World War 1

May 15th, 1918

Dear Mother,

I’m doing well; fine all things considered. The work is hard but it’s good overall. I think this was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m so thankful that I got the spot. Many of my fellow classmates worked so hard to get it and yet here I am. Hopefully, when I return I’ll be able to get a respectable paying job with all this experience. Yes, the work is hard, but I can do it. We’re given roomy living quarters and the girls I’m bunking with are lovely. Don’t worry about me at all, I swear this is an amazing opportunity for me. I’m getting so much practice within the nursing field. They call us the Bluebirds over here you know; it’s because of the uniforms. Our uniforms are blue and white, therefore, we are the Bluebirds. I have to say the capes are a bit annoying but they keep me warm and dry so I can’t complain. I will complain about the helmets though, I mean why do we even require helmets? It’s not as if I’m fighting enemy troops. Europe is quite strange, we’ve been shipped from England to Germany to France and back again. We’re sent wherever we’re needed I guess. All the men fighting are so brave; I watch them head out each morning for duty. Some of them are really young, like really young. Maybe my age? The thing is I at least look like I’m in my thirties but these boys look like boys. In reality, I’m one of the youngest nurses here. Most of the men tower over me; that’s no surprise considering I’m 5’2 but that’s beside the point. I’ve gotten to know a few quite well through time in the hospitals. There is one man in particular; his name is Jeff. He recently had to have his leg amputated because of enemy shells and is in a great deal of pain right now. I’m usually by his bedside quite often because of the risk of infection and the wound needs to be monitored. During these times we strike up long conversations; mostly about our lives back home. He has told me all about his wife who was pregnant when he left and is due to have his child very soon. I’ve given him some smashing name suggestions; ones I might like to call my children one day. If it’s a boy Charlie if it’s a girl Lily. He seems to like my suggestions and said he will tell his wife about them. I’m quite thrilled by that fact. Anyway, I hope you and Father are keeping well and that Mary isn’t too lonely without me there to annoy her. I’ll try and write to you as often as I can but with the circumstances, I’m almost always busy.

With love,

Dorothy

June 2nd, 1918

Dear Mary,

I hope you’re keeping well. Are Mother and Father still pestering you about not wanting to marry William? Trust me these things will pass with time. Remember when I was promised to marry Toby? Uh, the thought. It makes me sick just thinking about being locked down with that man. Anyway, how are your studies going? First-year nursing is always the toughest; so many new things to learn. I’m glad I took extra classes before being shipped over here, many things I’ve seen they don’t put in the textbooks. Speaking of textbooks, do you still have enough money for school? I don’t have much but if you need some I’m willing to help out. I’ve only taken my money for the sake of souvenirs. When off duty we’re allowed to roam around the small towns we’re stationed in. Currently, we’re stationed in France, in a small town called Étaples. Mary, they have to the most wonderful bakery that sells small loaves of bread that taste like heaven. If I were able to I’d send you a slice. Oh, I do miss you. Don’t tell mother but I’ve seen some terrible things and been in some risky situations already. While being transported to France my unit was attacked and I barely made it out with my life. Us Bluebirds sure are resilient though; tough out every situation. I mean it does help that we have so many soldiers protecting us, it’s quite comforting I have to say. Do many people mention us back home? I mean we’re not fighting on the front lines but it’s still hard and dangerous work. I swear after every battle I see fewer and fewer men returning. I have to say it’s quite disheartening. Many of them are pretty handsome before being mutilated by shells and such. Speaking of handsome men, I met one. He’s quite lovely I have to say; dark brown eyes and curly hair. His name is Dylan. He came into the medical tent with minor wounds from being caught in barbed wire. The stupid boy got caught in it while hiding from enemy troops. Mary-Anne was supposed to attend to him but she was pre-occupied and I ended up bandaging his wounds. He’s so sweet and funny; you’d really love him, Mary. I have to tell myself not to catch feelings during a time like this. He’s from Ontario and even if we both survive it’ll never work out. He’s going to be sent back to the trenches after recovering in a few weeks. I’m going to miss him it’s so nice to have someone to talk to. Yes, my other patients are lovely but he’s different. I think I may be catching feelings, Mary. Send my love to mother and father. Good luck with your studies and tell me all about the William situation in your next letter.

Love,

Your sister Dorothy

June 23rd, 1918

Dear Bes,

I’m writing to you with some startling news, Bes. You can’t tell my mother or family; even though they’ll most likely hear about it in the paper. You have to promise me you won’t tell them; I don’t want them to worry. My hospital was bombed yesterday by the Germans troops. We didn’t expect it; it came out of nowhere. The day started off normal. I did my usual rounds; cleaning wounds, handing out medicine and such. Soldiers coming in had been talking about rumours of the Germans being too quiet, they were suspicious apparently. I had ignored them and thought nothing of it. I never usually listen to war talked, my job is to heal not to fight or predict the next attack. Anyway, about noon we heard a buzzing growing louder and louder in the distance. We all went outside to search for the oncoming sound and there they were; six planes whizzing towards us. At first, I couldn’t tell if they were ours or not, but as they grew closer I could see that they were definitely German. I didn’t know what to do so I ran inside and told everyone about the danger. Many of us were able to get the patients out in time but many perished as the shells were dropped on the hospital. I lost a few close friends. One I mourn the loss of deeply is Dylan. We were quite close and I hoped not to lose him. Life isn’t fair Bes, I could’ve seen myself marrying him and now he’s gone. Not only did we lose patients we lost Bluebirds too; three to be exact. Beth, Meredith, and Margaret; we’re burying them today outside the ruins of the building along with others who were lost during the attack. News is being sent to their families today explaining what happened. It’s all too bad. I’m scared--scared all the time. What if we get attacked again? We’re losing more Bluebirds as time goes on. I wonder who will replace Beth, Meredith, and Margaret? They’ll surely have to replace them. I can barely run the hospital with a full flock of Bluebirds. Anyway, how are things back home? I miss you all so much. I ask that you pray for my safety. I don’t know how long this war will last and at this rate, my life is in constant danger. Remember what I said about not telling my mother or father; I don’t want them worrying about me. I love you Bes.

Sincerely,

Dorothy

By; Isaac Watt

August 13,1916

Dear mom

Haven’t written to you in a while, so while I have a few free moments I thought I would put together a little letter. It has been good so far, no major injuries but a few close calls. I am a couple miles away from the front line right now and have a couple more weeks before I go back. I have a good amount of food but it is not as good as any of the meals I remember eating at home. I am looking forward to being home in your presence feeling safe and warm. Some of my comrades have passed and it has been hard to keep my mind off them while on duty, however I know they have gone to a better place where no wars will ever rage. It was difficult sending notes home to the parents but it felt like the right thing to do. I have not got any other mail other than from Dan. I hope you and dad are not worrying too much, I am being careful and will continue to be careful throughout the rest of my time here. Still have Chris to talk to and have been playing a lot of cards by the way, I might actually have a chance of beating you in cribbage. Looking forward to seeing you and Dad again soon,

Love your son, Michael

By; Isaac Watt

August 26,1916

Hey Dan,

Just got back from being up in the air and had some intense dog fights over the last couple weeks. I was called out to do a patrol over ally grounds and out of nowhere two German planes bored down on myself and Chris and we had to split up in order to make it harder for the two Germans to follow. Both ended up going after Chris because he did not break off immediately, However one bullet still caught my aircraft and hit one of the exhaust manifolds and my plane started to smoke. I circled around and caught up to the Germans in not too long, and they were not expecting me because they saw the smoke coming from my plane as I veered off. Just before I shot at them they started to shoot at Chris but luckily he made a good flight path deviation and left the German planes with no target and I took them down. We both had damaged our aircraft and we flew our crippled planes back to the closest ally base. Since we have no plane to fly we were taken back to home base. Once there we were tasked with not dying and playing card games until we were called back on. How are things at home? How's your little boy? It's been so long since I have seen any of you that I have forgotten so many things about our family. Mom and Dad say they are fine but I worry they are always fretting about me.

Hope to see you and your family.

Michael