Christmas message from a soldier in France"

December 1939

see 7.239 for Eric Hayes' memoir, "About me in a Nutshell", which describes his experiences as a prisoner of war in Poland.

"Best love and wishes from your soldier boy. To all at home, Eric"

B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) France 1939. I was at Pornichet, near St. Nazaire, my first posting. I was an instructor at the school of artillery. I enjoyed it-it was right on the Bay of Biscay, living under canvass. It was like a holiday abroad.

When I enlisted on 1st May 1939 with the Territorial Army, I was sent to a firing camp at Trawsfynydd with the Mold Battery. I was assisting with the clerical work. Each battery had a key party which had to go in advance and prepare accommodation, meals, etc. I was recalled from the camp because it was then obvious that we were going to war, so all the key party had to be back in Buckley. I wasn't allowed to go home at all, except to collect absolute essentials. On 2nd September 1939, I was posted with three other Buckley lads, Sgt. Neville Shone and two Gunners both named Glyn Jones to Aldershot. On the 29th November I set off for France by boat.

Author: Hayes, John Eric, 1918

Christmas message from a soldier in France"

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