TRANSCRIBED FROM THE NEWPORT DAILY INDEPENDENT APRIL 18, 1919 P. 1
Eastleigh, England, March 19, 1919
Dear Sister:
You letter received this morning and sure was glad to hear from you and to find out that all were well.
I am now in England. Have been here for four weeks. We left France February 29 and went up the Kiel Canal to Germany and stayed there about one week.
There are about 8,000 of us here waiting to go aboard German ships, that is if they ever decide to give them up. They have given up one hundred and fifty ships but they are still in the Kiel Canal. As soon as they are delivered we will be across. The ship we get is a large transport. I suppose we will bring a load of troops back. I can't tell just when that will be but hope it won't be long. This sure will be a happy bunch of boys the day we land in God's country--(that's what the boys over here call the U.S.A.). Most all the boys in this bunch have been over here a year or more.
Well, sister, one year ago today I was sailing up the Dill river, but it seems more like five years. I suppose you would like to know what I have been doing since I came over. You know while the fighting was going on our mail was censored, but now we can write all we care to.
For the first four months on this side I was stationed at Brest, France, as my station. When a ship would come in port the supplies would be loaded on a train and we would guard the train to the front and bring back a load of prisoners. In July we were transferred to Le Frankfjurt. I suppose you have heard of that place. It was bombed most every night by Fritz. We have been in several different towns in Belgium. It certainly is a pretty county--that is what is left of it and that isn't much. I have just returned from a visit to London. We get leave there every week.
Does any one there hear from Phillip Cornelius? I met him in Satan, France, just before we left. I suppose he will soon be in the states as they are sending all sailors out of there. Certainly would like to get on the ship with him, but guess there is no chance.
I received the Independent this morning and was certainly glad to get it. Well sister, I will close as it is near taps. Write often, but I hope the next letter you get I will be in the dear old U.S. of A., the land of sunshine and flowers.
With love to all, your bud,
Herbert Lawrence.
United States Naval Repair Base, Eastleigh, England.
NOTES: This letter was written by Herbert Lawrence.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Eastleigh, England, March 19, 1919
Dear Sister:
You letter received this morning and sure was glad to hear from you and to find out that all were well.
I am now in England. Have been here for four weeks. We left France February 29 and went up the Kiel Canal to Germany and stayed there about one week.
There are about 8,000 of us here waiting to go aboard German ships, that is if they ever decide to give them up. They have given up one hundred and fifty ships but they are still in the Kiel Canal. As soon as they are delivered we will be across. The ship we get is a large transport. I suppose we will bring a load of troops back. I can't tell just when that will be but hope it won't be long. This sure will be a happy bunch of boys the day we land in God's country--(that's what the boys over here call the U.S.A.). Most all the boys in this bunch have been over here a year or more.
Well, sister, one year ago today I was sailing up the Dill river, but it seems more like five years. I suppose you would like to know what I have been doing since I came over. You know while the fighting was going on our mail was censored, but now we can write all we care to.
For the first four months on this side I was stationed at Brest, France, as my station. When a ship would come in port the supplies would be loaded on a train and we would guard the train to the front and bring back a load of prisoners. In July we were transferred to Le Frankfjurt. I suppose you have heard of that place. It was bombed most every night by Fritz. We have been in several different towns in Belgium. It certainly is a pretty county--that is what is left of it and that isn't much. I have just returned from a visit to London. We get leave there every week.
Does any one there hear from Phillip Cornelius? I met him in Satan, France, just before we left. I suppose he will soon be in the states as they are sending all sailors out of there. Certainly would like to get on the ship with him, but guess there is no chance.
I received the Independent this morning and was certainly glad to get it. Well sister, I will close as it is near taps. Write often, but I hope the next letter you get I will be in the dear old U.S. of A., the land of sunshine and flowers.
With love to all, your bud,
Herbert Lawrence.
United States Naval Repair Base, Eastleigh, England.
NOTES: This letter was written by Herbert Lawrence.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD