Letters from a sweetheart
These are letters to Rifleman Will Buckett from his sweetheart Emmie Tutton. They stretch from August 1915 until April 1916 and include one from his mother. Each has a transcript including original misspellings and some notes about what happened to it and after each transcript can be seen images of the letter and envelopes.
Emmie sends more than one each month but they are often returned. Sadly Will had already lost his life before he had a chance to read the first one.
To read Will's letters to Emmie visit the page Letters from a Rifleman.
Here is the first page of one from October 27th 1915. Read the rest here and here. (NB page 3 comes before page 2 in the second image.)
Listen to it read by Tallulah.
Here is a transcript:
Elm View
Abingdon Road
Ryde
I of W
England
I do hope you are keeping quite well. I expect you have wondered why I have written only four lines in my last two letters to you dear, it was because we heard we could only write four lines, but we heard this morning it was not right so I thought I would write to you at once dear. Annie is still in Somerset I think she is coming home in a week or so. Stan is still alright as far as we know. How glad I shall be when this dreadful affair is over, and you are home again. We went out Granny’s yesterday and men were at work opposite in the field with the thrashing machine it was interesting to watch it working. Granny is always talking about what she is going to do when Will comes home. It was her birthday last Sunday she was 75 you would’nt think she was so old to see her would you dear. She has saved some apples for you, she says she is going to make you a lovely cake when you come home. I am sure people have been very kind to me since you were reported missing, they are always asking me if I have heard any thing about you dear. I did not think so many people knew we were sweetheart dear. I have such a lot of people to go to when I hear any news of you, they all want to know. They dont half praise you up. I must not tell what they say or it will make you vane. Dont be frightened. We are going up Mr Faircloth to tea to-morrow, they have both been very kind asking after you dear. Mr Dymond has another son also Mr Mortimer. Mr Williams the school master’s wife was found dead in bed one day this week. I was not a bit surprised about that, thats the drink again. We will send you a parcel as soon as we hear from you let us know if there is any thing you want. I shall be so glad when you can write again. Mother sends her love to you and longs for the time you are home again. Cheer up dear and hope for the best, put your trust in God he will help you dear. Wont we have a jolly time when you come home wont I torment you happy days, shant I be proud of my soldier sweetheart then. I don’t think I have any more to tell you this time so close
with heaps of love and kisses
from your ever loving sweetheart
Emmie xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx
May God Bless
you dear and
keep you Will
The front of the envelope is post marked 4.30pm 27th Oct 1915. There is also a circular stamp on the front of the envelope reading “Post Free P.O. Prisoner of War”. Written in pencil it says “Died 12.8.15”.
The envelope is addressed:
Rfn W. H. Buckett
Regt No 2370 B Company
1st 8th Hants Regt
163rd Infantry Brigade
54th Anglican Division
British Prisoner of War
Constantinople
Turkey
The back of the envelope has a stamp on it reading “Casualty died (no date entered) notified to next of kin 12.8.15.” It also says “Received from Turkish Authorities” and “Dealt with by Infantry Record Office Exeter on 22.7.20”
Suggestion:
- Imagine you are Will's commanding officer and have to write a letter to Emmie to say that Will was killed in action. What will you say?