Translated letter from the front lines - a soldier from WW1

... and no, not French-Canadian, since to my knowledge, Canada never played a role or at least not a major one in World War One.

As the title suggests, it's a real letter from an enlisted man that served in the very beginning. Unfortunately, he doesn't mention his regiment or Company, so I might not be able to track his exact service.

The person who translated it is a good friend of mine, and is fluent in French. He told me, my friend, that the soldier was very illiterate and it took "some time" to decipher it.

I hope some of you will find it as interesting as me, for I discovered it outdoors in an old trunk. And rmember, this document has survived nearly... what? Ninety years or so? Incrediable!

Key:

[ ] Brackets is the translator, my friend, speaking.

*

“Somewhere [written in English] in the land of Pointcarre. August 1, 1915 [European date is day, month, year]." [Original letter is dated in pencil - 1/8/15]

Dear Brother and Sister-in-Law,

I’m taking advantage of this time of rest to give you my news, which is otherwise excellent. For several days, now, we’re on leave. The company (battalion) is on the front line, but dozen or so of us have stayed behind to take grenade classes (or “antichrist” classes, if you like). They call us the “Pickle Artillery” because we make bombs using jelly jars – it’s hilarious, is you like, - but we hurry because it’s terrible, all the work, ;et me tell you. I’m assured that the Krauts (“the Fritzes”) are receiving a good one on the nut (“noggin”), standing a good chance eating weeds by the root (or “eating dirt”) for the rest of their days.

We’re also learning how to throw up to fifty yards. I can tell you that takes some “oomph.”

I haven’t received letters for quite some time. I think that you’re being negligent as always, right? C’mon… just a little word from the heart to cheer me up!

I lost the address to your current lodgings that my sweetheart had given me, so that’s why I’m addressing them [the letters] c/o her address. Be sure to give me your next address.

I got a letter from Willie Calharetto. I tells me that Mama was sick for a few days… I hope she’s doing better now. [The following is hard to read, but I think he says] They’re talking about a mumps outbreak all the way to Villetto… which is why he wrote to me. I hope it’s just a rumour.

Miss Alma would love to hear some news from me, so it would seem. It’s unfortunate that her wishes aren’t always fulfilled. [Reference, I believe, back to them no writing him].

I had some news from Clano[?] de Tiarn[?] He’s having trouble maneuvering – he has bile in his bones, but he says he’s still going to be a soldier? I hope not. It’s not worth it to serve if it means it’s going to destroy him.

We hope to have a big meal soon… it’s well overdue. I’m anxiously awaiting it because I haven’t had much problem with dysentery for a while. Our adversaries haven’t paid much attention to us here at the front for some time. They’re too busy “demolishing His Majesty’s subjects” – cigars. They come in all sorts of “colors,” it seems. I swear they’re not easy to grasp [understand]. They’re saints in devil’s clothing. And when it’s cold, our eyes play tricks on us… the famous trickery. But as the song says, “Halt, you shall not pass.”

I close by saying have a good evening. Please give my news to Rod.

Arthur.

Oh, I love this... Thank you so much for posting it Fish!


Only a few notes: you might want to read over it yourself, I assume when you were transcribing it to the computer you left a few typos without noticing, but everyone does that. I was also, at first, confused if the () were from him, or the translator, but then I realized that the translator used []. You might want to clear that up earlier on.


But I really did like this... I'd love to see the French, but I doubt I'd be able to read it if your friend, who I can guess easily is much better than me, struggled somewhat. Again, thank you so much for this. I love it. ^_^ It's an amazing thing that you found a primary source like this in a tree trunk. Are you considering taking it to a history museum or something, or restoring it and keeping it yourself? I know the kind of enthusiast you are.


Thank you a thousand times. ^_^

Oh, good points! I will take a more critical eye and look it over. Maybe add a key so it's more clear.

To answer one of your questions, the original is now sealed in a ziplock bag, and will eventually be put into my own trunk. Unfortunately, I'm not too keen on scanning the letter because the lazor, and lights could further damage the writing. Light damage is a real problem for paintings, so I could only guess what a scanner could do to pencil. Best to keep it protected an in its original condition as much as possible. I apologize.

I was actually talking to my dad about that very same subject! I was considering about contacting a musuem and see if thy're interested in it. But first, heh, I want to learn more. Once I get my "ya-yas" out, I think I might search for a more suitable home; to share it with the world. Not just my trunk.

Oups!

Very interesting piece! It's good to see primary sources from the First World War. Great discovery!

However, one thing --

... and no, not French-Canadian, since to my knowledge, Canada never played a role or at least not a major one in World War One.

Not true! Very untrue. The Canadians were an important part of the Allied armies. See here, from Wikipedia --

On August 4, 1914, Britain entered the First World War by declaring war on Germany. The British declaration of war automatically brought Canada into the war, because Canada was still considered a colony. However, the Canadian government had the freedom to determine the country's level of involvement in the war. Canada eventually sent four divisions to fight on the Western Front.

In the later stages of the war, the Canadian Corps was regarded as among the most effective and respected of the armies on the Western Front; Canadian divisions were larger than British divisions by 1917 due to manpower shortages (though manpower problems would cause Canada to scrap plans for a second Canadian Corps and two additional divisions as well as institute conscription for overseas service). Indeed, in the aftermath of the Battle of the Somme, the Canadian Corps developed a reputation as shock troops which were feared by the Germans. The Canadian army even had its own nick-name les durs à cuire (hard to cook; kill) meaning the Canadians were very hard to demoralize and defeat. Given this fact, in 1916 the United Kingdom even made use of specific Canadian help to defend the British colonies of the West Indies from the German navy with many Canadian forces being stationed on the island of Saint Lucia to help defend from a possible German navy attack.

As you can see, they played a significant part. You know me and history -- can't let a mistake go past me!

Ooh, that was a strange - but very interesting - read.

This was very interesting, and quite surreal. Do you have any idea what happened to him?

fishr wrote:... and no, not French-Canadian, since to my knowledge, Canada never played a role or at least not a major one in World War One.

Yeah, like Jack, I have to point out that this wasn't the case. In fact, just a few weeks ago I went, with about 40 other school pupils studying GCSE History, to France and Belgium for a week, and the Newfoundland Memorial of the Battle of the Somme was one of the places we visited. We walked through some of the actual trenches the Allies would have used, and the whole place was covered in shell holes. We also went to a place called Vimy Ridge, another place where the Canadians fought, and you could actually see how the Canadian and German trenches were so close, that no-man's land was only a few metres wide in some areas. Also, we were given guides by real Canadians! (I tend to get a little weird whenever I meet someone from across the Atlantic - don't ask!) And we saw some of the Canadian memorials, which, compared to the British ones, are BIG. But, yeah, if you're ever in the area, you know, just passing by Normandy, France, it's all worth taking a look at. /rant

I stand corrected guys. XD Go, go Canadains! But very interesting nonetheless. Never realized Canada played a pivital role in the war. Thanks Kaz and Jack for sharing!

Kaz- I have no idea what happened to the soldier named Arthur. There are certaintly clues to help guide me such as this Pickle Artillery and the areas mentioned.

But before I do any real poking around in era I know very little about, , I've sent a letter to another friend of mine who re-enacts WW1; the British side, calling for help. His schedule is busy this time of year since he re-enacts Royal Navy, American Revolution (British), and War of 1812 (British). Haha... He's my mini historian, LOL! But I hope he can come through and give me more insight or more clues.

If I learn anything else, I think it'll be OK to post it here, Jack?

Kudos everyone!

That's awesome! Documents from the first World War! Awesome discovery!

You might want to read through this post, though. There are several minor typos, like a ";" in place of an "L," and so on. Of course, a lot of people do that, though!

Great job on translations, fishr's friend! I wish I knew French...it's so pretty and poetic-sounding...oops. Sorry 'bout my rambling! XD

This is great, Fish! I love tidbits of history like this!