BMS/CWK/95/21b/16

Envelope containing 4 letters from James William Kaye to his parents. Sent from 60th Siege Battery, B.E.F.

1, 5, 9 & 12 Jan 1919

From: 1919 To: 1919

First letter: Did not get to bed until 3.00 am after seeing in the new year. Had found in an old copy of the Illustrated London News a picture of 'the old English custom' of walking up 12 stairs backwards at midnight, one step on each strike of the clock, so they solomnly did this; each step successfully mounted means the corresponding month will be lucky. One fellow stumbled over October! They promenaded the town for a few hours with a candle and a bottle of whisky and serenaded every street with 'Auld Lang Syne'. 'When we hammered on some of the doors to ask the occupants (who were in bed) whether they would like a drink, they mostly seemed terrified that the Boche had arrived again!' On new year's day invited to tea with the Gilberts [owners of house where writer is billeted]. Played backgammon and the pianola. Proposed officers match [sport not specified] planned against another battery. Losers provide dinner. Has managed to raise Madame Gilbert's brass fittings etc., which had been buried in the garden. Second letter: Thanks for letters and the tie. Officers and batmen of writer's battery won match by 4 goals to 2. The ground was a quagmire of mud. Describes a horse the writer has been riding 'who has been out since '14.' Describes the local landscape, flat with tremendous slag heaps, not many trees; few shell holes. The bridges were all blown up and the important ones have been temporarily repaired. The railway was all destroyed, but a single line has been opened up through to Brussels. Football or riding take up all afternoons; the mornings are spent by the men on various fatigues - cleaning the guns etc. One messes around all morning to see the men don't slack and also there is a deal of office work in connection with demobilisation and education. Evenings are spent reading, writing, sometimes playing cards or the pianola. Pay at present 15/- to 16/- per day; mess bill roughly 60 francs per month, batman 20 francs and washing 12 francs. Would be grateful for a good pair of fishing stockings to wear under gum boots, and some soap; the Belgian women will only do the washing if the soap is provided, and ordinary Sunlight soap costs 4 francs 50 for a little bit. Toilet soap would also be appreciated. Butter does not always come with the rations. Third letter: Thanks for the parcel. Hopes to go to Valenciennes to meet Pilswoth Had a football match against the strongest battery in the league; lost 2 - 0. The children have given the writer a lot of Boche stamps used in Belgium during the war. Requests some English stamps to give to the children. Fourth letter: Thanks for letter, which took six days to arrive - about the average. Had been to see a performance of Aladdin, given by a party of Tommies who call themselves the Bow Bells. Also attended a brigade concert with the Gilbert family. Marched the men to a church service - hardly anyone else except our battery. The major took some photographs of a large group with the Gilbert children and some of their friends, following which they played football in the garden. Has been in the drawing room assisting with an enormous jig saw and playing the pianola. Has been riding. Is meeting Pilsworth in Valenciennes and they will have lunch at the officers Club. Surprised to hear Sawyer is engaged. Sorry to hear Leefe Robinson V.C. had died [first British pilot to shoot down a German airship over Britain during the First World War]

5 sheets

item

Kaye, James William,
British Expeditionary Force,
Gilbert,
Pilsworth,
Robinson, Leefe,
Sawyer

family correspondence, New Year, Illustrated London News, backgammon, horses, football, Brussels, concerts