Lives of the First World War

Their son Lance Serjeant Arthur Whitman, 1st Bn. Herts Regt., had been missing since the attack near St Julien on 31st July 1917. “40 Little Gaddesden, Sunday night. Dear Joe, I am trying to write once more. We have been very busy lately, shall be this week but not after. We are getting on very well and well if I had poor Arthur. The Red Cross has not found them yet I heard Saturday so we must still have faith that they will come forward. Nothing is impossible to God so hope and pray. I feel he is living and our pigs are getting on well and when you come home next time I shall have enough money to give you to make your books even 100 and I do not owe a penny for anything so we are not doing so bad in war time but if it keeps on much longer I do not know what will become of the country. Jim is getting on all right on the engine but so black. Mrs Sarah Ann Janes at Ringshall fell down going down her path Friday and put her shoulder out she is in the Hempsted Hospital and another of the Saunders and Fred Groom’s son married at Studham is killed. Harrison the schoolmaster wounded in the foot. Now if there is anything you want tell me and I have a nice lot of apples but as many dropped as gathered. I am sending you a pie this week. Tell me if you have any new vests yet and about the place and what you do and where you go, you do not tell us anything. May is going to write to you now. Good night and God bless you and Arthur and keep you both with love from all from your ever loving wife Sue.” Jim and May were Arthur's younger brother and sister. Mrs Janes was a 66 year old local widow. Fred Groom's son was Private Frank Albert Groom, 6th Northants Regt. and 'another of the Saunders', Private William Harry Saunders 1/8th Royal Warks. Regt. Harrison the Schoolmaster was 2nd Lt Douglas Harrison, West Riding Regt. "The Red Cross has not found them" refers also to Arthur's first cousin Private George Hoar 1st Bn. Herts Regt, missing after the same attack.

Created by: , Jane31029