Letters from Wilfred Griffith Barlow to Mr Goodsir Fowler, 1916-1917 - Part 2 of 2

15/4/1917
France -Firing line

Dear Goodsir
I think I wrote to Willie last. I am at last
sitting in a dry place (a tent) but I am wet through &
feeling very cold as I write.  I am really writing to do
something to keep my mind occupied with other things than the
war.  We have been trying to rest for about a week but we no
sooner get settled than we have to suddenly pack up & run up
& occupy some forward position to either annoy Fritz or else stop
him trying to get through.  As I write there is such heavy artillery
bombardment going on I believe I'll have to stop if it continues
as we'll have to "stand to" again.  Fritz has been getting a
severe doing near by to our sector & he tried to take vengenance
out of we poor chaps but I think we have taught him a lesson.
We are right on his strong line and it is like teasing a wolf
in a cage.  He comes out at us very seldom but if he does we just
give him a severe handling.  The open warfare suits us best. It is not
nice advancing to the attack under heavy artillery fire but our lads press
on unheeding. A good bombardment is called "a drumming".  The guns
just bang & boom away incessantly.  The noise is deafening.  The balloons
go up & the side that has mastery of the air quickly set them on fire
or cause them to be lowered.  There are some lovely horses here but the
old mule is the best for transport work . I've had a few reconnoitring rides
on old "crocks". But it didn't matter for they carried me through
the shells & then one in particular took me safely home one black

1DRL/0090 [RC10171]

night & he had to carry me between nasty holes & craters
but he was sure footed.  The animals get used to the shells etc
and though some shy at a dead horse or man they are nearly all
used to anything.  There are a lot of hares about here now.  The country
is very suitable for farming.  The soil is just lovely & has a nice clay
bottom. This day (16^th April) has been a nice fine spring day till now.
6 pm & it is raining again.  I received 2 Daylesford Papers one day and
I did enjoy the reading.  I saw a few Daylesford lads lately.  I saw
young McKinnon (who used to be in my company at Daylesford)
last night. He is a corporal & I looked very well. Today I got 6 nice
letters from home and some little photos. These photos are a grand
link with home. I got a letter from Mr S. Patterson of Dry Diggings also
& I hear he has lost one son here. The news I've just heard is
again grand we got 600 prisoners after the little attack Fritz made
the other evening. He got one of a balloons just now but down came
one of his soon afterwards.  We are masters of the air again. Our
planes can fly up or down sidewards, in fact any way at great
speed. Our lads are singing choruses as I write. It is raining
but they are cheerful.  I'm sure the Germans are not singing. They
look so downhearted when we get them. There is a lot of sugar beet
& root crops grown here. We have luckily had no gas lately as the
warfare isn't suitable for it. We give & get gas shells though
but the results are local. It is grand to see our big guns at work
you can see the 9.2 inch shell fly up in the air on its deadly
mission & follow it till it turns to drop then you miss it.
I've seen heaps of these shells ready round a gun to be sent on to
Fritz. They are soon all gone. I'd sooner be at the gun end. We hope this
cruel warfare will soon end but we are determined to give our lives to see a thrashing
dealt out to the cruel Germans if necessary to make him go on his knees for Peace. Remember
me to all at Ridge Mrs B tells of your kind invitations to stay with you.   I'll come some day 

[*Goodby till next-time Goodsir. Yours very sincerely WG Barlow*] 

Address reply to Lt W. G. Barlow
c/o G. E. May Esq
103 Dagnall Park,
S. Norwood 
SE. England

Dear Goodsir
I am snatching a moment as I
await a court martial on some men at which I am a
witness.  Well I had a lovely trip to England and
saw England's sea strength.  The torpedo boats are wonderful
they can rush ahead to & fro in front of a troopship like
a dog does in a field in front of his master.  We were
nearly in a bad way for a boat was sunk 80 miles
ahead of us but we were skillfully guided through all
dangers.  The great Eddison lighthouse was a grand sight
one evening. The cattle at Devon are very fine.  They
are red and all in good condition.  Though it was
autumn there is plenty of grass.  The country is just like
your paddocks (the best ones).   Wet & hilly. It is strange to see
the fowl houses in the little fields & the fences of mud &
hedges. It is similiar weather to Daylesford.  I stand the cold
well but of course I am well wrapped up. In our rooms
we have stores like you had at the Ridge school.   But
the do not smoke much & we burn coal. I saw the great
Westminister Abbey & went to matins there. The voices of
the choir boys vibrated through the great ceiling.  Every-
where there are slabs showing someone is buried there.
There are all the regimental flags on Wolfe's statue
St Pauls is a sight.  I was shown into the Crypt a
place below the catheral in which there are several
chapels & the great tombs of Nelson & Wellington.

2/ 

I saw the Indian Princes place a wreath on "Bobs"
Robert's grave.  It was a solemn ceremony for several of them
had tears in their eyes.  I saw all the chairs the kings & queens
England sat in.  Many of the best tombs & statues are covered with
sand bags for protection.  The pigeons at Parliament house & Trafalgar
square are tame & fly onto one's shoulders.  Queen Victorias
monument in front of Buckingham Palace is magnificent.  I saw the
Horse Guards & they saluted as I passed & I saluted them.
I heard Asquith & Lloyd Georges & Redmond speak in the House of
Commons.  I was admitted through the courtesy of a member named
John Burns.  My Uncle was very kind to me & showed me all things.
We don't expect to be at the front for a few weeks yet but our men
leave in a few weeks for certain.  I have many letters yet to write
so you must excuse my short note this time.  Remember me
to all on the Ridge.  I often think of you all & some day if I'm
spared I'll run up to Ridge & see you all again.  I hope
the children keep well & that Auntie & Mrs Fare also well.
I suppose Goodie is working hard at school now & I will be
pleased to hear he is getting on. Remember me to little
Florrie.  She was a good girl at school too.  I hope Willie is
not moving barns & houses yet but is settled down in his home now.
How does Fairy go?  She took me many a hundred miles & 
fast too.  As I write the booming of guns & bombs & the rattle
of rifles maxim & Lewis guns helps to let you know why you are
here but of course it is only practise yet. The tanks are wonderful 300 horse
power 50' X 15' & hold 3 guns throw 6 lbs shells & several maxims & 9
men can go up or down holes or buildings 12 feet high & are 12" steel
armoured.  I see many mules here blueies, chestnuts, white & blacks they
are useful beasts yet a little donkeyish.
Goodbye this time.  I hope I hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely
W G Barlow Lt