TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HOT SPRINGS NEW ERA JULY 13, 1918 P. 5
May 12. 1918.
Dear Mother
We are still brigaded with the British Forces and having lots of excitement. Censorship forbids my saying where we are but I suppose you could guess.
Day and night there are endless streams of reinforcements going steadily forwards English, Canadiand, Americans, Hindos, Australians and all go forward to the line sing-ing in the best of spirits. Have patience is what they all say for with such a splendid army and General Foch in command who is only waiting for the physcological monment arrives we will start them the other way and then nothing will stop us until we are in Berlin.
I must speak of the wonderful English aviators which will be one of the big factors very soon also the American army which is larger than anyone suspects. There are millions of them they are everywhere. After our boys arrive here they become interested. They wake up and before a month has passed they are the same as the old veterans.
I have heard numerous times the big shells whining over head and the roar of our guns answering. We are at present though quite far behind.
I had all the sensations of being hit by a bomb recently when it exploded within fifty yards of us and a piece of sharpnel hit a friend who was standing talking to me. It was not serious however.
I was also in Paris when “Jerry” raided and of course took to a cellar.
Hoping that the English censor is less severe than our own and that this reaches you. I am still happy and in the best of health.
Love to all.
GILL
NOTES: This letter was written by Gilbert H. North to his mother Mrs. G. H. North of Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was born on December 13, 1895 and died on February 8, 1959. He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Hot Springs. His military headstone identifies him as a Pfc. in Co B, 16th Engineers.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY
May 12. 1918.
Dear Mother
We are still brigaded with the British Forces and having lots of excitement. Censorship forbids my saying where we are but I suppose you could guess.
Day and night there are endless streams of reinforcements going steadily forwards English, Canadiand, Americans, Hindos, Australians and all go forward to the line sing-ing in the best of spirits. Have patience is what they all say for with such a splendid army and General Foch in command who is only waiting for the physcological monment arrives we will start them the other way and then nothing will stop us until we are in Berlin.
I must speak of the wonderful English aviators which will be one of the big factors very soon also the American army which is larger than anyone suspects. There are millions of them they are everywhere. After our boys arrive here they become interested. They wake up and before a month has passed they are the same as the old veterans.
I have heard numerous times the big shells whining over head and the roar of our guns answering. We are at present though quite far behind.
I had all the sensations of being hit by a bomb recently when it exploded within fifty yards of us and a piece of sharpnel hit a friend who was standing talking to me. It was not serious however.
I was also in Paris when “Jerry” raided and of course took to a cellar.
Hoping that the English censor is less severe than our own and that this reaches you. I am still happy and in the best of health.
Love to all.
GILL
NOTES: This letter was written by Gilbert H. North to his mother Mrs. G. H. North of Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was born on December 13, 1895 and died on February 8, 1959. He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Hot Springs. His military headstone identifies him as a Pfc. in Co B, 16th Engineers.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY