Z549/17

Letters from Cyril Verdcourt mainly to his mother Helena, but also to his father Joseph, brother Louis and Maude Dillingham, later his sister-in-law. Also two letters from [Charles Adolphus] Cazaly to Helena Verdcourt while he was serving with Cyril in Egypt.

September 1918- March 1920

From: 1918 To: 1920

Cyril appears to begin writing home following his call up in 1918 under the 1916 Military Service Act. His letters are written in ink unless stated differently. They begin in autumn 1918 when Cyril was sent via London to Kempston Barracks at Bedford before being posted to the 3rd Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment at Landguard Camp, Felixstowe, number 61452. On 5 March 1919 E Company moved to Rugeley Camp, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire then on to nearby Brocton Camp later that month. On 24 April 1919 Cyril began his journey to his post in Egypt, travelling by ship and train through France, Italy and arriving at No. 1 Ammunition Camp at Kantara on 9 May 1919. He then joined the 1/4th Northamptonshire Regiment, number 62304, as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. In the following September Cyril transferred to C Company of the 17th Royal Sussex. His letters give two numbers 32459 and 32549. [His medal card gives the number G/32549]. In his early letters Cyril adds a running number so that his mother knows if any have gone astray. While at Felixstowe she often sends him food parcels to supplement his meagre army diet and when in Egypt in December 1919 she sends him coconut cakes. Cyril describes his duties, treatment and fellow soldiers, sometimes with sketches of those around him, both soldiers and locals. He participates in numerous sports, such as swimming and football, visits picture-palaces and attends a cookery course in Alexandria. He describes the train journey through France and Italy as well as his escort duties and sightseeing trips, including to the Pyramids. He often refers to current events such as the armistice, the political position, the Peace Riots at Luton, when he and others are going to be demobbed and strikes in England. Abbreviations have been expanded where they can be identified and any extra information or where the handwriting is unclear has been added in square brackets. Please be aware that the language of the time is used.

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The letters have been transcribed retaining the spellings used in most cases. Abbreviations have been expanded where known and any information from additional research given in square brackets. Please be aware that the letters use the language of the time.

Z549/17/66 is about the armistice and has been scanned.

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Kempston Barracks, 3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, Egypt