Wilfred Owens' last letter home before he was killed"

France

2 September 1918

See 42.15 for main entry and details of where to find the other letters.

Wilfred Owens' Letters from 24th July to 2nd September 1918. (Numbers 99 to 110)

99.

Thursday July 24^th 18France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I have today received your parcel which you sent July 18^th everything being in the best of condition excepting the grapes which were badly crushed and had all turned moldy so am sorry to say I had to throw away as they were not fit for eating. It is a good job the parcel hadn't been long in coming or else it would have turned all the cakes the same. Well the cakes are splendid I thoroughly enjoyed the Black Currant cake also the others and the oranges and bananas are going off well also thanking you for the writing pad, laces, indelible pencil & toffee etc. Well I trust this will find you all quite well as it leaves me we are having very showery weather here at present. I was sorry at receiving a letter from Fred Griffiths stating that his mother & Arthur were ill but I trust by you receive this that they will be quite well again. I was pleased to read in the "Observer" how well the Jubilee went off also to hear of you having such nice weather. Well I am expecting a letter from you stating how Gomer went on at Litherland. Hoping he has succeeded in getting his discharge. Well things are going on as usual out here they have started sending them on leave those with about 18 months service out here so my turn wont be long in coming hoping they keep continually sending a few. So I must conclude my letter trusting this will find you all quite well and still keeping busy hoping you have had a change in the weather for the best. Wishing to be remembered to my relations & friends with kindest regards from you ever true Son & brother Wilfred.

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100.

Friday July 26^th 18France

Dear brother Edward & all at home

I now take great pleasure in answering your kind letters of July 15^th & 16^th pleased to hear of you all keeping quite well as this leaves me. I was sorry to read by our last letter of you having such stormy weather but we are having it the same out here. I was pleased to hear you had received the silk card I sent hoping by now you have had the other to grandmother. Well Edward they have started sending a few on leave from this Batt. they have been out here over 12 months but it will come to my turn before so very long. I read in the papers of a lot being home on leave so I trust I shall be one of them before so long. Well Edward I am expecting a letter from you anytime stating how Gomer went on with his medical examination hoping he succeeded in getting his discharge although I suppose he will be satisfied if he is put in a low category knowing that he wont have to come out here again. Well I hope you are still being supplied with plenty to eat. I am pleased to say we are getting fairly good rations at the present time. Well I suppose you will have had some good news in the papers lately of the French victories we hear of them taking such a lot of prisoners. I received the parcel you sent as I told you in my last letter hoping this will find you all in the very best of health. I am expecting a letter from Uncle saying he was over at Buckley. Please remember me to all at the Warren & at Aunty Pollies also Fred, Gomer, Frank, Harry & Charlie Connah, John Samuel, Bob & Edward Davidson with kindest regards from your ever true brother Wilfred.

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101.

Saturday July 27^th 18France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I have this morning received your most kind letter father of the 21^st with little Edwin's letter enclosed and yesterday I received Edward's of the 20^th the Observer & Bicycling News I also received one from Uncle stating what a good time he had been spending with you. So I am trying to reply to them all as soon as I can. Well I am pleased to hear of you all keeping well and George, Edwin & Miriam recovering from the Flu. I know what it is I had a touch of it when first it broke out here but I wasn't bad enough to get into hospital. I am pleased to hear of you still keeping so busy father but still able to keep the work down also pleased to hear of all the motors going so well. I will be home before so long testing them for you as I told you before they have started sending them on leave again. Well by your letters you are having the same weather as us out here. It is awful and it is very little use of us trying to keep clean till the weather takes up again as it is over the boot tops in slush. I was so pleased to hear of John Samuel arriving home in Civvies. I know he will be one of the happiest men in the world. Tell him I hope to see him soon hoping Gomer succeeds in getting same. Well I was pleased to hear you had received another card from Fred & that he was alright except for being short of food. It is hard lines for them being a prisoner I am sure. Well I trust you will remember me to them all also Frank, Harry & Charlie Connah. So I must conclude thanking you all for you kind letters also all the books & papers. From your ever true son & brother Wilfred.

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102.

Thursday August 1^st 18France

Dear mother & father & all at home

I received your most kind letter of July 26^th quite safe this morning and am very pleased to hear of you all still keeping quite well as this leaves me at present. I trust this will also find you enjoying real summer weather after the rain like we are out here. How pleased I was to hear of George, Edwin & Miriam being quite well again after there illness and to hear of them starting their months holidays. I was glad to read in the Observer how well the Anniversary went off at the Tabernacle and what good results they received from it pleased to read of the enormous amount of losses inflicted on the enemy by the French. I think this is his final struggle as he is beaten on all fronts & I think it will soon be over they still keep sending a few on leave. I will let you know when it is nearing my turn pleased to hear of you getting Mr. Griffiths' petrol while his machine is being repaired so I can look forward to a good time and pleased to say it wont be very long before I shall be with you. I am pleased to hear you are receiving my letters also the silk cards I will send more when I can get them. I will let you know when the parcel you speak of arrives. So must close from you ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred.

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103.

Monday August 5^th 18France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I now take the first opportunity of writing to let you know how I am going on during the last few days. I received your parcel safe & sound of July 27^th on the 2^nd also the "Motor Cycle" & Observer, the brown loaf & currant cake & oranges went off splendidly for which I must thank you so much also thanking you for the health salts, writing material & soap also the box to send you my watch for repairs I am not in a position to send it at present but maybe in a weeks time I will be able to forward it on to you. I have this morning received father's kind letter of July 29^th also one from Gomer and am so pleased to hear of you all being in the best of everything. I know you will have read some good news in the papers since August as come in it is Sunday night we are just talking of tomorrow August Bank holiday and wondering how things will be going on in dear old Blighty we are all expecting to be there soon in peace again. I am pleased to hear of Gomer expecting to be at home shortly for good hoping you have had more good news from Fred. So I must close my letter now thanking you all for your many kindness's wishing to be remembered to all I k now with kindest regards from your ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred.

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104.

Friday August 9^th 18France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I suppose you will be thinking me a nice lad in not writing before now but you will know how busy we are by the papers. You will be thinking great things by the victories we have had of late. Well father your last letter of Aug. 3^rd I received yesterday and am pleased to hear of you all keeping well as this leaves me, we are at present having lovely weather hoping you are having the same. I am pleased to hear of you keeping busy for the holidays I suppose Gomer will be at home by now hoping you have had news of Fred & that he is going on alright. Pleased to hear of John Samuel doing so well trusting you will remember me to them all. Well father I have not as yet had a chance to send my watch but I will do so as soon as I can. Well you will be either expecting me on leave shortly or else peace being declared. We have all good hopes out here so you must keep good spirits things are looking much brighter. Remember me to my friends & relations with kindest regards from your ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred.

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105.

Y.M.C.A with the Australian Imperial Force

Monday August 12^th 18

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I now take the pleasure of writing to let you know I am still keeping fit & well hoping this will find you all the same at home. We are also having lovely weather for the harvest I suppose you will be having similar weather and the farmers will be busy getting there harvest in. I expect father is also busy selling what stock he as in as it is such nice weather for motoring & cycling not too hot. I suppose you will have had good news by now of our victories. I can see the war finishing soon if it keeps on as the enemy must be getting short of men. Well I expect you noticed in the paper about them starting to send 6,000 a day on leave so you can expect me before so long if not this month it will be in the early part of next so I have decided not to send my watch but keep it will I come I also want to ask you not to send anymore parcels out to me at present. I am writing to cousin Gomer at the same time hoping he as started to work at the Mountain Colliery again. Well I will be writing to the Petrol Committee shortly I will also write on my way home in case they have not forwarded the Permit. So I must close wishing to be remembered to my friends & relations with kindest regards. From your ever true son & brother Wilfred.

P.S. Just received the "Motor Cycle" & "Observer" will write again as soon as I get a chance Wilfred.

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106.

Y.M.C.A. On Active Service with the British Expeditionary Force

Thursday August 15^th 18

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I am present wondering what as become of the mail from you as it is about a week since I received any news from you at home but I must not give up hope I suppose it may be the recent fighting which as upset things a little. You will have read of the latest push and out great victories. Well we are having lovely weather I am sure the farmers are busy in Blighty if you are having the same. I am at present having a rest from the line I have not had such a rest and a good time since coming out here. Well as I told you in my last letter I expected to be with you on leave shortly you will have read in the newspaper about leave starting in full swing again so I expect to come within the next few weeks so I am hoping the weather will continue to be the same. Well I hope by now Gomer as landed home and as started at the Colliery hoping you have also had some more news from Fred and that he is still going on alright. Remember me to them also Frank & John Samuel hoping Edwin & Miriam are enjoying there holidays and George as started to work again. So I must conclude my letter wishing to be remembered to my friends & relations with kindest regards hoping to hear from you soon. From your ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred.

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107.

Saturday August 17^th 18

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well father I received your most kind letter last night also the Post card George sent. Pleased to hear from you that you are all keeping well as this leaves me also. Pleased to hear of you all keeping busy. Well we are still having lovely weather here hoping it keeps the same till I come on leave which I don't think will be long now. I was pleased to hear of you having such nice weather for the holidays and the lads having such a good time at Rhyl and Llandudno. I would have liked to have been with them but I am looking forward to a good time when my turn comes for leave. I was pleased to hear of Thompson's son being on leave if you will remember he enlisted about the same time as me. I am pleased to hear you are still getting plenty to eat we can't grumble we are getting fairly good rations. Hoping you have had news from Fred and that he is still going on alright. I suppose Gomer will be home before now and started to work at the Mountain. Please remember me to them all also Frank, John Samuel, Harry & Charlie Connah & all I know with kindest regards & love to all at home. From you ever true son & brother Wilfred.

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108.

Sunday August 18^th 18

Dear brother Edward & all at home

Well Edward I now take great pleasure in answering your most kind letters of August 11^th & 12^th which I received yesterday. Very pleased to hear from you and that everything still goes on quite well at home & all in good health as this leaves me at present. I was pleased to read of John Samuel starting to work again also Gomer arriving ready to start at the colliery again. Well we are still having lovely weather out here trusting you are having similar. Pleased to hear of you all having such a good time for the holidays with nice weather. We are at present out of the line resting we are also getting fairly good rations. Hoping you are being supplied with enough food. It is very good of you Edward in getting the Douglas in such good order ready by I come on leave which I don't think will be long now. I am thinking of forwarding my letter to the Petrol Control Committee asking about the Permit hoping they will forward it in good time. So I must now conclude my letter wishing to be remembered to Fred, Gomer, Frank, Harry & Charlie Connah & all my friends and relations with kindest regards. From your ever true & loving brother Wilfred.

109.**********

Wednesday August 20^th 18France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I received your letter quite safe yesterday father which you sent Aug. 16^th pleased to hear of you all keeping quite well at home as this leaves me. I am also pleased to hear of Gomer and John Samuel going on quite well hoping Gomer had managed in getting a good job at the colliery. Well I suppose you will be having some nice weather by now it is lovely out here although rather too hot but it is splendid for the farmers and there harvest they are quite busy out here. Well I was pleased to hear of you taking Edwin and Miriam to Liverpool and New Brighton and having such a good time together. Yes father I shall never forget the good times we have had together at Crosby and a few other places but anyway I am hoping to he with you again shortly. They keep continually sending some on leave and my turn is not far off. I was pleased to hear of Edward after a bargain at Shotton the Triumph goes well out here never seem to give any trouble so you must not be afraid to buy it if it is in fair condition. Hoping you also succeed in getting one for Mr. Griffiths. ………..Well I hope you are still getting plenty of food we are getting fairly good rations at present out here but with the weather being so hot it is all drink which we want. I suppose you got the letter telling you not to send any more parcels. I will be sending some silk cards in a day or so which I have got ready so I must conclude wishing to be remembered to my friends & relations with kindest regards from your ever true & loving son and brother Wilfred.

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110.

Sept. 2^nd 18France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I am just wondering what you will be thinking of me by now as it seems months since I wrote you hoping you have not thought any bad news about me you know what has been going on by the papers but it as troubled me most not being able to send a letter or even a field card away through being too busy scrapping. I have received your mail alright the last from father & Edward letters sent Aug. 18^th I have also received the "Motor Cycle" & "Flintshire Observer" thanking you very much for same. Well they keep sending them on leave. I am expecting to come anytime now so we will have a good time as you say and what a lot of news I will have to tell you. I am pleased you are having grand weather as we are having it too. I have enclosed two cards hoping they arrive safe. I am also sending two more in another letter. Well I had a letter from Uncle Edwin he tells me how interested he is in our great victories of late we are expecting peace soon and all of us returning to you. Pleased to hear how well Gomer & John Samuel are going on hoping you have had good news from Fred remember me to them all with kindest regards & love to you all from your true son & brother Wilfred. P.T.O.

P.S. I have just received father's kind long letter of Aug 25^th pleased to hear of you all going on alright as this leaves me. I can see you have had a bargain with the Harley Davidson also the Triumph. Hoping to be with you soon to test them I have also received a letter from Edward of Aug. 25th alsothe "Motor Cycle" & Observer thanking you all sincerely for same Wilfred

Author: Owens, Wilfred, 1898-1918

Wilfred Owens' last letter home before he was killed"

France

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