Family & Other Stories
Family Stories - Sarah Pointon
Letters to my grandfather, Denis Meeke, from his father, William Meeke, a dentist in the Royal Army Medical Corps
17th June 1915
My dear Denis
I am sorry I am so late in wishing you a happy birthday, but I heard from Mummy you had a good time. I will ask Mummy to choose a wee present for you one day she and you are in London. The other day a few wounded soldiers came here and one had such a funny little dog on a string. The dog had a little red coat on with green mountings and green tabs sewn all over it. It was a German dog which he took from a German soldier after our soldiers had taken their trench and driven them out. The dog is very happy here, he is a little white fat thing. I am very well and last night I went for a walk along the canal and watched all the aeroplanes going away to watch the Germans and see what they were doing. You could see them getting higher and higher and smaller and smaller as the they got near the Germans and then the Germans began shooting at them. You could see great bursts of flame and then black smoke all around. I'm glad to say that no one was hurt. I saw as many as 10 shells burst above and around one of the aeroplanes.
You must write me a little letter and tell me all about your party. Are the strawberries ripe yet?
I will write to Tommy next time.
With love to Mummy, yourself, Tommy, Derek and Billy.
Your loving Papa.
20th July 1915
My Dear Denis
Just a line to let all you boys know I am very well. From my room I can almost see to read at night when the Germans send up their flares. I can sit at the window and watch the flash from the guns as they fire. It is very exciting to hear the different sounds at night, the Crack, Crack of the rifle, the Pop, Pop, Pop of the machine gun and the great roar of the big gun.
There are thousands of soldiers passing through here every night. Some are going up to the trenches, others coming down for a rest.
It won't be long before you go to Sandown.
With love to you all.
Your loving Papa
