Sgt E.Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 100 3.1.1943
Well we have got over all the festivities and the Dance was really a posh affair.
My Course results have just arrived and I obtained a “Q1” which is just about what I expected. The weather held out quite well and we didn't have snow after all.
I don't suppose you would get any place special, but believe me they definitely make a right job of Old Year’s Night. We had a marvellous dinner New Year's Day and if you had seen it I don't think you would have believed it. Every man got beer or mineral waters, cigarettes, chocolate and mince pie on top of his dinner.
Well the Russians are definitely putting Jerry in his place, and the army in Tunisia seems to be getting ready for some big move. Enclosed you will see the Dance Programme and I hope you reckon received your New Year card. Anyhow I don't think there is anything else of interest. I can tell you. So I will close and hope to hear from you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
give my regards to Donald
Sgt E.Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 101 13.1.1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything okay and I hope you are both well. I was pleased to see you are both well and that Donald was alright. Believe me would I like to have seen my great relations plucking ducks I don't think I've ever heard of anything so stupid. I have some stupid recruits at present but I think this episode beats the lot.
The weather is quite fine at present, but has been very cold. We had a mess meeting last night with regard to Burns night, and I think it's going to be some do. We have the usual adjutant parade yesterday for the benefit of the public of course, and next Sunday we have a big parade to do for the issuing of certificates for the New Years Honours list. We have three Sergeants who are being awarded for devotion to duty.-about 26 years service each.
I have just had a visit from Sgt Oliver, you will remember me telling you about him going as JDrum Major to the second Battalion. He was passing through on leave to London, they are just about killing them in the Orkneys, he was telling me the civilian population has been evacuated to make room for 100,000 Americans, so this might mean something. The Russians seem to be still pushing on but the Africa Campaign looks as if they are waiting for some move to take place.
Well I don't think there's anything else I can tell you at present except I am due leave on 8 February if I am still here.
So I will close now and write again shortly
your loving son
Edgar XXXX
(the Dance Programme has not survived)
Sgt E.Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 102 20.1.1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and pleased to find you are both well. I hope Donald gets his fresh job, it will probably keep him out of danger.
Well what you think about the War news these days. I'll bet Adolf has quite a headache these days. The new changeover of the I. T.C. doesn't affect me in anyway, so I look like being here for quite a while yet, although NCOs keep leaving this place.I think I must have been born lucky.
The weather has been marvellous this week, just like Spring and on Monday I was out with the squad for the full day, just like a picnic.
I have a lad from Bradford here in my squad at present. He used to play for Bradford City and we've had quite a laugh when I asked him if he knew where Baildon was. For a while he wouldn't believe that I was a Yorkshireman until I mentioned a few names.
Well we have the Burns night next Monday so we shall be eating Haggis and drinking Atholl Brose, also hearing Rabbie's life story and singing all the old Scotch songs.
Anyhow I will close now and right again shortly
All my love
Edgar XXX
Sgt E.Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter103
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything okay and I hope you are both well. Well since the last time I wrote I have been very busy with Infantry Training and at the present moment, what with good food and extensive training, feel as fit as a fiddle. The weather has been marvellous this last week and this morning I saw a rhododendron bush budding
The Burns Nght was a great success and talk about a spread, just have a look at the enclosed Menu, and when I come home on leave I'll explain what everything is. The toast by the Padre was very interesting, he practically gave us the life story of Burns. The eating alone lasted 1 1/2 hours, piping in the Haggis and the poems given by different people another 2 1/2 hours. And then we had a Scotch dances until two in the morning. I'm becoming quite a figurehead in this company now. I have been Acting Company Sgt Major all week and did Company Sgt Major on Adjutant Parade this morning. T he only trouble is I don't think I'll ever get promotion in this place unless one of these blokes die off.
Well what do you think about the Conference in Africa, I suppose there will be some big moves resulting from it shortly.I think he's just about on his last legs now and if we start heavy bombing again there is no telling what might happen.
The commanding officer said on Monday night he thought it would be the last Burns night we would hold in the army. Well I hope Donald is all right and settle down in his new place, I see by the papers tonight that married women with no children have to do some form of war work, so Mrs Kitson will have to watch her step.
Anyway I will have to close now so cheerio and will write again shortly.
Your loving son.
Edgar XXXXX
PS would you please send me the brown fountain pen I once brought home, because I have broken the one I had an can't buy a decent one anywhere.
If you could find it
Sgt E.Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 104 Tuesday 9th Feb.1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
I hope you are both well and incidentally being cheered by the War news.
Everything is about the same up here, except we had a fall of snow which lasted for about two days. I'm sorry I couldn't get home while Donald was on leave but I hope to be home next Tuesday the 16th. Well we are still having Adjutant's Parades and all the rest of the red tape, but it seems to be doing some good.
I think that the Russians are going to win the war for us if we don't do something about it before long.
I'm just going to the Boxing Tournament tonight to see the Area Championships. There are one or two pros on so it should be a good show. I suppose Mrs Kitson will have been found a job by now.
The Civvies seem to get less every week in Perth. Anyhow I will close now and tell you all the news when I come home.
so cheerio for now,
your loving son,
Edgar XXXX
Sgt E.Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 105
Dear Mother and Dad,
Arrived back safely and in a harness once again. I had to stand all the way to Carlisle, as the train was packed with civvies, but after Carlisle I got a seat all right to Glasgow and arrived in Perth at 630.
The weather has been just about the same since I got back. The Wings for a Victory seems to have been quite a success and I was lucky enough to miss a lot of fancy parades with being on leave.
Well the talk of moving seems to have died down at present. I hope you've heard from Donald by now and he's all right, don't forget to let me know why he didn't write.
Anyhow I don't think there is anything else at present I can write about, so I hope you are both well and don't forget to watch the dog. So cheerio
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt E.Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 106
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything at peace, I hope you're both well. Thank you for the parcel which was much appreciated by all my bedmates, especially the oranges which were beautiful.
The weather is quite good but a bit breezy. I had quite a nerve wracking weekend as my name was sent into the big promotion Conference which was held last Friday for Sgt Major but I was beaten by seniority.
I was surprised to hear about Donald doing office work, I thought he was bridge building or something. We had Rosita Forbes lecturing last Friday night but I don't think she will come back to Number eight I TC again because there was quite a commotion caused when articles were in Saturday's paper about her being a defector and a fifth columnist.
She said that the Italian nation were far superior to the Russians and a half a convoy sent to Russia never reach there, as three ships out of five were lost. But the main thing was she said that the Second Front was ridiculous as we were fighting on Three Fronts already
Edgar XXXXXX
Anyhow I think she will be disappointed, because a petition has been handed round for signing the NCOs who are interested to send to Gallacher the Communist MP to have her stopped from giving lectures to the services. I expect she will be drawing a £10 or £12 week for the job. She represents the Ministry of information and the Army Bureau of Current Affairs.
Well I will close now and hope to see you soon, before the second front starts
so cheerio for now
your loving son
Sgt E.Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 107
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and I hope you are both well. The weather is lovely and dry at present but very cold. We've had a very interesting week up to now with regard to training. I'm now attached to 3 inch mortars and we were firing some new ones yesterday. Talk about excitement. We mounted three and fired them in rapid fire all at once. Each bomb cost £3.10 shillings and we fired 17 of them in 2 minutes, no wonder it's costing £140 million a day. I am writing this after just being dismissed from an Adjutant Parade, we just march round the town to the Pipes and Drums but it looked very smart.
This afternoon we are going to blow some unexploded bombs up with gun cotton so I shall have to be up on my toes. I received two letters from Burrell in India this week and he's having a real-time. He’s just returned from Bangalore Small Arms School where he got an excellent report for weapon training and now he is away to Calcutta on the Bren Gun Carrier Course. I was wondering if Dad had been to London yet because having not received a letter this week yet I thought you may be with him.
I'm glad Donald is all right but I thought our Jack will be away by now.
Anyway I will close now as I can hear my Platoon Officer outside asking somebody if they have seen me.
So cheerio for the present
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt E.Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 108
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and I hope you are both well. Although the weather is okay the nights are very cold and we are being issued with extra blankets and winter woollies.
Nothing out of the ordinary has happened lately except we are running a big Charity concert at the Alhambra Theatre next Sunday for the dependents of a PT Corporal who was killed whilst going giving a display in the North ---- Park a short while ago. As representative of Special Company I have sold £27 worth of tickets already.
The new recruits continue to roll in every fortnight and there are quite a lot from Yorkshire and Lancashire. I went to see “How Green was my Valley” last night and really enjoyed it. “The Fleets in” with Fred Astaire is also on this week so I might manage to see it before the weeks out.
Remember the eighth Battalion I was supposed to be getting transferred to, well Lady Luck must still be with me, because at the present moment there are on Embarkation Leave and the Grenadier Guards are already for a move.
What you think about the Russians these days. I think if Lizzie Brown came to Shipley they would give her the freedom of the city instead of a dirty towel, and there's a lot of people would gladly hold the baby.
Tomorrow I'm going out with the motorcycles for of days run as we are hoping for fine weather. Remember the job in Trinidad I volunteered for? The fellow who got that job has been in New York for the last two months and says he was just about mobbed when he arrived there because he belonged to a Scottish Regiment. I hope Dad squares things up straight about his work but if you go with him, be careful of air raids it just about time for the annual Blitz.
Anyhow I shall be home in about three weeks time but I think you will find you've got a different youngest son, so hope to hear from you again soon
and remain your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 109 23.02.1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Arrived back safely and once more back to work. There seems to be a bit of a Civil War on here at present, whilst I have been at home, three Sergeants and three Lance Corporals have been posted away.
The weather is about the same as we have been having at home. The train kept marvellous time on the way up and I was in Glasgow by 4:30 and caught a train for Perth at five o'clock, arriving at the Dye Works at 6:30. Luckily I haven't been detailed for any duties since I came back, but I think I shall be Company Orderly Sgt next week.
I see we have an Adjutant’s Parade next Tuesday so I shall be spit and polishing this weekend. Whilst I have been at home they have been looking for sergeants to go as military police to Tripoli, so it's probably as well I was home, as I should definitely have put in for it, because it would have been a good job and clear of the Second Front.
One of the officers has just been telling me he thinks there will be a big clear out in about a month's time, so shall have to see what happens to Wee Edgar then.
Anyhow I don't think there is anything else I can tell you at present, but will write again shortly.
Your loving son
Edgar
XXXXX
Sgt E.Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 110 23 February 1943
Everything all right and pleased to hear you are both well. The weather has been lovely this last week and I’ve been out every day in the hills either Route Marching or doing some Scheme.
I've just finished off making a map-reading Scheme for tomorrow, so I hope I don't lose half the squad. I'm taking them about 12 miles out on the Edinburgh Road and see if they can find their own way back by the shortest route. We had an interesting discussion on Wednesday afternoon on the Dieppe Raid and I had the job of making a sound table model of the coastline in France everybody seemed quite pleased with my efforts and you would have laughed if you had seen me making little wooden houses and invasion barges.
Well I had been selected for another course from 27 April to 14 May. This time a Gas Course at Glenridding in the Lake District, so will you ask father to look at his maps and let me know how far it is from home and then I might be able to get a weekend out of it.
I feel quite vexed at Donald is still a common Private when he could definitely be in a cushy job somewhere. The next thing we shall hear he will be in North Africa or someplace. I went to see Leslie Banks in “Went the day well” last night but thought it a bit far-fetched. Next Wednesday morning, the whole of the ITC are going to see a special show of “Desert Victory” and “The Road to Morocco”.
Well I see you are still the soft one for Grandfather but I suppose you know best. The war seems to be still in our favour and according to what we see up here, the second front is definitely in the near future, so let's hope it's while I am on this Gas Course. Anyhow I will close now and get the best battledress on as we are going for a walk around the local park this afternoon, to give the girls treat.
So I hope to hear from you soon and cheerio for the present
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
PS don't forget to keep pottering with that bit of ground at the back
. Sgt E.Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 111 18.03.1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and I was pleased to hear you are both well.
You may be surprised to hear that I have had tonsillitis and be in bed for a week but now I'm up and quite fit again.
The weather has been glorious this last week and we have been doing plenty of outdoor training. We had an Adjutant's Parade yesterday with plenty of red tape attached to it.
I just received a letter from Borell he seems quite happy and has been promoted to CQMS. He is still at the same place in India and is due leave shortly so he is going to Calcutta.
Well the war still goes on but I think we have him beat. There is no news of any others being moved at present and things are going quite well. I'm glad Donald is all right but I don't hear of any promotion yet
. We had an ITC concert Last Sunday in the Alhambra Theatre which turned out a great success.The Grand Finale was in the form of a tribute to the 51st H Division. All the Highland Regiments were represented by some of our lads wearing all the different kilts and badges of the Regiments and the Pipe Band played all the different March tunes until they appeared onstage, finishing up with “Land of Hope and Glory”.
Well I will close now and write again shortly
your loving son
Eddie.
XXXXX
Sgt E.Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 112 12.04.1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the parcel and believe me did we” muck in” within 5 minutes, I was left with nothing but the orange. The cake was appreciated by all and when I went to the bunk the only thing that haven't been interfered with was the letter and even then one of the lads said ‘you were both well’.
Well the weather has been pretty rough until the last two days when we have had real good weather. Nothing of any importance has happened since I wrote last except I got my Orderly Sgt over with and also Acting CS M tomorrow I am doing CS M on the Adjutant Parade so I shall have to be on my toes.
Last Friday we had a Corporal killed on a motorcycle, he comes from Dewsbury and I had the job of sending all his personal belongings to his wife. And we collected £25 in the Company for her I didn't know whether he will be buried here or at his own home but the Court of Enquiry takes place today and the Regimental Sgt Major was drilling a firing party on the square on Saturday. The Padre was telling me that he had met his wife who hopes that no one would be blamed for the accident.
Well the Eighth Army seem to be doing their stuff again and I think Rommel is for the high jump this time. Do you remember when the Argyll's were at Singapore there was an accident of a Captain and the Company Sgt Major killing about 17 Japs between them? Well I was talking to the CSM yesterday, he's the opposite type of a man to what you would expect to see doing a job like he did. He was evacuated from Singapore to India and had met Burrell at the small arms school at Bangalore. He mentioned quite a few fellows who were recruits along with me but he said they must have been lost in the jungle. It just shows you the red tape in the army at present, when this fellow arrived at Southampton they sent him straight to an infantry Battle School to see his see was an efficient Warrant Officer or not. This is after leading the remains of the second Battalion in a rear-guard action the length of Malaya. Well I am pleased you heard from Donald and he's quite well, also I noticed the garden is still progressing.Anyhow this is about all this time and I hope to hear you from you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXX
Sgt E.Wildman
No 13 Section, “C” Coy.
Army Gas School,
Glenridding
Nr Penrith
Cumberland
Letter 113 24.04.1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and I hope you're both well.
Well as you can see by the address I am definitely on Gas Course. You ought to have seen the carry on we have had here. I arrived here a day too soon and it's absolutely poured down ever since.
This place is 15 miles from Penrith and 1 mile from Patterdale and there is no bus service to Penrith and we work all day Saturday, so I shall not be able to squeeze a weekend at all.
We have just been fixed up in our different squads and start the first day tomorrow. By what the instructor tells me, it shouldn't be a difficult course, but they put us through every known type of War Gas. We have PT every morning at 7:15. But it's no good walking out of the camp here because there's nothing but Ullswater and mountains and the camp has a Cinema show once a week so it looks like 17 days hard work.
Well I'm pleased to hear there's blossom on the apple trees and you may get some fruit yet. Anyway I will have to close or else I shall miss the pigeon post, so hope to hear from you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
Sgt E.Wildman
No 13 Section, “C” Coy.
Army Gas School,
Glenridding
Nr Penrith
Cumberland
Letter 113A 11.05.1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and pleased to hear you are both well.
Well this course is nearly over and we finish on Thursday night but I shall not leave here until Friday morning, so please return your letters back to Perth.
We've had all our exams now except the last written one and I have done quite well so far. I shall be glad when I get back as this is a very un-interesting Course but actually an important one. The officers here definitely believe that Jerry will loose Gas if he gets into a tight corner.
I don't know what sort of weather you've had this last two days, but we woke up yesterday morning to 4 inches of snow. But today has been a marvellous day and all the snow is practically melted, but believe me was it cold, just like the middle of Winter. Well what do you think about the War News now? I haven't been able to keep up to it day by day but I guess it's all over for him in North Africa. And the sooner we get the Second Front started the better.
I thought I might have seen Donald and Mary last weekend but the weather wasn't too good. You seem to have been busy again in the garden so I shall expect to see great results when I come home in about another month. The Canadians here have all been warned that they will bear the brunt of the Second Front but I don't know how true it will be if they are as good as they talk. I can't see it lasting long.
Well I will close now and hope to find another letter when I get back.
So cheerio for the time being
your loving son
Edgar XXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 114 16.05.1943
Dear Mother and Dad
Just a short note hoping you are both well and as you will see I am back in Scotland. I received your letter one arrived back here Saturday.
The weather has been very good this week but I haven't been out much as I was filthy when I got back, so I have been busy cleaning up.
I don't know my Course result but I think I did quite well. The Company Commander was on to me on Saturday to take over Gas NCO in the ITC but I told him I wasn't too keen, but I may have to do it whether I like it or not.
I have already had a letter from one of the Canadians I knocked about with on the Course so don't be surprised if you get a Canadian for seven days sometime. He's coming up to Glasgow shortly for a leave so I shall probably have a visit from him then.
Well the war news seems to have brightened everybody up in this place. According to the papers Adolf seems to be rather worried. I didn't think much of the Prime Minister's speech on Friday after all, what will the Home Guard formed for. Anyhow I will close now and hope to hear from you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 114A Sunday 23.05.1943
My Dear Mother and Dad
Everything all right and I hope you're both well.
As I write this I am just recovering from inoculations and laid-back in bed.
We've had lovely weather this week but today it is raining. I seem to have struck for the job of gas NCO as I have been very busy this week putting A.T.S. and new recruits through the gas chamber. I have been enquiring about my leave and I hope to be home by 1 June.
The war news is definitely good at present and it looks as if Italy are getting worried. Well we have just been told that our company is closing down so whether I shall get posted to another company or not I don't know.
Anyhow I will close now and hope to see you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 115 Sunday
Dear Mother and Dad
Everything all right and I was pleased to see you had a good holiday and fine weather. We have had marvellous weather for the last fortnight. This week is Perth holiday week and there seems to be something going off every day, next Saturday we have our Highland Games, so we look like having a busy week.
Well I suppose you read about our VC last week .It’s definitely got the backs up the Black Watch in this place. The Company is definitely breaking up in the near future, but you have no need to worry because I'm staying in Perth. I had an interview with the Company Commander yesterday and I'm being transferred to another Training Company.
I was pleased to hear Donald is still the same place you want to tell him to nurse this job if it's a cushy one. I was swimming in the river last week and it reminded me of the Ilkley days.
We are out on the rifle range all day tomorrow at Kinfauns Castle and we shall be having dinner in the field so if it's a fine day it should be a good day.
Well the second front looks quite near now and we seem to be doing just what we want with regard to the Mediterranean. We have a lot of recruits came in last week I was looking for Uncle Jack but he seems to be still missing it.
Anti-Edith should be in her element now if she’s amongst the posh. I don't think anything else has happened lately so I will close now and write again shortly
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
No 4 Company,
No 8 I.T.C.
Campbells Dyeworks
Perth
Letter 116
Dear Mother and Dad,
Arrived back safely and everything okay. I just got back in time to see the start of Perthshire War Weapons Week. The whole company was on parade, but luckily the CSM didn't expect me back until Saturday morning, so I was a spectator.
The weather has been lovely this week and I been very busy training my new squad. I've just received a letter from Borell and he is in an ITC in Wales pending a move somewhere, but he doesn't know yet.
He has asked me to go through and see his wife and parents as soon as I get chance, so I shall have to see about having a weekend in Glasgow before long.
At the present moment we are all sweating on a Promotion Conference that is taking place today, wondering whether any of our Lance Sergeants have been made up it. If so then somebody will get the push. But I don't think it'll be me as I have been receiving praise from my squad all week. Anyhow why worry, there are a lot of us who have been here too long already.
I hope you're both well and enjoying the same weather as us and the garden is being well looked after. So will close now and write again shortly
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 117 Sunday
Dear Mother and Dad
everything all right and glad to see you are both well. The weather has been marvellous this last week and we been very busy. At present I am on a regimental weapon training course and tactical course. When this is finished I shall probably change my address as I'm going to a new company. Last week we had the a TS, military and pipe band giving us a demonstration, there were really smart. Specialist company is nearly finished at present and then it will change its name. I had a great surprise last week, a bloke came looking for me when I got to know who he was I found out he dummies recruit training in the same squad the Sydney Brown but he didn't know where Sydney have gone after he had completed his training. I'm sorry to hear that Jack's youngster isn't improving much. Well I bet you were surprised when you heard that muck Mussolini had resigned. I don't think it will be long before Italy pack seen. And then I suppose the big advance will continue. Well I will close now and give my regards to Donald and Mary and I hope to be home on leave about the first week in September you can asked Donald if you can get me a couple of shirts these overseas type with the pockets in and collar on.
So will close now and right again shortly
your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
Specialist Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 118 Monday
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and pleased to see you are both well. Well the Highland Games turned out a great success, there were some really marvellous athletes. I was in the Company Relay team which was quite a comic affair.
The Company Commander had to work out a map-reading problem, take it to the Company Sgt Major 50 yards away, who had to work out another problem. He brought his answer to me, I had to assemble a light machine gun take it 100 yards to a Corporal who had to fill a magazine, put it on the gun and end up by taking it to a Lance Cpl 50 yards away who ran with it to the finishing post 100 yards away. You ought to have seen the state some of the got into, anyhow we finish second
The band plays at all the Regimental Marches of the Regiment in the 51st Highland Division. I felt thought the crowd were never going to stop cheering. They R.S.M. won most of the field events throwing the hammer etc he looked like an advert for Scotch Porridge Oats, in the middle of the park with just his kilt and vest.
Well the company changes over from Specialist to Infantry in about another fortnight. I'm being kept on the Permanent Staff so you won't have to worry about me me being sent away any place yet for a while.
I had a good day out last Wednesday, I did about 140 miles round the East Coast in the Dundee area. I was at Gleneagles Hotel, St Andrews, Dunblane Hydro and Broughty Castle testing respirators and gas bombs .
Well I was sorry to hear about Jack's youngster. It is to be hoped it turns out alright, after all this messing about in Hospital. Anyhow I don't think I can tell you any more except the invasion seems to be will working out according to plan, and I just got a letter from Borell in India, who has just had a 14 day leave in Bombay and is doing quite well
So will close now and say Cheerio for the present.
Your loving son,
Edgar
XXXX
Sgt E. Wildman
No.4 Coy.
No. 8 I.T.C.
Campbells Dyeworks,
Perth
Letter 119 Sat. August 1st
Dear Mother and Dad,
Arrived back safely and I hope you are both well. I found on arriving back here a vast number of NCOs have been posted to Carnoustie near Dundee. If this comes off I shall be going to the eigth Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and shall probably get a chance of coming down to Ilkley on the Anti-Tank Gun Course I told you about. With regard to being sent abroad ,I think you can sit back and rest assured that the Guardian Angel is still flying over your youngest son. I hope Donald is enjoying his leave and you see him again before he goes back. I'm sorry about the discomfort I caused you whilst I was home and I hope you will forgive me for this.
I had a terrible journey up in the train which was packed with holiday crowds, and after one or two arguments got a seat after leaving Carlisle. So will close now and write of any more news shortly
your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
Specialist company
No. 8 I.T.C
Perth
Letter 120 9th August 1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything as before and hope you are both well.
The weather has been pretty rough the last few days up here, but I see they are having heat waves in London. Well believe it or not but I had the pleasure of speaking to the Viceroy of India last Thursday night, He paid us a surprise visit and of course he caught us half dressed lying about the Barrack room. I was very surprised, he is quite an ordinary person no high hat or bounce. Of course half the recruits didn't know who he was, being dressed in civvies, he did spend a lot of time just asking opinions on army life, service etc. I haven't been out the last week owing to knocking my toe up, but it seems to be improving now.
Well I am due leave on September 14, but I don't know whether I shall get it or not because quite a number have their leaves cancelled owing to the Company's changing over, but there is another month yet.
I have been put forward for promotion again but these old soldiers don't die off quick enough.
Well it looks as if it's all over with Sicily and Russia seems to be getting on pretty well so maybe the end of the war isn't as far away as we think.
Anyhow will close now and hope to hear from you soon.
Your loving son
Edgar XXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
Specialist company
No. 8 I.T.C
Perth
Letter 121 13th August 1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right, and please to see you are both well.
Well the reason why I am answering so soon is that by the time you get this, I shall be on my way to this 11th Battalion which are in Barrow in Furness. So don't write again to Perth, I will let you know as soon as possible my new address.
I was asked by the Company Commander if I should like to get nearer home, so when he told me where the posting was, I took it straight away.
There is no danger of being sent abroad so don't worry it's only a holding Battalion, and I shall have the job of training men before they are sent abroad. Well I shall have to close now so I will write again as soon as I arrive in Barrow and probably see you next weekend ,if it's possible to get home
so cheerio for the present
all my love
Edgar XXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
Specialist Company
No. 8 I.T.C
Perth
Letter 122 9th August 1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
You will be surprised to get this short note, but I just heard that my posting is cancelled, so don't pay any attention to the last letter with regard to Barrow in Furness.
After working like a nigger all week and cleaning kit and preparing to move tomorrow morning, the Company Commander told me I was being transferred to No. 3. Company, which is still No. 8 I. T.C., but I shall not be moving there for another week or so yet.
Well I feel rather disappointed about it, although Perth is the safest placed, as regards being moved.
The weather hasn't been too bad over the weekend but the alteration of clocks makes feel a bit winter-ish at night.
I hope you weren't worried when you got my last letter, anyway you can relax now start thinking about my leave. I'm sorry this is rather scribbled but I wrote it the first chance I got after I was told.
So will close now and hope to hear from you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
No 3 Coy.
No. 8 I.T.C
Perth
Letter 123 Sunday
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and pleased to see you are both well. You will notice I have been transferred to another company. I was transferred last Wednesday and had to take over Orderly Sgt. Straight, so I have been busy but ever since.
I like this company much better than Specialist because it is more in my line of training, and I have known the CSM ever since I was at the Raploch, Stirling .
Well you may be surprised to hear that I have been selected for another Course, this time an Advanced Tactical Course in North Wales. This kid definitely gets around
I go on the 21st September until 12 October and am hoping to have my leave first. I'm still on the sick list with my foot, but I don't think it will be long before it is all right again
The weather has been terrible this week, but tonight has been more like summer. The cutting was quite interesting and I'm pleased to see they are both well.
Tell Donald that I don't think there is any other kit I require unless he could wangle a pair of size 8 shoes out of his stores, not pointed toes, as mine are just about to the upper at present, also a couple of pair of socks won’t be idle.
Well I think you can rest assured that I shall be in Perth for another three or four months anyway, although if I could have got on the permanent staff at Barrow in Furness it would have been all right being able to get home more often.
Well I think this is about all for the present, so I will close now and hope to hear from you soon.
Give everybody my kindest regards
your loving son
Edgar
XXXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
No 3 Coy.
No. 8 I.T.C
Perth
Letter 124 Monday
Dear Mother and Dad,
E everything all right and pleased to see you are both well.. I have just finished the first week of my Course but at the present on the sick list, I stubbed my toe against one of the beds and bruised it badly so all I have to do now is to lie back and rest it.
The weather has not been too good lately, but Perth has been packed with holidaymakers. I'm sorry it took me so long to write last time but I am answering your last letter straight away.
I didn't think Donald's leave would have been up so soon but I hope he gets a weekend during my next leave. There isn't much I can tell you at present except NCOs keep getting posted everyday but the Guardian Angel seems to be still looking after me.
I hope Dad soon gets better, it's probably just a slight cold he has got.
Well the War seems to be coming to a climax at present. I don't think Italy will last long now that we are going to continue bombing them.
I think there will be another landing before long but I should like to say where. Anyway I hope to be home in about another month all being well.
I will close now and hope to hear from you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
Ward E
E.M.S Hospital
Bridge of Earn,
Perth
2-9-43
Letter125
Dear Mother and Dad,
Don't be surprised or get worried when you see the new address, but at the present moment I am lying back like a gentleman in hospital.
I can't understand why am here, but I reported sick yesterday in Perth and after the M.O. looked at my toe, he sent me here for an x-ray and when the results came out I was told to go to bed and have a weeks rest.
You can't see anything when you look at my big toe and there is no pain, although the doctor here says it's a small fracture.
So I suppose my leave will be cancelled for the present. It's definitely a small world, there's a bloke in the next bed who comes from Queensbury (Bradford) and he has a fractured ankle, so I have some company.
You ought to see me laid-back here like an angel all in white, white sheets, white pyjamas and a nurse dressed in white holding my hand.
Well I don't think I can tell you anything else at present so don't get worried it's only a kidding job this, better here than Sicily
Hope to hear from you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
No 3 Coy.
No. 8 I.T.C
Perth
Letter 126 8-9-43
Dear Mother and Dad,
As you will notice I am now thankful to be back at my old address. I didn't get operated on like they said they would do, but managed to have the bone pushed back without.
Thank you very much for the parcel, I think there is about one slice of cake left which was really delicious. The trouble was of course it didn't last long enough.
I have just been to the Chiropodist to have my corns cut, so I think we shall be alright now, but I never want to go near a hospital again. The state the some of the other poor blokes there are in back from North Africa.
Well I don't think I shall be home next week but hope to be home about the last week in this month. You can tell Grandpa if you see him before I write, that I'm up and kicking again. Of course we are the wrong breed to be kept down for long.
Anyhow I will close now so don't think about hospitals any more and hope to hear from you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
No 3 Coy.
No. 8 I.T.C
Perth
Letter 127 Sunday 19th Sept. 1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the letter and pleased to see you are both well, it's quite a coincidence but as I write this I am listening to the Transatlantic Call from Gloucester USA.
Well we arrived back here safe from our 48-hour scheme after doing about 50 miles in two days. We set off on Thursday morning at about 9:30 AM and arrived at a small place called Glenn Almond about 18 miles from Perth and 9 miles north of Crieff.
We did this journey in four hours 20 min complete with full kit blanket, rations and rifle, also light machine guns. On arrival we got fires going, boiled potatoes and warmed tins of meat and vegetables. We sent men out to try and catch rabbits but only shot too.
The same night we practised night patrols up the hill sides, but managed to get five hours sleep. On Friday morning we did a demonstration with tracer ammunition and a wood clearing exercise.
In the afternoon the troops were allowed to sleep for two hours and then we prepared to move off and march back by night. We left at 530 in the evening and after staying for an hour in Methven, about halfway back, we arrived back at 11 o'clock Friday night. And believe it or not the men did PT on Saturday morning. My toe never bothered me at all but I have a couple of nice blisters on my heels.
Well the weather has been very good the last few days but cold at night. We have a Sgt Dance next Friday night and I hope to be home on leave the following Monday and Tuesday this will be the 26th or 27th.
Anyhow I will close now and tell you everything when I arrive home. So cheerio for now
your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
No 3 Coy.
No. 8 I.T.C
Perth
Letter 128 Wednesday
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and pleased to see you enjoyed yourselves at Morecambe.
The weather has been terrible up here since I came back, but luckily I haven’t been stung for schemes or anything, to have to stay out in it.
There's a big scheme on at present the whole of the 52nd division are on manoeuvres and are moving down from the north towards Perth, and are supposed to arrive on the outskirts sometime next Saturday.
When the Home Guard, Civil Defence and No. 8. I .T.C will attempt to defend the city. They are definitely doing things in a big way dropping paratroops, tanks and horse Cavalry taking part. Well I. Don't know what part I shall have to play but all of No. 8. I. T .C are confined to barracks this weekend and I shall probably find myself with the platoon holding a railway bridge or something.
Anyhow as long as it's not in Italy I can hold it. I'm glad Donald managed to give the garage another coat. I suppose he will have got settled down again by now. Well I will close now and hope to hear from you soon. Your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman
No 3 Coy.
No. 8 I.T.C
Perth
Letter 129 26-9-43
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and pleased to see you are quite well. As I told in the last letter I was stung for a job in this weekend scheme.
I was out all Saturday night with the platoon guarding a bridge, but didn't get attacked until about two o'clock on Sunday afternoon.
We lasted about 10 min and then General Ritchie, the man who was in charge of the eighth Army, swept through Perth with his 52nd division like an avalanche.
Anyhow we finished on Sunday about five o'clock and I was out with my own platoon last night, on night operations and tonight I am definitely going to bed early.
Well I'm afraid I shall be posted before long. I am being transferred to Depot Company on Thursday and after that, well anything can happen.
I've just heard our second Battalion are at Otley, you will have to get some rations from somewhere, because I shall be home after looking for something to eat
The weather has been quite good lately but very cold I was trying to get a bottle of whisky last week but the black market, isn't operating yet, well I will close now and right again shortly
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
E Sgt. E. Wildman,
Depot Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 130 Thursday, 4.11.1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and pleased to see you are both well. Sorry I haven't written before but I just arrived back from Barrow in Furness I took a draft down on Tuesday morning and set off back Thursday morning. It was quite a nice trip and we had a train direct from Perth.
Well as you will see my address has changed again, but there is no sign of being posted yet. The weather has been good lately, but we have had a flu epidemic this last week and half the place was on quarantine. Anyhow they seem to have got it cleared now and we are back to normal again.
The war seems to be progressing well but I think people are getting a bit too optimistic, as to when it's going to finish. I was surprised to see you had been to Birmingham and by car?
Well I think this is about all I can tell you at present, so cheerio for now and hope to hear from you soon.
All my love
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman,
Depot Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 131 Sunday 14.11.1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Sorry I haven't written before now but I been very busy all this week taking a squad of NCOs on weapon training.
This is the first opportunity have had and I hope you'll forgive me. The weather is very cold at present and I would not be surprised if we have snow any day. Well once again my posting was cancelled and I'm going to a new Company which opens up next Thursday.
As you know we haven't had many recruits coming in for quite a while but last week a big batch came in, rejects from the Navy and we are expecting another lot next Thursday.
I don't know whether you may have heard or not but the 51st Highland Division arrived home last week. I'm expecting to see quite a lot of my old pals again before long. I met a lad I used to go to school with last week and he was expecting to go abroad any time.
Well the war seems to be progressing quite well at present and there seems to be some optimistic people think it will be over by next year, let's hope so.
I am just going to the Garrison Theatre tonight so will close now and hope to hear from you soon.
All my love Edgar XXXXX
PS how about some pickled onions.
Sgt. E. Wildman,
Depot Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 132 30.11.1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the letter and pleased to see you are both well. Well things are just about the same up here, and I get a new squad of civvies on Thursday. The class of men we are getting at present is very low, and by the looks of them, they must be the last dregs of Britain's manpower. I suppose we shall have to hammer them into shape some way or other, but half of them are cripples and before they have been here for a fortnight they are sent away to Physical Development Centres.
Well Goebbels seems to be having a job to keep morale up after the pasting Berlin got last week. And it looks as if Monty will be in Rome by ex-months.
The question that everybody will up here is asking is where is Churchill? I wouldn't be surprised to hear of him being in Moscow. I noticed it was the Deputy Prime Minister in the House of Commons last week.
The weather has been very good after the weekend, cold at night but lovely and warm through the day. I went to the theatre last week to see “Crime at the Blossoms” but couldn't stand the strain above half an hour.
Why can't think I can tell you anything so will close and hope to hear from you soon..
Your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman,
Depot Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Perth
Letter 133 12.12.1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and I hope you are both well. Sorry I haven't written before but I been waiting to see what was going to happen to me, as once again this Company is disbanding.
Anyway you won't have anything to worry about because I go to ‘B’ Company next Thursday.
I'm just about dizzy changing Companies but I'm still here and that's the important thing. Well I had a very busy week, with my new squad and believe me is patience a virtue. The youngest man is 33 and the oldest 43 as regards discipline they are all right, but slow on the uptake.
One of my men comes from Hope Avenue, Windhill but I don't know him. He knows where my Grandad lives and his name is Wood, I think his head is made of wood too.
I don't know how my leave will go now, it may be pushed back, with changing Companies, we shall have to see.
The 51st are home and I have been talking to quite a few I know, and they are keen to start a second front and get things over with.
I don't see much doing for Christmas at all up here. And please don't ask for Whisky, I’ve been trying for the last fortnight and the black market seems to have it all.
Well there isn't much else I can tell you so will close now and hope to hear from you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman,
No 2 Company,
City Hall,
Perth
Letter 134 19.12.1943
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and I hope you are both well. I am sorry I didn't write earlier but as you can see by the address we have had another change round. I was posted to ‘B’ Company, but as I was asked for in this company,so here I am.
I arrived here on Saturday so I haven't had much chance yet to see what things are like. Physical fitness seems to be the main consideration
. I was sorry to hear of Mary's illness and hope she's much better. Well my leave has been knocked in the head now until after the New Year. As there are NCOs here who are due before me.
We have our Sgt’s Dance on Christmas Eve, and this morning we have to parade for Highland dancing. The billets are very good and we are right in the centre of the town. It is set out something like Victoria Hall with a large organ at one end .
I suppose I shall have some weary bones for a few days with all this doubling and forced marching, but it's better than doing it in Italy.
Things aren't too settled at present in the ITC and I think there will be a lot of postings before long, so I may be better off away from it. Anyhow when he arrived here the CS M couldn't tell me quick enough that I would be Duty Sergeant starting from tomorrow night until next Monday, so I look like being on duty Christmas Eve.
Well I think it is about all for the present, so give my kindest regards to everybody and I will score close now wishing you a very Merry Christmas
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
PS just received your parcel but have not had time to open it yet.
Sgt. E.Wildman,
No. 4 Coy.
No 8 I.T.C.
Campbells Dyeworks
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and I arrived back safely on Friday night. The train was an hour late when it arrived at Keighley and on arrival in Glasgow we were about two hours late, this was about 6 PM .I left Glasgow for Perth at 6:15 PM thinking I would be in Perth at about 9 PM but the train broke down at Gleneagles, and after waiting there for an hour arrived in Perth at 10:30 PM.
The weather up here is just as bad as Yorkshire, if not even worse ,as trains have been arriving 20 and 24 hours late from London. There was nothing fresh when I arrived back except that all the NCOs had a lecture from our SM telling them that some of us who'd been in the ITC the longest would probably be getting moved somewhere about April, So I shall definitely see the Winter through in Perth
There hasn't been any outdoor training done up here for the last 10 days as the streets are still deep in “slush”, but today it is pouring with rain so by tomorrow we may find the streets more clear.
I am going to Garrison Theatre tonight to see Ralph Reader and his “Gang Show” so will close now, hoping this finds you both well and your face much better.
Your loving son, Edgar
XXXXX
E Sgt E. Wildman
No.4 Coy.
No. 8 I.T.C.
Campbells Dyeworks
Letter 136
Dear Mother and Father,
Everything all right and I hope you are both well. The weather has been very good lately, with a full moon it is just like daylight at night.
I just arrived back yesterday from Fort George, talk about a wilderness The fort is built on the edge of the Moray Firth, and is like a prison. There is a cinema and buses run through the Fort from Inverness, which is 12 miles away,. W
Whilst your sleeping at night you could hear the waves bashing up the walls, and the only thing that separates the Fort from the sea is a narrow road and a stretch of barbed wire.
After handing over the men I took up, I went Inverness, to see Deanna Durban in “Nice Girl”, it's really worth seeing if you haven't already seen it. I set off back at 11 o'clock at night and had quite a nice journey back.
I am going to Glasgow this weekend with Bob Glassey who plays for the third Lanark. So will be a change from Perth.
I hope Donald likes his new billets he probably won’t grumble as much now. I got one or two invitations for the New Year already, Two to Glasgow and one to Stirling, but it all depends how we are fixed in the barracks here.
Anyhow I hope everything is all right in Baildon, the war seems to be turning against Hitler slightly now with the Libyan campaign and Russia still holding out. So I will close now and hope to hear again from you soon.
Your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt E. Wildman
No.4 Coy.
No. 8 I.T.C.
Campbells Dyeworks
Letter 137
Dear Mother and Father,
Everything all right and I hope you're both well.
You will notice the new address ,we don't actually move until the 10th, but I don't think you will have time to re-reply to hear, so this will find me.
We change billets with number 2. Company which are the Black Watch, because the big shirts don't think there are enough facilities for training new recruits.
I hope my beloved brother has found time to come and see you and you have told him what you thought. The weather has turned quite cold now and I think we can expect snow any time.
I have been in charge of the boxing team for the last week but managed to keep them all at arms length. There are a lot of rumours of the I T C breaking up ,but we haven't heard anything definite yet.
I stand a good chance of getting leave again at Christmas, if all goes well and we haven't made an invasion by that time.
Everybody seems to think America will do something about the sinking of their ships, but I don't think it's serious enough yet. Anyhow I haven't anything fresh to tell you, so don't worry about Donald. I expect he will come round before long and realise things.
So will close now and write again soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman,
Specialist Coy.
No 8. I.T.C.
Campbells Dyeworks,
Letter 138 Perth
Dear Mother and Dad,
I hope you're both well and you will notice that I have got a new address. I am now tactical Sgt in Specialist Company and back again on the permanent staff. I have been in this company since last Monday, but I haven't got quite settled down yet.
I had an interview with the Commanding Officer last Saturday morning, and got the choice of staying in Perth and taking over this job or going to a fighting unit. I would've liked to have gone to Dundee to the eighth Battalion, as I know a lot of people there., But I just got a whiff about a landing operation there were going to do so laid off immediately.
I have been out driving today just small Austin trucks but I'm going out driving Bren Gun Carriers tomorrow, these are like small tanks with two Ford V8 engines in.
The weather is quite good at present but it's definitely getting darker at night. I wonder if you'd heard our Pipe Band tonight at five o'clock (Wednesday), I stood listen to them broadcast, they were very good.
I suppose you will all be talking about this landing that's come off it seems to be quite a strong force. Anyway there must be something in it.
Anyhow I will close now and hope to hear from you soon.
Your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt. E. Wildman,
Specialist Coy.
No 8. I.T.C.
,
Campbells Dyeworks,
Letter 139
Dear Mother and Dad
Just a few lines hoping you are both well. The weather is quite good at present, but very cold. I just received a letter from Borell who is now in a ut has been transferred to the first Battalion Cameronians and is waiting while the Battalion is made up to strength again before they start training.
Things are just about the same up here still plenty of red tape, I think it's a case of Russia leads while Britain Blanco's. We had an Adjutants Parade on Friday very smart, complete with both bands, but I think the people of Perth have been complaining about the ridiculous parades and not enough field training.
Well Stalingrad is still holding out and everybody up here seems to be of the opinion that it will fall.
I shall definitely expect to turn on the wireless one of you night and have them announce Geoffrey Cordingley and his living quartet. Joke over. Anyhow I will have close now and hope that things go all right for father at the foundry and that Donald is still okay
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
No 2 Coy.
City Hall,
Perth
Letter 140 2-1-44
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for letter and pleased to see you are both well. All the festivities are over with and I suppose we shall have to settle down to work again tomorrow.
In Perth here on Friday was like being on Blackpool prom at Bank Holiday. All the pubs crammed to the door. On New Year's Day there was only one pub open, and people queueing in the street to get in.
Of course in our own mess we had the usual traditional carry on, the C.O. and Adjutant came in, all the Company Commander's were in and a flock of budding Lieutenants and the New Year was well and truly seen in.
The Commanding Officers both Black Watch and Argyll visited all the men and drank their health at dinnertime, each man had two bottles of beer, 20 cigarettes and as much as they could eat. I went to see the”Four Feathers” last night, it was very good but not as good as the book.
Anyhow I am just about settle down in this Company now and of course nobody bothers us with being away from the barracks, I have quite a view from the room I sleep in, on one side Woolworths and a furniture shop and the other side the fire station.
I don't know the exact date for my leave but I will see the C.S.M. tomorrow and see if I can get to know definitely. The trouble is every Company has different ideas if the last one had not disbanded I should have been home for Christmas because they worked out your leave three months from the date you went away, but in this one is from the date you come back, so that means a fortnight longer.
Well I don't think I can tell you anything else except I dropped Grandpa a note last week. In the letter with Leeds postmark on it must have been given to someone who came from there to post.
So I will close now and let you know my leave date as soon as possible.
Your loving son
Edgar XXXX
Sgt E. Wildman,
C Coy, 7th Battn. A&SH
Woodlands Park Camp,
Gt. Missenden,
Bucks.
Letter 141 10-1-44
Dear Mother and Dad
Just a few lines hoping you are quite well, and letting you know my new address. I arrived here safe and sound about one o'clock Sunday. I know quite a number of NCOs and officers, but it's a bit strange for a start off. It is quite a nice camp in the billets are just as good as Perth.
We are about 25 miles from Bicester and 11 from Aylesbury, and 45 min run by tube from London.
Well I do my first days work tomorrow and my new C.S.M. was quite pleased getting me to his Company, because the Battalion are behind on weapons training and I have to start tomorrow and take all the NCOs and Officers in Sten Machine Carbines. Some of the C.S.M's and C.Q. M.S ‘s are being sent away because they are too old so I think if I get cracking here I might get somewhere.
Well we are definitely in rural England down here, and the weather is quite good. Well I will close now and write more later.
Cheerio for now
your loving son
Edgar XXXXX go to sleep
Sgt. E.Wildman,
‘C’ Coy. 7th Battn. A&SH
A.P.O. England,
Letter 142 undated
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the papers and pleased to see you are quite well. The weather is perfect at present, and we went swimming this afternoon.
Please excuse the pencil and writing but when I awoke on Saturday morning my right hand was numb up to the rest. I couldn't understand what happened, but the MO said I must have slept on it and it will be alright in the day or two.
I wrote to Donald last Friday and told him I was sorry, that I couldn't see him at present, owing to cancellation of passes.
Anyhow things are pretty quiet at present, but according to the papers, something might happen before long. I can't say any more at present, except if my mail should take a little longer to reach you, don't worry I shall be quite alright.
So I will close for the present and hope to hear from you soon. Your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
(letter passed by censor)
Sgt E. Wildman,
C Coy, 7th Battn. A&SH
Woodlands Park Camp,
Gt. Missenden,
Bucks.
Letter 143 Thursday
Dear Mother and Dad
Thanks for letter and pleased to see you are well. I'm putting on the correct address, because you probably won't have time to write to this one. Well the weather has been very good to us so far, a bit cold, but we haven't had time to feel it, believe me this is some training.
We start off at 09:00 hours each day, by having to walk and run about 5 miles to the training area which is part of the grounds of Thoresby Hall, and we are camped in the grounds of Welbeck Hall on the road to Newark.
When we arrive we start and do Company attacks along with the tanks for about a mile and then dig in. We do this about three times to make sure that is the tanks get it off pat.
I arrived here last Thursday before the Battalion, and had a nice journey up by road, stopping at Leicester and Nottingham. The Battalion arrived on Saturday night and of course by this time we had all the camp ready.
I have been into Worksop twice, which is 4 miles away, but don't fancy it much. I tried to get home last Sunday for the day, but found I should not been able to get back at night.
Well my leave cropped up again today and the Company Commander is trying to get me 14 days owing to waiting till this scheme is over, and I may be home at the beginning of next week.
While I don't think I can tell you any more at present except we are having a march past four General Montgomery next week in Aylesbury, with massed Pipe Bands of the Division.
Anyhow I will close now and rest the weary bones for tomorrow.
Your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
‘C’ Coy. 7th Battn. A&SH
A.P.O. England,
Letter 144 Sunday 16.4.44
Dear Mother and Dad,
Just a few lines hoping you are both well, and thank you for the parcel. As usual of course it didn't last long, but the home touch was there.
You will notice the address has changed once again, but I think it is quite general throughout the country.
I'm afraid there isn't much I can tell you except we are having rain at present, and I received the usual donation from the Comforts Fund last week. I have been on duty this week- I haven't had chance to get out, the films are quite ancient anyway.
I was surprised to see that Donald and Mary had occupied their new home, but bringing water from the well just about crowns everything. I suppose father would be passing quite a few remarks when he came back from his visit. Anyhow I suppose they think they know best, so I shouldn't worry too much about them
Well this seems to be about all present so please give my kind regards to Grandpa and hope to hear from you soon.
Your loving son
Edgar XXXX
(passed by censor)
Sgt. E.Wildman,
‘C’ Coy. 7th Battn. A&SH
Woodlands Park Lodge
Gt Missenden
Bucks.
Letter 144A Sunday 16.4.44
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the teacakes I hope you are quite well. Well a week has passed and I think I have just about settle down. The weather is still good and nothing of any importance has occurred.
I have had chance to transfer to the 3 inch Mortar Platoon as a Detachment Commander, but I haven't made my mind up yet., We had an air raid last night but didn't see anything, it sounded to be in the direction of London.
My platoon officer at present comes from Lidget Green (Bradford) and is a traveller for Lever Brothers he's quite a decent bloke, he has just arrived back with the division from Italy, and went on leave this morning.
I asked about my leave yesterday, and I may get home next week, if it's not cancelledfor the seven-day scheme which comes off on the 29th to the 6th.
We are supposed to be coming up to Yorkshire for the scheme, training to cooperate with the Tank Corps. One of my pals is being posted down here from Perth tomorrow, so I shall have somebody to muck in with.
I was surprised to hear of Jack moving to Baildon, I suppose they will have joined both bungalows together. (Jack and his wife Vera lived in one semi-bungalow and Aunt Annie lived next door in the adjoining bungalow with her husband Walter ) Anyhow I will close now and hope to hear from you soon.
Your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
‘C’ Coy. 7th Battn. A&SH
A.P.O. England,
Letter 145 Sunday
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the papers, letter and pleased to see you are both well. I'm sorry I was so long in writing but we have been very busy lately and have not had much time to ourselves.
The weather is very good at present, which is some consolation, but even if it wasn't, we shall have to carry on.
You seem to be doing a bit of travelling lately what with Birmingham last week and days out at Harrogate. I was sorry to hear about Sydney if it's true, but he will know where he is now until the job is over.
Donald seems to have been hitting the high notes lately going up to London, I wonder if he told Mary everything he did?She will be warning him off if he doesn't watch himself. Well you may be surprised to hear that I was in London myself last Tuesday and Wednesday, at the Army's expense of course, but we haven't much time to move around. We've had one or two air raids lately but never saw anything.
Well according to the papers it looks as if something might happen before long, and then we shall know how we stand.
I suppose it will be very quiet in the village these days, and I can imagine the betting in the “Bay Horse”, Gillard and company.
Anyhow I think this is about all for now and if you have any spend notes lying about you can send them along, because it costs us 10 bob every time we go out in this place.
So will close now and hope to hear from you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXX
(passed by censor)
‘C’ Coy. 7th Battn. A&SH
A.P.O. England,
Letter 146 Monday postmark 26-04-44
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the papers and hope you're both well. I was surprised to see you had been to Birmingham and also to see that Donald may come near home on a Course. I'm afraid I’m not as lucky as that not likely to be.
Well we had quite a funny week doing training and a hectic air raid on Saturday.
The weather has been very good lately and believe me we have had our share of it. Jack Dawson seems to have been having quite a time with himself and according to the papers it seems more like American racketeers but I suppose there are hundreds like him but they don't get caught.
I suppose you will be doing a spot of gardening these days, don't forget to look after the apple trees and loganberries.
We had the pleasure of seeing all these bombers go out over the weekend and believe me it was some shuttle service.
I don't think Jim Oliver and Tommy will be able to see you now as I hear they have moved but don't know where.
Anyhow I think this about all present, so look after yourselves and hope to hear from you soon
cheerio for now
your loving son
Edgar XXXX
(passed by censor)
Address torn off
(it seems possible Edgar is dropping serious hints about the current situation while avoiding the censor’s interest….” Not as lucky as that…..all these bombers going over….don’t think Jim Oliver ….will be able to see you”)
Dear Mother and Dad,
just received your papers and pleased to see you are both well. The weather has not been too good lately, neither has Jerry but we still survive.
You will have read by now that Caen has fallen and the advance continues. I had a letter and a packet of cigarettes from Mary which was very nice of her also a letter from Jack. I'm sorry to hear about his youngster not being too well, but they will just have to hope for the best.
I am now allowed to tell you where we were 12 days ago we were between two villages Breville and Escoville. We didn't fare too badly, we killed a cow and yours truly is going to milk one today if it will stand still, and Jerry will stop shelling for a while.
Meeting I met a lad from Tong Park but we were on the move and I didn't get much chance to speak to him. I have a good Platoon Commander at the present moment, a Canadian from Toronto and is he some man.
Jamie Oliver's crowd were in their Caen battle and according to reports did a marvellous job and still are. Well we have an’t got him on the run yet, but we will do one of these fine days and things may look brighter then.
You would laugh if you could see u his s dishing out the rations in the morning just like a shopkeeper. Well things are pretty quiet at present but I don't suppose it will be for long. We have just finished dinner, and we are sat here waiting for something to happen.
The I haven't come across Dougie Broderick yet although I have met quite a number of airborne troops. We have moved quite a few times since we have been here and that is since D before. Anyhow
I think this is about all for the present and I will tell you all about it when I come home. Your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
Address torn off
Postmarked 15-July-1944
letter155
Dear Mother and Dad
Just received your letter and pleased to see you are both well, including the garden. Things seem to be at a standstill at the present moment, nothing but a few shells now and again but some of them a bit too close to be healthy.
Once more we have had another move, and as I write this I'm sat in what was once a very prosperous farmyard, a bit shell scarred maybe but not much evidence of the Nazi jackboot. The buildings are well constructed, electric lights in all stables and mistels
(4 lines missing here)……killed a pig and yours truly skinned a forequarter and we finished up with pork chops and a roast.
As we move forward here we are coming to a more open country and we shall be able to see which way he is coming, not like of late sat in amongst trees and wondering where the next shell was coming from. Even as I write this shells are coming over a fairly heavy, but they are going behind someplace. We had the pleasure of a grand stand view of the bombing of Caen and was it some sight, 450 heavies, with fighter escort. Jerry tried all he knew with his anti-aircraft, but the boys just sailed through as if it wasn't there for, we only saw one come down.
We have passed through most of the villages mentioned in the news and only a couple of days ago I met a lad from Tong Park but didn't have chance to say anything but Hello . I have just wrote Mary and thanked her for the cigarettes.. She seemed quite busy with her little home these days. At this present place we have to be on our toes at nights and make us sleep through the day so it doesn't make much difference what the weather is like, although there has been a slight improvement lately. Our barrage has just started up again and it sounds just like a bloke playing a Rhumba on a big scale. Anyhow I am glad the garden is okay and even if you don't go away the rest will do Dad good. Well the boys are just lining up for their seven course so I shall have to leave you or else my Yorkshire will be going cold. I don't think, but we can't grumble, we are still alive and healthy.
So will close now and hope to hear from you again soon.
Your ever loving son
Edgar XXXXX
PS give my kind regards to everybody, tell Freddie there were Concert Parties in our boats. The only Concert Party was Jerry and his long-range guns hitting the beach.
Sgt E. Wildman
‘C’Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A
Letter 156 Wednesday 19 -7-44
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything okay and pleased to see you are both well. Please note new address and if you are interested stands for British Liberation Armies. Well a lot has happened since I wrote you last and I guess today the whole of Britain will be all eyes on Normandy.
As I write this I'm sat on the edge of my hole as usual, ready to do a power dive in case and just over the wall of the orchard behind, our 25 pounders are sending messages of good wishes to Jerry. I don't think.
Once again we had a grandstand view of another of Monty’s Barrages, and Air Assault. In Believe me it was all hell let loose, the numbers of bombers uncountable, but the most amazing thing was to see the Earth tremors crossing the ground in front like me is in waves on the sea and the blast trying to pull the battledress of us. We have managed to have one day’s rest since we came over here and we had two good night sleep and a bath. The weather has been quite good this last week but I'm afraid we can't take advantage of it stripped to the waist.
I have just had another letter from Mary and once again she has been busy with the love nest. I'm still waiting for a reply from Donald but probably he's still running. I haven't seen anybody else I know yet except one or two lad me is s I had as recruits in Perth. Please
Well I think this is about all for now so will close and write again shortly. Give my regards to Grandpa and tell him that there is pullets walking about here for anybody that wants them. Meeting
Nearly forgot to tell you about seeing a complete Dresden China Tea Service in a house yesterday, but of course we cannot send them home.
Anyhow I'll bring you both something back from Paris which will be long now according to Monty. So cheerio and keep up the morale by writing and by the way I shall require cigarettes for a while so would you please hold back any you were going to send until I write for some
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXXXXXXXX
Sgt E. Wildman
‘C’Coy. Gth A&SH
B.L.A
Letter 157 Sunday 23-7-44
Dear Mother and Dad,
Just a few lines hoping you are both well.
It is six weeks today since we landed and believe me a lot has happened since then. You will probably have read by now of Monty's latest offensive, and of its success. Once again we had a grandstand view of the bombing, we thought the Caen raid a marvellous sight, but this made it look a sneak raid.
Details as to where we were when all this happened, I'm afraid I cannot tell you. News has reached us lately of internal unrest in Germany, and of the attempts in on Hitler's life, maybe it will lead to something.
Once again I remind you that I cannot tell you where we are until 14 days have passed, and we move that often that I have to keep looking at the map to find where we have been, Villages that we have been to so far are Reveille, Escoville, Bois de Barent, Benouville, Ransville other places since then.
The weather has been terrible lately and you can imagine what state we were in, living in slit trenches and nothing but ruined buildings to going to. The countryside is pretty much the same, that is cultivated land, plenty of big orchards and big farms. I had another letter from Mary and she still seems to think that Donald should be home every weekend. I can just imagine this little love nest. Anyhow everything is all right out here and I am quite well at the present moment. I'm just going to drop a few lines to Keith Scorer at Masons so I will leave you for the present and write again soon
cheerio for now
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXXXXX
kind regards to everybody
Sgt E. Wildman
‘C’Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A
Letter 158 Sunday 30-7-44
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and pleased to see you are both well. Sorry to hear about fathers back trouble, but I hope by now he is feeling better. Well I am still somewhere in France, the weather isn't too good but we still keep body and soul together. Things have been fairly quiet lately, as far as we are concerned, but the situation is changing so quickly we never know ourselves what is really happening.
The internal unrest doesn't seem to have developed any but the Russians seem to have him well taped on the Eastern front. I received the letter from “Faith Hope and Charity but I aren't any wiser as to who they are, although they seem to class you as quite a comedian. One lot of cigarettes have arrived here and that is the one's Mary sent, I expect yours will be on their way. And I have not had a letter yet from Mrs Hargreaves or Freddie.
Donald seems to have lost my address or else he's probably too busy these days. You seem to be becoming the film fan these days, you must have seen at least four films this year. I met a lad who works of the Joe Hibbitson last week but he was in a hurry so wasn't much above hello. Tell Jack I'm sorry I haven't written yet and I will do in due course.
It seems strange that Rack should start behaving himself, you must be letting him read my mail. Anyhow keep smiling and don't worry because this definitely has its humorous side, although it cannot end quick enough , so will close and by the way if Frankie has arrived home I hope you will let him have my address and remember me to everybody
your ever loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
PS tell Grandpa by appetite is as good as ever but I starting eating a bit slower
Sgt. E.Wildman,
‘C’ Coy. 7th Battn. A&SH
A.P.O. England,
Letter 147 Monday postmark 10-05-44
Dear Mother and Dad,
Hope you are both keeping well and thank you for the parcel, which I'm pleased to say arrived intact. I also received the papers okay and they do keep me in touch with home.
While I'm afraid there isn't anything of importance I can tell you, as things are very quiet at the present moment. The weather has been very good lately and we are still the same place. I managed to see you “This is the Army” last week and thought it was very good.
I'm sorry to hear that trade with Dad isn't very good, but I suppose he will pull something out of the bag in order to keep things going.
I hope you heard from Donald by now, and everything is all right. It looks as if something might happen one of these fine mornings, according to the papers, and I would hate to be in Germany, below all the bombers that fly out over us.
I haven't heard from Jimmy for a fortnight now and nobody here has heard where they have moved to yet.
I went out for a drink last night the first for nearly a fortnight by the way and it was worse than Carnival week at home. If they aren't short of glasses ,it's beer and the only have this about two nights a week.
Anyhow I was pleased to see that you are managing a bit of gardening these days, and I think this is about all for now, so hope to hear from you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
(passed by censor)
Sgt. E.Wildman,
‘C’ Coy. 7th Battn. A&SH
A.P.O. England,
Letter 148 Sunday, postmark 16-5-44
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thank you for the papers and hope you're both well. The weather isn't too good at present, rather windy and looking like rain.
Well I’m afraid I don't know what to write about, this censorship does not leave as much scope. We just seem to carry on day by day, some are interesting and some not too good.
I haven't been out much lately and tonight I seem to have pass the time darning and selling on buttons.
I thought Donald's mail would have been censored long ago I was rather surprised to see they are only yet thinking about it.
I was sorry to see the young Brown have been reported killed, I don't think you would know him but we used to be in the same class at school. You can tell Freddie when you see him I could just do with a couple of his pork chops and give him my kind regards.
We are able to get 36 hour passes now but I have enquired at the station and find that owing to changes at various places it takes about 10 or 11 hours to get to Leeds so I don't think it will be worthwhile trying to get home.
Anyhow it may be extended sometime so until then we shall just have to make the best of it. So will close now and hope to hear from you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXX
(passed by sensor)
(Dad was the representative of a small Cast Iron Foundry in Bingley which relied on his measuring and quoting for guttering and down-pipes for buildings all over the country)
Sgt. E.Wildman,
‘C’ Coy. 7th Battn. A&SH
A.P.O. England,
Letter 149 postmarked 25-May-1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the papers and pleased to see you are both well. Things are still very quiet, but the weather is quite good.
We could just do with this thing getting started and let's know how we stand. And then we might see home sweet home again.
I'm afraid I can't make any arrangement to meet Donald in London as we are not getting passes at the present moment, although I would like to very much.
We had a Company dance last night which turned out a success. I've just heard that Jimmy is somewhere around here, so I shall have to look him up the first chance I get.
Anyhow the news in Italy gets better every day, and we keep seeing the bombers go out to give him some more so we cannot grumble too much.
Well I'm afraid I can't write much else at present so I will close now and hope to hear from you soon your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
(passed by censor)
Sgt. E.Wildman,
‘C’ Coy. 7th Battn. A&SH
A.P.O. England,
Letter 149A undated
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and hope you are keeping well.
Well I'm still alive and kicking, and things are very quiet. I suppose you will be all ears when you heard of the invasion on the wireless. I know it came as a great relief to me, we seem to be making good progress. And believe me if all these bombers that we see here hit the target, France must be in some state.
I can just imagine you now listening to every bulletin that comes on.
I haven't heard from Donald yet, although I wrote over a week ago of course he will be a busy man. Anyhow don't worry if the mail is a little late and I hope to hear from you soon.
Cheerio for now
your loving son Edgar
XXXXXXXXX
PS
keep digging for victory
Sgt. E.Wildman
‘C’ Coy. 7th Battn. A&SH
A.P.O.
England
Letter 150 Wednesday 15th June 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and hope you are both well.
I suppose by now you have imagined where I am. All I can say is somewhere in France, and at the present moment nothing to worry about.
I would just like to start and tell you everything that happened this last fortnight, but of course it can't be done. The weather is quite good at present, and the place we are in is not unlike our own countryside. We have already sampled their new potatoes and onions by this time and it is surprising what you can cook in a little trench.
So far we take our hats off to the R.A.F. all day long they fly around us like a hen looking after chickens. We have seen one or two planes brought down, and also watched Jerry take a hammering from our heavy bombers, and do they make the job of it.
At the moment we are doing a spot of digging, and believe me do we dig deep. It seems strange to say that although we are over here, I couldn't tell you what is happening in other places, you with the wireless and papers will know more than us.
Our crossing was very good, we had a dry landing. The first French civilian we saw was an old lady doing some gardening very near to the beach, and working away as if nothing had happened.
I have just received an answer from the letter I wrote to Donald and he seems to be quite athletic these days, it was very funny because he was asking if there were any sports meetings where we were billeted, and if so he would try and come through for a day, of course he would be thinking we were still somewhere in England.
Well the guns are cracking round us here, both Jerry and ours and I'm just about dizzy popping in and out of this hole.
Anyhow don't worry and I hope to hear from you soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt. E.Wildman
‘C’ Coy. 7th Battn. A&SH
A.P.O.
England
Letter 151 Friday 157h June 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Here's a few more lines and I hope you're still keeping well. Things are very quiet at present, but you never know what may happen in these places. Last night was very peaceful in our little holes, the night before we definitely had our baptism of enemy shell fire. I woke up when the shells started coming over, and waited patiently wondering where the next was going to land. At the moment about 200 bombers have passed over, and Jerry looks as if he's going to get it hot tonight.
We haven't done anything today except lie beside our trucks and wait for something to happen. Though the boys are in the best of spirits, and I think, wishing something would happen. Referring back to the bombers I just wrote about, I can hear the bombs dropping now, and it isn't so far away. The weather and countryside are really beautiful at present, and I can hear our pipers back in the wood, keeping their hand in.
Some of the boys have been forward this afternoon in an unofficial tour, and found a place where they sell Absynth and apple wine, and believe me it is good stuff. Well the Company Commander has just told me we are waiting for Jerry to make the next move, and according to the stuff there is around here, he will get a hot reception.
Anyhow I suppose you will be listening to every news bulletin these days. If they mention that the 51st HD have arrived here in the papers please try and send me the paper.
Well I will close now and write again shortly please give my kind regards to everybody
cheerio for now
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXXXX
PS please don't worry it's nothing like you people imagine.
PS just received your papers with thanks
WHEN REPLYING WRITE TO
Sgt. E.Wildman
‘C’ Coy. 7th Battn. A&SH
B.W. F.E. 1944
Letter 152
Dear Mother and Dad,
just a few more lines hoping you are both well.
At the present as I write this it is about 3:30 in the afternoon, the weather is really marvellous, and I am lying on the edge of my trench ready to do a dive should any hostile aircraft or shelling start.
The last two days has been pretty quiet on the whole, but one or two incidents have happened which you may like to read about. Yesterday morning was quite exciting WORDS BLACKED OUT by censor just about the same time we were CENSORED by a bunch of CENSORED and of course shelling and mortar fire.
The previous night I had been on guard and during the whole time of this attack, I slept and never heard a thing. This morning at breakfast time we had another attack by aircraft, and after always no one was hurt. The worst ordeal out here is getting through the night from 10 30 until 05 30.
You can imagine what it is like trying to keep the lads awake. This is the time when Jerry gets nervous and starts to light up the sky with all the lights imaginable.
The worst weapons we have had to contend with is his six barrelled mortar, when you hear a noise like a barrel organ and whirring sound, it's time to start moving.
I haven't had a letter from you here yet but I'm expecting one any day. I received your last lot of papers all right yesterday.
Anyhow I think this is about all for the present and hope to hear from you soon. So please don't worry because there is no blood flying like people imagine and I think common sense and tact will see us through. If you are curious as to what the BWEF stands for it’s British Western Expeditionary Force.
And cheerio for now
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt. E.Wildman
‘C’ Coy. 7th Battn. A&SH
A.P.O.
England
Letter 153 Wednesday 28th June 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Hope you are still well and have just received your first letter, also newspapers. Well I'm still alive and kicking in the best of health and trying to watch all sides of this trench at once. Nothing has really happened since I wrote you last except we have moved to another place. As you can imagine, we have to do all our sleeping through the day and watch for Jerry at night.
We are kept very well in touch with other news, and today we had our first rum ration, one tablespoonful to be taken either in tea or water, they must think we shall get too brave if they let us drink it neat. We have had some exciting moments this last few days and one of them resulted in fresh beef and liver for dinner.
The weather has been a bit showery yesterday and today but I'm managing to keep my feet dry. I had to break off a moment there to watch a Spitfire dive down on Jerry out in front here and all is quiet. The country is fairly thickly wooded, plenty of hedgerows hence the reason why we have always to be on alert. Although he is the enemy, we have to give him credit, there's not much about soldiering he doesn't know, it's surprising the simple things he uses.
Well there isn't much else I can tell you this time except the news of Cherbourg lifted up the morale a bit more. I understand you had a telephone call enquiring as to my whereabouts a while back. Don't get excited it was only the Land Girl you and her my only fan-mail at the present moment.
Please thank Dad for his letter also Mrs Raistrick, it was very nice of her and I will drop her a line shortly, Tel Jack he will get all the Germans he wants shortly so please give my kind regards to Grandpa and Mary and will write again soon your loving son
Edgar XXXXXXXXXX
PS would I like to tell you where we are!
Sgt. E.Wildman
‘C’ Coy. 7th A&SH
B.W. F.E. 1944
Letter 154 Monday 3.7.44
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and just received your last letter finding you both well. The weather this last few days has been stinking, rain and more rain, The present moment the sun is shining and we are drying off.
Received a letter from Donald two days ago, and there is definitely plenty of scope for his athletic abilities, dodging shell and digging holes. I've just heard that Jimmy Oliver and Tommy of course are over here, and at the present moment are showing Jerry how
. I hope your receive my letters all right because mail out here is worth a hell of a lot more than money. We are expecting a few days rest shortly.don’t know where, but who cares.
Things are still fairly quiet and if you look at the papers you should be able to get a rough idea of where we are. The news on all fronts seems to be good at present, and if I'm not mistaken should should improve before long.
All is peace and quiet at this moment, the boys at have just received their mail and are nearly eating the paper and envelope, and others who were not lucky today are cleaning theirr weapons in case. Well I think this is about all for now. So let's hear from you soon and could you please send some writing paper and envelopes and cigarettes.
your loving son
Address torn off
Dear Mother and Dad,
just received your papers and pleased to see you are both well. The weather has not been too good lately, neither has Jerry but we still survive.
You will have read by now that Caen has fallen and the advance continues. I had a letter and a packet of cigarettes from Mary which was very nice of her also a letter from Jack. I'm sorry to hear about his youngster not being too well, but they will just have to hope for the best.
I am now allowed to tell you where we were 12 days ago we were between two villages Breville and Escoville. We didn't fare too badly, we killed a cow and yours truly is going to milk one today if it will stand still, and Jerry will stop shelling for a while.
Meeting I met a lad from Tong Park but we were on the move and I didn't get much chance to speak to him. I have a good Platoon Commander at the present moment, a Canadian from Toronto and is he some man.
Jamie Oliver's crowd were in their Caen battle and according to reports did a marvellous job and still are. Well we have an’t got him on the run yet, but we will do one of these fine days and things may look brighter then.
You would laugh if you could see u his s dishing out the rations in the morning just like a shopkeeper. Well things are pretty quiet at present but I don't suppose it will be for long. We have just finished dinner, and we are sat here waiting for something to happen.
The I haven't come across Dougie Broderick yet although I have met quite a number of airborne troops. We have moved quite a few times since we have been here and that is since D before. Anyhow
I think this is about all for the present and I will tell you all about it when I come home. Your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
Address torn off
Postmarked 15-July-1944
letter155
Dear Mother and Dad
Just received your letter and pleased to see you are both well, including the garden. Things seem to be at a standstill at the present moment, nothing but a few shells now and again but some of them a bit too close to be healthy.
Once more we have had another move, and as I write this I'm sat in what was once a very prosperous farmyard, a bit shell scarred maybe but not much evidence of the Nazi jackboot. The buildings are well constructed, electric lights in all stables and mistels
(4 lines missing here)……killed a pig and yours truly skinned a forequarter and we finished up with pork chops and a roast.
As we move forward here we are coming to a more open country and we shall be able to see which way he is coming, not like of late sat in amongst trees and wondering where the next shell was coming from. Even as I write this shells are coming over a fairly heavy, but they are going behind someplace. We had the pleasure of a grand stand view of the bombing of Caen and was it some sight, 450 heavies, with fighter escort. Jerry tried all he knew with his anti-aircraft, but the boys just sailed through as if it wasn't there for, we only saw one come down.
We have passed through most of the villages mentioned in the news and only a couple of days ago I met a lad from Tong Park but didn't have chance to say anything but Hello . I have just wrote Mary and thanked her for the cigarettes.. She seemed quite busy with her little home these days. At this present place we have to be on our toes at nights and make us sleep through the day so it doesn't make much difference what the weather is like, although there has been a slight improvement lately. Our barrage has just started up again and it sounds just like a bloke playing a Rhumba on a big scale. Anyhow I am glad the garden is okay and even if you don't go away the rest will do Dad good. Well the boys are just lining up for their seven course so I shall have to leave you or else my Yorkshire will be going cold. I don't think, but we can't grumble, we are still alive and healthy.
So will close now and hope to hear from you again soon.
Your ever loving son
Edgar XXXXX
PS give my kind regards to everybody, tell Freddie there were Concert Parties in our boats. The only Concert Party was Jerry and his long-range guns hitting the beach.
Sgt E. Wildman
‘C’Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A
Letter 156 Wednesday 19 -7-44
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything okay and pleased to see you are both well. Please note new address and if you are interested stands for British Liberation Armies. Well a lot has happened since I wrote you last and I guess today the whole of Britain will be all eyes on Normandy.
As I write this I'm sat on the edge of my hole as usual, ready to do a power dive in case and just over the wall of the orchard behind, our 25 pounders are sending messages of good wishes to Jerry. I don't think.
Once again we had a grandstand view of another of Monty’s Barrages, and Air Assault. In Believe me it was all hell let loose, the numbers of bombers uncountable, but the most amazing thing was to see the Earth tremors crossing the ground in front like me is in waves on the sea and the blast trying to pull the battledress of us. We have managed to have one day’s rest since we came over here and we had two good night sleep and a bath. The weather has been quite good this last week but I'm afraid we can't take advantage of it stripped to the waist.
I have just had another letter from Mary and once again she has been busy with the love nest. I'm still waiting for a reply from Donald but probably he's still running. I haven't seen anybody else I know yet except one or two lad me is s I had as recruits in Perth. Please
Well I think this is about all for now so will close and write again shortly. Give my regards to Grandpa and tell him that there is pullets walking about here for anybody that wants them. Meeting
Nearly forgot to tell you about seeing a complete Dresden China Tea Service in a house yesterday, but of course we cannot send them home.
Anyhow I'll bring you both something back from Paris which will be long now according to Monty. So cheerio and keep up the morale by writing and by the way I shall require cigarettes for a while so would you please hold back any you were going to send until I write for some
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXXXXXXXX
Sgt E. Wildman
‘C’Coy. Gth A&SH
B.L.A
Letter 157 Sunday 23-7-44
Dear Mother and Dad,
Just a few lines hoping you are both well.
It is six weeks today since we landed and believe me a lot has happened since then. You will probably have read by now of Monty's latest offensive, and of its success. Once again we had a grandstand view of the bombing, we thought the Caen raid a marvellous sight, but this made it look a sneak raid.
Details as to where we were when all this happened, I'm afraid I cannot tell you. News has reached us lately of internal unrest in Germany, and of the attempts in on Hitler's life, maybe it will lead to something.
Once again I remind you that I cannot tell you where we are until 14 days have passed, and we move that often that I have to keep looking at the map to find where we have been, Villages that we have been to so far are Reveille, Escoville, Bois de Barent, Benouville, Ransville other places since then.
The weather has been terrible lately and you can imagine what state we were in, living in slit trenches and nothing but ruined buildings to going to. The countryside is pretty much the same, that is cultivated land, plenty of big orchards and big farms. I had another letter from Mary and she still seems to think that Donald should be home every weekend. I can just imagine this little love nest. Anyhow everything is all right out here and I am quite well at the present moment. I'm just going to drop a few lines to Keith Scorer at Masons so I will leave you for the present and write again soon
cheerio for now
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXXXXX
kind regards to everybody
Sgt E. Wildman
‘C’Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A
Letter 158 Sunday 30-7-44
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and pleased to see you are both well. Sorry to hear about fathers back trouble, but I hope by now he is feeling better. Well I am still somewhere in France, the weather isn't too good but we still keep body and soul together. Things have been fairly quiet lately, as far as we are concerned, but the situation is changing so quickly we never know ourselves what is really happening.
The internal unrest doesn't seem to have developed any but the Russians seem to have him well taped on the Eastern front. I received the letter from “Faith Hope and Charity but I aren't any wiser as to who they are, although they seem to class you as quite a comedian. One lot of cigarettes have arrived here and that is the one's Mary sent, I expect yours will be on their way. And I have not had a letter yet from Mrs Hargreaves or Freddie.
Donald seems to have lost my address or else he's probably too busy these days. You seem to be becoming the film fan these days, you must have seen at least four films this year. I met a lad who works of the Joe Hibbitson last week but he was in a hurry so wasn't much above hello. Tell Jack I'm sorry I haven't written yet and I will do in due course.
It seems strange that Rack should start behaving himself, you must be letting him read my mail. Anyhow keep smiling and don't worry because this definitely has its humorous side, although it cannot end quick enough , so will close and by the way if Frankie has arrived home I hope you will let him have my address and remember me to everybody
your ever loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
PS tell Grandpa by appetite is as good as ever but I starting eating a bit slower
Sgt. E.Wildman,
‘C’ Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A.
Letter 160 Thursday 8th August 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Sorry I haven't written before this but I know I don't need to apologise.
I hope you are both well and enjoying as good weather as we are, I only wish it was Ilkley swimming pool I was sat beside instead of a hole in the ground.
Well I suppose you will have heard of the latest push on the wireless, and will be wondering where I was when it all happened. Sorry I can't tell you, but the papers will probably give the whole story in due course.
We had a short rest a while ago and I think I told you I managed to get to Bayeux and see the place. I had a letter from Donald two days ago, and he said he was expecting to come out here shortly, but if we carry on like we are doing he won't have any need to.
Just received 10 shillings from the Baildon Comforts Fund, but it won't be much use unless I can manage to get it changed for Francs.
Anyhow you can rest assured that I'm still alive and kicking, and taking no chances so will close now and hope to hear from you again soon.
Please give my kind regards to everyone and not forgetting Grandpa.
Cheerio for now
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
Sgt. E.Wildman,
‘C’ Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A.
Letter 160A Friday 18th August
Dear Mother and Dad,
Sorry I haven't written for a few days, but I know you will understand that our spare moments are very few, and the order of the day must be” bash on”.
I hope you are both well and enjoying as good weather as others although it's downed hot, and I don't just mean the weather. Probably to you people back home we are not advancing fast enough, but believe me every day finds us in a new place and of course Gerry leaves something behind every time he moves.
As we move forward we seem to be coming towards a more modern part of France The countryside is still the same, that is woods, orchards etc, but the people are different .
I have often read of “tears of joy”, but here I have seen it. Liberation is definitely the word. The farms are more modern than ours, and every so far we come across lovely chateaux or mansions.
I receive the cigarettes from Margaret and John and please thank them and Mrs Raistrick very much.I haven't seen any sign of yours yet, but they will probably turn up.
I passed through here a while ago I don't think there was a house left that had not been hit.
Tell Grandpa there is some lovely light brown pullets walking about where we are now, and they don't seem to belong to anybody, but I don't think I could send them home intact.
Yesterday we were sat in an orchard waiting for a few of the usual shells from Gerry whentout of the farm came the milkmaid with a donkey complete with milk cans and milked a cow in the field so we had fresh milk before breakfast.
Well I'm afraid I shall have to close now so here's hoping to hear from you soon and please don't worry. Your wee sons fit and well and who knows we might all be home soon.
So cheerio for now your loving son
Edgar XXXXXXXXXXX
PS give my kind regards to everyone
Sgt. E.Wildman ‘C’ Coy. 7th A&SH
Letter 161 B.L.A. Monday 29th
Dear Mother and Dad,
Just received your letter dated 24th and pleased to see you are both well. You don't seem to be enjoying as good weather as us, although we keep having a cold shower. Since I wrote last the map of France has changed a great deal and a lot has happened, I wish I could tell everything that has happened. The only thing I can tell you is that the Highland Division were well to the front in the armoured threat from Caen to Falaise. The amount of armour and vehicles, I can't tell you but until I could show it to you on a map you would never realise how big the job was Since then of course we have pushed on and by listening to the news you will have a good idea as to where we are now, also when I tell you that if we stay in place for a day we think we are lucky.
And now for another piece of news that may interest you, in our last job we lost our Company Sgt Major, slightly wounded, and yours truly had to take over and I'm expecting to sew on two crowns any day, this of course will only be at will only be temporary because you have to hold your rank nine months before they can take it off you. I have as Com.Commander a Captain who was in Tillicoultry and also my Company Commander in Gt. Missenden and he's quite keen to have me as CS M.
As I write this I'm sat as usual by the hole, although Gerry is still running from our last meeting, and I can only hear odd shells about a mile away. Donald seems to be very athletic these days, you can tell in from me, after chasing Jerry out here, I can out run him any day. Well I am sorry I had to leave you last night but this is another day so “Good Morning” but the rain is coming down steadily, I have built myself a shelter, so unless we have to move again today the rain can come as much as it wants. Two days ago we stayed at a big mansion called Mansion des Douville and believe me was it some place. The owner was a French businessman spoke English quite well and had interests in big steelworks throughout Europe. He was eager to know if the Southern Invasion armies had reached Nice, as he had a Villa there and wondered whether it would be intact or not. He took snaps as we drove away in troop carrying vehicles and of course we had a farewell drink.
We also passed through Lisieux which is practically flat to the ground with bombing but the Cathedral still remains, a really marvellous building, standing on the hillside just outside the town built of white stone and not unlike St Pauls. I'm afraid I can't tell you any more of France except the courtyards here is much the same as Oxford or Bucks.
You might find that our mail takes longer to reach you these days, because we are further from the coast and advancing so quickly. I'm just about to as fit as I think I ever will be, of course you can't grumble at sausage and egg and beans for breakfast, not forgetting white bread of course. I'm sorry I am writing in pencil but my pen was stepped on a while back and although I have one here that writes sometimes, we can't keep a bottle of ink whole. Anyhow I shall have to close now so don't worry it will be long before Blighty
so cheerio and hope to hear from you soon
All my love Edgar XXXXXX kind regards to Grandpa
C.S.M. E.Wildman,
‘C’ Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A.
Letter 162 31st August 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right, and I hope you are both well. You will notice that your youngest son is now the Company Sgt Major of ‘B’ Company.
At the present moment we are sat in a lovely valley by a river (no names no pack drill) and having a short rest. Last time I wrote I told you I was expecting to be promoted and it happened the same day. It would take me too long to tell you all the things that are happening around me, but the Gerry's left that much equipment, but I don't think that the C.M.P knows what to do with it all.
They also left a number of horses behind and it's really funny to see some of the blokes trying to ride them. The weather is not too good these days very showery, and of course we usually get caught in the shower. You will be following the news with great interest ,I should imagine these days, especially when we are making such big advances. We never know at the beginning of each day where we shall end up.
The typhoons have done great work in this area, and it seems to be their war at the present moment. You don't seem to be having such good weather yourselves these days but then Autumn is drawing near and we can can't expect good weather for ever.
We are managing to sleep indoors these days, although we did ourselves a whole each in case of the bombing and sometimes it's a Mansion other times just evacuated cottage or even a pigsty if it's really wet. Well I think this about all for this time and please give my kind regards to everyone and tell Mr Raistrick we're heading the wrong way for Paris at the moment.
Cheerio for now
your ever loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
C.S.M. E.Wildman,
‘C’ Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A.
Letter 163 5th Sept1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the cigarettes, which have just arrived, the papers and letter. I am pleased to see you are both well and still making the best of things. You will have heard on the wireless by now of our avenging of St Valery and all the rather good news. We left Lisieux where I wrote and told you about the wonderful Cathedral, and moved up to the banks of the Seine.Our first view of the river was on the top of the hill and it was more like looking at the Grand Canyon, a big wide river with thick forests and big Chateaux dotted on each bank.
We had to do a bit of wood clearing but didn't come across anything except a booby-trapped roadblock which caused slight wounds to 4 or five men. We stayed in a small village on the side of the river for about three days, and had quite a nice time, including Battalion Church Parade at the Chateaux of a local Duke or somebody, my first company parade as Company Sgt Major. From there to an area around St Valery, One Brigade went in and took St.Valery the first day, this was 2nd of September. On the third, Sunday, the Divisional Massed Pipes and Drums played in the grounds of a large Mansion, which was the divisional HQ in 1940 when certain elements had to surrender to Jerry.
The Division was billeted in exactly the same places as they were in 1940 before Dunkirk. The grounds were packed with our own troops, and French ex-servicemen and the Divisional Commander gave a speech before the thing started. The graves of the men who lost their lives in 1940 are a really beautiful sight, and have been looked after by the local civilians. This is the most impressive sight I have seen yet and if you could have heard the Firs of the Forest played by all the Pipe Majors from every Regiment in the Division I'm sure it would have brought tears to your eyes. We have of course moved again and are now lying on high ground overlooking a large port ,sorry no names, but we are hoping that the Jerries inside will have enough sense to surrender
Well the news is terrific each day and quite a few people out here seem to think it's only a matter of days, let's hope so. WWould you please send me Donald’s address as I wrote yesterday and find I had lost his address. Anyhow things aren't as bad as you think, so I must close now and hope to hear from you again soon
all my love
Edgar XXXXXXXX
C.S.M. E.Wildman,
‘C’ Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A.
Letter 164 8th Sept.1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Just received another lot of papers and pleased to see you are quite well. I'm sorry I can't tell you where we are, but we stood and watched a big bomber raid this morning. Some of our airmen had to bail out but they managed to get back to our lines. They were very pleased when they saw us, because the plane was hit well over Jerry's area. I was speaking to the pilot and gunner, both Canadians and they intended dropping out as soon as the plane was hit, but they had trouble getting the door open and by the time they did manage to get out, the plane had veered round over the ground between us and Jerry.
The gunner said he had a date at seven o'clock tonight and believe it or not but I think he will make it, as we sent them back to Brigade Headquarters and they got priority by plane from there. Anyhow if they make it, it won’t be a bad days experience:doing the 51st trip at eight o'clock in the morning, having breakfast at nine o'clock with the 51st Highland division and back home, keeping their date at seven o'clock at night in Blighty. Well this is another memory to add to the list as you will have heard by now of our entry into St Valery with the Pipes and Drums I see that Hitler is giving his troops a golden needle now when they get near enough to see the whites of our eyes. I don't think it will cost him much in gold. The news is still terrific but I can't see signs of an early crack-up yet, although we are practically in Germany.
We have just had chicken potatoes peas and tinned pears for dinner and an egg a day is becoming a regular habit. The weather has been terrible this last three days, heavy showers of rain every 10 min and the scenery is more like last war with mud about. Some of the boys were at an observation post yesterday and came back with champagne, rum, calvados and two or three brands of French wine, so I'm having to watch them like a hawk or else I shall not have any sober men left, if Jerry decides to pull any fast moves.
Well I see you still carry on your weekly routine, Grandpa's, Busby’s (a Bradford Dept. store) and the local, and the odd spot of gardening. We managed to get ourselves a wireless set a couple of days ago and at present moment I am sat in what we would call the kitchen next to a farmhouse and we have a set connected through the window to the battery in the Jeep, so it's not too bad.
So now I shall have to leave you once again with my kindest regards to all at Number 21, Faith Hope and Charity ( these may have been an invention of Aunt Annie who was known for her vivid sense of humour), Grandpa and anyone else you may meet. Hoping to hear from you again soon
your loving son Edgar XXXXX
PS don't forget the spice cake and plum puddings nothing like starting early
C.S.M. E.Wildman,
‘C’ Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A.
Letter 165 Sept.11th 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Here's another few lines hoping you are still keeping well.
The weather out here has changed again and now we are having lovely weather. Was getting a little worried because we thought the bad weather might ruin our rapid gains. Last night came another bomber raid, along with artillery and naval guns. You will have heard on the wireless this morning the tonnage dropped and how this fellow stands up to the bombardment God only knows, but when we arrive on the objectives there's always some one who fight back.
The news this morning informs us we are shelling in German soil. We only hope that it isn't too long before the Infantry are well into Germany. You may have read in the papers of the A&SH taking part in the battle for the Somme, well of course this isn't a us, it's the second Battalion which young Jimmy is in.
I hear Mr Churchill is in Canada I wonder what they are going to cook up now, believe me they will have a hell of a job getting me to Japan after we finish here. Anyhow we aren't doing too bad and he seems to be making his last stand.
I suppose the people at home will be waiting to hear of the first German town falling, and of course the reactions of the civilians. I wouldn't like to say what they will be like, but if they see that they are going to be treated alright it may bring the end quicker.
Anyhow I am afraid this is scribbled in a hurry and there isn't much I can tell you this time, so keep smiling
and cheerio for now
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXXX
C.S.M. E.Wildman,
‘C’ Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A.
Letter 166 15th September 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Just received your cigarettes, papers and letter with thanks. Please to see you are still well and I suppose you will be waiting for these lights to go up. You will have heard by now that we took part in Le Havre and your guess wasn't far out.
I do try to let you know where I am but it isn't easy and of course we can't take any chances. You are asking why I didn't put my number on my address, well I honestly think it isn't necessary because my Company Commander says there is only one C.S .M. Wildman in this army.
We are still near Le Havre and if you could see as you would think it’s a peacetime army, spit and polish and by the way your youngest son is flaunting his body around in the kilt these days and according to some of my company I am “a wee smasher” others of course have a different idea, but they don't worry me?
The weather at the present is real summer and I think they are getting us ready for a victory parade by the fancy ceremonials we are doing. The war is a long way from is now and believe me it wouldn't be easy to have to prepare for battle in a hurry. But the news is good and we seem to be on the last lap and if the bombers do their job just like they did at Le Havre then believe me, he won't stand much of it anyhow I am a busy man these days so you will have to excuse me this time. So keep smiling and please don't worry, because the only explosions we hear these days I the R.E’s setting off unexploded mines
so cheerio for now
and will write again soon
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXXX
PS trying to get my photograph taken in my regalia
C.S.M. E.Wildman,D.C.M.
‘C’ Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A.
Letter 167 15th Sept. 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Haven't heard from you for the last few days, but hope you are keeping well I don't know whether you noticed my new title or not but now you have a husband and son with letters behind their names. It is quite true, your youngest son has received the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
The weather has been quite good lately, but today it had a lot of rain. We are still in the same place, and things have been very quiet. There are a lot of indications of imminent battles, and the sky is absolutely polluted with Allied aircraft. We are in a lovely spot, if only it had been summertime . It is more or less a small village, the central attraction being a large boot and shoe factory surrounded by this small and very modern village. Houses in Holland are really very modern and you never see two houses like at this of course does away with the monotonous streets like we have. But the people don't seem to realise that were there is a war on their very smartly dressed, and the shortage of food and black market is prevalent. I'm still sat by my four-footed friend which keeps having a look at me with big watery eyes they have a handsome cab here and the boys are having the time of their lives driving it up and down the countryside well away from Gerry of course.
Well the news isn't really startling these days and there seems to be so many place names to it takes us half a day to realise what's happening. Aachen is still being hammered and I saw by the papers of his attempted counter-attack with armour had been broken up. I don't know what you are thinking about my decoration but I won't tell you what I got it for at the present moment I'll give you the full story when I come home. The King, Eisenhower and Monty visited the aerodrome which we are defending yesterday and conferred upon our Divisional Commander Gen Rennie the order of the Bath for something like that
I'm expecting to have four days leave in Antwerp shortly, so maybe I shall be able to have my photograph taken there especially now I have my kilt and DCM to show off well I'm afraid I haven't much news for you this time because we are in a static position and it's just the same situation from day-to-day. So I will close now please give my regards to everyone and you can tell grandpa that there was a nice litter of pigs born here today. And hope to hear from you soon
your loving son Edgar XXXXXXX
C.S.M. E.Wildman, D.C.M.
‘C’ Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A.
Letter 168 27th of Sept. 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Everything all right and I hope you are both well. Since I wrote last Le Havre has fallen as you probably heard on the wireless. We spent three days in Le Havre and managed to look around the place, we caused quite a scene in our kilts and were very well treated by the people. There are a lot of interesting things I could tell you about the place but I'm afraid I shall have to wait until 14 days have passed. Since Le Havre we have travelled roughly 200 miles across France and it's more like a Cook's tour, than warfare. The first day we did about 100 miles and stopped at Abeville for the night, an early start next morning straight through St.Malo I'm afraid I can't tell you any more, about where we are, except that Donald was here in 1940.
As I write this I'm sat in a small cottage and eating green grapes which we just pick off the trees as we feel like it. I can hear Gerry shelling, but we are not in any immediate danger. The weather has not been too good lately ,more wintry everyday, but if we keep finding billets like we have had in the last fortnight then we can't grumble. I was surprised to see that Frankie had arrived home, and I guess the war will be finished as far as he's concerned. I hope you gave him my address and maybe I will hear from him soon. You haven't send Donald's address yet please send it with your next letter or else he will be thinking I forgotten him. I hope you find it's worth your while going to Birmingham and that Dad keeps up his business connections. Please give my kindest regards to Mr and Mrs Raistrick and tell them I haven't managed Paris yet, but it's about the only place I have missed apart from Southern France.
The CS M of ‘A’ Company and myself have been doing quite a lot of running about on a German motorcycle, and have seen a lot of places the Battalion couldn't see and of course we tie it on the back of a Bren Carrier every time we move. When we were in Le Havre we met a woman from Northern Ireland, who has been over here since the last war and she gave us all the dope on how the Germans carried on in Le Havre. The civilians never leave us alone for cigarettes and believe me some of the lads are doing some great black marketing.
I think this is about a all for this time by the way you may like to know that Jimmy Oliver was made lieutenant in the field, and received best wishes from Monty but where he is now, I don't know. I was reading about the demobilisation plan and it seems I stand a good chance of getting out of this spot early, anyhow the news wasn't too bad today, so I will say cheerio for now and please give my kindest regards to everybody.
Your loving son
Edgar XXXXXXX
C.S.M. E.Wildman, D.C.M.
‘C’ Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A.
Letter 169 30th of Sept. 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Just received your papers and pleased to see you are still well. Things have been fairly quiet since my last letter, apart from a Gerry patrol coming into our lines, we are just sat waiting for something to happen. By his actions in general, and the little incidents that happen throughout the day, he's definitely a desperate man. I cannot tell you where we are at the present moment that is the name of the place but it's a small fishing village which has been evacuated, and the only civilians we see are an old fisherman Maquis who are giving us a lot of help, as to where all the booby-traps and and minefields are and living in a small cottage that has been left intact, like the remainder of the village with a French sailor who is very helpful and gives us a lot of information about the enemy.
The nearest big town which has been liberated is La Panne and a seaside resort in Belgium war has never touched it, electricity music in the cafes, good beer and lovely modern hotels, and about 50% of the population speak English,. Remember in my last letter I said that we had done 200 mile trip that of course was from the Havre we are crossed the border into Belgium and I had to do a fairly big detour in Belgium to get to where we are now, which strange as it may seem is in France. I know this may seem confusing to you but the country was flooded and this made it necessary to go into Belgium and out again.
I can now tell you little more of Le Havre and say, I already told you about the final stages of the surrender of Le Havre which consisted of heavy artillery barrage as tanks and bombing. I was in the main street of the town about an hour after the German commander had surrendered there wasn't much damage done apart from groups of buildings that had been bombed by the Americans who are not as good as the RAAF. The people went nearly mad when the sores even though Gerry snipers were still on the housetops, but believe me they didn't remain now long.
( For space reasons. the remainder of this letter can be read as Letter 169A)
Letter169A 30th of Sept. 1944 Continuation from Letter 169
We took up billets in a large modern school which had been occupied by Gerry and had he done himself well. The first day I had to supply three guards for food dumps and German barracks store dumps from the company, and imagine my surprise when I went round in the afternoon to visit them and found the sentries at the first dump in front of the mouth of the tunnel (something like Thackley tunnel) which went underground or Havre for about 2 miles, same thing at the second one, and the third was a hutted camp in the middle of the Fort which was about 5 miles square. The first and second were food dumps and according to the officer in charge, enough to last about six years, and I have never seen as much tinned food in one place, literally thousands of tins. The barracks store contains big huts full of utility furniture,
One of the dumps also contained 1000 wireless sets taken from the civilians, incidentally the RSM got two sets for 11 Woodbines, both all mains. Anyhow we got ourselves plenty of rations and Gerry's is far superior to ours. I had a full day off in the Havre and of course I was in the kilt, all polished up and caused quite a stir. The main avenue of Street in the Havre called Boulevarde de Strasbourg is a wonderful sight, lovely big buildings and long avenues of trees the Docks are being repaired as quick as possible and there was one of America's liberty boats in.
And now for the school in which we are billeted, a building something like Shipley Town Hall lavishly furnished, big fine offices full of German Administration, it own laundry and cookhouse and swimming bath. The only trouble was we didn't stay there long enough, just got a nice Sergeants mess fixed up when we had to move. The school was surrounded by big modern flats and if Gerry had decided to hold out in things like these, he would have taken some moving.
We could just done with staying for about a month in La Havre but the trouble is going back into the line aftert you had a fairly long rest. It's not easy after digging out the best battle dress and getting all cleaned up and seeing life as you might say believe me Gerry didn't take away everything. The French people are very crafty when it comes to hiding things and when Tommy comes along even get out what he wants with food cigarettes or money on the whole the defences of the Havre were pretty near-perfect and if we had not had the air support I think he would have taken ground forces a long time to break in the trip from Le Havre as to where we are now was very interesting because we did it by road.. We saw a distinct contrast between two countries and two peoples the people of Belgium are much cleaner and neater in every respect that is houses and gardens roads etc of course it has not been battered white Normandy or parts of France. They are true allies and will do anything to help those well I think this is about all for now until we move or something happens except the news of the airborne activities didn't lift our morale any and the resistance seems to be stiffer on all fronts. So give my kindest regards to grandpa and anyone else you may meet and hope to hear from you again soon.
Cheerio for now
your ever loving son
Edgar XXXXXXXXXX
C.S.M. E.Wildman D.C.M.
‘B’ Coy. 7th A&SH
Letter 170 B.L.A. 5 Oct 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
A few more lines, hoping you are keeping well. As I write this it is about 830 at night and I am not as you imagine, probably sat in a hole trying to penetrate the darkness, for enemy movement across no man's land, but sat on the edge of the spring bed with a small table and two very good paraffin lamps in a fisherman's cottage.
I don't know whether this will make your mouth water or not, but as I write with my right hand I'm eating large black grapes with my left. The night is very black a fairly heavy wind blowing and as it goes round the house insides, I can hear the see bouncing up the beach about a mile away throughout the day the weather has been very good but there was a white frost this morning and I think we can only hope for moderate weather now. I can imagine you both sat with your knees up the chimney, Dad probably screwing his face up at the dog, and you screwing your face up but the Radio Times if it's dance music, I must say I envy you. But we are quite comfortable, and I mustn't forget to tell you my feet are dry.
Well the latest episode for the last two days has been a general scrounge around the village shops and houses which I think I told you have been evacuated and left intact. There is quite a lot of valuable stuff but we have nowhere to carry it. The main haul was a drapery warehouse, with a lot of stuff in it, cases of woollen jumpers, ladies underwear and stockings, yes I can see your ears pricking up, but not silk ones only crêpe and the usual one & sixpenny brand.Gerry had been through it all before us so I think he would have taken all the good stuff. I would very much like to tell you what is happening here, and I know you would be surprised, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait for the BBC.
Well the rope seems to be slowly tightening around Germany, what with the eighth army moving slow but sure in Italy, Marshal Tito, Russia and ourselves. And if they cut off this force at Amsterdam and Rotterdam we look like having another job like Le Havre and Dieppe anyhow I suppose it will all come out right in the washing. Well I still have not received Donald's address yet but I hope is all right I don't know whether Mary told you are not, but I'm still writing to the land girl, who keeps me well supplied with the latest scandal, and reading material. Have you seen Frankie lately or has his leave finished. I would like his address if you could get it if you don't see his father orEddie, probably Billy Watson will know. I don't suppose you will see much of our Jack these days or do you? I hope his youngster is coming on all right. Anyhow this seems to be close of play so once again give my kind regards to everybody and keep smiling. Please don't worry because your youngest son left all his – and daring back in the car sector and he's all for self-preservation these days
so cheerio for now
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXXXXXXXX and as we say out here (BASH ON THE HD for Blighty)
C.S.M. E.Wildman D.C.M. ‘B’ Coy. 7th A&SH B.L.A. 12 Oct 1944
Letter 171
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the letter just received and hope you are keeping well. Once again we have had another long trip of over 200 miles by transport. We left Bray Dunes which is just outside of Dunkirk, and by way of dePanne, moved into Holland. But before we left I had a day out in Ostend which was very pleasant. It is another seaside resort, a lot of English spoken in it lovely hotels, trains running and electric lights everywhere. We had a drink in the Manchester hotel and again we are treated as liberators. During the first day of our move we went through Ypres and the Menin Gate also Oudenharde and spent the night in a small village just outside Brussels. The Company Commander and myself slept in civvy beds and were treated like Lords.
Second day we passed through Brussels which has a beautiful Cathedral and has only been slightly damaged by shelling. It looks to be about the same size as Leeds, plenty of big shops, theatres and cinemas. All the factories and industrial part of the town are placed well outside it which makes the actual town very clean. This was the first big town yet where we have seen the railways and stations in full operation. The next biggish towns were Mechellon, Westerloo and Eindhoven.
For the last fortnight I have managed to sleep in civilian beds, so you won't have to worry about me being out in the cold? At the present moment I am writing this in a stable and although Gerry isn't so far away, he's keeping very quiet. In the next stall to where I am sitting is a young racehorse, which after a bit of patience now eats out of my hand, and follows me round the farmyard. It's funny, all the horses here have their names on a plate above the manger and seem to recognise it when you shout to them. Grandpa would be just in his element if he could see when they're all in the stable together.It's hard job to pick out the best looking one.
One of the biggest problems we have is the language here which seems to be a mixture of Belgian and German. The weather has been dry although cold last couple of days. The nights aren't too comfortable that is if we have to stay outside, but as long as the rain keeps off, we shall be alright. Holland is a very clean country and the people very friendly but we can't trust them too much with being so near to Germany. Well the news is quite good these days and we have just been listening to the news about Aachen being bombed. I think the next fortnight will decide whether it's going to be a Winter campaign or not, so we shall have to hope for the best. I had some news of the second Battalion yesterday, and heard more about Jimmy Oliver's promotion, at the moment he's waiting for his uniform to come through. Remember Tommy was with him when he came along that time, well he has received the military medal for gallantry outside Caen and also a commission and is now transport officer for his battalion. I think this was about all for news I will write you more later as I have a few jobs to do the moment, which are fairly urgent. So kind regards to everybody
cheerio for now all my love Edgar XXXXXX
C.S.M. E.Wildman D.C.M.
‘B’ Coy. 7th A&SH
Letter 172 B.L.A. 29 Oct 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the letter, papers and cigarettes, which I have just received. I think it will be quite a while before the Buckingham Palace stuff comes off, but you can bet your life, but I shall be there, kilt and all. At the present moment the HD is bashing on and you will have read in the papers the progress of the attack, the prize is 60,000 Germans which we hope to cut off, from escaping back to the Fatherland. Our attack started as you already know last Sunday at midnight, and our first task was a bridgehead over Wilhelmina Canal and the taking of Schindel the Vught and Hertogonbosch.
Well so far we have been successful, Schindel, Vught and Hertogonbosch, Tilburg and Best have all fallen, but don't think for a moment but it's a walkover. His main body withdraws, but he leaves behind machine guns and snipers and they take some moving.
The country around here is really beautiful Vught especially is a lovely place, big Chateaux, public schools, roads all lined with trees, and it's more or less a residential district. The working class people are starving but the others are not doing so bad. Collaborators are being rounded up by the score, and although the wealthy people open up their houses to us, and talk about how terrible it has been, it hasn't been bad enough to evacuate their thousand pound houses. Well so far it has just been the normal baffle artillery barrage , no aircraft and us along with tanks routing him from hedgerows, ditches, houses and eventually wearing him down.
This of course will be the biggest packet yet if we can pull it off. It's really quite funny when you know how this battle is planned. We of course are not the only Division in it but as usual Monty wanted to make sure it went well, hence the 51st. As I write it is about nine in the morning and one of our brigades the 152nd started an attack yesterday at three in the afternoon, through a heavy wood. Us, the 154th are due next and our task will be to pass through the 152nd when they have taken their objective, and bash on another four or 5 miles. After us comes the 153rd who passed through us and so we are leapfrogging each other until he tries to make a stand.
Sorry to hear of your recent illness and hope you are feeling okay again. Thanks for Donald's new address but I'm afraid you'll have to wait a couple of days, before I shall have time to write. I haven't heard from Frankie yet but I expect I shall soon. The weather has been quite good lately and if it keeps up then the news should be good. I haven't had my photograph taken in my kilt yet but enclose a couple of snaps one taken with my platoon in Lowestoft when I had the Canadian officer who was wounded and the other on the banks of the Seine with the second-in-command and to PL commands well I shall have to close now so keep smiling and let's hear from you again soon.
your loving son
Edgar XXXXX
PS could you please send some decent cigarettes Capstone, Players or Gold Flake
C.S.M. E.Wildman D.C.M.
‘B’ Coy. 7th A&SH
Letter 173 B.L.A. 4-11-1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the papers and pleased to see you are keeping well. The weather at the present moment is not too bad, windy with occasional showers, but we get into houses or under cover wherever possible.
You will have noticed by the wireless and papers that Gen. Dempsey has been moving forward again and as usual the HD. I think the last time I wrote you I told you that we would just outside Vught. The same day we occupied Vught and then made another attack north-west of Hertogonbosche. In armoured vehicles we travelled about 3 miles and then had to bail out and do the remainder on our feet owing to intense shelling. We battled all day and reach the banks of the Maes a total advance of about 6 to 7 miles, there was plenty of excitement, that I'm sorry to say we had a few killed and wounded.
At the moment we are sitting just below the Maes north Hertogonbosche and things are very quiet. Since this campaign started we have done about seven days continuous battling, the first two days was against the Hermann Goering Division and believe me they took a bit of moving. Some of the prisoners were quite arrogant but we soon tamed them down. I have just had a letter from Frankie and Mr Scorer at Masons, and although Frankie is at Scarborough now, he expects to be moved again shortly. We haven't had any time at all lately to write, but we are very comfortable here in a Nunnery, and we have managed to get all the men into houses or barns. I don't know how long this campaign is going to last, we have heard various rumours one saying that we shall carry on and make a winter line at the River Tech and others that we shall bash on throughout the winter. I don't know what to think about Father suggestions, as to me going along with him when this job is finished, but it sounds alright so far, but you can rest assured that I'm going all out for money-making when I come home.
Well I'm afraid this will have to do for this time, so keep smiling your youngest son is quite happy with his DCM these days.
So cheerio for now
your loving son
Edgar XXXXXX
C.S.M. E.Wildman D.C.M.
‘B’ Coy. 7th A&SH
Letter 174 B.L.A. 7-11-1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the papers, but I expected to find the news of my Decoration. Anyhow this will probably arrive later. The weather lately has been very rough, but have only had one wetting and managed to dry out. Last night we did a silent night attack on the village of Empel just North of Hertogenbosche with great success. The previous night we had a patrol out who were caught napping, actually Gerry was waiting for them, and we lost five out of about 20, so last night we came to the conclusion that it must have been very strongly held, and a Battalion attack was the answer.
We started by moving up to within 200 yards of the village without being observed and the night was very clear. Zero hour was 1030 and with two companies forward we crossed the start line everything was very quiet except for doors and windows banging with the wind that sprang up we cleared the village and then a couple of Gerry machine guns opened up but were soon wiped out. My own Company didn't suffer any casualties, but ‘D’ Company who were on our left had about 15 wounded. Gerry started shells from the other side of the Maas but his aim wasn't too good and all landed well over the village. Odd snipers troubled us for a time, and then it started to rain in no mean manner. A house caught on fire and with the rain, wind and large shadows caused by the fire, our own troops clearing houses all round you. You can well imagine the atmosphere.
About two in the morning our Reserve Company came in and took over the village and then we had a 3 mile walk back to our original area, the Nunnery. I don't think I was ever more pleased to get away from the place as I was from Hempel. In my own mind things were too and my mind wasn't really at rest until we were about 2 miles from it. On the way back across water ditches marshes and bogs, the rain and hail stones came down in buckets and when we got back to billets we couldn't have been any wetter if we jumped into a river. Today has been spent in drying off, tomorrow I have to check weapons and ammunition and the day after we move again, where, we don't know, they say it's a two-day journey but that can mean anything, so we shall just have to wait and see. I haven't had time to write Donald yet but maybe tomorrow night I shall get a chance. Well I was pleased to see you are both well and with regards to the garden if I could get home I would dig it over three times a day. But we have this job to finish and art morale is good yet with all our discomfort. So I shall have two close now and hope to hear from you again soon
your loving son Edgar XXXXX
PTO if you could see me now you would be surprised. This is the picture: a fairly well furnished room the Second-in-Command Captain Kenneth sleeping on his bed. In the corner the Company Commander Major Morton, aged 24 sat writing a letter to a WAAF who is waiting for a divorce, at the same table as myself. In an easy chair Captain McKennigle our Artillery Officer sat reading and on the table for those who wish a bottle of John Haig's, half a bottle of Gin, a bottle of Pommard, French wine and our digs Rum issue but all this is the spoils of war. I think you'll agree, we deserve it
C.S.M. E.Wildman D.C.M.
‘B’ Coy. 7th A&SH
B.L.A. 12-11-44
Letter 175
Dear Mother and Dad,
Hope you are quite well and receiving my letters all right. The weather is very changeable at present but we are quite comfortable where we are. We have moved from north of Hertogonbosche and we are now in another sector and quite near to Jimmy and Tommy, although I haven't had chance to visit them yet. Jimmy of course is an officer now and Tommy is just waiting for his uniform to come through. We are at the present moment not far from Germany. We have just received praise from our Divisional Commander on the good work we did in the clearing of 300 square miles of Holland, and the taking of 3000 prisoners. After the last attack I told you about we reached the banks of the Maas.
According to rumours and what we're what we can see around here it looks as if something might be coming off. Gerry is fairly active with his patrols and you can't afford to have men dozing off during the night because he's pretty good at coming up close to see us. We are in a large house with a good cellar to it and although he has done a fair bit of shelling, we are fairly safe. If he should be lucky enough to score a direct hit I don't think anybody could really say when this lot is going to finish, because it is very easy to underestimate him that I don't think I shall be sat with you on Christmas Day, unless something spectacular happens. We are living like Lords at the moment I had an egg for breakfast, practically every day for the last week, and we have also killed three pigs.
I had a letter from Donald and he sent me a new medal ribbon, which I have put in my best battledress, but when I am going to get chance to wear it or not I thought I was going to get chance to go to Antwerp for a few days but my Company Commander says that as long as there are pending battles I shall have to stay with the Company. Donald seems in good spirits and by the way his letter reads, seems to be going places in the Metropolis. I've just heard the three of the C.S.M’s who were wounded but back in France are on their way back to the Battalion, so maybe I shall have to take my crowns down, and become a Platoon Sergeant, but I suppose this will depend on my Company Commander, we shall have to see. I never hear much of our relatives these days have we still got some in Ferniehirst or Thackley. I've nearly forgotten what Yorkshire looks like, it seems a long time since I saw it, but we shall see it again someday maybe sooner than we expect. Well I shall have to leave you for the time and hope you have received the stockings I sent off. So keep smiling and cheerio for now
your loving son Edgar XXXX
C.S.M. E.Wildman D.C.M.
Letter 176 17-11-44 ‘B’ Coy. 7th A&SH B.L.A.
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the papers, letter and I hope you're keeping well. I haven't had chance yet to reply to the letter from the school but will do the first possible moment. Well here comes another extract from Combat Diary. As I told you last time we had moved from Hertogonbosche and had taken positions on the canal bank facing Germany. For the first day and night we had patrols out probing and listening and then on the night of the 14th we started. At about four o'clock in the afternoon the barrage started consisting of 6 to 700 guns, mortars, aircraft guns firing horizontally and Vickers machine guns. This continued along the whole front and was assisting three divisions across the canal. Our first platoon moved down the road towards the canal at about five o'clock, and jumping the sluice gates reached the far bank. Then came for Sherman tanks with the parts of a small bridge slung on top of each tank. This bridge was thrown across and the tanks were forward behind the first platoon in about 15 min. Then came ‘B’ Company and with the searchlights on we move down towards the canal everybody was dead quiet and the only thing we could hear was an odd shot or Bren gun firing off to our left in front of the Black Watch. We all crossed the canal without mishap and then the first platoon was held up by small antipersonnel mines which caused quite a few leg wounds. By this time an armoured bulldozer was brought up to 2 hours and this swept a mind clear track for us to walk on. Our next obstacle was a big ditch about 10 feet wide and 4 feet deep in water,. The bulldozer came to our rescue again and filled in the place for us to cross. Then we passed through the first platoon who by this time had reached their objective and there we saw the damage caused by our barrage. I don't think there was 10 yd.² of country that hasn't a shell hole in it. Enemy resistance was just about nil and we took about 20 prisoners. Gerry had bailed out and at the moment we think that he has pulled right back across the Maas. Since this night other battalions have passed through us leapfrogging along until our advance now totals about 12 miles.
As I write this I'm sat in what I imagine to be the sitting room of a small farm. The people cannot do enough for us and last night I slept in a bed with clean white sheets. The civilians have been telling us that Jerry ran from this place in his bare feet. The guns are still battering at him, and we expect to move again any time. Our next biggest objective and probably obstacle will be the Maas itself where it flows out of Germany. The offensive, may be final push seems to be imminent, and more than likely will have started before this reaches you. There is of course a lot more to the attack than I have just told you about such as personal feelings, incidents, some good, bad and humorous, but I will tell you about all these days when I come home. We are expecting a rest shortly I don't mean just today but four or five days well away from the warfront, but if this advance continues I don't think they will change a winning team 51st Highland Division. We've had some good food lately pigs, sheep, poultry and eggs and with our own rations you can imagine the meals. I see by the papers which we have been getting lately only a day old that Britain had as its first snow. The weather here has been good lately and the last two mornings have been a white frost, but the nights are lovely and clear and Jerry isn't getting much rest, and we expected, Up against stiff opposition shortly. I think this is about all from the from the continent at the moment so keep smiling and remember Nelson. Cheerio for now, your loving son Edgar XXXXXX kind regards to everybody
have you received the stockings yet and had you any duty to pay. I tried to beat the ban with regard to duty tell me whether they are any use or not. I have a lovely watch for father but can't risk sending it home by mail.
C.S.M. E.Wildman D.C.M .Letter 177 20-11-44 ‘B’ Coy. 7th A&SH B.L.A.
Dear Mother and Dad,
Just a few lines, thanking you for the papers, cigarettes and pleased to see you are keeping well. First of all, I'm sorry you had to pay the duty on the stockings. But I think I already told you, the sending home of parcels only really got going when we were at Dunkirk, and I was ignorant of this duty business, but I'm glad they are satisfactory. Next thing this robbery, I hope the police find something out about it, but the chances are pretty slim at the moment and it looks like a planned job if you think the dog was doped. Well as regards another chapter of war, you will see by the papers we have started what may be the final push. Remember I wrote the last letter from a small farmhouse, the name I couldn't give you since then we have pushed on again and now we are looking on Germany and from our artillery observation post we have a lovely view of the Ruhr. From here it looks pretty bleak and desolate, we can see a couple of small towns, surrounded by thick forests. From our last place, we moved on foot in a north easterly direction towards Penngan and held on. Just before we moved off, about 300 bombers came over and bombed the Ruhr, which from our position, was on the other side of the Maas. We walked along the banks of the canal, and we were leading Company, nothing happened for the first mile or so and the only thing of interest were barges on the canal, which are very modern affairs, and were being occupied by some of our troops, when not standing to in their trenches, we crossed the canal and I noticed troops wearing the Argyll badge, on enquiring, I found it was the second Battalion. I asked if they knew where Lt Oliver was, but they must have been new to the unit, because they've never heard of him.
About another half mile down the bank and I was told to expect a patrol coming from the direction which we were going. Imagine my surprise when from around the next bend appeared young Jimmy leading the patrol, I was speechless for about a couple of minutes and this seemed to be taken up in handshaking and looking at each other. Anyhow when our surprise had been overcome, he said that two German machine guns had been reported in their sector, he had been out to try and quieten them, but come under heavy shellfire and had one casualty. He was looking very fit and must have congratulated me about a dozen times on my crowns and medal. But I had to push on and get on with the battle. About five in the afternoon we entered Pennigan and the people nearly went crazy. Gerry had only pulled out two hours before. There was no opposition and we took over the town Hall as our Company Headquarters. The Company Commander, second-in-command and myself have the Burgermeister's office, complete with a coal fire. All was peaceful and we sat and listened to long details from a civilian who could speak English, of living under German regime not too good? About midnight. the fun started, he must have sneaked back with a mobile gun for he started shelling and just about blew the top off the town Hall but we were well down the cellar and our platoons, which are on the outskirts of the town, only had one casualty, wounded. Since this we have moved again, but no names, no pack drill and I'm afraid this will have to do for the time so keep smiling and keep the doors locked and who knows what might happen before Christmas.
Cheerio for now your loving son Edgar XXXXXXXXXX
(the robbery…I remember my grandmother telling me about this, when she awoke hearing a noise, looked out of the window to see a policeman walking away. On investigation she was sure someone had been in the house and stolen money from her purse. She felt the policeman’s presence was suspicious and that it was strange the dog had not raised the alarm. 2/6 was missing.)
C.S.M. E.Wildman D.C.M.
Letter 178 24-11-44 ‘B’ Coy. 7th A&SH B.L.A.
Dear Mother and Dad,
A few more lines, hoping you are quite well and I suppose still within the four walls. Well once again we have moved, and now we can really see Germany, and the outlook isn't too good, rain coming straight down and a heavy mist. Lately the weather has definitely not been in our favour and no doubt Jerry will be making the best of the time. But we keep moving forward day by day, and of course the tanks are often bogged down, and so we lose our support. I think we shall be having some big bomber raids out in front of us before long, because Gerry,s defences are just a maze of trenches, wire, mines and booby-traps and personally I don't think we could ever get through them without the air force had had been first.
At the present moment we are in a small village in a fairly modern farmhouse, and we have taken over three rooms for the officers and myself.. We have a lovely farmhouse for the remainder of Company HQ and they are all quite happy at the moment. On the floor at the moment is the NAAFI ration, which is just arrived, and I see that I am due a bottle of whisky which believe it or not I would send home if I could. Jerry has been fairly quiet so far today, although some of the people round about us have been shelled. All his guns are now across the other side of the Maas and amongst this network of defences they take a bit of picking out by our own guns. If the weather stays like this I'm afraid we shall not do much more advancing. But we are looking for a well earned rest, which does not seem to be coming forth at all. I have just wrote a letter to the schoolmaster, and I hope he's not too critical over one of his pupils. I've just been listening to the European news, and they say British troops closing on Venlo from three sides, maybe they are?
I hope Grandpa received his letter all right, but I'm afraid I haven't time to make it such a long one. The most outstanding thing these days is our food, with what we find in these villages, we are living like Lords. Well the advance on other fronts seems to be going quite well, despite bad weather, and the radio reports closing in on Strasbourg, I think the taking of a few of these well-known towns on the Rhine should making think a little. Well I'm afraid this will have to do for the time, so keep smiling and let's hear from you again soon.
Cheerio for now.
All my love
Edgar XXXXXXXXX
C.S.M. E.Wildman D.C.M.
Letter 179 2-Dec-44 ‘B’ Coy. 7th A&SH B.L.A.
Dear Mother and Dad,
Thanks for the papers cigarettes and treacle toffee. Once again we have moved. Remember the last letter, we were sitting looking across the Maas into Germany, and could also see the church spires in Venlo. In this place. We were very comfortable, and although very near to the Bosch in Germany, we hadn't much trouble. A couple of patrols went to attempt to get into Venlo, but they came under observation and lost quite a few casualties with mortar fire. We did small local attacks from this position, but didn't meet much opposition.
Then came the best news we have heard for some time, we were to be relieved and taken out of the line for an indefinite period. We were relieved at about four o'clock in the morning, and walked back through pen again where we had a bath and a change of clothing. Then the next day in transport,we set off on one of these long moves, we went through quite a number of towns and villages, which we had played a part in taking. After an uninteresting journey we arrived at Nijmegan and are now in a very nice area, that is billets but the ground is absolutely saturated and about three inches in mud everywhere. The food is very good at the moment, and yesterday we had dinner fit for a king. Goose, onions ,roast potatoes and rice pudding. The weather is definitely backend-ish, cold but the sun keep shining and brightens things up a bit. I'm afraid the Combat Diary isn't too good this time, as nothing spectacular has happened lately. Nijmegan is quite a nice place, a bit like Harrogate, but bomb scarred, the bridge is a fine sight, and the civilian who we are living with gave a very good story of how it was taken by the American air force, and also a detailed story of our own landing at Arnhem, which of course isn't so very far away.
I suppose things at home are still the same, and everybody watching the papers. I still think people are too optimistic because beside the weather being against others. There is a bit of hard fighting to be done yet, and as far as I can see he is a long way off packing in. But if we can stay in this position, then we shall be alright. Well I don't think there is anything else I can tell you at the moment, except we are far from being uncomfortable at the moment. So keep smiling and maybe the weather will get him down. If we can't before long. Let's hear from you again soon and cheerio for now your loving son
Edgar XXXXXXXXX
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
6 Dec 1944
Dear Mother & Dad,
A few more lines, hoping you are keeping well. I know you will be inclined to think it’s a Continental Tour we are on, but once again, we have packed the bag and moved. In the last letter I told you we had moved to just north of Nijmegan, we were in good billets and everything quite comfortable and we got to the stage of sitting back and letting somebody else have a go. Anyhow last Sunday night Gerry must have thought we had sat long enough but instead of the usual mortars and shells, he burst the banks of the River Lek just east of Arnhem, and by Monday morning the water was covering the low lying ground. Civilian reports said that he had made a mistake and done the job in the wrong place, so we didn’t worry much, as we had a scheme laid on to counteract this. But by Tuesday the situation was becoming critical, so we withdrew. It wasn’t a pleasant sight, the civilians ‘baled out’, and of course they would probably lose everything they had, but I felt most sorry for the animals, a lot would be lost or drowned. We are now back in one of our old hunting grounds, around Hertogonboche. We are very comfortable, and although we haven’t been here long, the spit and polish is going strong. I suppose you will have heard that home leave starts on the first of January, and I know what you are thinking, will he, or wont he. Well I can tell you now I am a sure starter, and it wont be my fault if I aren’t walking up the Avenue. Of course we haven’t any details yet of how it’s going to work. The weather is still our worst enemy although the Armies on the Western Front keep nibbling another bit off. I can imagine the long faces of some people back home, when they read of an advance of probably only a mile or only a few hundred yards. But they don’t realise we are not out here just to cover distance, but to destroy the German Army and believe me this is being done slowly but sure. You will have hear that the Second army is pushing into the Western half of
And kind regards to everyone,
Cheerio for now, always thinking of you. Your loving son Edgar xxxxx xxxxx
2987111 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
BLA
Letter 181
12 Dec 1944
Dear Mother and Dad
Here’s a few more lines written under peacetime conditions .Strange as it may seem our well earned rest continues and the methods of beating the Gerrman Army have taken a back seat. Yes spit and polish, blanco and kilts are all to the fore. Ceremonial Guards and parades are all the vogue, and we are really very comfortable. Your youngest son comes into the limelight this weekend again, for an investiture for my medal ribbon. At the moment we have thirty men undergoing instructions for a Kilted Guard of Honour and on the 15th this will be re-enacted for some High Hat of the Second Army, who is coming to see us, maybe you could guess who? But no matter who it is, King, Queen or Ambassador, yours truly dons the kilt and regalia and marches out to be presented with his medal ribbon. So in the near future you may see headlines as follows ‘Recent Investiture in
Cheerio for now
Your loving son
Edgar xxxxxx
PS
A Merry Christmas to Faith, Hope and Charity
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 182
18 Dec 44
My dear Mother & Dad,
Thanks for the letter and pleased to see you are both well. Glad to see that my letters are up to standard, and are not criticised. Well remember I told you about a big shot coming, and as I suggested to you, it was Monty. On Friday morning I was all in my glad rags, kilt, highly polished boots, puttees, and hose and although I say it myself, I definitely looked the part. The Commanding Officer complimented me on my turnout, and then away we went to see Monty. The Investiture was held in a big Recreation Hall in
Cheerio for now
Your loving son
Edgar xxxxxx
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 183
21 Dec 44
Dear Mother & Dad,
A few more lines, hoping you are keeping well and I suppose within the four walls. Well things are certainly moving out here, I suppose you will be all worried about this new attack, put in by Jerry, but I can put you to rest by telling you there isn’t a lot to worry about. The Americans have full control and have the situation well in hand. To you people back home it must seem like a catastrophe, but in the near future sparks will fly and the wily boche will have had it. Since I wrote to you last, afterwe had been told that we ewre to stay in St Michaels Gestel until after Christmas, we had a very hurried move, and hardly creditable, but back to
Your loving Son
Edgar xxxxx
xxxxx
xxxxx
p.s. If I was Lindoe, I would say very soon, or a long time
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 184
26 Dec 44
Dear Mother & Dad,
Thanks for the Christmas Card, papers, cigarettes and chocolate. Well once again since I wrote last, we have had a series of moves .I think I told you we were in
Keep smiling
Your Loving Son
Edgar xxxxxx
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 185
1 Jan 45
Dear Mother & Dad,
Thanks for the Christmas Card and the parcel. I was pleased to see you are both well. You will understand when I say you cake lasted for about six minutes, just enough time for seven persons to eat it. From my last letter you will understand where I was at Christmas and I also told you we were moving again. My letter continues rom there and to put your mind at rest I was in
All the best for now
All my love
Edgar xxxxxx
P.S. You will notice that the Monty snaps are autographed, I have been informed that it is not a stamp but his own writing
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 186
7 Jan
Dear Mother & Dad,
Everything alright, and hope you are both well. I suppose by now you will have received the photographs and paid full criticism. Well we are still somewhere in
Cheerio for now
Your Loving Son
Edgar xxxxxx
P.S I haven’t received a letter from Donald yet, but am expecting one anyday
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 186
14 Jan 45
Dear Mother& Dad
Sorry I haven’t written before this but I know you will understand why I haven’t written when I say read the papers. A lot has happened since I wrote last, some of it exciting, some humour and some rather sad, I’m afraid I cant tell you where we are just yet but will be able to in the next letter. The weather has been very cold lately, but the sun has been shining practically every day. No doubt the War map of the Western Front will look a bit cheerier these days. About a week ago we were South of a place called Verdenne, near
Please give my regards to all in Baildon
Cheerio for now
All my love
Edgar xxxx
xxxx
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 188
17 Jan 45
Dear Mother& Dad,
Here’s a few more lines, hoping you are still keeping well. I am afraid I haven’t much news, but I have a few spare moments. The weather is still the same, we are still in the same place, and more or less straightening things out after the last battle. I don’t know whether it is taking longer for our mail to get here these days but mine as been pretty scarce lately. Everything is peace and quiet here and the battle seems to have pushed on. I have just been reading about the new Russian Offensive and they are certainly making headway. To you people at home the news of three miles of advance may not look much but I can assure you that these are not the days of
Cheerio for now
Your loving son
Edgar xxxxx
P.S. Please let me know about the photographs.
Tomorrow five months a CSM
How time fly’s
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 189
23 Jan 45
Dear Mother& Dad,
Thanks for the papers, cigs and dates. I was sorry to hear of Grandpa’s illness and hope he soon gets round again. I would just like to have been there when this renowned uncle of ours arrived. I think we would have had a few words. Well you will be pleased to hear we are out of the line once again, and back in
Cheerio for now
Your loving son
Edgar xxxxxx
P.S. Please try and get as many copies of the photographs as you can as I have plenty of customers
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 190
26 Jan 45
Dear Mother& Dad,
Here’s a few more lines, hoping you are both well. I hope Grandpa is much better and maybe he is on his feet again. With us, there has been no change since my last letter. We are up in
Kind regards to everybody at home
All my love
Edgar xxxxx
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 191
30 Jan 45
Dear Mother& Dad,
Thanks for the letter and pleased to see you both well. The weather is still the same here in
Cheerio for now
Your loving son
Edgar xxxxxx
xxxxxx
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 192
5/2/45
Dear Mother& Dad,
Thanks for the papers, cigs and sweets, also your letter. I was pleased to see that you are both well, and also that Grandpa is improving. We are still lying back in
So keep smiling
And cheerio for now
Your loving son
Edgar xxxxxx
xxxxxx
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 193
15/2/45
My dear Mother& Dad,
Thanks for the letter just arrived , and pleased to see you are both well. Please excuse pencil but we aren’t under ideal conditions at the moment for writing letters. If you could see me as I write this I don’t think you would recognise me. I haven’t been washed or shaved for six days and I am sat in a large wood somewhere in Germany It has been fairly hard going but we are now getting the upper hand of Jerry. As you say in your letter I am counting the days. We don’t leave this end until the 18th, which means Blighty about the 20th. The weather has been lousy lately and you talk about camping out. It’s a case of move a mile and dig in. You can imagine what it’s like when I say that this wood is about five miles long, and three miles wide, last night was the first time we have seen real daylight. The trees are only about five yards apart. Before we advance our Artillery have been laying down barrages over the ground we have to cover, and when this takes place all you can hear is tree trunks crashing down and we wonder how Jerry can stand it. But has I sit and write this I can see a river just through the edge of the wood, and beyond that open fields, a main road and fairly open country leading straight into
Cheerio for now
Your loving son
Edgar xxxxx
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 195
/3/45
Dear Mother& Dad,
Just a few lines hoping you are both well. I arrived back quite safely apart from a fairly rough crossing by boat. When I reached the Bn I found them out of the line and resting in Goch. The weather isn’t too good but the traffic, all descriptions is terrific. The news was very good last night and no doubt the Yanks will have linked up by now. We are in billets and things aren’t too bad, not as good as home of course, the leave seems more like a dream now but it was enjoyed. There are quite a few people arrived in the Battalion now, who have come from
Cheerio for now
Your loving son
Edgar xxxxx
P.S Received your papers, cigarettes and sweets alright
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 195
9/3/45
Dear Mother& Dad,
A few lines hoping you are keeping well and thanking you for the bar of chocolate and the papers. You will be very surprised and pleased to know that I am far behind the lines and the H.D. are resting. I have just been listening to the news and ear the great news of troops being over the
Cheerio for now
And all my love
Edgar xxxxxx
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 196
13/4/45 (wrongly dated-should be 13/3/45)
Dear Mother& Dad,
Here’s a few more lines hoping you are quite well. We are still away from the angry man and letting some other unfortunate individuals have the pleasure of the ‘heavy end’. The weather has been very good lately and every advantage has been taken recreation including a day in
Cheerio for now
Your loving son
Edgar xxxxxx
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 197
16/3/45
Dear Mother& Dad,
Everything alright but still waiting for a letter from you. I have only had one letter and a bunch of newspapers since I returned from leave, I hope you are both alright and it is only a delay in mail. We are still out of the line and having good weather. The news is still good but as far as I can see it takes the HD or General Patton to cause big headlines. I have just been reading about this new 10 ton bomb and hope the RAF don’t make any mistakes if they ever give us close support. I had two letters today from Donald and Freddie who seems delighted at this coat you have been buying his baby, he was telling me about Charlie Turkes’s son being killed in
Cheerio for now
Your loving son
Edgar xxxxxxx
298711 CSM E Wildman DCM
‘B’ Coy 7th A & SH
B.L A
Letter 198
22/3/45
Dear Mother& Dad,
Everything alright and hope you are both well. We are still in the same place and the weather is absolutely terrific. You would think it was midsummer. I don’t know when the next big show starts but it will be some doo! I had another day out in
Cheerio for now
Your loving son Edgar xxxxx xxxxx
This was Edgar’s last letter home
Capt R.L. Callan
‘B’Company
7th Bn A&SH
Wednesday
4th April 1945
Dear Mr Lumby
It is with deepest regret I find it necessary to write you this letter of condolence on the death of C.S.M. Wildman of this Company. You will have already received the official War Office notification of his death in action but no doubt any further information I can give you will be appreciated.
I feel the loss of our Sergeant Major very personally indeed as he joined the A&SH at Raploch Camp,
The Company was one of the forward Companies on the crossing of the
We advanced over open fields for 200/300 yds till we were pinned down to the ground by very heavy machine gun fire and shelling. We lay in the open, unable to move because of the intensity of the fire and one by one our chaps were hit. The Coy Commander was wounded and the command then devolved on me. I ordered ? to be put down to enable the company to withdraw to cover and without further casualties the withdrawal was accomplished. Unfortunately CSM Wildman had been hit, together with 2 other members of my company HQ. Two of my runners carried the Sgt Major back but he died on the way to hospital.
The entire Coy, NCOs and men join with me in offering you our sincere condolences. It will be difficult finding a man to fill his place. He was at all times, a perfect example of a soldier and held the admiration of all ranks in the Company.
He was buried, together with the remainder of the Battalion dead at a small town called ESSERDEN.
If I can give you any further information that you may desire please do not hesitate to write to me.
Yours sincerely
R
Captain
O.C.’B’ Company 7th Bn A& SH
18th April 1945
Dear Mr Lumby,
Your letter of 14th April was delivered to me yesterday and I take this first opportunity of replying to it.
You ask me if I can give you any details of CSM Wildman’s last moments or any other items which may be of interest to you. It is an extremely difficult question to answer but let me start at the beginning of our operation when we gathered together in an assembly area previous to crossing the
The great day came and then the hour when we climbed into our Buffaloes. As Coy 2i/c I travelled in Coy H.Q. boat and of course your son was with me. I stood at the front on the left and he on the right. All the way across we stood there despite the amount of ‘stuff’ that was flying about, occasionally looking at each other, smiling and giving ’thumbs up’ sign. We landed fortunately with few casualties and reached our first objective. It was then that the realisation dawned on us that we’d done it. We were across the
The great moment had passed and with its passing came the anti climax. We dug ourselves holes and spent most of the night sitting there shivering.
At first light we started off up a track towards our next objective. Your son and I marched side by side. We were walking up one of these long straight roads with trees on either side in the grey of the morning of 24th March. For some unapparent reason I turned to the CSM and said, ‘I think we’ll take Coy HQ on to the left of the road’.We had been on the right all along but I thought the left looked as if it might have a slightly deeper ditch. No sooner were we across than the Boche placed 5 shells very neatly down the right of the road where we’d been. I lay very flat with your son’s head close to my boot soles. We were splattered by stones and grit and as soon as the last one fell we ran like the wind for the shelter of a farm building a hundred yards ahead or so. Unfortunately 2 of our chaps had been killed and 6 wounded. Despite these casualties we had a good laugh in the safety of the lee side of the farm about who had got up first and run. I maintained he’d passed me while he insisted I’d left him lying in the ditch. We took our second objective all night and then came our attack on the farm south of BIENEN.
There’s not much I can say about that except we strolled along, over the open fields and I spoke to him frequently before the enemy started his fire on us. We were pinned down flat on the ground with about 10-15 yards separating us. I shouted to him for the Very pistol he was carrying but he didn’t hear me and as my shouts brought a long burst of fire in my direction I lay quiet for a moment or two. Before I could shout again, actually I had raised myself on my elbow to shout, when I saw him roll over and I knew he’d been hit. Further details will only grieve you and so my story ends there.
He is greatly missed and will never be replaced.
Major Morton who was wounded that afternoon has not returned to the Company and will himself write you concerning the action which earned your son his DCM. I was not with the Battalion then so he is better fitted for the job than I am.
All the personal effects have been checked, packed up and sent off through our normal channels to you. It may be some time before they reach you though as you will appreciate.
I trust that what I have told you in this letter will be of a small help to you in crystallizing his last day. It is very difficult to know what exactly to tell you but if you like to put some direct questions to me I’ll do my best to answer them.
Yours sincerely
R.Lennox Callan
Capt
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