Collection of letters to and from Albert French
Collection of letters to and from Albert French
Collection of letters to and from Albert French and his family from the time Albert enlisted in 1915 until his death in 1916 in France. There are also letters from Chaplain Mayne and Captain Pennell to Albert’s father regarding his death and a transcript of Albert’s will.
Creator
Albert French (1899-1916)
Extent
20 letters; 1 document
Place
Essex; Hampshire; Buckinghamshire; France
Reference number
ALF/001
Records in this Group
Albert writes to May telling her to cheer up as he is coming home on Saturday. He tells her that if anyone wants to write to him they should use the following details: ‘Rifleman A.E.M French, K.R.R, Regimental No. 7259, E Company, Gidea Park, Romford, Essex.’ He also states that if May or Aunt want ...
The letter is headed with the information: ‘Stationed at Gidea Park, Romford, Essex’ and ‘Kings Royal Rifle Corps, November 6th, 1915’. Albert tells May that when he writes one of the family a letter he is really writing to them all. He worries that when he sends a letter or postcard to one person the ...
Letter is headed ‘Stationed at Gidea Park, Essex, 1915, November 13’. Albert writes to May asking after the health of the family and stating that he received her parcel and is very grateful for the chocolate that was in it. He shared it with the other men but ate the lions share himself. He complains ...
Albert writes to May telling her that there is a lot of snow and it is very cold at present. They are doing military exercises and he had to lie flat for half an hour on the plain in a terrible cold cutting wind. Some of the men were groaning with cold but sang all ...
The letter is headed ‘North Camp Aldershot’. Albert hopes May has recovered from her quinsy and bad throat. He thinks it must have been bad if Dr Miles and a nurse came to see her. His battalion starts Christmas leave next Thursday and he thinks he will come home then for four days. He will ...
Albert tells May that perhaps he will be home for Christmas and tells her to look at his letter to Aunt for details. He hopes her work is alright and tells her that with a bit of pluck and grit she will get through. He tells her about a 16 mile route march in full ...
Albert tells May that he is sorry he has not written a Christmas letter but he has been so busy in the trenches. He did manage to scribble a letter on Christmas Eve but it wasn’t a proper Christmas letter. He has not received a Christmas letter yet but knows it is because they are ...
Albert tells May he meant to write to her before but the last two or three days he has been out from 8am to 9pm so it has been impossible. Today he has been on a brigade field day at ‘The Devil’s Punch bowl’. He says that a sailor was murdered there on his way ...
The letter is headed ’23 January’ and ‘Stationed at Witley Camp, Godalming, Surrey’. Albert tells May that he has received the chocolate, handkerchief and letter, although the parcel was addressed Hants instead of Surrey. He is quite well having lost his cold. His throat and chest are alright now. He talks about trying to find ...
Albert tells May that he has got over his home visit now but hopes to get another weekend leave soon. He has had two letters from Violet and sent her three. The training is intensifying now. Every day they are marching twenty miles and sham fighting. He was very pleased with the chocolate she sent ...
Albert tells May that they are doing their general musketry course now. He is doing well and trying for a Marksman Badge. With this or as a first class shot he will get an extra 6d a day which is worth having. He describes the experience of firing a rifle and the targets that they ...
Albert tells May that he is sorry for keeping her waiting but he has been busy with butt marking amongst other things. He tells her he received the postal order and hopes that the snow has melted in Wolverton. He talks about the possibility of a last bit of leave in three weeks time. Then ...
Albert expects that the next letter May writes will be when he is in France. He is in the pink and hopes she is too. He hopes she had a good time in London and saw some sights. If he comes across Reg in France he will drop her a line to let her know ...
Albert asks about Wolverton and Barbers Picture Palace. They do not have anything like it in France. He talks about the local French women and how they do the men’s work. The Sergeant has just given him May’s last letter and it took three days to come. He asks her to notice how long it ...
Albert talks about the trenches and says that he doesnÕt mind the snipers and the shells. He says it is dull but if you keep cheery it’s alright. He says there is not much fighting but hopes all the fresh troops will make something happen. He talks about the extreme weather, sleeping during the day ...
Albert compares France to England. He says they are moving again but not sure if it is to the firing line. There has been a lot of fighting with some NCOs having narrow escapes. He talks about German aeroplanes raiding the lines. He comments on the introduction of conscription but thinks things need to happen ...
Albert says things are quiet and he wishes it was more lively. He liked the parcel from Aunt and thanks May for the sweets and chocolate. He talks about how everything except cigarettes is twice as expensive in France as in England and is of rotten quality. He compliments May on her photo. He talks ...
The transcript is headed with the address ‘ 60 Young Street, Wolverton, Bucks’ and the date ‘6.6.1916’. May comments on the death of Lord Kitchener, and that the fact that Reg has been wounded and brought back to hospital in England. She talks about a photo she had done of herself, and comments on the ...
The transcript is headed with the words ‘B.E.F, June 17th ’16 ‘. Captain Pennell regrets to inform Mr. French of the death of his son, C7259 Rifleman Albert French. He states Albert was killed by machine gun fire whilst with a working party on 15 June 1916. He comments on his qualities and states that ...
The transcript is headed with the words ‘122nd Infantry Brigade, B.E.F, June 17th ’16 ‘. Chaplain Mayne is sorry to inform Mr. French that his son, Albert, was killed in action on 15 June 1916. He explains that Albert was doing some sand bagging on the parapet of a trench when he was struck by ...
The transcript states that the following is a true copy of a will executed by the late C7259 Private Albert Edward French 18th (Service) Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps, while in Military Service. It is recognised by the War Department. A heading of ‘WILL’ is then given, followed by the words ‘In the event of ...
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