Trooper J. L. Shoesmith (an assistant to Mr. W. P. Orrell, chemist, Rushden), who is with the Yeomanry at the front, sends the following letter to Mr. and Mrs. Orrell:-

“I am glad to say I am still going on all right. We have been to several different places just recently. At one place, where we were for about ten days, we were busy erecting a redoubt for winter use if necessary – but I am hoping it will not be; I am looking forward to being back in England again before very long. It was rather a dangerous spot that we were at as the Germans are shelling all round every day.

“We had a stroke of luck one day. One of the shells fell within a few yards of where we were working, but luckily it did not burst in fragments – only the cap blew off, and the shell went in the ground. One of our chaps dug the whole thing out afterwards, and it would be a very fine souvenir, but I am afraid he will have difficulty in getting it home. You get plenty of souvenirs over in this country. Had this one burst properly I am afraid some of us would have had our numbers up.

“It is awful to see the towns and villages that have been shelled. They are absolutely ruined. Some of us had to go to Ypres the other week. I think this is the worst place I have seen. Churches and cathedrals are razed to the ground. You never saw such lovely buildings as those that have been wrecked. It will take years to replace them, and I am afraid some of them can never be replaced.

“It is a pity some of the ‘slackers’ in England, especially the ‘strikers,’ cannot see some of the wrecks. If they could I think there would be more rally to the flag. It makes you feel you want to have your revenge.

“It is evident there is to be a big struggle before it is settled. It is almost 12 months since the war started now, and some people think that it will be another 12 months before it is over. Personally I do not think it will see the winter through. I do not think they want another winter campaign, although they are preparing for one, and another thing I do not think Germany can stand it financially. I for one shall be glad to see the end.”