Wednesday 27 February 2008
Copy of letter dated: 4th Aug 1914
Copy of letter dated: 4th Aug 1914 Copy of letter dated: 4th Aug 1914
76 Wood Street 4/8/14
Willenhall
My Dear Ethel
I thought that when I wrote to tell you I had returned to the above address tonight it would be a surprise but when I arrived home this Tuesday night at 8 o’clock and saw your post card, I found out you were awake to the situation. Well we dispersed at the drill hall after walking 34 miles towards Rhyl, and walking that distance back home, 21 miles today.
It is a disappointing time for me I can tell you, building my castles in the air for a week or so, as to what a good time we were going to have at Rhyl, a time we had never had before. We left drill hall on the order that we were not to go far from home, and when going out to leave word, where going so that we could easily be found, as they expected us to be called out at any minute. We had been in Willenhall half hour tonight, after being told the former order, and there has been a notice placed outside the drill hall and police station to the effect that we must parade at headquarters immediately.
Me and David went to Willenhall drill hall at 9 tonight to see what we were to do, and we have got to be at Wolverhampton drill hall at 8 in the morning to be dispatched out, all Terriers will be sent off tomorrow at that hour, to be sent to different places. I do not know where I shall be when you receive this letter. Ethel do not worry, and then I shall be alright and happy there's a love, there is nothing to worry about as they cannot send me out of the country. David is in a very worried state over the affair, his people have been worrying him, they think he will be shot, such nonsense, he hasn’t half been crying at home tonight before he came out to see me, he would not worry if his people would leave him alone, he was happy enough when I left him at the cars when we came from Wolverhampton until he went home, they worried the life out of him, he would not speak a word to me, and his eyes were swollen up, and he does look ill. I never saw him so worried in my life, I have tried to buck him up. He says when we get out he shall not worry so much, as his mother is the cause of most of it and then he says there is Florrie he wishes she was here, so that he could see her before he goes, well I told him what about me, no chap in the army wishes he had got his sweetheart by his side anymore than I do tonight, I could love you away. Ethel, if the worst comes you will be tested, my words to you are stand fast by my side, in hearts your love I am sure will increase, I am sure, if we are apart a while. Write to my home immediately you get this letter, and chance where I am, and I will do same as soon as I get the chance. Finally we love one another dearly and we shall stand fast, and I will make it out when we meet, it has had to be rushed. Hoping to see you at end of week, I must think I shall see you then or I should die.
Your loving boy
Believe me Dear
Frank
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
76 Wood Street 4/8/14
Willenhall
My Dear Ethel
I thought that when I wrote to tell you I had returned to the above address tonight it would be a surprise but when I arrived home this Tuesday night at 8 o’clock and saw your post card, I found out you were awake to the situation. Well we dispersed at the drill hall after walking 34 miles towards Rhyl, and walking that distance back home, 21 miles today.
It is a disappointing time for me I can tell you, building my castles in the air for a week or so, as to what a good time we were going to have at Rhyl, a time we had never had before. We left drill hall on the order that we were not to go far from home, and when going out to leave word, where going so that we could easily be found, as they expected us to be called out at any minute. We had been in Willenhall half hour tonight, after being told the former order, and there has been a notice placed outside the drill hall and police station to the effect that we must parade at headquarters immediately.
Me and David went to Willenhall drill hall at 9 tonight to see what we were to do, and we have got to be at Wolverhampton drill hall at 8 in the morning to be dispatched out, all Terriers will be sent off tomorrow at that hour, to be sent to different places. I do not know where I shall be when you receive this letter. Ethel do not worry, and then I shall be alright and happy there's a love, there is nothing to worry about as they cannot send me out of the country. David is in a very worried state over the affair, his people have been worrying him, they think he will be shot, such nonsense, he hasn’t half been crying at home tonight before he came out to see me, he would not worry if his people would leave him alone, he was happy enough when I left him at the cars when we came from Wolverhampton until he went home, they worried the life out of him, he would not speak a word to me, and his eyes were swollen up, and he does look ill. I never saw him so worried in my life, I have tried to buck him up. He says when we get out he shall not worry so much, as his mother is the cause of most of it and then he says there is Florrie he wishes she was here, so that he could see her before he goes, well I told him what about me, no chap in the army wishes he had got his sweetheart by his side anymore than I do tonight, I could love you away. Ethel, if the worst comes you will be tested, my words to you are stand fast by my side, in hearts your love I am sure will increase, I am sure, if we are apart a while. Write to my home immediately you get this letter, and chance where I am, and I will do same as soon as I get the chance. Finally we love one another dearly and we shall stand fast, and I will make it out when we meet, it has had to be rushed. Hoping to see you at end of week, I must think I shall see you then or I should die.
Your loving boy
Believe me Dear
Frank
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The regiment departs
The regiment departs
This postcard dated 22nd Aug 1914 was written some 18 days after the declaration of war, it was sent from Ethel to Frank who was then stationed at "Charles Street Boys School" at Luton.
The card shows the regiment assemble at Queens Square, Walsall in readiness for the departure.
At the time of writing Ethel was working with her father in his picture framing shop at Willenhall. She remarks that the business was quiet although her father worked that evening until 11pm
This postcard dated 22nd Aug 1914 was written some 18 days after the declaration of war, it was sent from Ethel to Frank who was then stationed at "Charles Street Boys School" at Luton.
The card shows the regiment assemble at Queens Square, Walsall in readiness for the departure.
At the time of writing Ethel was working with her father in his picture framing shop at Willenhall. She remarks that the business was quiet although her father worked that evening until 11pm
The Rev Pratt
The Rev Pratt
The vicar of St Giles church, Willenhall and later to become a chaplain to the regiment.
The vicar of St Giles church, Willenhall and later to become a chaplain to the regiment.
Bellringing plaque
Bell ringing Plaque
This plaque commemorates the ringing of "Grandsire Triples" on the 12th Aug 1913 at St Giles church, Willenhall. The bell ringers included Frank, his elder brother Harry and Frank's close friend David Appleby.
The vicar at the church at that time was the Rev Pratt, both Frank and David would meet him some years later on the Western front in the Great War
This plaque commemorates the ringing of "Grandsire Triples" on the 12th Aug 1913 at St Giles church, Willenhall. The bell ringers included Frank, his elder brother Harry and Frank's close friend David Appleby.
The vicar at the church at that time was the Rev Pratt, both Frank and David would meet him some years later on the Western front in the Great War
Ethel and Frank
Photo of Ethel and Frank taken on the occasion of Frank's 21st birthday, 27th Oct 1913
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