Wilfred Owens' letter home on his father's billhead"

France

3 February 1918

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

Wilfred Owens' Letters from 15th May to 8th June 1918. (Numbers 66 to 76)

LETTER HEAD TEXT

Lane End, Buckley, Chester

Dr. to William Owens

Cycle Agent and Repairer

All kinds of Cycle Fittings, Rubber Goods and Miners' Tools

Always in stock at Lowest prices.

Prompt and Personal Attention to all Orders

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66.

Wed. May 15^th 18France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I have today received the "Motor Cycle" and "Liverpool Echo" quite safe I also received the tin of biscuits you sent the other day it is a day or so since I received the last letter from you which I have sent a reply too. Well I am pleased to say I am going on alright in the very best of health hoping this will find you all at home the same. Well Whitsuntide will be near at hand by you receive this or it may be over. Hoping you have some nice weather for it I know you will be very busy if it is anything like it is out here. Well I received a letter from Uncle Edwin yesterday he didn't say anything about coming over to spend Whitsun with you. Well I am anxiously awaiting your next letter wondering what news you have had about Fred Reynolds. I am trusting it will be good news which I shall receive. I am also eager to hear how Edward got on after the Medical inspection at Wrexham I hope they are leaving you at your work. I think myself it wont last very much longer. Well I suppose Gomer is still at Manchester. I hope he manages getting away and back to the collieries again. Well I have heard no more about them sending any more on leave but I suppose we wont be long now. I would just like to becoming now. I know the countryside is looking lovely at present at home it isn't looking bad at all out here. Well I trust you are still getting plenty to eat we can't grumble at the rations we are getting. I am pleased to hear of cousin Frank going on alright I do hope that Fred Griffiths is being left at home as it will upset his mother very much I am sure although it is hard lines for all our parents but we must consider his case more so with him & Arthur being the only support. Well I haven't much news this time but hope this will find you all quite well. Wishing to be remembered to my friends & relations with kindest regards. Hoping to hear good news of Fred in your next letter. From your ever true son & brother Wilfred.

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67.

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

Thursday May 16^th 18France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well father I have just received your most kind letter of May 10^th very pleased you are all keeping well and receiving my letters also to hear of you doing such a good business. I can see the Raleigh are fetching a fine price I should think the public must be getting a fine wage to be able to buy them. Well I trust you have had my letter I sent this morning stating how anxious I was waiting news from you stating how Fred was going on but am sorry you have not had word up to the time you wrote but I do hope you have had better news before now. Well I am sorry to hear of all the colliers having to be medically inspected between the ages of 18 & 22 sorry to hear Edward, Fred Griffiths & Edward Davidson passing A1 it is hard line to think they are still getting more ready to come out here but I do hope and pray for a speedy end it is awful to think of the slaughtering which as gone on and is still going on. It is a great pity they couldn't come to some terms shortly because they will have to so sooner the better something is done. Well I am pleased you have ordered the "Bystander" I suppose you will have said before now that I wasn't looking so well but at that time we couldn't expect anything else as we had been doing a lot of marching day & night also we had been through some heavy fighting. It is strange to say we had only just landed in that village and had a good feed and a wash before it was taken we were a sight before this came off I must say. Well we have Had lovely weather lately scorching hot I see by your letters you are having it the same. I would just like to be along with Bill on his cycle runs around St. Asaph I know it will be lovely around there now, the weather we are having reminds me of the good times I had at Sniggery & Kinmel Park. I am just wondering how Andrew is faring it. I know he is having a better time than us. Well I am trying to write Uncle Edwin the same time hoping it finds them all quite well. I have heard no more about us going on leave as yet only specials. We are expecting to come out for a rest shortly. I am a long while in sending those Silk Cards which I promised but I have tried to get some but have failed. I will try again as soon as I have the chance. Well I trust you will make a little alterations in my address as I am now in 14 Platoon & not 16. Hoping you will tell Fred Griffiths & Aunt Mary. Well I must now close hoping to hear good news of Fred and our Edward in your next letter. Hoping Gomer is going on alright wishing to be remembered to all I know. From your ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred.

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68.

Tuesday May 21^st 18France

To the United Methodist Church & Sunday School Soldiers Comforts Committee Buckley

I now take great pleasure in replying to your most kind letter and 5/- postal Order which I received yesterday the 18^th I must thank all the members very sincerely for there most kind gift also wishing you every success in your good work. Well I am still keeping fit and well and am out on rest at present. Well we are having lovely hot weather out here pleased at hearing from home of you having some nice weather. I am sorry at hearing of such a lot of the local lads out of the pits being called up to Wrexham for Medical Inspection but I have good faith they will never be needed out here. I think they will come to some terms very shortly. Well I am writing this on the night of Whit Sunday and am just considering how grand it would be to be back in civil life again we would be considering where to go to tomorrow that is Whitsunday. I suppose the suggestion would be a cycle ride with Fred & Arthur our Bill and a few others. I expected to be on leave before now but the heavy fighting which as been going on as cancelled all leave so I must now enclose thanking you all for your kind gift and letter. From your ever true & sincere member Pte. Wilfred Owens.

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69.

Wednesday May 22^nd 18 France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I am pleased to say I have been a it busy with the mail these last few days. I have received your parcel which you sent on the 13^th pleased to say everything was quite fresh the bread, cake, biscuits & butter the envelopes, pencil, soap and "Echo" were alright. I was so thankful to find you had sent a tin of health salts so I hope you will send me a tin in every parcel you send now as it is very little else but drink we want now with the scorching hot weather. I also received father's kind letter of the 12^th the "Motor Cycle" "Liverpool Echo" & "Express" also the "Flintshire Observer" I can't express my thanks to you all for all these good things I have also received a letter from Fred and another 5/- P.O. from the Chapels Comforts Fund Committee so am sending letters in reply to them all. It is very good indeed of the members and all whom are connected in the Church & Sunday School Comforts Fund. I shows there is some hard workers in the district doing their utmost to raise these funds it is a pity it couldn't be carried out in all parts of England but anyway we can't grumble at the pay we get now. I can manage nicely out here on my army pay but I have no need to explain how some fellows soon get rid of all the money they can lay there hands on. Well I have good faith you have had good news by now from Fred Reynolds because I was talking to a fellow whom came from the same battalion as Fred the 10^th R.W.F. he tells me he knows Gomer & Fred well the last he saw of Fred was six weeks ago when their Batt. was broke up he was transferred here and Fred was sent with the rest of D Company to the Naval Division so I am hoping for this to be correct this fellow whom I was talking to comes from Swansea he is now in this Batt. so I will have a talk with him again when I see him. Well I hope this will find you all going on alright and Edward still at home. We are still having very hot weather I suppose you are having the same. Hoping Frank & Jim Wainwright are going on alright and still in England. I suppose Gomer is still at Kinmel Park hoping he is succeeding in getting to the pits again hoping you are able to get enough to eat we are not doing so bad for rations here. I am pleased to hear of you doing such good business and selling all the cycles you can rig up. So I must close for now wishing to be remembered to all my friends & relations. Thanking you all for the parcels & newspapers & all your many kindness with love from your ever true & loving son and brother Wilfred.

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70.Friday May 24^th 18France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I am writing to let you know I am going on alright and quite well. I received the "Flintshire Observer" yesterday which you sent on the 18^th for which I thank you very much. I trust this will find you all quite well at home and still keeping busy. We have had a change in the weather these last two days it is rather cold and very windy also we have had some showers of rain. I trust by now you have heard from Fred Reynolds and that he is going on alright. I suppose Gomer is still at Kinmel Park hoping he manages in getting back to the pits again. Hoping this will find Edward still at home I am pleased to hear of the Enfield running so well also the Douglas. I was reading in the "Observer" about them stopping the trains to Wrexham also about them having to procure cycles to go to their work with so this will make it a lot busier for you. Well I hope by now you have had the "Bystander" and that you found me on the Photo alright. So must now enclose wishing to be remembered to my friends & relations. From your ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred.

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71. Y.M.C.A. On active service with the British Expeditionary Force

Tuesday May 28^th 18

Dear brother Edward & all at home

Well I trust that this will find you all at home in the best of health as it leaves me at present. I have not received a letter from you for a few days now the last I had was from Father sent May 19^th Well we are having some lovely weather not too hot hoping you are having the same. Things are going on about the same as usual out here. I was pleased to hear in father's letter that you were still at home Edward hoping it is all over very shortly and that you wont be needed. I hope by now you have had news from Fred Reynolds and that he is still going on alright. Well Edward I was most sorry to hear about Jimmy Clarke being killed while on leave from Ireland I am sure it will be very upsetting for his parents, his other brother was discharged from the army while I was at home. I suppose he will be still at home. Well Edward how is Gomer going on. I am wondering whether he is still at Kinmel Park or whether he as managed in getting away back to the pits again. Well there is strong rumour that leave starts again on June 1^st so I hope this is true then I wont be long before I am spending my leave with you all, so I must now bring my letter to a close trusting this will find you all quite well. Wishing to be remembered to my friends & relations with kindest regards from your ever true & loving brother to all at home Wilfred.

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72.

Wednesday May 29^th France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I have just received father's & Edward's two letters of May 23^rd I trust you have had my letter of yesterday saying how anxious I was waiting news from you all. Well I am pleased to hear of you all keeping quite well and being kept busy. I can see you have had a bargain from Mr. Beck for once I know they will fetch a good price at the present time. I am sorry they have not as yet heard from Fred but we shall have to hope for the best as Edward says. Pleased to hear of cousin Gomer & Frank going on alright. Well Edward I know Dick Jones alright whom you speak of as being a prisoner of war I only wish such news would come about Fred. I don't think they are doing so bad anyway they are for ever finished with war. Well father I am pleased to hear of you rapidly getting Mr. Jones car to pieces. I suppose you will have a quick sale for all the parts. I can see you are getting plenty of potatoes ready set. Hoping I am with you to help to get them up. Well I can see they are very slow with the petrol permit so I will write myself as soon as I hear tell of leave starting again. There is a strong rumour going about that it starts on June 1^st you can send me the petrol controller's address so that I can write as I am not quite sure of it. I may be able to find it in the "Motor Cycle" They seem to have had very bad weather all over England just lately but I suppose it will be a good thing for the crops we are still having lovely weather so can't grumble at all. I was sorry to hear of Mr. Rogers not having his engine yet but I suppose it is shortage of labour that is the trouble. So I must now enclose wishing to be remembered to my friends & relations. From your ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred.

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73.

Thursday May 30^th 18France

Dear brother Edward & all at home

Well Edward I am writing in reply to your most kind letter which I received on the 28^th. Well I also received yesterday the parcel mother & father sent and little Edwin's letter both of the 24^th for which I must thank them very much. I am pleased to hear of you all being quite well and keeping busy. I will be writing to mother & father & little Edwin separately. We are still having some lovely weather hoping you are having the same. I am expecting the newspapers which father is sending with any post now I do hope Mr. Griffiths as managed in getting the "Bystander" by now and that you have found me in it alright. Well I came across a pal yesterday from Caergwrle he as just come out from England and is in this platoon. You will all know the spot quite well where he comes from especially grandmother. Well he lives at the house nearest the Talon Smithy. I have heard you mention the place very often it is on the main road to Mold. He tells me he as worked with Lloyds Son opposite Gregory's Mineral Works you know him Charlie the one that as the Humber Motor Cycle well this lad as been with him all around Coed Talon building chimneys. Well Edward you need not write anymore about that petrol permit as soon as I get the address I will write about one. I am pleased to hear you are still at home hoping you remain so. Well I trust John Samuel Shone is still in Ireland and that he is going on alright also Cousin Gomer & Frank. Remember me to them all when you write I do hope you have heard from Fred with good news so must close from your ever true & loving brother Wilfred.

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74.Friday May 31^st France

Dear Edwin & Miriam & all at home

Well Edwin I received your most kind letter of may 24^th the other day for which I am must thank you very much. Pleased to hear of you all being quite well also enjoying your holidays by cycling hoping you are having no trouble whatever with the Fleet. I suppose it looks like new yet. Well Miriam will be getting big enough to ride a cycle now so I hope to see her well away with it by I come on leave. I hope you are having some nice weather as we are having it lovely out here. Well Edwin I suppose Ralph is still at home also working at the Post Office please remember me to him. Tell him not to trouble about Andrew he is far better off than us also remember me to Bob Davidson & tell him I hope to be spending my leave with you shortly. From your ever true & loving brother Wilfred.

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75. Saturday June 2^nd 18France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I am writing to let you know I received your parcel quite safe the other day & everything in good condition. Bread, cakes, butter, oranges & health salts etc. for which I must thank you very much. I am expecting the newspapers by any mail now. We are still having some lovely weather hoping you are having the same. I am pleased to hear of you getting good rations at present. Well father it would be alright to be at Kinmel Park or Sniggery one more. I often think of the good times we have had together around these places. We have spent many a pleasant hour along the beach at Blundles sands. Well I suppose we shall have to hope for the best may we have some good times again the war wont last for ever but I often think how some of us used to grumble when we were in Ireland just because we were far from home. I only wish I was there now. I hope John Samuel is still there and going on alright. The Sinn Feiners seem to be a bit busy of late but all the same they are far quieter than what Johnny is out here. Well little Edwin tells me Frank has moved from the Camp where he was at I am expecting a letter from him sometime as I have not had one since he joined up. I hope you have had news from Fred Griffiths now it seems strange where he has got too. Well I have no more news for now. Please remember me to all at the Warren & Aunty Polly's, Mr. & Mrs. Rogers, Mr. & Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Gould & all my friends with kindest regards from your ever true & loving son & brother Wilfred.

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76.

Friday June 8^th 18France

Dear mother & father & all at home

Well I am pleased to say I am receiving your letters etc. alright. I have not been able to write you for the last few days. Well father I have received yours of May 27^th & 31^st and Edward's of the 28^th & 29^th also little Edwin's of the 26^th so I must thank you very much for the news I have also received the "Motor Cycle" I am expecting your parcel of the 31^st tomorrow it is rather long in coming this time. I will write you when it arrives. Well father I was pleased to hear of you and Bill going over to see Uncle Edwin also to hear of you enjoying the run with nice weather. I know they would like the photo of me alright it will be a good job when it is all over and I can have a run with Uncle Edwin as you say but anyway I am hoping for same sometime this summer either while on leave or else home for good. Well I am writing to Mr. Iball at the same time thanking them for the kind gift I will be writing to Mrs. Gould perhaps tomorrow also Edward I am sorry to hear they have had no news from Fred as yet but we must not give up hopes I have faith he will turn up alright. Well Edward I am pleased to hear of you testing the Enfield a little that is the beauty of her Edward she seems to take all hills at ease on top gear the main thing is to keep the carburetter clean then you can always expect the best results. I am pleased to hear Edward is still left at his work also Edward Davidson. I knew Fred Griffiths would get free alright and it is a good job too for the sake of his mother. Well things are fairly quiet at present we are still having some lovely weather I can't say for sure whether they have started leave as yet but anyway we must hope for the best things will turn out alright in the long run. Well you must not bother about the money from Mr. Iball it will do for something in one of the parcels. So I must conclude wishing to be remembered to my relations & friends with kindest regards. From your ever true & loving son and brother Wilfred.

Author: Owens, Wilfred, 1898-1918

Wilfred Owens' letter home on his father's billhead"

France

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