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Letter (4 sheets) from Wilfred Hammond, marked: BEF France. June 3rd 1917 My Dear People, Just a letter to let you know that I am still plodding along, although it is really unnecessary to mention it. At present I am doing Quarter-“blokes’s” work, having taken our Company Quarter Master Sergeant’s place while he is on leave. As you probably do not know anything about this item, I will try to explain the work. A C.Q.M.S. is the man responsible for the supply of everything a soldier needs from a needle and cotton down (or rather up) to the daily rations. Naturally the latter is the chief concern, dealing with a Company of men and when the Company is in the line the Quarter-master puts the rations into sand-bags and escorts them up to the trenches to the boys. At present my rations go up on pack mules and this frequently causes fun when the said mules play the fool and start stunting about with a pile of rations converting them into Dromedaries. Having delivered the goods and had some supper I proceed to the Battalion Stores and there being tons of transport about and having a fixed objection to walking I usually hop on to the most likely wagon or motor and get a lift back. Two nights ago I jumped aboard a six horse wagon which eventually moved at the gallop. This does not sound very exciting but a six horse team galloping down a shell-pocked road, not far from the line, with an entire absence of lights, can hardly be compared with a ride to Wollaston on am M. Peck et Cie. Conveyance (bicycle). Yesterday I saw a peculiar incident, I had just stepped out of a trench on to a road when a single (i.e. solitary) horseman was coming down the road at a good pace. When just against me he did a peculiar motion and off came his tin hat. I didn’t look at the man and horse but trotted back for his tin hat and having got it and turned round, I couldn’t see the rider but the horse seemed to have changed shape somewhat. With that rapidity worthy of the Derwent Duffs I yelled “Are you all right” when through the moonlight came back “No I b……. well ain’t!” Upon investigating I found the rider hanging upside down under the horse’s stomach with one foot through the stirrup. I grip him and heave him on to the horse’s back and naturally I heave him on with his back to the horse’s head! Just to illustrate what fine rations we get I may tell you that yesterday we had an issue of chilled rabbits running over to one rabbit to every three men. Some war, this! Everything here is quite alright at present but I think we shall see some fun shortly. Mark time on that! I received a 10/- note recently and hope to again very shortly. Wishing you the best of picnic weather. Wilf PS. What is all this about drawing bottoms? Fred used to be more of a head artist PPS Herewith portion of spud as issued

3 June 1917

From: 1917 To: 1917

item

Hammond, Wilfred,
Hammond, Frederick

France, letters, service personnel, overseas (WW1), 18th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, weather, crafts needlework, horse transport, mules, Wollaston, cycling, rabbits, money, bank notes, potatoes