Letters from a Rifleman

These are some letters from Rifleman Will Buckett to Emmie Tutton. They were sent as he moved around the country receiving training. The last, in August, was written just days before he was killed.

To read Emmie's letters to Will visit the page Letters from a sweetheart.

Here is the first page of one from July 12th 1915. Read the rest of it here. The whole collection may be found here.

Listen to it read by Liam.

Here is a transcript with original errors:

2370 Rfn W. H. Buckett

1st Batt. 8th Hants Regt B Coy

14 Victoria Road

Watford

Postmarked 12 July 1915

My Dearest Emmie

Just a few lines to let you know that I received your letters safe yesterday afternoon. I have got some good news for you this time dear. I am coming home Thursday till Saturday dear. I shall come by the same train as I did last time and I shall not have to get back till midnight dear. We had to get vacinated on Saturday before they would let us come home dear. My arm is just begining to swell and we have got to be inoculated to morrow and we have got to have a medical exam the same time but I do not mind the pain dear as I am coming home to see you. I shall not have my photo taken here, I shall wate till I get home dear. I will tell you all about where we are going when I come home so that you must not worry. This is two of the photo we had taken down the park on thursday when we where bomb throwing. Tell mother that she will have to stand clear this time, I will give here a good time of it, happy days. Give my love to Mother dad and Granny and best love to your self dear.

From your ever loving sweetheart Will

Xxxxxxxxx Good bye

Xxxxxxxx and god

Xxxxxxxxx bless you

dear

Suggestions:

• Look at the letters or their transcripts. Where was Will based over the five months covered? Record his movements on a map ending at Suvla Bay.
• In the first letter in April Will says how much he was paid for the last week. How much would that be today?