John Bolton Bigg
A Letter to My Grandchildren
Wartime (1915 - 1919)
1915
There is no need to refer to the War except where it affected our
immediate family. Frank came home several times whilst in training
and we usually had a gathering of friends to welcome him. We
managed to do some business during the year and I succeeded in getting
the screws put back to the old figures in February.
On June 19th I joined the Volunteer Munitions Battalion and went on Saturday to Erith to Vickers Ltd and helped shift shells. There was a shortage of Labourers and were glad of our help to do the rough work. We worked from 2 pm until 8 pm and very tired it made me. I kept it up for a long time and only left owing to nearly fainting away one Saturday. The heat of the factory and weight of the shells was too much for me.
On July 30th we received a post card from Frank to say that he was in the train on the way to Folkestone, the Post Card was thrown from the train at Ashford.
July 21st. Bryan again applied for permission to enlist and on August 17th came home in Khaki. He joined the 15th County of London "Civil Service Rifles".
On August 13th we heard from Frank that he was in the firing line.
On September 8th we had the first Air-Raid on London and saw the Zeppelin from our bed-room window. Great damage was done in the City. Christmas Day this year was the quietest we ever spent. We stayed at home, Mother, I and Philip. On Boxing day the Phillips asked us to dinner.
Business was very poor during the year, I wrote off £72 loss owing to depreciation in prices and finished up the year with £1198-12/-.
1916
Bryan 21. He spent it at Ware at his duties. We had hoped for a very different celebration.
At the Vestry meeting at Christ Church on April 27th I was elected Peoples Warden.
On April 29th, Bryan wrote to say that he was on the way to Ireland, and his party marched from Queenstown to within 15 miles of Killarney.
On June 17th Grovelands Hospital was opened, and Bryan came home unexpectedly for his final leave. On June 22nd he crossed to France.
On September 3rd at 2.30am we were awakened by gun fire and had a full view of a burning Zeppelin which fell at Cuffley. It was brought down by Lieut Robinson who shot through its Petrol Tank with a Lewis Gun.
From September 18th to 26th we spent a short holiday at Eastbourne.
On October 1st at 12 o/c a second Zeppelin was brought down at Potters Bar. We again saw it burning from our windows.
At the end of the year I wrote off £143-18-7 loss on investments, prices were still lower. I received from the Firm the screw stopped £43-15/- and a War-Bonus of £35 and finished up the year with £1198-12/-
1917
This year we began to experience the damage of the War. On April 14th we received a Post Card, dated the 11th, that Frank was in hospital wounded.
"Severely wounded in the Chest and his condition is causing a great deal of anxiety".
We had Post-Cards almost daily until he was sent across to England. He arrived at Kings Cross on May 11th. at 10am and went straight up to Newcastle reaching there at 4.14pm and was sent to No 1 General Hospital, Ward A 12. He was very weak from loss of blood, on his back, and unable to move.
Mother and I went up to Newcastle at once and saw Frank on the Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. A friend of Miss Stow, Sister Nicholls (V.A.D) was extremely kind to us and gave us tea in the hospital.
On July 3rd, he was operated on, but the Doctor was not successful in removing the piece of Shell. On July 21st he was sent to Grovelands, and on September 4th had a second operation which was successful and the piece of Shell was taken out.
Philip on August 16th won a Middlesex Junior Scholarship. This meant Free School £6 for the first year, £10 for 2nd year, £12 for 3rd year and £12 for the 4th year.
September 19th. Franks 21st birthday. He and Mother - Frank having leave from the Hospital - went up West and he, joining with Bryan, purchased their Mother a Watch Bracelet to commemorate their 21st birthdays.
On October 5th Frank was discharged from the Hospital with 10 days leave.
October 15th he had to return to the Army to Shoreham, where he was gradually got fit to return to the fighting line.
November 8th. We heard from Bryan that he was wounded in the Ear and was at No 45 Stationary Hospital, El Arish Egypt. We heard later that the wound was slight, the shot just taking off the tip of his ear, making a "bloody mess". He was discharged from the hospital on the 7th of November and sent to join the Division at the Base. On 14th he was back at the front again.
December 25th we had the joy of having Frank with us, he had leave until 1st January.
The Firm agreed for me to draw £400 a year owing to the cost of living. We had no holiday this year, mostly owing to depleted staff, also cost.
My assets at the end of the year were £1283.
1918
The Air Raids started again. People began to shudder when the sky was clear and we had Moon light nights.
February 4th. Frank phoned from Euston that he was on his way to Ireland and found himself eventually at Sunnylands Camp Carrickfurgus.
On February 16th he came home on leave bringing home with him loads of provisions; 10lbs of Beef, Margarine, Bacon, Cheese, Matches. I wondered how he carried it all.
Ireland was a land of plenty, with our food shortage it seemed with such supplies so near, something was wrong with the organisation of the food control. I felt afraid to have the stuff in the house.
February 28th. Frank again returned to France and became No. 73453.3 Coy 2nd Divisional Depot Batt. 23rd Royal Fusiliers. B.E.F.
March 9th. We heard that Bryan was wounded a second time and was admitted into the 45th Stationary Hospital at El Arish on the 23rd February with a gun shot wound in the left hand. He seemed to have caught this when firing a Lewis Gun. It was very painful, but the bullet passed through the back of his hand and out of the palm, and for a marvel broke no bones. After healing and massage he gained full use of his hand again.
April 7th. When at Church, I was called to go to see Amy. May had been very ill and at 7.15 in the evening she passed away. Since Bert Cocker had been away I had been looking after Amy's affairs and had to see about the funeral. On April 11th the funeral took place at Southgate Cemetery.
April 20th. We had bad news. Notice was received from the War Office that Frank was missing on 25th March. The last letter we received from him was dated 22nd March.
This was a very black time, older men were being called up, and I began to think that my age would shortly be reached, and Lil be left at home and no money coming in, so hearing that the Bank of England was employing women she made application and received an appointment.
May 1st. Lil started work at £1-15/- a week. She was put on the June dividend War Loan. During her absence from home Mrs Miller the Church caretakers wife came round and kept the house straight. Lil rather enjoyed the work and kept it up until the boys came home.
May 3rd. Notice was received from the War Office that Frank was a prisoner of War at Langensalza Germany. From April 20th until this time I had been in communication with various Red Cross societies in Switzerland, Holland and even Germany, and eventually we heard from one of them where he was. It was wonderful what organisations were at work tracing missing men.
On May 17th, a letter arrived from Frank saying that he was wounded on 24th March, and arrived at the hospital "Kriegsgefangenenlager" Langensalza, Saxony, Germany.
We soon found out that parcels of food could be sent and it became a weekly job to send one off. All sorts of things were sent, a German Government list having been issued. Tinned food stuffs and socks. A fair number of letters passed but heavily censored. We learned that his hip was broken, that he eventually got about on a crutch, and that he was daily expecting to be sent to the Salt Mines.
July Bryan again in Hospital. This time 79 General Taranto ITALY! "Dysentery".
July 18th. Philip stayed in bed all day, very bad cold. Temperature 100. He had to be alone in the house from 12 until 3.45 when I returned from business. Fortunately he was soon well again and on July 24th he brought home the news that he had passed his Matriculation examination with honours.
September 14th. Bryan arrived home on leave. This was the first time after leaving England. I had been up to the War Office to protest and it was a curious coincidence that he should arrive so soon afterwards.
We had a family gathering and a young peoples party and on the 28th he returned.
On October 27th he was made Lance Corporal.
NOVEMBER 11th WAR was OVER. 11th MONTH 11th DAY 11th HOUR.
November 16th. Philip was confirmed at St Paul's Cathedral by Bishop of Stepney and was prepared by the Rev Professor Hampson. During the absence of Mr Judd on holiday he took the Organ for three Sundays.
December 25th. Xmas was spent at home. Aunt Amy and children came, Bryan was still in France and Frank in Germany.
Assets at end of year 1918 £1389.
1919
JANUARY 1st A RED LETTER DAY
Telegram was received from Frank
"Leith of yesterday 4.45 pm Psalm Hundred forty eight"
Jan 3rd Frank home 6.45 pm.
He looked fat but puffy. We kept him in bed as much as possible. Dr Weir came to see him about his foot. It was sore. On the 14th he had a temperature of 103 so phoned for Dr North who found he had an abscess.
January 27th. Letty and Molly motored over and pressed to take Frank back with her in spite of him being far from well.
Bryan was demobilised the same day and arrived home at 12 o/c Sunday night. Our dear boys again missed seeing each other after passing through the whole of the war period.
I wrote to Frank at once but after two days he wrote "Aunt Letty refuses to allow me to come home and says you, Bryan, are to come down here on Thursday to stay the night". "She is insistent!"
Thus were our dear boys prevented from a reunion under their father's roof.
February 3rd. The Firm revised their offer to me re the
percentage of profits:-
400 per annum and 1.5% when profits over £4000
or £350 per annum and 1.5% on total profits
the "Profits" being reckoned after the Income Tax was deducted. I decided on the first, the Income Tax dodge took all the cream off.
Bryan after seeing the officials at the Admiralty decided to forfeit his leave and return at once.
March 3rd. Frank returned to Parrs Bank, and heard that his screw had been raised to £100 plus £50 War Bonus.
March 1st. I felt unwell, Neuralgia &c. Dr Weir called and said that I had a chill. I was back to business by the end of the week.
March 17th. Philip was made "Prefect".
March 25th. He developed German Measles.
April 2nd. Mr Grumbar again altered my percentage to 1.5% on Gross profits over £5000.
APRIL 3rd. OUR SILVER WEDDING DAY. Our dear boys presented us with a magnificent silver tray. To myself a fine silver cigarette case.
The Firm gave me £10.
May 20th. The Firm introduced a scheme of profit sharing for the staff. 1% on total net profits to myself and 2% to the Staff.
JUNE 9TH (Whit Monday). Dorothy Hutchinson and Nora Mackenna (GOLLY) climbed over our back gate, (Phil let them in) and they prepared breakfast for us all. Mother had hers in bed. WHAT NEXT?
June 18th. I sold out most of my securities to take up War Savings Certificates £387/10/- for 500 = £600 in 10 years.
July 19th. Peace Celebration Day. The boys went to a dance in the evening.
October 3rd. Owing to work and short staff I had not taken any holiday. As a compensation Mr Grumbar offered me his Bungalow at Cooden. Owing to the Railway Strike his children could not leave so they were there at the same time.
December 25th. Frank formally announced his engagement to NORA MACKENNA. We had a fairly big party to dinner including Amy and family also Mr & Mrs Phillips and Willie.
Assets at end of the year £1443.