BMS/CWK/95/21b/20

Envelope containing 3 letters from James William Kaye to his parents. Sent from Headquarters 22nd Corps, Heavy Artillery, B.E.F.

12 & 16/7 Feb, 2 Mar 1919

From: 1919 To: 1919

First letter: Apples and oranges arrived safely and greatly appreciated. Everything unsettled; writer hopes for something definate. The brigades are very low in numbers, men have been demobilised much faster than the horses, and there are not enough of the former to look after the latter. General coming next week. Friday is the Brigade Ball in the Hotel de Ville. Four officers of the battery have had 'flu, but the writer has escaped it so far. A lot of the writer's work is involved with salvage of German ammunition; 'trying to get the country clear before we leave it', but the snowy weather prevents searching for it. An enormous dump has been collected near the station and is a source of anxiety as it is not safe; there has been one accident there; 2 men wounded and 5 horses killed. The writer was telephoned when one of the 'big Boche mines' started to smoulder. He arrived to find a crowd of Belgians gaping at it, and had to disperse them and roll the mine into the canal. Writer surprised to hear of Marjory's engagement; 'she hasn't lost much time after Nany [?]' Second letter: Went with the Colonel to see a performance given by an R.A.F. concert party; a variety show including a conjuror and ventriloquist. The Brigade Ball was a success. It started at 8.45, and the last dance was just before 4.00 am. A civilian orchestra provided the music. The writer was a steward and 'swanked about....introducing people and palming off indignant majors on to the elderly dowagers sitting around the room and telling them to take them in to supper.' One young lady asked the writer to visit her in Brussels, where she lives. Met up with Woodward at the dance; the writer had not seen him since Verchin. They have since met for lunch. Accompanied the colonel to Ghlin to see the corps cross country running championship. The corps commander presented the prizes in the town square. Has been to Mons theatre to see 'Bow Bells', the concert party of the 56th Division. Refers to salvage work: several accidents lately. 6 or 8 children killed by a mine, an R.E. Officer and his assistant by another which we sent him to inspect, and then 3 officers and 5 men by a mine at Cuesmes. No lorries were allowed on the roads for 10 days after the thaw to allow them to settle, so could not get much salvage work done. A lot is thrown on the horse transport. Has developed some photographs at M. Gilbert's and will get them printed as soon as possible. Tomorrow is the Corps boxing. The army commander is coming to see it. Third letter: Had a brigade dinner at the Club, about 50 men there. Went to Cuesmes by motor bike, had breakfast there, and then saw Major Everard off to Bolougne by car. He is on leave pending service overseas. Attended the corps race meeting. Describes the journey in a horse ambulance with the sides rolled up, pulled by 6 heavy draught horses. Met Pilsworth at the race meeting, backed two winners, and quits at the end of the day. Also attended the 63rd Naval Division race meeting. Describes another brigade ball at the Hotel de Ville. Has been to the theatre to see a show given by the 'Barn Owls', a divisional concert party. Attended a lecture at the School of Mines on the 'Mystery of the Maya' about the ruined sites in Yucatan. Has attended a ball given by some officers of the 67th Brigade. Had 2 dances with a Viscountess. Is going to watch trhe final of the corps soccor championship. Is going to go to Cuesmes to see the Gilbert family, as the oldest boy is back from school in Bussels for 3 days.

5 sheets

item

Kaye, James William,
British Expeditionary Force,
Woodward,
Everard,
Pilsworth,
Gilbert

family correspondence, apples, oranges, influenza, Royal Air Force, balls, cross country running, boxing, shows, Mons, land weaponry, photography, horse racing, Mexico, theatre, football