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Friday 2 January 2015

Festive Fridays - Happy New Year

Soldier 'Barney' McArdle, 7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, playing the piano in a trench at Armentières, France, c.1915 (D/DLI 2/7/18(84))
D/DLI 2/7/18(84) Soldier 'Barney' McArdle, 7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, playing the piano in a trench at Armentières, France, c.1915
The Durham Advertiser from 15 January 1915 reprints the letter of an unnamed member of the Honourable Artillery Company, sent in by a Durham lady.  Written on New Year’s Day 1915, it recounts the events of Christmas and then goes on to say:

“Last night they had a watch night service at the same place [in a convent near to where they billeted], which was again crowded.  I was awfully glad when I heard they were having it, as I knew you would all be at St. John’s about the same time.  When we came back, J--- and myself drank all your healths in rum.  We are served out with this every night, and I tell you we are very glad to have it in the trenches when one is frozen…

This evening we and some of another regiment are going to have a concert, or more of a sing-song perhaps.  We are getting hold of a piano from somewhere.  Some of the men in our company have very fine voices, and it is a great treat to hear some really good songs again.  We all enjoy these concerts no end, and hey buck us up tremendously.”

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