TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MODERN NEWS DECEMBER 14, 1917 P. 1
Dear Mr. Vanbeber:
Just a few lines, hoping this will find you and your family quite well, as it leaves me at present. My address is: Pte. A. Rowlands, W 359031 1 10 Liverpool Scottish; Z Coy. 16 Plat, B. E. F. France.
You will think it strange putting my address here instead of at the top but I am not allowed to do it, it is an order.
I had quite an unexpected pleasure the other day. I had just come out of the trenches and I came across a gang of American Troops, so I stopped to have a chat with them.
You can imagine what a shock I got when the very first chap I spoke to said he came from Nettleton, I afterwards learned there were quite a number of them from around Jonesboro. The fellow I mentioned from Nettleton, his father is a Dr. Howell, I believe he said his name was. This fellow here knows the Landers boys very well.
Well, sir, I would like very much to tell you of a few of my experiences since I first landed in this country, but I am not allowed to. Were I to mention any thing any thing in this letter it would be destroy as well as get my self in trouble. I expect you heard about Charlie, that is my brother, being wounded, he was hit seven times in the chest. A shell exploded quite close to him, it killed several standing arund him. He is still in the hospital in Scotland, not able to walk; it happened on Sept. 4th. They have not managed to hit me yet, only once in the hand but it was nothing to talk about. I have thought many times that my time had come during the big pushes we had, but I am still quite O.K. and happy, when I say happy I do not mean that I am overjoyed, or any thing, far from it. I shall never be happy untill we have given Fritz the beating of his life, although in my opinion he is already beaten. I think my self the end is very near. That it makes me think that the boys from around Harrisburg will never see any of the real fiighting.
Well, Sir, I have very little time to say more this time. Your time is always limited in the army. Duty first, and pleasure afterward.
You will remember me to all the citizens of Harrisburg, and tell all the boys it is their duty to come out here and help to beat this unhuman lot of devils that we have against us. I will draw to a close now hoping you will not mind me writing you.
I remaian yours Truly,
Pte A. Rowland.
P.S. Excuse writing, you will understand that I have not a table to write upon, and the roar of the guns do not help you any, I can assure. Good bye.
NOTES: Rowland was writing from France to J. E. Vanbeler of Harrisburg, Arkansas. At the time Rowland was serving in the British military. He was the son of John W. Rowland who also lived in Harrisburg. When their parents died, Rowland and his brother were sent to live with their uncles in England.
TRANSCRIBED BY DEBRA POLSTON
Dear Mr. Vanbeber:
Just a few lines, hoping this will find you and your family quite well, as it leaves me at present. My address is: Pte. A. Rowlands, W 359031 1 10 Liverpool Scottish; Z Coy. 16 Plat, B. E. F. France.
You will think it strange putting my address here instead of at the top but I am not allowed to do it, it is an order.
I had quite an unexpected pleasure the other day. I had just come out of the trenches and I came across a gang of American Troops, so I stopped to have a chat with them.
You can imagine what a shock I got when the very first chap I spoke to said he came from Nettleton, I afterwards learned there were quite a number of them from around Jonesboro. The fellow I mentioned from Nettleton, his father is a Dr. Howell, I believe he said his name was. This fellow here knows the Landers boys very well.
Well, sir, I would like very much to tell you of a few of my experiences since I first landed in this country, but I am not allowed to. Were I to mention any thing any thing in this letter it would be destroy as well as get my self in trouble. I expect you heard about Charlie, that is my brother, being wounded, he was hit seven times in the chest. A shell exploded quite close to him, it killed several standing arund him. He is still in the hospital in Scotland, not able to walk; it happened on Sept. 4th. They have not managed to hit me yet, only once in the hand but it was nothing to talk about. I have thought many times that my time had come during the big pushes we had, but I am still quite O.K. and happy, when I say happy I do not mean that I am overjoyed, or any thing, far from it. I shall never be happy untill we have given Fritz the beating of his life, although in my opinion he is already beaten. I think my self the end is very near. That it makes me think that the boys from around Harrisburg will never see any of the real fiighting.
Well, Sir, I have very little time to say more this time. Your time is always limited in the army. Duty first, and pleasure afterward.
You will remember me to all the citizens of Harrisburg, and tell all the boys it is their duty to come out here and help to beat this unhuman lot of devils that we have against us. I will draw to a close now hoping you will not mind me writing you.
I remaian yours Truly,
Pte A. Rowland.
P.S. Excuse writing, you will understand that I have not a table to write upon, and the roar of the guns do not help you any, I can assure. Good bye.
NOTES: Rowland was writing from France to J. E. Vanbeler of Harrisburg, Arkansas. At the time Rowland was serving in the British military. He was the son of John W. Rowland who also lived in Harrisburg. When their parents died, Rowland and his brother were sent to live with their uncles in England.
TRANSCRIBED BY DEBRA POLSTON