Z549/17/117

Letter sent from Brocton Camp, Staffordshire by Cyril Verdcourt to Mama [Helena Verdcourt].

Wednesday 19 March 1919

From: 1919 To: 1919

From: Hut 26, E Company, 3rd Beds, ‘R’ Lines, Brocton Camp, Staffordshire Dear Mama, You will observe by the above address that we have again shifted our camp although this time we have not moved very far. The orders about the removal were given last Sunday, but I refrained from writing until I could let you know the address. The battalion moved off ‘full marching order’ yesterday morning, reaching Brocton after an hour or two of marching along muddy roads, for the snow and sleet has been falling intermittently and heavily since our advent into Staffordshire. There have been few nice days, although they have been really beautiful. I did not move with the battalion for I am suffering with a twisted ankle, which though not serious, totally incapacitated me for marching, or indeed walking yesterday morning. Our Officer Commanding ie Captain Hague, whom I told you about as a nice fellow, told me that I should have to go to hospital, and they left me at Rugeley, but our Medical Officer did not turn up yesterday (Whether St Patrick’s day and the fact that he is Irish had aught to do with it, I cannot say), and I had to see the Sussex doctor, who gave me four days ‘excused duty’, and issued orders that I should be sent on to Brocton by motor lorry. Eventually one of our officers, in command of a rear party, sent for a motor-ambulance, in which a fellow-sufferer, who was really ill, was taken to hospital and myself conveyed to Brocton, where after some painful hobbling I managed to get into the same hut as Alf Bryeeson and my former hut-mates, who have been very good to me, indeed. I received your letter last night and was pleased to learn of Cyril’s discharge, and hope you will congratulate him for me. He will not go far wrong, I think, although he is apt to get exaggerated notions into his noddle – like most of us. Nevertheless, I am surprised to hear of him in a box. Still I never dreamt of frequenting the stalls, before Kathie’s eyes, with their weakness, - and their brightness I suppose – led me to act differently. No, doubt I could get home more easily from here than Felixstowe and more quickly, but the week-end passes now given are not worth having. They are made out for – after duty Saturday to Sunday night. Never mind ‘Jock’ our Scotch platoon officer, told me yesterday that we should be – ‘way doon sooth at Bedford or Colchester in a week or two.’ He was trying to console me about the hospital business, saying I’d be as well there as anywhere until the moving was over – and the strike. Jimmy Woods had found another chum, you see, mama, while I was ‘on guard’ at the Palace, and he went out every night at Rugeley, while I and Alf did not think Hednesford worth the trouble. Alf Bryeeson is a splendid man, and I am sure you would like him immensely. He won a scholarship at the London ‘Polytechnic’. Jimmy and I are still good chums and in the same hut. I am replying to Louis tomorrow. I shall send home some money next week most probably when we shall probably receive the bonus and some back money, and you may do what you wish with it. Good bye mama, love to all, Yours lovingly Cyril Kathie has been unwell and has had to shift her digs.

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Verdcourt, Cyril,
Verdcourt, Helena Annie,
Bryeeson, Alf

army, Brocton Camp