing. Ours you with to and they are i tip top from I don't know how we will keep them sccted as things ase getting monolonany but we hp tng in fet w mo news Rest your letters easly June. B a t e t h te te the men to fra
leat acr 55 reare the Bight warts ofe to seatter the his lines Shells sare I hope to keep out of their any lorse bits. well. fit tready attwating a em Boys order which may 2 2 24 onews I will bavd tots about it hame ato Gedte help mee through o tre ti sueceisful in whatever ato te very beat wrates for we succees speropenty to you all and much love from your loving ore Rollo

East of Doullens 37 
14.7.16 contd 

Our Australian cow punchers were delighted to see 
the condition cattle put on in this country. I have 
taken a dislike to butter it is too rich !!.French 
milk !!! (first we'd had for years) Strawberries and 
cream !!!! in abundance - Cherries !!! with rather 
bigger stones & less 'flesh' than Neuman's best - but 
splendid in taste. This is the life. 
Eggs are frightfully dear.= 3 francs a dozen - meat 
about 9 - sheep are rather scarce - but pigs are 
plentiful. Each farm is self contained - and as 
Goldsmith shows in ' Traveller, "Deserted Village" 
- people in such a country are very contented. 
In all villages we passed through the absence of 
of men of military age was most marked. The lady 
of this house reckons that "guerre n'est pas bon" 
Everyone seems full up of the war - but anxious for 
Fritz to be pushed well out of France first. 
Newspapers come daily from England, so we are not 
so badly off - even if they're 2 days old when we get them. 
Fritz seemingly is about to take a new "hate" at Verdun. 
The Huns are marvellous - & K of K. knew what he was 
talking about when he gave 3 years as minimum. 
Although we have the upper hand it will take us 
well over 1917 before we fix up Fritz. England made 
a big mistake in not classing "cotton" - contraband at once 
as we see now. For Fritz has to resort to other means for 

 

East of Doullens 39  
14.7.16 (contd)

her explosives to take the place of pic-ric acid - 
these substitutes are not nearly as effective. 
Both here & in Flanders, the number of 'duds' they 
sent over to us was surprising - and even their 
U boat activity & submarine 'liners' to America - 
cannot make up for the cotton embargo. 
It is a great relief to be away from the near 
War zone - this is so different to what it was 
at Gallipoli. It was 'hell' all the time there. 
Well there's no more news now, so I will close, 
hoping you're all as well as I am, with best of good 
wishes, & very much love to you all from 
Rollo. 

Somewhere in France 
23.7.16 
Have just dropped George a line re his birthday 
I'd forgotten all about it till today. I have so many 
little details to attend to that you must excuse me 
if I'm remiss in sending along - I remember them O.K. 
We had a fine mail from Aussie early this week- 
I heard from Ruby, Pearl, Miss Kimber, besides & then 
from you & Wumps - & one from Arthur Trudgen. 
Your letters were 21 & 25 5 it still takes nearly 
two months to get contact - The U boats have caused 
most Australian mails to travel via S. Africa now.

 

41
Somewhere near Albert 
23.7.16 
contd 

We are still here - ready to push off at a moment's notice - 
but our move seems to be held up for a time. The "push" 
is doing well despite heavy Hunnish counterattacks - but 
the beggars are only holding on against us - their pounding 
away at Verdun is useless - for even if they get V. it will 
do them no good - we have many trumps yet to play. 
Fritz is doing great gallery play to the neutrals with his 
" Deutschland" &c. - but we cannot think of Peace xxxx until 
the Huns have laid down their arms, followed by the 
ultimate disintegration of the Hunland by the Allied 
diplomatists when the due time arrives. 
I notice the 43rd has sailed at last - & should be a 
crack battalion - I'm glad Kinnick is getting away at 
last - as he'd been trying for a long time. You no 
doubt remember the " age clause" - (re young officers) well 
if it hadn't been for Kinnick I would not have been 
allowed to leave when I did. His younger brother 
now has two stars in the old 11th 
I haven't heard much of the old Brigade for some 
time - be we are (Our Army Corps) in close reserve - 
ready for what Birdwood calls "hard fighting". Our 
Bde (13th) is the top of our Div., Brg Gen Glasgow C.M.G. D.S.O. 
is proud of our Battn which he classes top of the Bde. 
Cox has been floating around a good deal the last 
two or three days - so we feel there'll be something 
doing with us before very long. 

 

43 

We have been waiting some time now for "Close 
Action" - not Trench fighting but out in the open 
if Fritz only gives us an opportunity that way - 
we will cause them more bother than all the Russians 
& their advances put together. 
We have not been resting during the past weeks. Long 
route marches each morning, hard training in the 
afternoon have hardened our boys up considerably. 
Notwithstanding the fact that the wine which is sold 
in this village is equal to "Pinkie" our chaps are A.1. 
We are pretty strong against crimes in our Bde. Some of 
mine got on the loose last Monday - (pay day) & such 
offences as drunkenness, A.W.L. &c. brought a courtmartial 
which sat on the offenders with 6 + 4 mos. H.L. respectively. 
Stanway is not here yet but some of his cobbers have 
heard from him, he is out of Hosp. & convalescing. 
A Co of Stanways would be an ideal one. 
Haven't heard from Boltons lately- "leave" is stopped 
for awhile - & anyhow most of us don't want 'Leave' 
until we've had a good old slap at Fritz first. For my 
part I'd like to wait until the war is finished - 
but all the same I daresay I won't say 'no' to 'leave' 
in about 2 or 3 months' time. When I do get 'leave' 
I'll get myself right away from Khaki into mufti - & will 
go to some quiet spot & enjoy getting "white feathers." 

 

45 

George must have felt wild when bailed up for not 
"recruiting" - but the laugh was on his side. 
News is very scarce & I have had much difficulty 
in making up this much in my letter - but there 
you know "No news is good news." 
Well - you may expect "news" in my next letter - 
so I will close with very best of all good wishes to 
you all - & very much love to all especially yourselves- 
hoping you're all as well as your loving son 
Rollo. 

Dear Harry, 
Sometime since I wrote to you - but I've been 
rather busy lately. So you want to go to the Sch of Mines - 
Don't - if I were you I'd work hard for Jervis B or Duntroon. 
How are you getting on - in IV now ? Time you were 
making a mark in football or cricket - so go hard at 
these games now. This is a pretty country - & with green 
grass & ripening wheat everywhere it looks fine now. 
Women do all the work - no men except very old ones about. 
These are fine 'dogs' in this village - trained to pull carts. 
work churns &c. as well as to watch cows & sheep. To work 
the churn the dog is put on a big round box fastened to 
an axle which works the churn by cogs. The dog has to 
keep walking - & thus turning the wheel until he gets very 
tired. Look after dad & Mum receive love & best 
wishes from your brother 
Rollo

 

47 
Somewhere in France 
Aug 3rd 1916 
(next letter) 
July 30th - 1916 

Before next Sunday I think we'll be in IT - for we 
have been moving up steadily the last three days - and 
are now close to the immediate "Fire Zone". We are at 
present just a mile or two in rear of the position from 
which our parent (10th) launched out - and according 
to time arrangements - we should be well in too - in 
about 3 days time. 
Many old friends have gone already. Horper (killed) 
Hillier & McLaren (old A.H.S. boys) also - while Giles is 
bowled over "shell shock" after 36 hours shelling of an 
advanced position he was holding - McCann got a 
crack in the head - Inglis lower part of face knocked 
crooked - while Hubbe - (old 79th) is fine - so you can 
see the old Batt got severely pasted in carrying out 
the work they were asked to do. 
The remnants of our old Batt assisted 8 huge 
counter attacks from the Prussian Guard - & knocked the 
guts out of them. I saw some of my old boys. They 
reckon they had the time of their lives - Fight - & 
bombs! no one could reckon how many he'd thrown. 
The old Bde. will get some decorations - three have 
been recommended for very high ones - (Beames the 
Norwood footballer is one) - while Shaw did great work 
and is now almost a physical wreck through overstrain. 

 

49 

Melville cleaned 400 Yds of Hun trenches with a bomb team, 
& is still 'beserk' - he is said to be recommended for a V.C. 
Campbell (cricketer) and Blackburn also did great work 
Hamilton was observed kicking Huns out of a 'dugout' 
Jack was 'mad' - and his language was lurid, when 
he got in the 'pozzy' he booted out 5 Fritzes in quick time. 
One of my platoon Huon has also been recommended 
for a decoration - for carrying up bombs. 
My old C Co. did great work - started with 5 off. 190 men 
and came out with 2 & 90 respectively. Many of my 
old rfts. have fought their last battle. Hurrell, 
Keen, Mayfield, Eldridge, Shipley have all done their 
job - Lynch is still going strong. 
My boys have great confidence in themselves, & so have I 
From what I can gather from the old Brigade - I have 
been right in what I have taught them, as I emphasised 
bomb-throwing, bayonet fighting, trench rushing, passing 
of messages, & conservation of supplies, so if my boys fail 
it won't be through want of proper instruction 
Weir, Redburg, Hamilton, Coombe (lieut now) and Kinnick 
came through O.K., & now the old Brigade is busy 
retraining & refitting. Our turn is next & I am confident 
we will do as well as the 10th did, & that I will pull 
through O.K. It is time a little luck (MC &c) came 
my way, but I don't care a damn for - 

 

51 

any decoration as long as my boys finish up O.K. 
I heard from Boltons 3 days ago, - they seem to 
think their Tommies are doing all the work - the 
biggest mistake out as 3 divisions of Tommies failed 
at what our Division did at first try!! 
I have only war news to send - so must wind up 
Anyhow I'll go into action with the calm assurance 
that I have done my duty to my men & to my country 
If I happen to fall, - rest content with the 
knowledge that I have played the game, and done 
my job thoroughly, which is more than some folk in 
'khaki' can conscientiously affirm 
I am hopeful of getting through O.K, but you will 
know long before you get this, - if you've heard 
nothing - well "no news will be good news" & I'm O.K. 
Don't worry if letters are few & irregular during the 
next few weeks - will probably be very busy. 
Best of all good wishes to you all, long lives, 
happiness, success, good health, & prosperity to you 
all - very much love from your loving son 
Rollo 
N.B. The above particulars are for home use only 
I've taken pity on your lack of real news in 
Australia - but keep mum.

 

53 
France 
August 1917 

We are still out of it - very much to our disgust again 
for after travelling miles on foot & getting well into the "zone" 
of the present action we are noting indications that we are 
not going to do any further work here. 
It is a pity for our boys have been a long time now 
without action they are all as keen as mustard & very anxious 
to get with IT. This fooling around mucking about tactic 
try our patience to the utmost, and as we have had the 
boys up to "concert pitch" so long, we are very disappointed. 
Many times now we have been posted - Last May we 
were to have had a job - a raid on Machetich Wadi 
two battalions & a squad of Lt. Horse - but at the last minute 
that scheme was abandoned. Again we were sent out to 
the front line to stop a projected Turkish Canal attack - 
but Jacko didn't turn up. The Darfur & Senussi jobs 
were given to the Pommies - so we missed those. 
Next we came here - & our Div. has not had one raid 
as we are always shifted just as our turn was coming off. 
We missed the big stunt at Armentieres (Fleurbaix?) - because we 
were wanted here, now we seem to have missed this 
I can tell you we feel awfully disappointed as we're 
all in absolute readiness to push off, but the order to 
go forward hasn't come. 
My men are all collectively & separately well trained 
for bomb throwing, Lewis gun work &c. and they are in 
tip top form. I don't know how we will keep them occupied 
as things are getting monotonous - but we hope to go in yet. 
No more news. Recd your letters early June. 
Best of all good wishes for health, &c with much love from Rollo 

 

55 
France 
(near Pozieres) 
7.8.16 

Am still going strong but the Big Job starts 
in a few hours time. - we hope to scatter the 
Hun somewhat, & collar his lines. Shells are 
pretty thick & hot - but I hope to keep out of their 
way - & also to miss any loose bits. 
The men are all well, - fit & ready all waiting 
for the " Op-Aht -an-at-em - Boys" order, which may 
come at any time now. 
No news - but we've good news - I will have lots 
to speak about when I get home. 
I am trusting to God to help me through O.K. 
Know my boys will be successful in whatever 
job they're set to do. 
I will close now with very best wishes for 
health, success, & prosperity to you all - and 
very much love from your loving son 
Rollo. 

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