Percy Gilbourne's Letter

Wendover, Bucks

Enlisting on 12 September at Nottingham, in the Royal Engineers, we were sent to St. Mary's Barracks, Chatham, on the following Tuesday, along with several Nottingham young fellows. Arriving at the barracks at about 6.30 in the evening, we were put into tents for the night, but sleep only came to a few. Arising at 5.30 in the morning, we were called on parade and separated from the none-too-respectable, and billetted out in private homes in Gillingham. For just over a fortnight we had a fine time for the people made us quite at home, then for four days we had a little barrack life before being again billetted out for another fortnight. We were then drafted into the 21st Signal Co., and left Chatham for Halton Park Camp on the estate of Lord Alfred de Rothschild. It is a fine country with a splendid view of the Manor House. All the time we were at Chatham we had fine summer weather, but our luck changed soon after reaching camp. After 3 weeks of rain the ground had become quite a quagmire, and our officers - or Lord Kitchener, who inspected us on Sunday in pouring rain - thought it time to quit. On Saturday, November 7th, we were moved to Halefield, about two miles away, and pleased we were to see dry ground. We have been favoured with much better weather since being here, but last Saturday night was a terror. It was snowing hard, then it turned to pouring rain, and I woke up to find my trousers wet through, the rain having come through the tent. Having only one suit of clothes I had to wrap a blanket round me while my trousers dried a little. Of course, I was excused parades for the morning and was not in the least downhearted. Now I will tell you a little about our life in camp. the first parade is at 7.30. for general inspection by the Captain, who reminds men who have let their beards grow to get a shave. Physical drill is indulged in till eight o'clock, when breakfast is announced, which chiefly consists of bread and jam or boiled bacon, and on rare occasions, salmon. The order to fall-in again is given at 9 o'clock, for fatigue work, that is, washing up basins (no cups and saucers here), and one basin between two at that, and peeling potatoes, turnips and carrots. Parade again at 9.15 for signalling, which we are learning: semaphore and Morse is as far as we have got yet; heliograph and lamps we still have to learn. This is carried on until 12.45, when dinner is announced, which consists chiefly of boiled beef and potatoes, when a rush is made for one of the "dixies", as we get one of "spuds" and one of stew between two tents. Parade again at 2.15, when signalling is again the order till 4.30, and Company drill till 5 o'clock, when the day's work is over. Tea is then partaken of, which consists of bread, butter and jam, and a basin of tea between two. The 21st Signal Co. of the Royal Engineers is a mounted Company, horses, motor-cycles and cycles being in use. These are for carrying messages when it is impossible to get a connection between two flag stations. There are three Companies of Engineers in this camp, the 21st Signal Co., the 85th and 86th Field Companies, comprising about 800 officers and men. On the whole the men are cheerful, but a few grumble at being under canvas at this time of the year, and also at the food, but these are found where-ever you go. As recruits are still needed, we advise the men of Eastwood and district who don't mind roughing it a bit, to join the Army at once and help to fight for your liberty.

P.Gilbourne
S.Bailey.