Early Life
Clifford Edward was the beloved eldest son of the Wallis family and had 8 siblings, Fannie Mildred (Fannie), Nellie Christine (Teenie), Gladys Lilian, Francis Noel (Francie), Elsa Mary (Murlie), Kenneth Arthur (Kennie), Monica Joan (Joan) and Donald (Donnie) who sadly died as an infant.
According to the 1911 census, when Clifford was 15 years old, he was living with his family in the School House, Bishopsteignton. His father Clifford Blinman Wallis (born in Weymouth, Dorset) was the head teacher of Bishopsteignton School and had been married 19 years to his wife Eleanor Anne (born in London).
Clifford Edward was a keen artist and musician, playing the organ at weddings in St John’s Church. He was also a draughtsman and worked for Messrs Willey & Co in Exeter.
Drawing by C E Wallis Source Western Times 8th Oct 1909
Military Life
After initially being refused due to his poor eye-sight C E Wallis was eventually enlisted on the 14th of October 1916.
Like many others from the village, he joined the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regt. as a private (Regtl. No. 42625).
He served with the British Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 19th Jan 1917 eventually becoming attached to Headquarters staff as Battalion observer.
Notice of call up for medical exam prior to enlistment Clifford E Wallis 1896 – 1918
Military training 1916 – 1917
Clifford E Wallis enlisted on the 14th October 1916 and was sent to Granby Barracks, Devonport for initial training. By November he had moved to Tregantle Musketry Camp in Cornwall for further training prior to returning to Granby in December.
His letters describe inoculations, training in marksmanship, trench digging and storming, the use of “gas helmets” and the importance of socks. Mention is made of fellow villagers and planned drafting to the theatre of war – delayed in Clifford’s case due to having to wait for his glasses to be replaced.
Amoung the abreviations used are: C.A. – Church Army and D.V. – Deo volente – God willing.
Letter home from Granby Barracks 21/10/1916 - Early days
Granby Barracks,
Devonport.
21.10.16.
My dear Mammie and All.
I was very glad to get all the nice letters this morning. I am very sorry to have kept you waiting so long for a letter, but was inoculated the next day after I got down here and have only just got the use of my right arm back again so could not possibly write before. It was rather bad at first, three of them fainted but I am glad to say that it did not serve me like that. I think I shall like it alright, but at the same time shall be glad when it is over. You must not expect to see me for a week or two as you have to be here a certain time before you can get any time off; and then it is only from Saturday 2.30 pm. till Sunday 10 p.m.
There is one thing though, you can get out every evening at 5 p.m. and stay out till 10 p.m., and with a special pass till 10.30 p.m. We have to be out of bed at 6 a.m., and on parade at 6.30, and am glad to say I have felt no ill effects yet, but rather feel a little better. You must not worry about me at all because I am quite all right and manage to enjoy myself. Of course they are very strict but that does not do any body any harm. I had not been down here half an hour when the Quarter-Master came in and asked if there was anybody in the Hut that could draw, so of course I stept forward and when I had finished he said it was very good. So I expect they know where to come when they want any more done.
The food here is very good, we can have tea to drink before we go out at 6.30 and a bit of supper when we come in at night, that is if you are in before it is all gone, but that does not worry me, as there is a nice Sailors’ Rest down the street at which Soldiers are invited. They have a pleasant evening, and then at 8.30 they hand round a bun and coffee free; so I generally spend my evenings there, and get my supper for nothing, and come in at 9 p.m., and get my things ready for the next day. If you should be sending anything to eat please do not send too much at a time as there is no place whatever to keep it. I have heard from Mrs White and she is kindly going to send me one or two things.
I shall not expect you to worry any more now as I am quite all right.
Hope that you will get this Sunday morning.
With love to all
Clifford.
Letter from Tregantle Musketry Camp 1/11/1916 - Biscuits and Church
Tregantle, Cornwall.
1.11.16.
My dear Mammie and All,
I received yours and Christine’s letter to-day, I must say I hardly expected another so soon but was very pleased all the same. It is nice to be in a good hut again, we have
a very good and nice corporal over us, and that is a great thing. He wanted to know to-day who taught me the way to dry up dishes; he said that he could see that I was used to it, so I told him that I learnt it at home. I don’t need any socks yet, but will let you know when I do. I should be very glad if you could send me on a music “Hymn Book” some time so that I can still sing a bit of Alto in Church on Sunday evenings. I am afraid I forgot to tell you how I enjoyed the parcel, it was a treat, as you only get one cake day a week in the Army and that is Sunday for tea. We had biscuits for tea to-night and my! they are hard, I will try and bring one home when I come just to let you see what they are like. Some of them can’t get on with them at all but I am glad to say that I can manage to scrunch some of them, the rest of the food is plain but very good and nothing to grumble at, but it is very nice to have some home-made cake again. As the mornings are getting rather dark our time for getting up is altered from 6 a.m. to 6.30 a.m. so we are looking forward to an extra half-hour in bed to-morrow, but shall start night operations one night this week if the weather will allow it.
Most likely we shall start firing on the “Miniature Range” to-morrow, we have learnt a great many rifle exercises already. I think that they are shoving it along a bit quickly so as to get us back to Granby as soon as possible, but that won’t be for over a month. We have started to learn “Bayonet Fighting” and a little bit of Bombing but we shan’t have much to do to the latter. They have very nice bath houses here with hot and cold water, I went and had a good hot one last night and enjoyed it very much and then to-night the order came round that all 12 section were to march down and have a bath so I was fortunate enough to have two this week.
I think that the enclosed card has to go to Mr. Perrett if someone will kindly take it up.
I am glad to say I have quite got over my inoculation now and am feeling fit for anything.
I hope that everybody at home is quite well.
I remain
With very best love
Clifford.
Letter from Tregantle Musketry Camp 28/11/1916 - Rifle ranges
Tregantle, Cornwall.
28.11.16.
My dear Mammie and All,
Thank you all very much for the nice lot of letters I received to-day, and especially the long one from Daddie and the coloured ones, no one else had such pretty ones as I did. I hope you will excuse the letter I sent last night, but I was rushed for time and never had time to read it over, so I expect that there was plenty wrong with it. I had only started it a little while when our wonderful electric light went out and I wasted nearly all the evening waiting for it to come on again, but had to borrow a candle after all, and before I had time to finish it was time to clear out.
We have had another nice day to-day, just alright for firing, so we have finished up our recruits’ course and start our class to-morrow if the weather permits. I am glad to say that I made a better show to-day but still there is a great deal of room for improvement. The first one to-day was five rounds rapid, standing, et two hundred yards and at that I made 14. The next was snap shooting, that is, the targets are only up for four seconds at a time, but that time I only got 8 After that we had to fire five rounds slow at three hundred yards, but this time it was ten rounds rapid to be got off in one minute, it was hot work, but in the class you have to get off 15 rounds in one minute so I don’t know how I shall come off then, it is known as the “Mad Minute”, and I should think it was, In the ten rounds that I have just spoken about, I got off all ten and made 19, which might have been a great deal worse. We finished up before dinner, and this afternoon we have been working the moving targets, or “Bobbing Jennies”, as they call them, for 30 Platoon, and that finishes up all their firing; this is the last you do, and it is called field firing, but is not counted in the class. They are going on their six days’ leave now and we shall do the same as soon as we have finished. We have been told that most likely we shall be home in ten days’ time, (but all that depends on the weather), but you must expect to see me some time about then. It is hardly six days, as they call it, but you get quite four clear days at home. In that case my leave will be over before Christmas, but still I shall gladly put up with that as long as I can get home to see you all some time, so don’t be frightened to find that I shall be coming home any time. I had a letter from Mrs White on Monday and she told me about Mr. White, I do hope that she will hear soon. I suppose that I shall have to go to Exeter one day when I am home, for I should like to go and see Mr. Treneer as well, and also old Tommie (I don’t think). I don’t remember if I told you last night, (but you must forgive me if I did) that I sent one of my photos to “Nibbie” and had a letter back almost directly, telling me all the news of Willie and Co. He said that they have taken on another fellow in my place, but that he is not a scrap of good and that he can’t draw a bit, he even cried the first week he was there and said he did not like it, so he must be some good in that place! I bet that I would not cry if I was still up there, but I should not like to leave the Army now, till the War is over. Of course I would much rather be at home, but at the same time I can’t really say that I don’t like it. I suppose that I have got used to it now and it is surprising what a lot of enjoyment you can get out of it if you only like to look for it. Tell Daddie that I have nothing to do with machine guns here, but if I get a first-class shot I stand a very good chance of getting on one then, but am afraid that that is all out of the question for me. If you are lucky enough to get on gun you are transferred to the “Machine Gun Corps” and go up country somewhere and then you get about another three months or so home here for training in that line.
I am afraid that this is all the news now, but shall be able to tell you the rest when I come home.
With very best love to all from
Clifford.
Letter from Granby Barracks 3/1/1917 - Delayed draft and the importance of socks
Granby Barracks,
Devonport.
3.1.17.
My dear Mammie and All,
Your letters arrived here quite safely to-day and thank you all very much. I have put on a pair of your socks to-day for the first time and they couldn’t fit better than
they do. I can understand now why the soldiers praise them so, unless any one had tried the difference between the Army socks and yours they could never have thought that there could be such a difference. It is like walking on velvet after sandpaper. It is most likely that the draft that I was for goes to-morrow morning, I am afraid that I do not trouble how long they keep me at home now, as I shall have to go with strangers when I do go, so I have no wish to go with any particular draft, but shall soon pick up friends again, though one of the waiting men has had to take my place in the draft. I am afraid that this extra evening parade does waste my writing time in the evenings and they have put on an extra quarter of an hour on to the morning, so that makes us on the go from 8.45 a.m. till 12.45 a.m. which makes a pretty long morning of it. They say that we have got a new Colonel and it is he that is bucking things up a bit, if it is so, I hope that he will jolly soon shift.
I do think that they are serving poor Uncle Jim badly, but you can’t expect anything else from the Army, I shall do all I can to go and see him on Saturday, that is if he is still there, if only we had known as Daddie and I could have gone out and seen him on Sunday after-noon.
I shall have to close now as time is growing short.
With very best love to all
from
Clifford.
Letter from Granby Barracks 4/1/1917 - Glasses and back pay
Granby Barracks,
Devonport.
4.1.17.
My dear Mammie and All,
Your letters arrived quite safely this morning. They did not send the draft away this morning after all, and they don’t expect to go now until after Sunday, but of course there is no knowing, but I know very well that I shall not have to go until I get my Army glasses and I shall take good care that I do not use them unless I am obliged to, as I am afraid that I have not got much faith in the skill of Army Doctors. They have been paying up the back slack down here today and I had 11/- so am sending you a P.O. 5/-. I am sorry that it is so small, but thought that it might go a little way towards Gladys’ glasses. So you see that my back payment from the time I joined until now was just 4/-. Some of those that have just come back from France picked up about £7 to £8, as that is something to look forward to, isn’t it? We go to Woodlands again to-morrow, but I shan’t mind it this time as I am feeling ever so much better, the Menthols have nearly cured my cold, I am glad to-say. I have had a letter from Mrs White to say how sorry she was that she missed me, will you please tell her when you go to Exeter how very disappointed I was that I did not see her? You must not expect much of a letter to-morrow, but still I will do what I can, only if we go to Woodlands we shall be sure to get in a fearful muck and then we shall have to get it all spotless for the Adjutant’s parade on Saturday morning.
With very best love to all
from
Clifford.
Letter from Granby Barracks. 9/1/1917 - Drafts, a friend and trenches in Devon
Granby Barracks. Devonport. 9.1.17.
My dear Mammie and All, I received both letter and waistcoat quite safely this morning, and thank you very much. I am told that I am in the 6th draft and I think that we are pretty safe for France. The 5th. draft is for Salonica and they will most likely go next Saturday or Sunday, so don’t expect that we shall go until after then. I see that Harry Skinner is in Salonica draft, but have not had a chance to ask him how he likes it. I have been down and got my glasses this afternoon and can see quite alright with them, but shall not use them until I am obliged to. We have had an inspection to-day by a lot of Majors &c. and have had to drill in front of them, also gas helmet drill to see if everybody could get them on quickly enough. To-morrow we are to be inspected by the C.O. so that 76. has meant a long evening of cleaning again to-night as it does not do to be pulled up by these big men, as there is always C.B. behind it then, and I am sure I do not want that. We had a very nice day at Woodlands on Monday, digging trenches; it rained and hailed part of the time but I did not get at all wet, and must say that I enjoyed it very much. I do not dislike trench digging at all. I am very glad to say that my cough and cold have quite gone and I am feeling quite myself again. Am afraid time is getting short so shall have to stop. With very best love to all from Clifford.Letter from Granby Barracks. 10/1/1917 - Trenches and gas helmets in Devon
Granby Barracks.
Devonport.
10.1.17.
My dear Mammie and All,
Thank you very much for the letters which came today. I think that it was very kind of you to stop to write when you were so busy with the treat. I expect that you are very glad that it is all over, and I hope that no one did too much. I got on alright at C.O’s inspection to-day and am to say that I was not checked for anything. We have had to hand in all our kit to-day, so now we have got nothing to clean any brass with, and not even a brush to clean our boots with, so that does not look as if they are going to keep us home here much longer, but the Salonica draft does not go till Sunday so I expect that we shall go on Monday.
We have had gas helmet drill most of the afternoon, we had to keep them on for one hour without taking them off at all and do bombing and trench storming with them on, and it was some game I can tell you. We are marching out to Woodlands again to-morrow, so I hope, it will keep fine; I expect that we shall do either trench digging or trench storming, but I hope that it will be digging.
There was a bit of a fire down the street here tonight in a shop; it caused, a lot of excitement but I don’t think that there was, much damage done. Two fire engines were there.
Shall not be able to stay any longer now as I have to get all my marching order together for to-morrow.
With very best love to all
from
Clifford.
Active duty 1917 – 1918
Letters home tell of waiting to go to the front, Clifford’s different roles and duties at the front, hospitalisation, a brief homecoming and thankfulness for gifts.
Letter from Rouen, France 19/1/1917 - Arrival
No. 2. I.B.D. Rouen. France. 19.1.17.
My dear Mammie and All, I arrived over here quite safely this morning at 1.30.a.m. I am glad to say that the trip in the steamer did not upset me in the least, although it did a great many. We are in a rest camp now & may be for a day or two before we go on. We had the Mayoress’ tea at Exeter & very glad I was to have it; I am sending on the card for you to keep. Am afraid that this is all I can stop for now, so, With very best love Clifford.Letter from Rouen, France 20/1/1917 - Mud larks
No. 2. I.B.D. Rouen. France. 20.1.17.
My dear Mammie and All, You will be glad to hear that I am getting on quite alrightly & am quite happy. We are still in the rest camp under canvas and up to our eyes in mud. The men have been calling each other “mud-larks”, and I am sure that they are not far wrong. Please tell Fanny that I should be very glad if she would be kind enough to knit me a scarf or helmet one day when she has got time, as it is very cold out here. I think that the bread we get out here is some of the best I have ever tasted, it is a great deal better than what we have been having at home lately. They give us some splendid concerts here in the Y. M. C. A, & I enjoy them very much as it makes a nice break. The country here is very pretty, but it does not come up to dear old “Devon”. Hoping that you are all quite well and with very best love to all, Clifford.Letter from Rouen, France 21/1/1917 - Base
No. 2. I.B.D. Rouen. France. 21.1.17.
My dear Mammie and All, We have been shifted from the rest camp today, and have arrived at the base quite safely. I have met several of the old Platoon, put a good many have been shifted further on. It is very nice country here and very pretty; but very cold and not half so muddy as it was at the camp. We are under canvas the same though. I am glad to say that I am feeling quite well and happy, no hope that you are not worrying at all. There is a Y.M.C.A, and a C.A. Hut here, so it is quite alright in that way. The people out here seem very pleased to see us; they all come running and wave as we go by. I cannot stay any longer now but will write more tomorrow if I can. With very best love to all, from Clifford.Letter from Rouen, France 24/1/1917 - Cold
No. 2. I.B.D.
Rouen.
France.
24.1.17.
My dear Mammie and All,
I am glad to say that I am still getting on quite alrightly, and manage to enjoy myself. We have had it very cold here today, even the water in my water-bottle froze, so you can guess what it was like. I wish Fannie knew what a comfort her gloves were. I do not know what I should do without them; I even sleep with them on, and they have shown no signs wear yet. They seem to be very pleased with us over here, and call us “The Sunny Devons”. We tell them that we get more sun before breakfast in Devon than they get all day here, and so it seems at this time of the year. I am afraid that this is all for tonight, so will stop.
With very best love to all,
from
Clifford.
Letter from Rouen, France 15/3/1917 - Photos and hope that it will all be over before...
No. 2. I.B.D.
Rouen.
France.
15.3.17.
My dear Mammie and All,
Thank you very much indeed for the lovely photos. I do like the family group very much, but I must say that I did not expect to have been in it myself. Nothing could give me more pleasure than to have a photo with you all in, so that I could have a look at you all now and again. I think that it is good of you all, and the best that has been taken, and the one of Arthur is very good, Mr L. is very pleased with his, and thanks you very much for it. He is still very good to me when I can get time in the evenings to go and see him. I am very sorry to hear that Jesse may have to join up again, but I hope that it will all be over before he gets out here. Your parcel has not come yet, but I expect to get it when I get back tonight, if so I will write and let you know at once that it has arrived. I was talking to a fellow here this week, and after a bit I found out that he was Lily Major’s husband. It is surprising who you run up against out here. We have a new chaplain now, and he is a very nice man indeed, but we do miss the late one so, They get so many each night now that they go through the whole of the Evening Service, which is very nice. I am writing this in my dinner hour, so you must please excuse the scrawl. Hoping that all are quite well.
With very best love to all,
I remain,
Your loving
Clifford.
Arthur – Arthur Robert Finch (28/09/1896-1953). Clifford’s friend. He is recorded in the 1911 census as living with his father Walter Dunstan Finch (b.1855) the “Headmaster of School of Art”, mother Honora Jane Finch, and brother and sister at Brookdale, Haldry Avenue, Teignmouth. He served in the R.N.A.S. (Service No. F21793). It appears he lied about his age, as from his service records, he is recorded as born in 1894. He married Norah Miles in 1923 in Saltash, where he is recorded in the 1939 register as a “Manager Motor Engineer”.
Jesse – Jesse Thomas Terence Browne (1889-1962). Clifford’s brother-in-law to be. He married Clifford’s sister Gladys [12] in 1918. He was born in Tunbridge wells to Emma Crowhurst Browne (née Payne) [132] and Jesse William Browne. He was a private in the Devonshire Regt. (Regtl. No. 79348) and served as an orderly in the French Red Cross. Jesse transcribed Clifford’s war letters during the 1920s.
Lily Major – Lily Louise Major (1886-1967). Recorded as a “Housemaid” living at Keittos BT. In the 1901 census, she married Frederick Leach in 1913.
Frederick Evelyn Leach (1881-1950). He served as a private in the 9th and 2nd Batt. Devonshire Regt. (Regtl. No. 26522). Dis.392 xvi. 13/06/18
Wallis family circa 1916. Murlie, Fannie, Clifford, Teenie, Gladys, Kennie, Daddie, Joan, Mammie, Francie.
Letter from Rouen, France 23/3/1917 - Up the line
No. 2. I.B.D.
Rouen.
France.
23.3.17.
My dear Mammie and All,
We are off up the line today so I shall not be able to stay to write much now, but I will write as often as I can, and I will let you know where to write to as soon as I know myself. I am going to the 2nd Devons. I have received the pillow quite safely and just in time, it will be a great comfort. I cannot stop for more now, so hope that you will excuse it.
With very best love to all,
From
Clifford.
Letter from France 10/4/1917 - More snow. No news is good news
A Coy; 4th Platoon,
2nd Batt: Devon: Regt.
B. E. F.
10.4.17.
My dear Mammie and All,
I have received your very nice parcel quite safely, and I am enjoying it very much indeed. It is much too good of you altogether to send so much. I am afraid that you have to go short yourselves when you do send, and I should not like to think that were doing that at all. I also had three letters from you at the same time, dated Mar: 26th & 27th and April 1st. I have had a big parcel as well from Auntie Millie. Isn’t it kind of her to send so often? I shall not have time to write her a very long letter, and I was wondering if you would writing and thanking her for her kindness as well as myself. How is the weather at home? It is not much like Easter week here for we have had another lot of snow today which has made it rather cold, and so I shall be very glad when it turns fine for good. You will be very glad to hear that I am still quite well and happy, so there will be no need for you to worry about me at all. I am sorry that I cannot write more often than I do, but I do not really get time, so you must not think that there is anything the matter when you do not hear from me, for as you know “no news is good news”. I have not heard from Mr Lawry yet, but I expect I shall in a day or two. You need not worry about my address any more now, as “2nd Devons” will always find me, even if you forget the company or platoon. I expect that you are enjoying the holidays now, or at least I very much hope so, as I know that you all need the rest so much, for times at home now must be as hard to bear with as they are out here. How do you think that things are going now? I always look out for the war news in your letters, as out here you only know just about the part that you are on. What a lot I shall have to tell when we all get round the front room fire again, (but of course I cannot tell you anything now ) and I hope that we shall not have to wait until Christmas afternoon for that time (D.V.). I hope that you will excuse the fearful writing, but there are no C.A.s and Y.M.s up here, where we can sit down and write, so you have to do what you can. Well I am afraid that I shall have to close now, but hope to be able to write again very soon; So with very best love to everybody,
I remain,
Your loving
Clifford.
Letter from France 21/4/1917 - Sugar and pencils
A Coy; 4th Platoon,
2nd Batt: Devon: Regt.
B. E. F.
France
21.4.17.
My dear Mammie and All,
I have just received your very nice letters dated April 6th, and was indeed pleased to get them. I am sorry to say that I have not received Mr Carpenter’s parcel yet, but I am looking forward to its arrival in a day or so. I must say how very much I enjoyed your nice parcel; it was such a treat, and it was a very good idea of yours to put sugar with the cocoa, it made such a big difference. It is too kind of you to still send when things are such a price, but as you say that you will not go without anything yourselves for my sake I shall not mind. Next time you should be sending if it is possible could send me a little loose tea and a little sugar mixed with it (like the cocoa was), or a small bottle of “Camp Coffee”, as anything like that is most acceptable up here, when you are away from all canteens and Y.M.s. I should be very thankful for a box of those “Lighters” like you sent before, if you can get them, but please do not put yourselves out of the way to get any of them if you cannot manage it. I have had another very nice letter from Auntie Millie with an Easter card enclosed, it is most kind of her to send to me so often, and I hope that when I get back(D.V.) that I shall be able to go and see her and thank her myself. I am still getting on quite alrightly and am happy, but I have been shifted from 16th platoon and put in 14th platoon, but that will not make any difference to the mails. I forgot to say that I should like a pencil or two when next you send, as they will be very useful, and very difficult to get up here. I am afraid that I cannot stay for more now, but will write again as soon as ever I can, Hoping that all are quite well and with very best of love to everybody,
I remain,
Your loving
Clifford.
Mr Carpenter – Charles Frederick Carpenter (1843-1925). He is recorded in the 1911 census as “Proprietor of hydropathic establishment”, living at Huntly BT.
Letter from France 1/5/1917 - Flowers from a lost village and Roll of Honour for Gene
A Coy; 4th Platoon, 2nd Batt: Devon: Regt. B. E. F. France 1.5.17.
My dear Mammie and All, I am glad to say that I have received another letter from you dated April 25th, but on all your letters “F.P.0. 42” is scratched out, and marked “Not Known at F.P.0. 42”. I do not think that anything else is needed than the address I have given you. It seems to have been delaying them a bit. I am very sorry to know that I got mixed about Mr C’s parcel, but I will write to him as soon as can. I am still quite alright and happy, and am looking forward more each day to the time when we shall all be able to go down to the garden.(D.V.) The few flowers enclosed I picked in what is left of a ruined village: they were just peeping through the bricks and rubbish. Haldon is a lovely flower-garden compared to the land out here. It never struck me until today about having to put the black lines on the School Roll of Honour for Gene; I never thought about that when I put his name down; he is seeing much happier sights now than he has seen lately, poor boy. Everybody will be glad when this is all over. Would you please send me some boracic ointment one day when you are sending, as it is most useful; and if you could manage it can you get me a small box of Horlick’s Malted Milk Biscuits? (Providing they are not too expensive) They are very good there is not much else about. Well, I am afraid that I must 123. really close now, but I will write again as soon as possible. With very best of love to all, I remain, Your loving Clifford. P.S. I thought that the flowers would do for Mammie’s Prayer-Book.Letter from France 6/6/1917 - Feet and hospital
A Coy; 4th Platoon, 2nd Batt: Devon: Regt. B. E. F. France 6.6.17.
My dear Mammie and All, I expect that you will all be very surprised to learn that I have been in hospital for a day or two with sore feet, but I shall be going out again either today or tomorrow. I am glad to say that my feet are quite alright now, but they were rather sore at the time. “Ulcer Feet” was what the hospital people called it. I must say that I have had a very nice time during the few days that I have been here, and I should not mind if all warfare was like being in hospital; but I must hope that it will all be over soon. I was very glad to hear that “Empire Day” rejoicings went off so well. I can just imagine what it was like, but I should have liked very much to have seen it,all the same. I do not know if they will save your letters for me at the Battalion until I get back, or return them to you; so if you get one or two sent back you will understand why it is: but by the time you get this it will be quite safe to send to the ordinary address. Hoping that everyone is quite well, I remain, With very best love to all, Clifford.Letter from France 14/8/1917 - 16/8/17 Hard times and hard times ahead
2nd Batt: Devon: Regt.
No. 2. I. B. D.
B. E. F.
France
14. 8. 17.
My dear Mammie and All,
Just a few lines to let you know that I am still quite alright. I have not yet rejoined the Batt: but I am expecting to do so very soon. We are at a rest camp up the line for a few days before we go to join the Batt: in the line. I expect that all your letters have gone on to the Batt: as I have not had any since we left the Base, so I am hoping to get them when we get to the Batt: from what I can hear, I am afraid that our lot have been having a very rough time lately, and that a great many of my friends have been killed or else wounded. The little bit of Flower is for Mammie: it came off the Altar in the C.A. Hut at the Base. I did enjoy the services in the hut while I was there, and I shall miss them very much now, but I very much hope that I shall soon be able to go to the services in our church with you all (D.V.). Well I am afraid that I cannot stay any longer now, but I will write again soon. With very best love to all,
I remain,
Your loving
Clifford.
…………………..
15. 8. 17.
My dear Mammie and All,
I am very pleased to say that I have just received your very nice letter of the 28th, also the enclosed returned one of the 28th of June with the very nice painted ones of the little ones, I am very sorry to hear about Tom Kidston, and I very much hope he may turn up again alrightly. I have seen Fred Soper, and have given him your message, and said good-bye to him, as he has been put in the 11th Leicesters, end goes up the line tonight. I very much hope that he will get on alrightly. I have just come across a fellow out here whose wife used to be an assistant teacher in the School of Art in Exeter, where I attended, and also one from Teignmouth called Church. I expect that Gladys would know him as he has had his photo taken at the Shanty. The enclosed card is for Daddy, and I hope that he will like it. I must not stop for more now, but I will write again soon. With very best love to all,
I remain,
Your loving
Clifford
…………………..
16. 8. 17.
My dear Mammie and All,
Just a very few lines to let you know that I am still quite alright and happy. We have shifted to another place now for a few days before joining the boys again. I am very glad to say that there is a C.A. Hut in the camp, which makes it so much nicer. I do not know quite what to do about the letters, as I do not expect that the Batt: knows where I am, and it is no good giving you this address, as I shall not be here long enough to get a reply; so that if you do get any returned from the Batt: you will know why it is. I do hope that you are all quite well. I am looking forward very much to the time when I shall be able to get a line from you again. Well, I am afraid that I cannot stay for more now, but I will write again soon (D.V.). With very best love to all,
I remain,
Your loving
Clifford.
Tom Kidston – Thomas James Kidston (28/03/1876 – 26/07/1917). He is recorded in the 1911 census as a “Ld Stoker Royal Navy” living at The Triangle, Clanage St, BT. Thomas Kidston perished when his ship, HMS Ariadne was sunk off Beachy Head by a German submarine. (Royal Navy No. 280054).
Fred Soper – Frederick W. J. Soper (20/07/1894-1952). Recorded in the 1911 census as a “farm labourer” living at Higher Coombe, Teignmouth. He served as a private in the 4th Batt. Devonshire Regt. (Regtl. No. 203315), 11th and 9th Batts. Leicestershire Regt. (Regtl. No. 235192), and 9th Batt. Norfolk Regt. (Regtl. No. 41367).
Letter from France 23/8/1917 Bishopsteignton School's Roll of Honour adds another name
2nd Batt: Devon: Regt.
No. 2. I. B. D.
B. E. F.
France
23. 8. 17.
My dear Mammie and All,
Just a few lines to let you know that I have got back to the Batt: quite safely, and was most delighted to find 11 letters missing from you,and one from Auntie Millie, also the socks, dictionary, and handkerchief, which will be most useful. I cannot tell you how very much I have enjoyed reading all your nice letters, but I am so sorry to hear about poor Daddie, and I very much hope that he will soon be better. I do feel so very sorry about Fred Burgess. The “black lines” must be mounting up on the School Roll of Honour. My address is the same as it was before,:- A Coy: No 4 Platoon. I have just received another W.W.N. from Mrs Knapp, so I must write and thank her as soon as I can; it is kind of her to send to me. Just fancy Kennie and Murlie learning to ride a bicycle. I suppose that will mean more punctures for Francie to mend. I am afraid that I must close now, but I will write again soon (D.V.), With very best love to all,
I remain,
Your loving
Clifford.
Fred Burgess – H. G. (Fred) Burgess (1898 – 11/08/1917). He is recorded as an “Apprentice – Baker’s”, living at The Triangle, Fore St, BT in the 1911 census. He enlisted is a private in the 2nd Batt. Devonshire Regt. (Regtl. No. 3/7063). He died in France of wounds on the 11th of August 1917. He is buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery.
Letter from France 22/9/1917 Flowers from the other side
2nd Batt: Devon: Regt.
No. 2. I. B. D.
B. E. F.
France
22. 9. 17.
My dear Mammie and All,
I can only stay for a very few minutes now, but I thought I must put in a line with the enclosed. The handkerchief is just a little remembrance of Oct: 12th. As we are out of the line for a day or so, I thought I had better get it while I had the chance, so you must please excuse it being a little before-hand. I will tell you the name of the place where I got it when I get home (D.V.), but it is well within range of the guns, and people are still living there. I have got one or two bits of flower that I picked growing in what was once a german trench, but I must send those next time. I have received all your nice letters, including the long one, quite safely. I cannot really see to write any more tonight, so will you please excuse this muddle, With very best love to all,
I remain,
Your loving
Clifford.
Letter from France 8/10/1917 A new address
Observation Section,
Headquarters.
2nd Batt: Devon: Regt.
B. E. F.
France.
8. 10. 17.
My dear Mammie and All,
I expect that you will be wondering when you are going to have a letter from me again, but I really do not seem to get much time now for writing letters. First of all I must thank you very much indeed for the lovely parcel; I did enjoy it so much. I have received both parcels now, and several letters, including those dated Sept: 30th, Oct: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, I was also delighted to get another line from Daddie, it is good to see his writing sometimes. I am glad to say that I am still getting on alrightly, and am quite well but I am sorry to hear that Mammie is poorly and that she has lost her voice again, especially at the Harvest singing time.
I have got a slight alteration in my address, at least for a time. Instead of A Coy: 4th Platoon, it will be “Headquarters” as I have been put in a section attached to H.Q. I like the work very much, and I find my drawing more useful than anything else, which I am sure you will be very pleased to hear. I had a letter from Mrs White this week,and she says that Mr White has been in hospital. He has run a piece of iron into his leg, but is much better now, and is at a rest camp for a little while. I am afraid that I shall not have time to answer all the questions about the parcels now, but I will answer as many as I can. Tell Teenie that in the first one the tomatoes were in splendid condition, and I think that she is a very clever girl to grow such lovely tomatoes on the roof. In the last one the buns were a little broken, but still I enjoyed them just as much.
I have still got plenty of vaseline, thanks to Joan, but I should like to have a small tin of H.P. one day when you are sending. Please tell Fannie that I should be very glad to have another pair of her gloves, as it is beginning to get cold already, especially at night; and if you have another pair of socks, I should find them most useful. I think that if you look in my rubbish drawer in the end bed-room you will find a sketch-book which Gladys brought me from the Shanty. I should be very glad if you will send it on, as it would be most useful to me in the job that I am on now; also do you think it possible to get me a small wooden “protracter”, or if not a rule, as I have nothing to draw straight lines with, and I have been obliged to use the edges of photos and things like that. Well, I really think that I must close, but I will try and write again in a day or two. With very best love to all, and again thanking you all very much For the lovely parcel,
I remain,
Your loving
Clifford.
Letter from France 16/10/1917 Job descriptions
Observation Section,
Headquarters.
2nd Batt: Devon: Regt.
B. E. F.
France.
16. 10. 17.
My dear Mammie and All,
Now that I have a few minutes to myself I will try and write you a few lines to thank you for both parcels and letters. You would like to know, I expect, that I received both the last parcels right in the trenches, where they were most acceptable. They both arrived in splendid condition, I do not think that there was one bun broken in either of them, and I did enjoy them so much. There were three others in the same dug-out I was in, and they thought that they had never tasted such nice buns ever before, and praised Teenie’s cooking very much, and even wanted to find out if I could get to know what they were made of, so that they could send home and ask their people to make some similar to the ones you sent. I was very pleased indeed to get that very nice photo of Christine. I do like it so very much. I have a separate one of both Gladys and Christine now, and I should like very much to have one of Fannie to go with them, when either Gladys or Daddie have time. I do so like to have any scrap of photo you send out, and I like to keep them in my pocket-book, so as to have a look at them now and again, just to remind me of the old times. I wonder if one day, when Daddie has got a spare plate, if he would take a rough photo of the Roll of Honour for me, just to see what it looks like now. I suppose that the colours have faded a good bit by this time, as I saw that they had started to do so when I came away.
I am very pleased to hear how Gladys has got on in the Shanty; it just shows what they think of her, to leave her in charge like that, and it is about time too that they found out what she is worth. Tell her that I shall expect to have my photo taken every day of the week when I get back (D.V.) quite free, now that she is “mistress” of the shop. I expect that you will be wondering what the new address and job is that I am on: but I have had to wait until I could get a green envelope to let you know.
I am now made a Batt: Observer, and I have to swank about with a green band on my arm. It is very interesting work, and I like it very much, and most of all, because drawing is one of the chief parts of it. The job does not keep me out of the front line, but I do no ordinary trench duty, such as sentry-go e,t,c. My chief work is watching all enemy movements by means of a telescope from an observation post, and marking down different things on maps, and finding compass bearings, and such like. Where I get on best is, there is a lot of map drawing, sketches and so on, which I just enjoy doing. The corporal on the brigade told me that the officer was very pleased with my drawing, and said that it might lead to better things for me. He would not say for certain that it would, but that, if he were in my place, he would certainly keep up my drawing, so what he thinks may happen I do not know. You will also be glad to know that the magnetism and compass work, which I learnt at Newton Abbott that winter is very useful indeed, and I must really say that those few classes I went to have always been most useful to me, and I shall never look upon those nights as wasted time. The observing is all done by day, and we come back to H.Q. at night to sleep, so we can nearly always count on having a good night’s rest in the dry,(which is a great thing) instead of going out: into “no-man’s land” wiring, on patrol, or digging e,t,c, which I should be doing if I was back with the company; so that I have something to be thankful for, and I am sure you will be also. This is the first time I have been in the line on this job, and it seems more like a holiday when compared to the life in the company; of course, I get a lot to put up with, but to be able to get a night in the dry, and to be able to sleep is such a treat that you can guess I shall do my best to stay on this job. I do not know if Jesse will be able to tell anything about the job or not, but we come under the “Intelligence” branch, and are attach ed to Batt: H.Q,
You will be glad to now that we have shifted from that part of the front you asked about, and are now on a quieter part farther down. I am very sorry that you have been worrying so much about me lately. It is true that the weather and mud are very trying at times, but I am glad to say that I am getting on quite alrightly. Yes, I have been in mud and water up to my waist, (but not lately, I am glad to say) and I do not feel any the worse for it, which is a great thing. I do so hope that you will not worry about me any more now, because I am quite alright, and it only makes me worry if I think that you are doing so, and I know very well that you have got quite enough to worry you at home there, without troubling about me. I am very glad to be able to tell you, that what you heard about not having any leave under eighteen months is quite wrong, it has been so, but is not so now. We have got fellows going home from this Batt: now with 13 months service, and it has just come out in orders that the leave is to be kept going until all have been home up to six months, so I am quite expecting (D.V.) to be home either just before, or just after Christmas. I can hardly fancy that in two days I shall have done nine months out here, although at the same time it seems a long while ago that I saw you all. They do seem to be mucking poor Philip about with his leave, but I expect that he will enjoy it all the more when he does get it. I expect that you will be surprised to know that there was a young fellow in the same section, (back in A Coy) that I was in, who came from Bristol, and used to be in Daisy’s class at St Nicholas’ Boy’s school, but I did not find it out until just before I left the Coy. Willett, his name is, and he lives in Queen Street. I have just received a long letter from Uncle Jess, and so I shall have to find time to answer it when we get out. He says that they have been staying at sea-side place, and it did remind them so much of the pleasant times they had spent at Teignmouth long ago. I hope that you will please excuse this awful writing, as I am doing it on my knee in the trenches, I will post it as soon as I can when we get out and get a green envelope issue. Again thanking you all very much for the lovely parcels, not forgetting the sweets from the little ones, With very best love to all,
I remain,
Your loving
Clifford.
P.S. I should be very glad if you could send me a pencil now and again as they will be most useful to me on this job.
Letter from France 31/12/1917 Christmas, teeth and coming home soon?
Observation Section,
Headquarters.
2nd Batt: Devon: Regt.
B. E. F.
France.
31. 12. 17.
My dear Mammie and All,
I have made several attempts to write to you during the past week, but I have had to give it up each time, so I think that I must do the same as before, and write in my pocketbook, so that I can write a few lines when I get the chance of a few minutes to spare. I must first ask you to excuse the writing, as I am writing this on my knee, and with my gloves on, as it is rather cold just now. I am very glad that you have received my letter saying that had got the Xmas parcel quite safely. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed it, and I thank you all very much indeed. I meant to have sent a special letter of thanks for very nice Xmas letter. I was glad to get a line from Daddie, but the time went so fast that it was gone before we realised that it had come, like it always does when we are out of the line, but as you may depend, we had a good time, as I very much hope that you all did, and I am looking forward to spending the next one together with you all (D.V.). We had a very nice Early Service, with quite a lot there, and I did enjoy it as much, and I remembered the Xmas Day that Gladys and I went for the first time.
We had several hymns which you will see on the paper enclosed, which was itself a kind of Xmas card from the Chaplain. We also had a very nice Evening Service in the School-room. We got on alrightly for dinner. Each one on H.Q. put 2 Francs towards the dinner, and we had roast pork and vegetables, with the pudding afterwards that the government allowed us, and I enjoyed it all very much I expect that your wishes were the same as ours:- that we might all be home for the next Xmas dinner. We have been having very cold weather here lately, with heavy snow, and it still hanging about now. The ground was white several days before Xmas, and I shall be very glad when it is all gone. I am very sorry to hear that you have been having so much tooth-pulling at home just lately, and I am afraid that I have not got away without any myself, but I am glad to say that I am quite alright now. I expect that you remember that I had a bad tooth in the upper jaw opposite to those I had out in Teignmouth, well, it started to give me “what for” one night, so the next day I went round to the Ambulance, and the doctor soon had it out for me, and did it very well indeed, as you know they do not use anything to deaden the pain in the army. I must really say that it did not hurt me as much as it did in Teignmouth, and I did not get any nasty effects in my mouth the next day. Please thank Gladys very much for taking so much trouble to find out about my friend. I am very sorry that she has had such a bother, and had call so many times. I wonder if one day when she has time,she would finish me a postcard of the photo she sent out of him, as I should like to have one very much.
I am very pleased to hear about Glady’s money, it is quite time that she was paid according to the work that she does. It is very funny how I come across different people out here. There is a fellow here on H.Q. acting as a Batt: R.P., and I was sure that I had seen him somewhere before, but I never took the trouble to ask him who he was, and now after about 2 months I have found out that it is one of the young Mr Wheatons at Exeter. He said that he remembered Daddie very well indeed. There is also the manager of the P.B. Boot Coy86 at Teignmouth here in one of the companies, who said that he knew Mr Wallis of B.T. when he went to his shop to get the boots at Xmas.
Well, Mammie dear, I am really beginning to think that I shall be seeing you all at the end of Jan: (D.V.) or else some time in Feb: if all goes well. They will start sending those this week that I was a waiting man for at Devonport last year. There is only about forty of them left I think. When these have been they will start my lot, and I expect that I shall be at the bottom of the list somewhere, but it is not at all a long list. We should soon all go if they kept the leave number going, only perhaps one week they will send 17 and then the next week send 2, which throws one back a lot. You must not look forward to it too much, in case we get disappointed, I try not to, but I find it rather a hard job. I think that I must close now, or you will be another day without a line, but I will write again as soon as I can. With very best love to all,
I remain,
Your loving
Clifford.
Clifford sends a further long letter dated 9/1/18 in which he writes:
Well, I really think that I am “bobbing on leave” at last.
and
I am afraid that I have no souvenirs to bring, but I shall be quite satisfied if I can only bring myself, and I hope that you will look on me as the Souvenir of the war.
Full letter here.
He was able to spend some time at home around the beginning of February. The Exeter Gazette reports of “An entertainment given to a crowded house in aid of the school fund and of the fund for providing wool for the children to knit socks for the sailors and soldiers. Living pictures were shown by Pte. C. Wallis, home from the Front; ” during this time.
In a further letter dated 25/2/1918 after returning to the front he writes:
It was good to come home and see that you are all living in peace and that our homes were just the same as when we left them and not like the many many places that were homes once out here. It shows me that it is well worth my being out here to have kept the actual fighting out of dear old England , especially glorious Devon.
Full letter here.
Letter from France 4/4/1918 The thick of it
Observation Section,
Headquarters.
2nd Batt: Devon: Regt.
B. E. F.
France.
4. 4. 18.
My dear Mammie and All,
I cannot tell you how glad I am, at last to be able to send you a few lines once again. I am not going to waste any time telling you how sorry I am to have kept you waiting so long for either card or letter, because I know that you already know what has been happening lately and that all letter writing was impossible. Well Mammie dear, we have been in the thickest of it all, as you may have seen, for ten days without a stop, but am very pleased to say that now we are having a little rest, just to get things together a bit. I cannot tell you how thankful I am to still be alive after these last few days; it is far more than I expected I can tell you, and I am sure that it must be only through your prayers at home that have kept me without a scratch through what has happened in this week, but I hope that the worst is over now. I hardly know how to be thankful enough when I look round and see that I am one of the few that have come through alright. It is wonderful that I am not with poor G. Smith. I have not troubled about myself at all, but have been worrying about you all, as I know how anxious you would be at not getting any news, but you must not worry at all now as I am quite alright and do not feel the bit the worse for it at all now that we have had a bit of a rest. Peter was right in what he said about where I was; I think that we should all like to go back to the ridge again for a bit of a change.
Even the men who have always been so anxious to tell us what the war was like in 1914 have had to admit that these last few days have been worse: but I am glad to say that I don’t really think that it can last much longer and am hoping for much brighter days soon. I do hope that you had nice Easter Services; I thought about you as much as I could, but think that that day was the worst we had: I know I never expected to live through it, but am hoping to have my Easter Services next Sunday, as most likely we shall be still out of the line. I hope to send home Mr White’s watch in a few days if you would be kind enough to look after it for me until I get back (D.V.). It has gone splendidly up to now, but think that this last week has given it a little “Shell-shock”. I shall not want it again as I have got another from a fellow I know for a few shillings, and I am So very much afraid that I shall lose it, and I should not like to do that, at all. I tried to get this letter away yesterday but could not, and since then I have received your most welcome parcel of the 23rd. I am enjoying it very much indeed and am looking forward to having the heart for supper. It is good of you to send like you do and most brave of you to keep on writing when you get no news from me, but it was such a comfort to keep on getting them, and how they got them up to us I do not know. I have also received a large parcel from Auntie Millie and the girls at No. 4. Isn’t it good of them? and also a nice letter from Uncle Jess with 2/6 enclosed.
I have sent them all a F.C. to let them know that I have received them safely, but was wondering if one of the girls would mind sending them a few lines to thank from me and tell them I will write myself at the first opportunity. That friend of mine (Jack Bridgeman)105 that brought home that brooch has just come back off leave and says how sorry he was not to have been able to come and see you: he has given me his photo which I am sending home for your book and for you to see. Well Mammie dear, I think that this is all that I can say for now, but will write again as soon as I can, and hope very much that you will not worry at all if you do not get a line very often, but I shall always send a card when I can. With very best love to all from Clifford. P.S. I forgot to say that just before we went into action we had a draft come up and with it Mark Knight and Lily Major’s husband. I had a few minutes talk with them, but since then I cant find them so don’t know what has happened to them: if you hear, please let me know.
With love,
Clifford.
Letter from France 8/4/1918 We had done what four other divisions had failed to do
Observation Section,
Headquarters.
2nd Batt: Devon: Regt.
B. E. F.
France.
8. 4. 18.
My dear Mammie and All,
Just a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and quite well, and feeling none the worse for the lively time we have had. We are still out of the line, but I do not know for how much longer; not too long I expect, but are almost fit for another go now that the gaps are filled up. Peter was very nearly right in what he said, but a little nearer A than Q. I was very sorry to hear that he had had to go under another operation, but I expect that he feels that he is much better off where he is, than to be out here, poor boy. I sent him a field card yesterday, and I will try to send him a few lines as soon as I have written to Bristol and to Uncle Jess. We had a big inspection yesterday (Sunday) by the General of the 8th Division. He thanked us for all that we had done, and told us what a name we had made for the Devons, and not only that, but also what a good name we had won for the Division, and that he could not say how proud of us he was, and also others of higher authority than he. He said that we had done what four other divisions had failed to do, so that was not so bad, was it?
I wish that you could have heard our boys when they got relieved, as, although they were done right up, when they got back to a billet, they sat in a barn, and sang “Glorious Devon”. Have you heard anything of Mark Knight? He is not here with this Batt: as I have looked everywhere for him. The company that he was in had a lot of men taken prisoners,(through hanging on to their position) and I am wondering if he was taken with them. I hope not. Neither can I find out anything about Mr Leach99, except that he is not with us. Do you remember my taking back some tobacco to a L/c Draper at Tregantle? For funnily enough he joined this Batt: with the same draft as Mark Knight did. I just managed to speak to him for a few minutes before we went into action, and he seemed so pleased to meet me again, but I am sorry to say that he is also missing. I suppose that we have to thank Russia for all this, but I think that even now “Johnny” will find that he has made a mistake this time, and I am beginning to think that this is the commencement of the end, at least I sincerely hope so. We had a very nice Church parade yesterday morning, after the inspection, and a very nice Service in the Schoolroom of this little village where we are now staying. There was a H.C. Service afterwards which I enjoyed very much, and I thought a a great deal about you all. It was so nice to have a little bit of Easter, but the worst of it was we could not have one Easter Hymn, as all the Hymn-books had been lost in the fight, and all that the chaplain had was a few sheets of “General Hymns”, which we had to use instead, but I hope that next Easter we shall be singing hymns at home(D.V.). I know that this is just the same as we wished each other last year, but I really do not think that the war will last another twelve months, especially at the rate things are going now. This is the sort of fighting that will decide it, not trench warfare.
The chaplain is trying to get a bit of a choir together, just help the singing a bit, and he has got my name down to help with the Alto parts, but they have only got one music hymn-book, so I was wondering if you had got an old one that you could spare me, when you can find time to fish it out and send it. I was very glad to find that paper and envelope enclosed in one of your letters, as I have lost everything like that. I should be very glad if you could send me a writing pad similar to those you use,(without envelopes) and just enclose an envelope now and again. Because if you try to keep a packet they all get spoilt with the damp, but please do not trouble about it if they are difficult or expensive to get. I used the envelope for Mrs White, as I was lucky enough to get a green one for you, I had a very nice letter from Mrs White yesterday, and said what a nice photo you had sent her of us round the railings, and how very much she liked it. She says that B. Burley has left Knapman’s and has gone to Plymouth. I wonder how Lillie likes that because they were such great friends. I am very glad that Gladys enjoyed her stay at Saltash, but I was sorry to hear about the usual job with the trains. I think that they had better be like the army, and leave the trains alone, and walk everywhere. Well, Mammie dear, I think that this is all that I can stop for now, but I will 193. try and write again soon. With very best love to all,
I remain,
Your loving
Clifford.
P.S. I have just received your nice letter of April 3rd. I hope that you have received one of my letters long before you get this.
With love,
Clifford.
Letter from France 23/4/1918 "full swing" ... and shall be for a few days yet I expect ...
Observation Section,
Headquarters.
2nd Batt: Devon: Regt.
B. E. F.
France.
23rd 4. 18.
St, George’s Day.
My dear Mammie and All,
Just a few hurried lines to let you know that I am still quite alright, and that I have received your lovely parcel of the 16th, and letters of the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th quite safely. I expect that by this time you will have had my card showing that I have received the Hymn-book, and the other parcel alrightly, also the Devon numerals, which are quite alright. I am sure that I thank you all very much indeed, and I hope that you will please excuse this very hurried letter, as, I expect you have guessed, we are now in “full swing” in the line again, and shall be for a few days yet I expect, but there is just the chance of getting away a green envelope, so I am making the most of the chance.
I thought of Mark Knight a few days ago, when we went by the place where he washed his feet in that water shown on the card he sent you, and I am somewhere in that district now. I am very sorry to hear that poor Philip has been hit again, and I do hope that he will get on alrightly and not suffer too much, poor boy. Yes, I did receive a parcel with some jam in it a few days ago, but you could not have had the field-card I sent, and I am very sorry that I forgot to mention it in any letter since, so please will you thank Nurse very much from me, if it is not too late now.
I have just received a nice letter from Auntie Millie, but I am afraid that I shall have to wait a day or so before I can answer it. I have also had one from Mrs White, and one from Mr Williams, wasn’t it kind of him to write? Well, Mammie dear, I am afraid that this is all for now, and I will let you know as soon as I can when I get out of the line (D.V.). With very best love to all,
I remain,
Your loving
Clifford.
Letter from France 29/4/1918 My Dear Mr and Mrs Wallis...
Headquarters,
2nd Batt: Devon:Regt,
B. E. F.
France.
29. 4. 18
My Dear Mr and Mrs Wallis,
It is with very deepest regret I have to write you these few lines to inform you that poor Clifford was killed in action on the night of the 24th/25th inst: As the N.C.O. in charge of the Batt: Observers I can assure you that you have the deepest sympathy, not only of his Section, but of the whole of Headquarters, by whom he was very much respected. He was indeed a gentleman. One could not wish for a better fellow; it was an honour to have him in our Section, and I feel that we have not only lost a good comrade, but a personal friend who was ever ready to help others. It will be some consolation to you to know that he suffered no pain, death being instantaneous from a bullet wound in the head, and that he was laid to rest by his own comrades behind Villers B—–. two parcels arrived for him today; their contents, (according to his expressed wishes) were divided among the rest of the section. One was from his Home, and the other from 4 Stevens Crescent, Totterdown, Bristol I am enclosing a letter from each of the parcels, and one which came by post today.
Once more assuring you of our sincere sympathy in your great loss,
Your’s very sincerely,
F. Goldsmith.
Cpl.106 2nd Devon: Regt.
Death and Burial
On the night of the 24/25th April 1918 Private Wallis was killed by a bullet to the head and was buried where he fell. He was 22 years old. He was initially buried with six Australians but the front moved to and fro over the site and the grave was lost.
Obituary Clifford E Wallis Source Western Times 4th May 1918
Letters of condolence after his death
His family received the following letter dated the 29th April 1918 from Cpl Goldsmith, the NCO in charge of the Battalion, informing them of the death of their son during the night of the 24-25th April at Villers Brettoneux in France.
Many other letters of condolence were recieved from family, friends and comrades. A small selection giving insight into the conditions and circumstances surrounding his death are presented here.
The many other letters showing the high regard with which Clifford and the Wallis family were held can be seen here.
Letter from Regimental Chaplin 3/5/1917
May. 3rd. 1918.
Dear Mr Wallis,
I expect you have already heard the sad news of the death in action of 42825 Pte. C.E. Wallis, 2nd Batt: Devons on April 24th. I thought I would just send you a line to tell you how sorry I am. He was such a real good lad, very popular in the Battalion. Everyone respected him. I could always depend on him to help me at my services, and be with me at the Holy Communion. He was also a keen member of my choir. I am afraid that I can tell you next to nothing about his death. He and several others of the Observers were together, a shell seems to burst among them killing some and wounding others, who are in hospital, and I cannot ask them.
We were unable to bring his body back for burial at the time, the shelling was too heavy. Not very long afterwards the Battalion was relieved, so we had to leave the burial of our dead to the unit that took over from us. Please accept our sincerest sympathy. May the Almighty Father, who has surely taken him into His safe keeping, help and comfort you in your present trouble. Thank God he is not lost, but only gone on before.
Your’s sincerely,
Gregory Bateman
C. of E. Chaplain.
Letter from Philip Coombe 3/5/1917
Red Cross Hospital,
Saffron Walden,
Essex.
3. 5. 18.
Dear Mr and Mrs Wallis,
Just received the letter from mother with the very sad mews of Clifford. Words cannot express to you my feelings. Mrs Wallis, I share with you in all your sorrow. You all may gather a little comfort from this:- it was on that day that the British beat off the tremendous German attack, and it was the greatest victory of the war. And Mrs Wallis, you may rest assured from one that has been through it, that Clifford’s body would be buried in a cemetery, a British one, close behind the lines.
I have been looking forward to my visit to B.T., but I am afraid it will be a sad one this time, because it was at the School-house that I spent my happiest hours. In conclusion, if I can he of any help to you in anything concerning Clifford’s effects I would be only too pleased to do so. This is poor consolation to you all, but it is from one who shares with you all in your sorrow. I remain,
Your’s very sincerely,
Philip Coombe.
Philip Coombe – Sergeant in the Canadian Expeditionary Force also stationed in France. Philip had emigrated from Bishopsteignton to Canada before the war. He was wounded and decorated before returning to the village.
Letter from L/cpl. T.Wroots. 14/5/1917
Ward 4. Great Northern Hospital
Holloway Road.
London N. 7.
14. 5. 18.
Dear Mrs Wallis,
It is with deep regret that I am writing such a letter to you as this, but as painful as it is for me to do so, I will tell you all I know up to the time I left your son. It was on the night of the 23rd of April that we went into the line on the right of Villers-Bretonneux and. I was in charge of our section on that occasion. We got into our position quite safely and carried on with our usual routine. At 3.30.a,m. the following morning the enemy put up a heavy barrage lasting for four hours and then he drove us out of our positions with tanks. Cliff: and myself kept together in a shell hole and dug ourselves in.
We had it fairly quiet for the rest of the day, and at dusk Cliff: and I sat down and had a bit to eat. About an hour after we had finished out little feed, some Australians came up and counter-attacked. It was during this attack that we were both hit. We must have been hit almost simultaneously, because when I turned to tell Cliff: I was hit, I saw that he was dead. That was the last I saw of your son. I was severely hit in the left arm and had to get back to a dressing station. I hope you will get Clifford’s personal effects. I would have searched him myself if I had not been so hard hit at the time.
Well Mrs Wallis, perhaps it is a little consolation for you to know that Clifford’s death was instantaneous. The bullet entered the back of the head, and he died without making a sound. I know it must be a terrible blow for you, and it upset me a good deal, as I was very fond of your boy and he was also liked by his section and by H. Q. also. I would very much like a memorial card, but I have got one of his photos, given to me by himself. My arm is getting on favourably and I hope you will excuse the scribble as I can only use one arm at present. I am trying to find out if Cliff: was buried and if I get any definite information I will let you know at once. I will close now, tendering you the deepest sympathy,
Your’s sincerely,
L/cpl. T.Wroots.
Letter from L/cpl E. J. Bridgeman 30/5/1917
2nd Devons,
Pavilion Isolation Hospital
Shirley, Hants.
30. 5. 18.
Dear Mr Wallis,
It is with a deep regret that I am writing this letter under the circumstances, and I hardly feel up to the occasion somehow. I have only just had news from my brother in France telling of poor Clifford’s death today. It is the first I have heard of it, and well–it is useless to express how grieved I feel. It is such a sudden shock. Although I felt very much out of place and insufficient to write this letter. I felt in duty bound to do so after all, as he was such a pal of mine. As a matter of fact we were like brothers and it has put me absolutely down in the dumps and I find it very hard to keep the tears back in front of my companions.
Dear Clifford’s life was one of a very high and noble character, which was recognised by every one he came in contact with, and above that, he was a Christian, which is a great consolation to all of us, as we know that our loss is his glorious gain. He has gone to be for ever with Christ who gave His life for the whole world’s redemption. As we think of your dear Clifford, we cannot feel but what his life was very similar as he has laid down hie life for others, and also for what we all believe is a righteous cause. But it does grieve my heart more when I think of his dear ones at home. I am sure that you must feel it very keenly, but there is the great satisfaction of knowing that the dear boy is better off, which is a consoling comfort.
He was in the same post as I was the last day I spent in the line, until the Germans, made the attack, and then we had to retire, and split up as fast as we possibly could and that is when I missed Clifford. He was detailed under a different officer than I was. Shortly after, the same day I got rather badly gassed and was obliged to give up. I was taken away as a stretcher case and three weeks ago I landed in England, and since that I have had diphtheria. I am still detained in an isolation Hospital, but I am progressing very favourably. I got up a week ago come Friday for the first time and I am feeling better every day.
My Dad had been up to see me, also another friend near my home, that was before I could get out of bed. I had written two letters to Clifford and wondered why there was no reply. I was almost afraid to draw any conclusions. I thought that possibly the letters got missed because I had not heard from my own brother until today, and of course it was rather alarming as I got gassed on the 24th of April, which must have been about the time that poor Clifford was killed, so that I have been ignorant of all that has happened to the regiment until now. Walter my brother, asked me to write to you, but when I got gassed I lost all the addresses, photo wallet and everything else. I am not sure of your address. It is a pity because Clifford only gave it to me afresh a few days before we went. into the line, but I hope that you will receive it safely. Would you mind letting me know if you do? My brother and I send our most sincere sympathy to you all and pray to God that He will be your comfort and stay under such a dark cloud of sorrow.
Your sincere friend,
L/cpl E. J. Bridgeman.
Jack Bridgeman – Edward John Bridgman [no ‘e’] (29/04/1897-21/05/1974) was born in Broadwoodwidger. He is recorded in the 1901 census as living with his father (a “Farmer”), mother, 2 sisters and 5 brothers. He joined the Royal North Devon Hussars as a private (Regtl. No. 2561), and then the 2nd Batt. Devonshire Regt. His younger brother Walter Hampton Bridgman was also in the 2nd Batt. Devonshire Regt. (Regtl. No. 205160). He was a Lance Serjeant, and died on the 27th May 1918. He is remembered on the same panel as Cpl. Goldsmith at Soisson memoria
Transcription of Clifford’s Letters
Clifford’s letters home and the condolences were faithfully transcribed and typed in the 1920’s by his brother in law, Jesse Browne.
These together with information regarding the various people mentioned/involved and military activities have been collected and recorded by Alistair Wallis to whom we once again give our thanks for allowing us to publish – view the complete document.
Cliiford Wallis 1896 – 1918 plaque
The Wallis family were prominent members of the community of Bishopsteignton. If you have any more archive material and photographs or are related to them please get in touch.