Letters from The Trenches

Barrie Examiner Sept 1916, photo by CJ Scott

Private Emerson Watson Armstrong, 20th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Forces, born in Allandale, Ontario December 21, 1896 to William Armstrong and Johanna Reynolds (Archives of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Series Registration of Births and Stillbirths 1869-1913, reel 134; Record Group: RG 80-2).  

According to his military records acquired from Library and Archives Canada, he enlisted with the 20th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force in Toronto, Ontario November 29, 1914; just a few weeks prior to his 19th birthday.  

War Diaries from LAC further confirm that the 20th battalion left in May 1915 on the SS Megantic, however the first letter received by his mother Johanna was dated October 4, 1914 with a note of "In Belgium".  Based on the contents of the letter it could be as simple as him loosing all track of time and maybe wishing he was somewhere else.  Or was he living in a nightmare?  He states on page 3 shown below, "We were lying in our dugout having a nice quiet sleep one morning when I was awakened by finding the ground around me shaking badly..........as soon as I opened my eyes I knew at once what was up as I could hear its shells busting a short distance away.  The bombardment seemed just over the part of the trench where we were too."  

This seven page letter is an excellent example of what the every day life of Emerson experienced, but its hard to imagine writing anything in the battlefield, and having any sense of what day or year it may be.  At the same time I would imagine that writing was a perfect escape from what he was doing.  

Letter written by Pte. Emerson Armstrong, pg. 3-4, Photo by CJ Scott

Christmas Card front, Photo by CJ Scott

In such circumstances, I find it amazing how his positivity prevails and looks to better days ahead by planning on future moments.  He goes on to mention how his previous plans for his friend Ernie Ross to spend Christmas with them in Allandale, would be improbable however........"the way the allies are advancing now although we know it would be impossible to be home for Christmas I would not be surprised if we should see Canada.  The land of Sunshine, shortly after the New Year." On the other hand, was he finding some humour in his circumstance?  Before he closes his 7 page letter, he sends thanks to all of the ladies of Barrie for knitting socks and sending them to all the boys looking forward to thank them in person in the future. 

Further letters reveal that no one found their way back to Canada for some time.  A letter dated September 11, 1916 "Somewhere in France" confirms that the mail continues to get through to him, however he has been unable to respond with anything but "whizzbangs".  He explains in the letter that these are field post-cards, and that he would try his best to write a letter when he has the chance.  I find it amazing that through all of this that post-cards, letters and parcels always found their way to the soldiers.  I would think there would be alot of comfort in hearing back from family, and receiving special items from them.  Being a postman must have been the most admirable job delivering hope and support from back home while dodging bullets.  

Letter written Pte. Emerson Armstrong 1916, Photo By CJ Scott

Emerson further references the fact that rations were short, and there was no money to purchase cigarettes or tobacco, so the recent parcel he had received from his mother came just in time.  He goes on to also reference several boys from Barrie that he had either fought beside or heard they were put in hospital for a few days.  He also provides a clue to a cousin from Toronto being killed at the front.  I will have to back track and connect the dots on that to see which cousin he may have referred to.  Finally in this letter he refers to an incident about a fellow solider being hit, and as he was right behind the boy, the boy turned, and the boy's steel helmet knocked his tooth out and jarred the rest of his teeth so was suffering from a toothache.  In his description of the incident he said, "he would be quite happy though if that is the worst accident I will meet with out there."  Nobody knew that just 4 days later that a worse accident would occur.  

September 24th a telegraph is received by his father William indicating that Emerson was killed in action September 15, 1916.  This was the Battle of Mouquet Farm known to British soldiers as Mucky Farm and to the Australians as Moo-Cow Farm.

Letter written by Ernie Ross, Photo by CJ Scott

Further letters of condolences followed with one from his dear friend Ernie Ross, indicating that Emerson was killed instantly by a shell "which helped win the ground that was won in the great push."  Although Ernie was not present because of the heavy bombardment, he spoke directly with those that were there when it happened, and wanted to convey to Mr. & Mrs. Armstrong that it was instant and that Emerson died a noble death.  Ernie goes on to say that he found all of his letters on him, which he felt should be burned as they were important to him, and would at the first opportunity deliver a photo also found on him which was Emerson and his mother.

Effects box of Pte. E Armstrong, Photo by CJ Scott

There are so many of these stories out there as there were so many Canadians that died in WW1.  But, when I look over all of the letters that I inherited from this time, I experience an immense feeling of pride and responsibility to be the keeper of these treasures.  Just imagining all of the miles they have travelled, the smiles and tears they have brought to those that held them in their hands and read them; its quite overwhelming.  We should never take for granted what a simple letter can do.  Thank goodness we have them to let the story live on, and just look at all of those breadcrumbs of clues they offer.  So before you discard a letter or email, think if there is any significance to what is written within.  It just might be important to the next person that finds it.    

Do you have a letter from this era?  I would love to hear about it.  What are some clues that you have found through old letters that helped in your research?  Please share!