Wilfred Owens' censored letter home"

France

5 November 1917

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

Wilfred Owens' Letters from 6th February to 20th March 1918. (Numbers 45 to 55)

Note the censor's blanking out of the destinations' names

45.From WILLIAM OWENS, Motor and Cycle Dealer, Brunswick Road, Lane End, BUCKLEY Always in stock, Dunlop Cycle Motor Cycle Tyres, Belts & Sundries. Warwick, Cambridge, Edinburgh & Pericles Cycle Tyres. Dunlop, Inventor of the Pneumatic Tyre

Wednesday Feb 6^th 1918

Dear Brother Edward & all at home,

Well I received your most kind letter of Jan 27^th on Feb. 3^rd I received it the same time as the two parcels also a letter from father. Well I am pleased to hear of you all being quite well at home also pleased to hear Edward of you having summer like weather as we are having the same here simply lovely clear weather and we haven't had any rain now for over a fortnight. Well Edward I have had a letter from Gomer & was exceedingly pleased to hear from him pleased to read in your letter that you have had word from Harry Connah and that he is going on alright. Please remember me to him and thanks for his kind remembrance to me. I trust you have had word from Fred with the news that he arrived back here quite safe. Well Edward I don't think any of us will be out here much longer as it seems to be fast drawing to a close so I am looking forward to a spin shortly with you on the Douglas. I know we will get a drop of petrol when we get home from this place. I was sorry to hear of Mr. Griffiths Enfield breaking down it is a nasty job when the back cog breaks away. I suppose he as been a bit too rough. Well father you state that you have been going for his papers and taking Horace Peters with you learning him a bit about them also to drive so that he can get into the M.T. Well father it does seem a drawback on the Governments part for having such novices as these on the job as there is dozens of us experienced chaps at the job idling the time away here in the Infantry but we take it all in good part maybe it is all for the best and our own benefit. I advice you to charge Mr. Peters as you state in your letter. Well now about the parcels everything in them is going off alright simply splendid except the roasted rabbit which I am sorry to say is spoiled as it is green mouldy all over so I advised myself that it wasn't fit to eat so had to throw it away as I thought it best as we don't know what fever I would be apt to have if I had have eaten it so mother I advise you not to send anymore as parcels are so long on the way. Well I must now conclude with love to all at home from your true & ever loving son & brother. Thanking you all for all kindness's Wilf.

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46.Sat Feb 9^th France

Dear mother & father Edward & all at home,

Well today the 8^th I have received another parcel from you with the large loaf in also the current cakes & sausage rolls which mother as made the eggs, butter and pigs head as we call it. Pleased to say everything was in the best of condition so I must thank you very much for all the good things you have sent. I also had a letter tonight from Edward which he sent on Feb 1^st and last night I had your two letters father's & Edward's sent on Jan 29^th & 31^st very pleased you are all keeping well at home also doing good business. I am going on alright and am still with the R.E.'s Well we have had some rain these last two days also it as been very dull. Well I can see by your letter father that our Bill is getting a good machine for searching ready for the summer. I know what the Raleigh light Roadster is as you say I brought that for Roberts from Little Dublin. Well I suppose cycles is getting very hard to get now so Bill will have his on order a few months before he gets it. You state you have been overhauling Mr. Wilson's I suppose he does a lot of riding for the engine to be so dirty but the Ariel is a fine machine. They always seem to be going the same under all conditions as steady as can be. Well father that Douglas which you state Edward as been looking at at Marstons Chester I think myself it is a good cheap machine which will sell at any price when this war is over there will be millions wanting motor cycles when they return so you can imagine the rush there will be for what few machines there is in England and I think myself that money will be no consideration. Well I am pleased to hear of George sticking to his work so well, although I am sure he is tired by the returns going out so early and they don't land back till dark but it will do him good working down there quite near the river. I am pleased to hear Gomer is going on alright at Oswestry I suppose by now you have heard from Fred since he as come back to France. So I hope he is going on alright. I must now close thanking you for the parcels I have received of late. I have had 3 in less than a week. With love from your ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred.

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47.Monday Feb 11^th 1918

Dear mother & father & all at home,

Well father I have today received your most kind long letter which you sent just a week today Jan 3^rd (Sunday) I am very pleased father you are all going on alright you seem to be doing excellent business. I can see you are having Mr. Richardon's customers coming with there cars for repairs. Pleased you are also kept busy doing a bit with cycles very pleased to hear that the Enfield is still going strong you seem to have a lot of running about to do with it father especially now Mr. Griffiths as broken down I suppose Edward's & Bob's are stored away for the time being. Well I am pleased at hearing of Uncle Edwin's good hopes of an early end to this war and his prospects of us having a good motor spin together in the summer which I trust we will be allowed to have. I have faith myself father that there is an early peace in sight it seems to be hard lines with them in Germany. I do hope that our prisoners are not having to go short although we know they wont have the best of things while under there power. I trust Andrew is going on alright and that his parents have lately heard from him. Well father you state about the parcels you have sent. Well I take notice by your letters when they are sent and I know when to expect them. I am pleased to say to my knowledge I have had all your parcels up to now which is splendid work on the officials employed in the posting. Well you ask me if I am short of anything. Well we are getting very good meat also I have enough money but please send me a few envelopes & a writing pad we are unable to buy any out here well were we are and I am getting a bit short especially envelopes. You remember sending a lot in a parcel with some cakes. I am sorry to say they were all spoiled through grease getting on to them off the cakes so I think this is all for now don't trouble about us we are getting a fair share of good meat hoping it will continue to be the same till the war is ended. So I must now close thanking you for all your many kindness hoping we shall be working together again shortly father with love to all from your ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred. Wishing to be remembered to all my many friends & relations with kindest regards.

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48.Monday Feb 18^th 18France

P.S. I also received the "Motor Cycle" & Observer

Dear mother & father Edward & all at home,

Well I received a parcel on Feb 15^th also one a few days before which I wrote and told you about the last one had the cross puzzle in also the Sausage rolls, cakes, butter, eggs etc. I think I have received all which you have sent mother & father they have come very regular since December. I also had a few letters with the parcel on the 18^th one Edward sent Sunday Feb 10^th stating about father going with Mrs. Gould to Birkenhead. I was sorry to hear of the Enfield being out of order through the cones being worn but we can't expect these parts to last for ever. Well father I also received your letter sent on Monday 11^th stating about being stuck with the back wheel which you borrowed off Fred Griffiths Enfield you have been bothered about a bit but we can't expect things smooth at all times. I was having my rough time when I was stuck in that trench but I am very pleased to say we have finished with the R.E.'s so we have joined the Battalion and we are not having a bad time of it at all. I was very sorry to hear of Mr. Gould having to leave England but pleased to say he is going to a far better place than this. Well I received a letter the other day with 5/- Postal Order from the Buckley "Comforts for Soldiers" Fund with 2 cards one from the above and the other card from the United Methodist Church & Sunday School Soldiers Comfort Committee. I will be sending a letter in acceptance to Mr. J. Downey from our Chapel. I thought I would let you know we got a bit off the Comforts Funds which is very acceptable then again we are starting to get this extra pay. I think I will get 1/3 or 1/6 a day so it will save you sending any money. Pleased to say I am not short nor I haven't been short for a long time now. Well I will be writing Edward a letter next post. I hope you have sent some envelopes as I am nearly without sorry we can't buy any at all here so if you don't hear from me you will know the most likely cause till they arrive. I trust you are still alright at home. I had a letter from little Edwin so will write him soon. I trust grandmother is still going on alright also all of you thanking you for all the parcels you have sent me. Hoping & trusting that it will soon come to an end and we shall be spared to come home again. I had a letter from Uncle Edwin the other day. I am sorry to read in Edward's letter about them not hearing from Fred for 3 weeks but I trust you have had better news by now. From your ever true and loving son & brother Wilfred to all with kindest regards.

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49.Wednesday Feb 20^th 18France

Dear brother Edward & all at home,

Well Edward I am writing this in reply to your kind letters of late the last I received on the 17^th which you sent on the 10^th for which I must thank you. I am very pleased to hear you are all in the very best of health also father keeping busy. I am still going on alright and am now with the Batt. Well mother & father I must thank you for all the parcels you have sent which I think I have received on the 15^th as I told you in my last letters mother the sausage rolls are splendid also the cakes and loaves which you send me also the eggs are very tasty. You will be pleased to hear of me having some fun with the "Boys" trying to fix the cross puzzle also the one wit the two wire nails, as you know we have to amuse ourselves with lots of things in our spare hours while in the Line. Well I must also thank you for the "Motor Cycle" & Observer which I received alright and am very interested in the local news also how motor cycling is going on. I notice there is a lot running on gas. I haven't read much about it but I suppose a large size gas bag wouldn't last for many miles. Well may the time soon come when we can all return home to our loved ones and I hope we are able to get petrol and not gas but it is as this world goes on if they go without one thing they experiment till they get something else.............Well I do hope you have sent a few envelopes as I am borrowing now. I didn't think I was so short. I have plenty of paper but it is alright if you have sent a pad as well. We are unable to buy such things as those here but we can do further back from the Line but then we don't know when we will go so far back for rest. I would like to send you some silk cards also you Edward some cards as you asked me to, but I can't buy any till we get out for rest we are expecting it at anytime now by what we can hear. You can imagine how eager we are all looking forward to go for rest as it is 3 months since we saw a civilian of any kind. There is nothing only ruins here. Well father you will be having the spindles for the Enfield by you get this so you will be fixed up again. Pleased to hear you have had the cog for Fred Griffiths. Well Edward remember me to Fred, Gomer, Harry & John Samuel when you write. I wrote to Aunt Mary yesterday. So I trust this will find you all in the best of health and grandmother keeping alright hoping you are all getting very good rations. So I must now enclose will write again when I get some envelopes. With love to all at home from your ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred.

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50.Saturday Feb 23^rd 18France

Dear brother Edward & all at home,

I received your most kind letter Edward yesterday 21^st which you sent on the 14^th also 2 parcels from home one with the Writing pad and envelopes which came just in time as I had run out of envelopes. Well the other parcel mother & father must have sent last Friday or Saturday just about 6 days ago. I contained jam & sausage rolls, round currant cake, Hovis loaf, eggs, oranges etc. I also had the papers you sent the Echo's. Observer & Motor Cycle & Liverpool Post so I wont be short now for a bit. I had a letter at the same time from Fred Griffiths with a 4/- Postal Order enclosed which is very good of them sending although I am not in any way short of money as I told you in previous letters. I had received another 5/- P.O. from the Buckley Comforts Fund & our Chapel Combined you will remember the other one I had came from our Chapel alone. I had it before Xmas but this one had two cards enclosed one from the Buckley Comforts Fund and the other from our Chapels Comforts Fund. The secretaries & treasurers are Mr. J.Tyson & Mr. T. Roberts Mr. J.Downey & Mr. H.Griffiths so I will be sending a letter to my old School-master in acknowledgement and one either to Mr. Downey or H. Griffiths. Well I will be sending the two cards which I have had from these Funds for you mother & father as a bit of a keepsake. Well you say you are having some wet weather Edward & so are we these last few days hoping it clears off again as it makes an awful mess in the trenches. Well Edward I am pleased to hear of you & Bob cleaning up a bit hoping they wont be standing by long but that we get this job over and get back to Blighty where I am sure we will have some good times with the aid of some petrol and a bit of luck. I am pleased Fred & Gomer are alright also Harry & John Samuel by your last letters. Remember me to them all also all at the Warren & at Aunt Polly's. Thanking all at home for all kindness's with love from your ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred.

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51.Monday Feb 25^th 18

Dear mother & father & all at home,

Well father your most kind letter of Feb 17^th arrived quite safe on the 22^nd as I told you in my last letter to Edward. I received your two parcels also all the newspapers which you state you sent on Feb 15^th Well I must thank you very much for all these good things they arrived in the best of condition and everything alright the cakes, eggs, rolls, brown loaf, oranges, sweets etc. I must thank you for the writing pad & envelopes which came just in time as I had run out but now I am set up for a long time so don't send any more writing matter till I tell you because the envelopes are liable to get stuck when we are in the trenches. Well things are going on still the same here we are not having had weather at all the rain keeps away. Hoping you are having some nice weather. Well I told you Fred Griffiths had sent me a 4/- Postal Order which was very good of them in sending although I am in no way short. T is also very good of cousin Frank giving you 2/6 to send but you mustn't send any more money to me at present as we are not able to buy much here. I will let you know when I am in any way short. You can send me these few things in the next parcel instead of Franks money a small looking glass also a comb for my hair also some leather bootlaces and a toothbrush & paste. I had to leave part of my equipment when I was stuck that time in the trenches. I was too weak to carry it out it was then that I lost these small things. I would be much obliged if you can get these things as we can't get them here. Well Fred sent me Gordon Roberts' address in his letter so I am writing to him. I know he will be pleased to hear from me as I will be to have a reply from him. Well I am pleased to hear also to read in the Observer of Stanley Parry & Abraham Messham being home on leave. I suppose there time is up and they have returned here. Yes father it is alright coming on leave but I can understand how it is coming back but I have faith father that it will be over before I am due for leave although they are at present going on leave after being 8 months out here it soon seems to roll on. I am sorry to hear of Horace Beavan joining up also Willie Ellis but I trust they will never be needed out here. Well I have no more news for now. Will write again soon wishing to be remembered to my many friends with kindest regards to all from your ever true and loving son & brother Wilfred.

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52.

Wednesday Feb 27^th 18France

P.S. just received fathers kind letter which he sent on Thursday Feb 21^st just taken 5 days in coming very sharp I am sure. Will be writing father & little Edwin a letter tomorrow.

Dear brother Edward & all at home,

Well I received yours of the 17^th with John Samuel's enclosed a few days ago very pleased to hear you are all still in the very best of health as I am still fit & well. Well John Samuel seems to be grumbling at how they are being worked with parades & cleaning up but still he says he would rather be there than here. They seem to have the idea that you are faring very bad for food in England but ten to one some the Irishmen are sending such rumours about. Well Edward you will be pleased to hear we are out for a few days rest. I hope Fred is still out on rest trusting you have heard from him again wit the very best of news. Well I expect father as got Fred Griffiths Enfield alright again hoping you have by now received the part for our Enfield and that it is in running order again so sorry at hearing that Mr. Rogers had not had his engine back from repair yet but labour is bad now in Blighty. I am sure also the material to work with. Well Edward I am pleased to read in the Observer about what a good football team the United are. I suppose they have some old standard players like Bob out of the Engineers. Well I have no more news for now so will enclose wishing to be remembered to my friends & relations. From your ever true & loving brother Wilfred to all at home.

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53.Friday March 1^st 18France

Dear Edwin & Miriam & all at home,

Well Edwin I received your kind letter a week or so ago. Sorry I haven't been able to write sooner very pleased to hear you are all quite well as this leaves me. Hoping you still keeping busy as father says in his letter also I trust you are having nice weather like we are having here. I suppose you are both going to school regularly you will be soon having your Easter Holidays now I know you will be looking forward to them. Well I will soon becoming on leave to spend 14 days with you but I hope the war is over before that time comes. Well Edwin it will soon be time for you to bring your new bike out after having it stored away during the Winter but I should wait till April or May. Well I trust you are helping father & mother all you can till the war is over now that George is away working. So I must close please remember me to Ralph again Edwin hoping to be at home with you all again soon. From your ever true & loving brother Wilfred.

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54.

From WILLIAM OWENS, Motor & Cycle Dealer,

Brunswick Road, Lane End, Buckley

Always in stock Dunlop Cycle & Motor Cycle Tyres, Belts & Sundries, Warwick, Cambridge, Edinburgh & Pericles Cycle Tyres. Dunlop Inventor of the Pneumatic Tyre.

Sunday March 17^th 18France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I am now writing you for the first time during the last week or so sorry I haven't been able to send any letters only Field Cards hoping you have been receiving these alright. Well I have received your parcels alright every week I had the last one yesterday (Thursday) with the sausage rolls, tin of biscuits, eggs, salt, toffee & round cake. I must thank you very much for all these good things mother & father which are splendid and arrived in the best of condition the parcel before came safe with the eggs & cakes, looking glass, comb, toothbrush & past, bootlaces & sweets. I also received the Observer & Motor Cycle I have received your letters alright father & Edward of March 3^rd 8^th & 10^th I am very pleased to hear you are all keeping well hoping little Edwin is better by now. Well I am sorry to hear of Cousin Frank & Jim Wainwright also Mr. Jenkins having to join up may they never be needed out here. I was also sorry to hear of Mr. Gould landing in France. I was expecting he would have gone to Egypt or somewhere better than coming to this awful place. I only wished I had been sent to that part of the world. Well father I must thank you for your kind letters I am always praying to be kept safe & guided safe home to you all again & I am sure your letters are helping me to continue. So pleased to hear you are alright. Well father I am expecting leave in May or perhaps the end of April it all depends how they get them away during the next month or so. Well I want Edward to get particulars from the Petrol Control Committee about some petrol while I am on leave. Sorry we are kept rather busy so haven't much time to do much writing & at present I have had letters from all whom write me so will be busy answering them, so if the war isn't over in the meantime I can see we shall have a good time as we shall have the long days then so with some petrol we shall wee our favourite places again. I am pleased to hear of Mrs. Colly going on alright sorry the parcel she sent as got lost. I will let you know when I want socks but at present we are in no way short. Well I am pleased to hear of Bill's new cycle arriving I shall be right for a bit of a scorch when I come on leave. I was pleased at hearing of Wilfred Parry being home on leave hoping he as had a good time with nice weather pleased to say we are having real summer weather out here hoping you are having same. Well I must close now thanking you all for the good things you have sent me. Hoping you are all keeping well as I am please let me know how Edward goes on about the petrol for when I come on leave. From your ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred. Wishing to be remembered to my many friends

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55.Wed March 20^th France

Dear brother Edward & all at home,

Well I received your most kind letter of March 12^th also little Edwin's of the 10^th a few days ago. Very pleased to hear you are all quite well at home also to hear of father doing such good business. I do hope you manage to sell Mr. Jones' Car to the fellow from Wrexham with the 11 h.p. Harley Davidson because it will save father a lot of work in taking it all to pieces before selling it in parts. I am very pleased to hear of you running the Enfield Edward it is a treat to ride isn't it. I wont forget the few runs I had on it the last time I was on leave. I do hope you succeed in getting all particulars about the petrol. I am allowed when I come on leave. You know the address sorry I can't find it anywhere in the "Motor Cycle" but you mustn't forget to apply for as much as possible. Pleased to say I will have plenty of money when I come home to you on leave although I am not afraid of being short not in that line anyway it is more like not being able to get things for money but we bring our ration cards so I wont be afraid of not being able to get any food well in the line of sugar & tea etc. Well Edward you are asking impossibilities when you ask me to get my Photo taken out here as there is no such places around were we are. We have no where to spend our cash only at Canteens and it is very little they have in only biscuits and chocolate. Well Edward I am pleased to read of you having such a good football team as the United I am sure they are a fine set of players. I notice they are nearly all old players whom were in the Engineers. Well our little Edwin seems to be very interested in the football which is going on at Buckley at present by what I can read of his letter. Well I haven't much news this time pleased to hear of Fred & Gomer going on alright remember me to them Well I doubt you will have to wait for my photo until I come on leave so I must enclose with love to all from your ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred

Author: Owens, Wilfred, 1898-1918

Tags

Year = 1917

Month = November

Day = 5

Document = Letter

Gender = Male

People = Single

Work = Military

Extra = Military

Extra = WW1

Extra = 1910s

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