January 1944 saw Captain Lawrence (Lawrie) Franklyn-Vaile continuing to command B Company as an acting Major. The Irish Brigade were brought forward to take up defensive positions near to Castel di Sangro in appalling wintry conditions and, early in the month, the Faughs relieved 2 Lancashire Fusiliers with the administration of the town now largely coming under the control of Major Jimmy Clarke, OC of D Company.
Lawrie’s letters home during January describe the relative peace of this period although the Faughs continued to undertake extensive patrolling activity into the surrounding mountains to deter the potential for German raiding parties coming into the town. A number of new officers, including some South Africans, joined the battalion as they continue to rebuild strength after the large amount of casualties suffered during the autumn campaign along the Adriatic coast.
Buildings in the centre of Castel di Sangro where Major Jimmy Clarke set up his HQ.
2nd January 1944.
My Dearest Olive,
New Year 1944 has been spent in icy cold weather. We were suddenly snatched from our comparative comfort and I spent Dec 30th and New Year’s Eve sitting on top of a mountain in the midst of a heavy snowfall. I have never seen so much snow – in places, it was waist and chest deep and what with an icy wind as well, conditions were far from pleasant. It was certainly a marked contrast from the early days in N. Africa and Sicily. I was very glad I had brought the warm clothing such as your rolled top sweater with me.
I received your letter dated Dec 12th. It certainly cost a lot to move in but still just could not be avoided. A good job I have been promoted to Major – I only hope I am able to keep it. It is rather a curious feeling at first being a Field Officer. The first time the sentry gave me the ‘present’ salute instead of the ‘butt’ salute I half looked around to see who was following me. It means added responsibilities in some ways, but as you know I never minded that.
Just after Xmas we moved from the town in which we had been billeted to a village (San Angelo) perched on a hill. There were three companies in the village and we took over the billets of the vacating battalion. I was not at all satisfied with my existing billets and made strenuous efforts to improve them and find new ones. We also fixed up an excellent recreation room.
The CO coming round with me a couple of days after we arrived said to me, ‘You always seem to be able to get very much better accommodation for your men than any other Company, Lawrie. I don’t know what it is’ I suppose it is age and experience and the determination to take extra trouble. Some of the others just seem to be content with that they are given’.
I was very pleased with the ‘compliment’ especially in view of the fact that I am fighting to hang on to the Company against the threatened invasion of these senior officers – two of whom have already arrived in Dawson and (Capt Basil) Kentish. Dawson is commanding ‘A’ Coy and Kentish although commissioned in 1932 is 2 i/c to ‘D’ Coy. Some of these people would have gone to another battalion, but in view of what happened with us probably come here, worse luck.
I don’t think I told you that Denis Haywood has gone as an instructor to the Allied School of Infantry in N. Africa. A vacancy was offered to the battalion and it was offered to Denis as one who had been in action for some time and needed a break. He did not want to leave the battalion in many ways, but felt it was rather tempting fate to refuse. It is supposed to be of 3 months duration. I am very sorry to lose him, as he has been a very good friend to me, especially after John was killed when he showed very deep understanding. However he needed a change: he was definitely getting rather jittery and beginning to show it in small ways. The strain does tell on people after a while – fortunately I have not felt it yet.
Edward (Gibbon) is still my 2 i/c and doing very well and I have one other officer, (Lieut) Plymen, a South African who with a number of others has been transferred to the British Army. He fought in Abyssinia and the Desert and was wounded at El Alamein. He rose to be RSM before taking a commission about 18 months ago. He is 28, married with two little children, is very quiet but a very decent type. He always calls me ‘Sir’ which you will say pleases my vanity.
We are badly lacking in news scarcely hearing anything of what goes on. The fighting in Italy is still very slow. The Russians seem to have checked the threatened German Offensive and seem to be doing pretty well again and I gather we are still raiding Germany, especially Berlin. The changes in command are interesting and I should think that we will be doing something in the West. Let’s hope it will end soon. I would dearly love to be home with you again and see dear little Valerie making such splendid progress. She certainly appears to be in grand form and seems to be talking quite a lot. I am very glad you have got the house but hope you can manage to get out a reasonable amount.
All my love and kisses, darling wife.
Lawrence
4th January 1944.
My Dearest Olive,
I am writing this letter in a town, which in normal times would probably be considered a beauty spot but which has been very badly damaged, although that does not of course alter the beauty of the surrounding countryside. All around us are mountains and everywhere the ground is covered with snow. It is a glorious and majestic sight and difficult to associate with war. It is very cold but the air is very exhilarating?
The Company Commander went forward on a preliminary recce, as we were taking over a position from another regiment (2 Lancs Fusiliers) and I had two days sitting on top of a hill in a small hut completely cut off from the world as we were snow bound. The Company, that my own Company was taking over from, was marooned up there for an entire 24 hours and I spent the time with them and have seldom been so bored and fed up. There was a complete lack of any organisation and no discipline. The more I see of other people’s regiments, the more I like my own. I was very glad when at last my Company arrived to take their place and it was amazing how quickly we got things changed and improved conditions. There is no doubt, even though I say it myself, that ‘B’ Coy really is an excellent Company with a very good spirit.
Our role at present time is a fairly static one. We sit facing the Germans but there is a river in between us and it is a ‘front’ in which very little is happening which is quite pleasant for a change. Occasionally, they send over a few shells and occasionally we do the same but provided we keep a minimum of movement during the day, there is very little damage and we have managed to make ourselves fairly comfortable.
There is an English woman living in this town who married an Italian about 20 years ago. She is rather well educated and is pleasant to talk to and has two nice little daughters aged 9 and 6. They speak quite good English. When Italy declared war, she was interned but released 3 months later. The Germans only came to this town comparatively recently and every day they used to line up all the young men in the town and drive them off in trucks for various manual jobs. When they evacuated the town, they blew up most of the buildings and took a number of the young men with them and they have not been seen or heard of since. Prior to this, they drove most of the civilians out of the town and this woman with her two girls and some friends lived in a small hut on a mountain for about 5 weeks. Her husband was caught in the attack of Naples and she has not heard of him since, and there is no civilian hospital service. She tells me that there were not many Fascists around here: most of them professed to support Fascism to live in peace and quietness and most were very apathetic and sceptical about the war even when it appeared to be going well for the Axis. She used to regularly listen to the BBC.
Actually, the Italians here are very friendly and helpful and one usually finds that when they have been in close contact with the Germans. She says that despite all the propaganda, the Italians have never liked the Germans but there was some very bitter propaganda against Great Britain before the war which misled a lot of people although they have always had very friendly feelings towards USA. It is amazing how many Italians have been to America. They seem to go there for a certain number of years, make some money, come back and buy a few houses and live on the rent.
The news from Russia gets better and better. It is great to think they are almost on the old Polish border. Apart from a rather painful sore on my left foot, I am quite well. It is amazing how the sores keep developing, and it must be something lacking in the diet. At times, it makes walking an uncomfortable business.
Hope you and Valerie are very well, darling, and not feeling the cold. I am longing to be with you again.
All my love and kisses.
Lawrence
8th January 1944.
My Dearest Olive,
Today has been something of a ‘red letter’ day – after about 10 days, our first lot of mail arrived. I received three letters from you: dated 19/12, 21/12 & 23/12, two from Jim and Jenny, one from Pat Vaile, one from Myrtle, two from Muriel Glennie, one from Mrs. Glennie, and 200 cigarettes from Susan. Only yesterday, I had written a surface letter to Susan, so when you write to her, you might say I received and am very grateful for the cigarettes, especially as we are very short of them at present. We went 3 days without any at all.
Myrtle gave me news of various people and Jim gave me some of the latest political news. Muriel writes to me every week, I appreciate it a lot – she writes very good letters and seems a fine type with much the same practical outlook as John had. I hope by this time you have written to them – she says in all her letters that she is thinking of you and knows how anxious you must feel. With you gift for letter writing, it ought not to be too difficult especially now that the first awful shock is over. I am glad you understood and felt you would have liked John. I know his amazing vitality, so strong that it kept him alive for 1 1/2 hours after fearful wounds. His gaiety and quick vivid intelligence would have attracted you very much. He is one of many thousands but it does seem an awful tragedy and even now I still feel it terribly. I am grateful at least for having had those few months with him.
You ask about the ‘old crowd’. The only people you would know here are Dennis Dawson, Magginis, Edward, Douglas Room, and ‘Pixie’ Brown and among the runners Frank, Porter, Hartshorn and Williams. Turner has just come back from the brigade and is in my Company. A lot of the men remember you (and the dogs), but I doubt if you would know their names. My present Sergeant Major was CQMS Wilson of No 2 Coy at Ballykinler. Frank is now a Sergeant. I had a very straight talk to him when he came to the Company, telling him that I had one vacancy for a Sergeant and it should be his by right of seniority and experience, but I would not promote him unless I was satisfied he would do the job properly and show real fighting spirit.
I said it was ‘life or death’ out here and I had no time to indulge in sentiment or experiments. He was certainly shaken by my remarks, but I must say he pulled himself together and put up a show that fully justified his promotion and since he became a Sergeant, he has done excellent work. In all fairness, there must be a certain amount in him. He is popular both in the Company and Battalion and the CO was quite keen to see him when I told him Frank had returned, telling me to bring him to the Orderly Room and approved of his promotion as did the Adjutant who said to me: ‘He is rather good, is he not?’ I like him without any of the violent enthusiasm of bygone days.
Did I tell you I got a letter from Mrs Slowley? Apparently Reg was not very successful after I left and eventually lost his stripe. She was very worried about him going downhill and the foolish woman wrote to Colonel Heard complaining about the injustice. Somewhat needless to say, she did not get a reply. He used to say that everything went wrong after I left Omagh.
The weather has been bitterly cold and we have had a good deal more snow but I am feeling very fit, better than anything since I arrived out here. I hope Valerie’s photos arrive soon. I dearly wish I could see her again, and I wonder if Sadi and Silva will remember me.
All my love and kisses, most precious wife
Lawrence
11th January 1944.
My Dearest Olive,
The windfall of mail continues. In the last three days, I have had 6 letters from you, darling. Three were dated from early Dec and three dated 28/12, 30/12, and 31/12.
I was very anxious when I read the 28/12 letter about Valerie, but very glad to know she is making a good recovery. The fall must been a nasty one and affected her quite a bit. Thank goodness she is getting better. Don’t worry about the bills, as I will write to Lloyds and tell them to pay an extra £10 into your account, on receipt of my letter and a further £10 when my pay as a Major is credited to me.
I also received two letters from Pat Vaile, one congratulating me on my promotion to Major (she must have heard quicker than you did for some reason), a letter from Florence, an airgraph from Alan and Molly, airgraphs from Mother and Helen. Mother says she has written to you and is very anxious that you should write to her – Helen recalls the snow men we built in the garden at Charmouth Rd. It seems a long time ago. I also got a letter from Victor Mitchell who is now in N. Africa on a War Office Selection Board.
I also got two letters from you posted in September, which were forwarded to me in hospital and have only just reached me. I am glad Sgt Tom is not too bad. You might let me have his home address. I am glad you met Bradford, I hope you keep up a friendship with them.
Don’t bother sending me the Daily Worker. It is not arriving regularly, so it is not worth the trouble. I would still like the ‘New Statesman’ and ‘Tribune’. The latter does give me a ‘left’ angle on events. I think it would be a good plan for you to get the ‘Times’ daily. After all it is worth the extra 1/6 and any items you think would interest me, you could cut out and send by surface mail. The ‘Times’ is well in keeping with a Major’s wife. Edward says he could never imagine you becoming pompous, however high I rose.
The Faughs in Castel di Sangro (Major Jimmy Clarke MC in middle), January 1944.
Unfortunately, Edward (Gibbon) has had to revert to Lieut again. A South African Captain by the name of Phelan has come to this Company as my 2 i/c and so Edward became a platoon commander. He is very disheartened and taking it rather badly, all the more because there are several Captains really junior to him and he had pulled himself together and was doing really well.
The Brigadier (Russell) seems to have a considerable dislike for him and overrides the CO. I am very sorry about it and am doing my best for him, but of course beyond speaking in the highest terms of him, there is not much I can do. It is a great pity because he got over his bad patch and was something like the Edward we used to know. Naturally, he feels now that whatever he does will make no notice and the best thing for him is to try and leave the battalion, which is sad because he is so closely associated with the ‘Faughs’.
The war news is very good. We have just heard that the Russians expect to have the Curzon line as their Polish boundary. I imagine that will cause a storm in Polish circles in London but everyone out here seems to think they are quite right and I certainly have not heard any talk of resisting their claims. They appear to be making remarkable progress and have indeed borne the brunt of the fighting. There is great hope that the war will be over this year.
I am feeling very well, fitter, in fact, than any time since I came out here. Those ‘desert’ sores seem at last to be disappearing: the old ones are healing and no new ones have developed for some time. I think cool weather suits me better than the heat. I am looking forward to Valerie’s photo, though it would probably be a few weeks yet.
Look after yourself, darling, all my love and kisses to you and Valerie
Lawrence
15th January 1944.
My Dearest Olive,
Had another good mailing last night, including two letters from you dated 2/1 and 4/1, and one from Mother, Ted, Muriel Glennie and Freda. I am very relieved that Valerie is almost recovered, as it must have been worrying for you, darling. She certainly sounds areal handful but very endearing. I am glad she can recognize her “Daddy”. It is sad to be missing all the lovely little episodes of her early childhood, but we will just have to hope that will not be for too long. What part of Nottingham are you living in? I cannot place it at all.
Mother sent an airgraph written, just before Xmas with no special news. Muriel wrote her usual weekly letter and said she had written to you and was hoping to hear from you soon. I am very glad you have replied to her letter. Freda’s letter had been written in September, and she thought Mary had treated you very badly.
The situation is much the same here. My Company is in very good spirits. The two South African Officers, Phelan and Plymen are both great acquisitions. Phelan is a big powerful man about my own age, a former famous Rugger player and seems very keen. Edward (Gibbon) is, I am afraid, taking his reversion very badly. It is extremely bad luck after the way in which he worked, but it is not very satisfactory having him sulking around the place and saying he cannot arouse interest in a platoon. I have had to rap him rather sharply a couple of times…I always have my boots well cleaned no matter what conditions prevail and my trousers well creased, much better actually than at home.
Had a spot of excitement the other night. I was out with my runner visiting a platoon post and we heard sounds of movement coming towards us. Suddenly the movement ceased. I challenged twice and got no reply and then after a few minutes, the movement started in the other direction. I took three men from a nearby platoon and with my runner, we started to try and cut them off.
The hills south of Castel di Sangro.
What a chase! Periodically we thought we had them, then there would be silence and then movement some little distance away. It was very dark which made it most difficult to spot movement: finally they must have made a complete break, because we could not hear them at all. I think they got into low ground and got away by those means. It seems obvious that it was a German Patrol that had become unusually venturesome.
I thoroughly enjoyed the chase and my runner, a great little chap, enjoyed it equally well: he is only 19 but has already done very well in action and according to the Sergeant Major is very attached to me. The CSM jokingly said to him the other day, “You know Jarvis, you only carry the Tommy Gun to hand over to the Major if there is any trouble” and Jarvis replied, “I will kill all the Jerries for the Major”, another time he told the CSM he would not leave the Major in action, even if ordered too. That ought to be some consolation for you.
The weather has improved considerably and it is quite pleasant now, the snow is steadily melting. Jimmy Clarke and I have got quite friendly with the local doctor and his wife and some other Italians and it helps to make a break. The Russian advance seems highly satisfactory: a lot of these Italians are very fearful of the Russians and have expressed hope Britain and America will save Europe!
I hope your cold is better, precious, look after yourself. All my love and kisses to you and Valerie.
Your devoted husband
Lawrence
18th January 1944.
My Dearest Olive,
No letters have arrived from you during the past few days, but some mail is expected tonight so I am living in hope. The weather has improved enormously and it is now quite pleasant. Most the snow having melted, although it is very wet underfoot. However we are lucky in that although we are close to the enemy, we have quite comfortable billets which makes matters very much better for the men after returning from patrol work etc. Coy headquarters are in fact living very comfortably, the only mishap occurring when a shell made a direct hit on our house. It made rather a mess of my bedroom but there was no other damage. It was only in the afternoon and I was sitting in the next room trying to make up my mind as to whether to return for an afternoon nap, which I sometimes do as I am up and about a good deal during the night. Fortunately, I had not done so, as otherwise I would not have been in a very happy state. This is the second time I have had an escape of that nature. However, on the whole, he leaves us very much alone as he usually gets 10 back to everyone he sends across.
Fusilier T Atkins at Castel di Sangro in January 1944 (courtesy of the War Museum in Castel di Sangro).
I believe there have been a good many complaints at home that progress in Italy is very slow. It is very easy to fight a campaign from an armchair but people do not realise the conditions out here – the narrow fronts, the few decent roads, and the mountainous country which makes defence so easy. In addition, there are numerous rivers and the Germans have carried out a big programme of demolitions and this war, of course, depends more than ever on the means of getting our transport forward. The miscalculation most people made was to think the Germans would not fight in Italy or at any rate south of the River Po. As it is, they have put up the most determined resistance and we are continually having to break through carefully prepared defence lines which are aided by natural barriers and because of the nature of the country, it is impossible to employ more troops. It is absurd to compare our advance with that of the Russians because of the nature of the country. Further north we should be very much better off.
I have written to Lloyds telling them to pay £10 extra into your account in February and that when my pay as a Major is credited to my account, to pay to your account £30 per month. This will mean a little over £7 per week for you which should ease the financial situation nicely. If you can manage to save any of that, do so darling, because one never knows what is going to happen and the money may be very useful. However, I don’t want you to stint yourself, or Valerie on clothes, etc. I want you both to dress really well. By the way of fate, I am earning more than I am probably likely to in peace time and, I suppose, ironically enough, it is justified because it is one job I seem to be able to do really well. It is curious when one thinks of that in spite of my views I should be a good soldier, commanding a company interests me enormously and I am very glad that so far, I have managed to prove that not only was I a good training officer but that I am good in action as well. I must admit I would hate to go back to training. War is bloody, but the fact remains that there is a certain curious fascination and excitement in the whole business. Heaven knows how it will all end, but I hope it will not be too long before the three of us are united again.
I hope everything is alright with you, sweetheart. Do you see much of your Mother? I rather gather she is difficult at times. I hope you have managed to make some friends. Curious about the doctors. Your Uncle and Aunt seem to have been very good and I expect they are rather relieved over Kenneth being graded.
All my love and kisses to you both darling wife.
Lawrence
22nd January 1944.
My Dearest Olive,
The long awaited letter arrived with “Major” on the envelope. I must admit I rather looked forward to it. Actually, three came dated 6/1, 8/1, 10/1 and were very welcome. I thought you would be rather pleased over the promotion, and I only hope it stays. It is a nice feeling and does give one a very definite “status”.
I am very glad Valerie is much better, and I hope the winter has not been too severe. What kind of garden have you got? You implied that it was rather small, so can you sit out comfortably in it? I suppose exercising Sadi and Silva is rather a problem: how they must miss the walks in Ireland. It certainly was a wonderful country for them.
I had a letter from Muriel Glennie. She says she was delighted to hear from you and would very much like to correspond with you, but wonders if you would be too busy to write sometimes to her. She tells me she was very friendly with the Jacksons and used to often visit them at Susan’s flat. A small world! I think it highly possible you would recognize her if you saw her. I also got a letter from Alan and Molly: Roger also seems to be in the mischievous stage.
I don’t know what to say about your excursions into the realms of spiritualism. You know how sceptical I have always been on that subject. I always felt at the best it was some form of mind reading, but I don’t recall telling you that John had fair hair and blue eyes. I may have mentioned that he called me “Frank” and I did tell you how he was wounded and how he died. On the other hand, even if there was some form of telepathy you would hardly be thinking of me as “Frank”. Yet if such things are possible it would be very typical of him. He was unemotional but I think very fondly of me. Did I ever tell you that he lay dying and I was in some distress, he suddenly opened his eyes and said quite plainly, “Don’t cry Frank” and then signing to me to bend down he whispered, “I love you very dearly, you know Frank”. I believe in that moment, he must have known he was dying. It was not like him to express his feelings much and to bandy around the word “love”. Poor Johnny. I have often thought I just needed to have him here with me to make this a truly marvellous company and how he would have supported me too.
Major Jimmy Clarke MC*, OC D Company
A Polish officer has been visiting us and will go back with the impression that the “Faughs” Coy Commanders are a very “Bolshy” lot. First, Jimmy Clarke had a violent argument with him at “D” Coy and then when he came to “B” Coy, I had a long discussion with him on the Russian question. He quite frankly admitted that they regarded Russia as a bigger enemy than Germany and actually said that the Russians were not really defeating the Germans but that the Germans were withdrawing of their own accord and would soon hit back. He brought up the old story of the killed Polish Officers and a few other “hardy annuals”. He did have the sense to admit that the boundary question did rest between Britain, America and Russia and that Poland would have very little say.
We have just had news of a landing north of Rome and are eagerly awaiting further news. A lot of Italians around here have been arrested for suspicious behaviour – we caught one man examining our night positions early in the morning and some hours later the place was heavily shelled. I would not mind shooting a few out of hand.
All my love and kisses, precious wife, to you and Valerie.
Your devoted husband
Lawrence
25th January 1944.
My Dearest Olive,
Two enlargements of the photos taken at Saltfleet arrived. I did not like the one in which I am holding Valerie in my arms, as she appears to be squinting into the sun. The other one is always a great favourite of mine, excepting I wish she was looking up at me. I am eagerly awaiting the latest photos as I am anxious to see what change there is in her.
Recently, the Germans launched an attack on the position held by my Company. At 3am, the Hun launched his attack, opening up fire on our position. We replied with very heavy fire on them, trying to make a right flanking movement which they met with further fire and beat a quick retreat. Our fire was well controlled, the men remained very cool and collected and the position had been well sited so we did not sustain one single casualty. I think the actual plan of the Hun had been to raid our positions and try and capture some prisoners as he had done with some success on another battalion (2 LIR) a few days before. However he got a deal more than he bargained for. Altogether, a highly satisfactory show for the Company.
I don’t know what is going to happen in the battalion. I don’t think I told you about (Major) Dawson. As you know he arrived just before Xmas. At the New Year, we moved to new positions and the weather was very bad, with heavy snow falls. After a couple of days, Dawson…had to go to hospital. Now Dawson is back and as McNally has just returned from his wounds, we are one Major over establishment and as the junior Major it looks as if I will have to come down. I will be absolutely furious at having to come down….
You may say why does not the CO do something but the trouble is the Brigadier. Being a ‘Faugh’ he takes a keen interest in the battalion, which is a good thing until he starts interfering with domestic arrangements. As a Regular of many years service, he likes to see Regulars in key positions and has stated that the others are fine soldiers in action, etc but not really up to being Company Commanders all the time.
Two regular Captains, one commissioned in 1932, and the other in 1937 have recently arrived and undoubtedly the Brigadier wants to see them as OC of companies. Neither has soon one spot of action since the war commenced! The CO is a Territorial, and he is not of this Regiment although he has served a lot with us and we regard him as a ‘Faugh’. He has had a rapid rise – nine months ago he was commanding ‘B’ Coy so he is in rather a difficult situation regarding putting his foot down. I know he likes me very much, but if the Brigadier makes up his mind what can he do. I took over this Company with no officers, with 1 Sergeant, 2 Corporals and 5 L/Cpls and about 50 men and have completed it to strength.
There is a fine spirit in the Company, their successful repulse of the attack shows that. I know that despite my quick temper and sharp tongue, they like me very much, and my sayings are repeated round the Company and the Sergeant Major told me the other day that an NCO said a ‘reading out’ by the Major was a grim business but he ‘talked straight’ and never ‘bore a grudge’ afterwards. Sorry to write like this, darling, but knowing how I put my heart into things when I am really interested, I think you will understand.
I am feeling very fit, could do with some more sleep, but everyone is in the same boat over that.
Wish I could see you and Valerie again – it would be glorious.
All my love and kisses, darling
Lawrence
26th January 1944.
My Dearest Olive,
Having written a rather depressing letter yesterday, I write again today.
Last night the CO visited us. (Major) McNally had arrived back a couple of days before, but we had taken no action over handing over the Company. The CO asked McNally how he liked being back ‘in harness’ again and then said to me, ‘I have got plans for you, Lawrie’. He paused for a couple of minutes and I wondered what the devil was in store for me. He then proceeded to explain that…he had obtained the Brigadier’s consent…and I would take over command of ‘C’ Coy. He said the Brigadier had agreed to this course, I should go on leave straight away and as soon as I returned, take over ‘C’ Coy the change having been effected in the meantime.
I thought that was all very well, but my heart is in ‘B’ Coy, as they all know me and it is nearly a new Coy compared with when McNally commanded it. It appeared sensible that he should go there instead of us both having to get to know new people. So I tactfully started by saying how sorry I would be to leave ‘B’ Coy and the CO said, ‘Yes, I fully understand, it really is a grand Company, so then I put the already mentioned points to him and he agreed and asked McNally how he felt and as McNally took a very decent attitude on the whole question, the upshot was that I continue in command of ‘B’ and McNally goes to ‘C’.
In addition as the CO has made a smart move and…we are our correct establishment of Majors and unless any more very senior people arrive, it looks as if I will keep the crown. Needless to say, I am very anxious to keep it until March 4th in order to become a war substantive Captain which means I cannot go below that rank. The CO suggested that I should go on leave in any case but I have curious principles about leaving my Company when they are having a trying or dangerous time, so I told him I would not go on leave until we were relieved from this position. The CO spent some days with Jimmy Geddes when was on leave and liked him immensely and Jimmy is still extremely anxious that I should get down to him, which I will do as soon as we leave our present position.
I hope you received the letter in which I said I had written to Lloyd’s telling them to pay you an extra £10 with the Feb. payment and £10 per month extra after my pay as a Major is credited. I am now wondering how long that will be and so am thinking of writing again to tell them to start the extra £10 per month from March. I think my bank account should be able to stand it, especially as I use very little money for myself out here. If I have to revert at any time we can drop it to £25 month. What is the address of your bank, Lloyd’s in Nottingham?
Last night I received your letter dated 12/1, a letter from Muriel Glennie, a Xmas card from Howley who’s with 5/Skins and says he is going hard for a commission and is married. Also the ‘New Statesman’ and ‘Manchester Guardian’ of 27/11. Ted sent me two Penguins, “People”, and “War” by Wintringham which I had read some time ago. In any case, one sees enough without any extra reading of it and “Portrait of England”, an Anthology, which would probably appeal to you more than me.
I am very sorry Valerie has a cold but I suppose it is difficult to stop her getting these things now. She certainly seems to have rather a temper: a very strong willed young lass which is a good thing up to a point but we don’t want it over done. I suspect it is only a passing phase. Mother was delighted with the snaps of her and seems to think she is very intelligent like her Dad (?) or Mum (?). I am very happy that you have kept me alive with her, at least it will make it easier when I return. I gather some children take a great dislike to the intruding stranger when he appears on the scene. I hope you are well, darling, and don’t worry and try and get out and about as much as possible, it will be a grand day indeed when I am back home with you both.
All my love and kisses
Lawrence
29th January 1944.
My Dearest Olive,
Today is a lovely, sunny day – quite warm and the snow clad mountains present a most beautiful sight. Except for an occasional spot of shelling, the scene is peaceful and none of the shells landed very close. People’s ‘near bomb miss’ stories will seem rather futile to the average infantryman who has continual near misses. The difference between good and bad never becomes very noticeable under such conditions. I never take any notice of shells landing near at hand, as such annoyances have simply become a matter of routine.
Castel di Sangro, January 1944.
I have had some trouble with Edward (Gibbon) again. He has become extremely nervous and is always worrying about our future operations…Two Germans were believed to have got into a tower and we just had to get them out and I told Edward to take down a section of his platoon and search the place. It was, I admit, a really nasty job but Plymen was out on another task and in any case had had most of the unpleasant work. Quite obviously, it was not a job a Company Commander to do such a task. If I had done it and got wounded, no sympathy would have been wasted on me but equally, obviously, an officer had to be there to organise and set an example… As it happened, two fine lads volunteered to go up first and the Germans (if there had ever been any) had got away…
A Company Commander takes enough risks as it is, without adding unnecessary ones to his list and I knew perfectly well that if I had gone down, I would probably have finished up by going up first, not out of any special heroism, but simply because I feel bound to set an example. Edward has been complaining for a long time that he has been feeling ill through some nerve in his leg and so I arranged with the MO for him to see a specialist and he has gone back and I hear has been admitted to hospital, so I hope for his sake, it is cleared up.
I have had a letter from Denis Haywood. His posting as an instructor was ‘messed up’ and he expects to be back with the battalion shortly. He has had to revert to Captain and says in his letter, ‘once again you are my senior officer’, and offers me very hearty congratulations. He sends his love to you. I like Denis immensely, but curiously enough I have not missed him to any appreciable extent. Johnny’s death dried up something inside me and you and Valerie are the only people capable of arousing such a great emotion.
In a recent letter, you said you were very proud of me, darling. Well I am very proud of you, sweetheart. I think you have accomplished wonders. I was very anxious going off and leaving you with such responsibilities, but in my heart I knew you would surmount your difficulties and I think you have done splendidly. I will not say that I am particularly anxious to settle down in Nottingham after the war but it is nice to feel there is somewhere to go for a start before we decide on future plans. I just cannot see myself going back to the BUAN the thought of being an organiser with them after being a Major in the British Army is almost ludicrous. However there is still a ‘row to hoe’ in the Army yet.
Look after yourself, precious, and remember I love you more than anything else in the world.
Some great big kisses for Valerie.
Lawrence
31st January 1944.
My Dearest Olive,
Mail arrived last night and we eagerly waited for the sorting, three letters came from you 15/1, 17/1, 18/1 also the ‘New Statesman’ etc. Letters certainly play a most important part in one’s life out here. I think it would be a wise plan to have Valerie immunised – in these times it is not worth taking any risks.
You ask about German atrocities. Of course one does not actually see them, one inevitably finds an enormous amount of damage in the wake of the Germans but that is sometimes done by our shelling and bombing. The language problem makes conversation with the Italians very difficult and, in any case, one can never tell whether they are telling the truth or simply putting it on for sympathy. My impression, after several months, is that actual atrocities are comparatively few.
SCORCHED EARTH IN CASTEL DI SANGRO (NA 9668): A view of some of the ruins in the town
The Germans do conscript all available men for work and often take them away. When retiring, they take with them every possible scrap of food and all livestock, but I would scarcely call that an atrocity. A small boy who often comes to my Coy HQ is supposed to have had his father taken away and his mother shot, while the Italians tell us that many of those who resisted the Germans were locked in the houses and blown up with the houses. Certainly there is ample evidence that the houses were destroyed but I have not found any bodies although I have not looked far for them. I gather from fairly reliable sources that they usually behave quite well, until just before leaving a place and then there is sometimes something of an orgy of shooting.
You mention about added responsibility. Yes, being a Company Commander in action is no joke – the strain at times is very considerable, but nevertheless I would not change it for one minute. Responsibility definitely does stimulate me and I am deeply interested in what I am doing. I like handling men and usually seem to manage to get a good deal out of them. Having this responsibility was just what I needed after Johnny’s death – it took my mind away from brooding too much over him. An Artillery Officer, who has been attached to us for the past month says that he has been attached at one time or another to practically all the battalions in the Division and he has never met such a cheerful, high spirited crowd of fellows as in ‘B’ Coy.
We are now having lovely sunny days, as if it was April or May at home but for certain reasons are unable to enjoy them to the full extent. The nights are still very cold and very long, and it gets dark shortly after 5 and it is not light until nearly 7.
The Russians continue to do great work. The advance from Leningrad is highly satisfactory and arousing a great interest among the men. Those Poles who think we are going to fight Russia after the war with Germany is over are in for a horrible shock. The ‘Eight Army News’, a very good little paper, published daily is very pro-Russian and often has excellent articles about re-construction after the War. A lot of people out here wonder what’s going to happen about the Middle East afterwards. I suppose the prospective Second Front is causing a lot of discussion at home. There are apparently plenty of troops available and it may come fairly soon. Progress in Italy is still slow but the landing south of Rome seems to be going ahead nicely and should have a good effect.
I am looking forward to the arrival of Valerie’s photos. Fellowes, my batman, has sent one of those photos of Valerie and myself home to his people. He is a splendid lad, and I never need worry about my kit, as he knows far better than I do what is there. Everyone likes him and envies me.
Well, darling little wife, look after yourself and try and get some fun.
Some great big kisses for Valerie and all my love to you both.
Lawrence