| Place | Europe: France, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur, Bouches-du-Rhone, Marseilles |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | PR04466 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | Extent: .5 cm; Wallet/s: 1 |
| Object type | Letter |
| Maker |
Whitbourne, William |
| Place made | France |
| Date made | 1916 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Whitbourne, William (Gunner, b.1893 - d.1974)
Description
Collection relating to the First World War service of 10610 Gunner William Whitbourne, 1 Divisional Ammunition Column, 1916.
Wallet 1 of 1 - Collection consists of a letter Gunner Whitbourne wrote to his sweetheart (later his wife) while he was serving in France in December 1916. He gives a vivid description of France, beginning with the port and surrounds from his arrival at Marseilles. He describes the natural beauty of the land, as well as the friendliness and gratitude shown towards the soldiers by the French people. The friendliness and natural beauty, he writes, wanes as one travels further north towards the frontlines, where the destruction of the war is evident. He also claims that the Flemish people are unfriendly and "pro-German", describes artillery shells and the destruction they wrought, and likens the sound of artillery fire to thunderbolts and passing trains.