SOUTH STAFFORDS WAR DIARY

SAFFRON WALDEN

26th Feb.  Inspection by G.O.C 1/5th Staffs Infantry Brigade at Audley End Park.  

27th & 28th Feb. Packing up & Handing over of 2/5 Bn.   S. Staffs Rgt. (1)  Signed: R.R. Raymer, Major Comdg 1/5 South Staffs Rgt.

Pte BERTIE HIBBETT Postcard to Mrs A. HIBBETT, 95, Foden Rd. Walsall.

Feb. 28th 1915.

Well dear Mother, we are off at last so we all believe  – & expect to go at 1.40 tonight. (2)

What with taking in blankets & attending lectures & rifle inspection I have found time to go to Church up to sermon time.

We left at the last verse of ‘Eternal Father ‘ hymn for those at sea‘ (3).  Chaplain* in khaki. Brownlow*(4) read lesson.

Best Love,      Your affect. Son,      Bert.

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Signaller SYDNEY HIBBETT: Postcard to Mr & Mrs Hibbett, 95, Foden Rd. Walsall.

Sunday 8 pm.

Dear People,

We move off at 1.00 am tonight & we shall be probably in France by Tuesday D.V.

We had a very good sermon from the Chaplain this morning.  No towns mentioned from now on.  Feeling very fit. Kaiser has had a bad night thinking of the Staffords coming.

Hold on to my pants & I must be sending a few more things home.

Love,  Syd.

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(1) 2/5th Bn  South Staffs Rgt.  i.e. ‘Reserves’: a new Territorial Battalion/ not going abroad. (2) i.e. 1st March 1915. (3) W. Whiting, 1860. (Tune: Revd.J.B.Dykes). (4) Brownlow: info pending.

NB To suit the occasion Bertie sends a picture of Brittania & his best writing in ink.

NEXT 2  POSTS: 1st March 1915. Southampton Quay.