First-hand accounts of Brimington soldiers’ lives and deaths on the front line.  Written by the men themselves, by the officers and friends who fought beside them and the nurses who tended them.
  Some died, and some survived the lottery of the Great War

      Taken from newspapers, personal accounts and quotes  
Our thanks especially to The Derbyshire Times, National Archives &
  British Newspaper Archives

Soldiers were also encouraged to write letters to friends and family at home.

Most men decided it would be better to conceal the horrors of the trench warfare.
As a result of the Defence of the Realm Act of 1914,
 all letters written by the men were censored by officers

FACING THE ENEMY

Soldiers words from the front

November 1914  - Private George Symonds - (Brockhill, Brimington) in his last letter home before his was killed a few days later -  wrote......

"....  fine firework displays every night from the enemy shells flying overhead "

(Private Symonds remains were never found and he is remembered on the Menin Gate)

“ .. we are not cowed! “

TERRIBLE INJURIES

Many Brimington soldiers suffered life-changing injuries and survived. Their wounds were described in graphic detail in letters home

Brimington Soldier loses his leg

Private Norman Butler in a letter to his mother in Princess Street, Brimington, informed her that his wound had turned out more serious than was expected and that it had been necessary to amputate his right leg.

He writes that he is comfortable considering his injury and that she was not to worry

as he expects to be alright.   Unfortunately the solider is only 22 years of age.

(Norman returned to Brimington and lived in the area until his death in 1966 aged 70)

March 1915

Private Joseph Norton - Horrific Wounds 

During the battle of Neuve Chappelle, the Brimington soldier received horrendous injuries.  He received a bullet wound to his left leg and as he tried to drag himself to a safer place another bullet pierced his right eye resulting in a 'total loss of that important member'

Somehow, he survived the battlefield and was shipped home to Chatham Hospital.  He had served in India, China, and the South African War, which he said was nothing like the present war.  He said that ‘cold-blooded murder’ better describes the situation on the western front.

The soldier was eventually fitted with a glass eye and returned to Brimington where he died in 1939 aged 58

"cold-blooded murder’ better describes the situation on the western front"

8^th July 1916

Mr & Mrs Nadin of Victoria Street, New Brimington have received a telegram from the War Office stating that their son Private Sims Nadin, Grenadier Guards is lying very seriously ill in hospital in France.

Their brief information was followed by a letter from Sister M Hopton, No.17 Casualty Clearing Station, France which reads as follows-
 
 “ I am very sorry to tell you that your son was admitted to this hospital early this morning severely wounded through the back and abdomen.  Everything has been done and he is having every care and attention”

According to his records it took the Brimington man several years to recover from his terrible wounds, but was an invalid for most of his life.  He died in Chesterfield in 1957

WITH HIS FRIEND WHEN HE DIED

                  Many village lads served side by side at the front and witnessed their friend’s deaths

                                             “leg blown off..”

July 1916
Private Ernest Cappendale (Lincolnshire Regiment) wrote home to his mother in King Street Brimington, from him hospital bed in France
 

‘I’ve been wounded in the thigh, back and arm… operation tomorrow to remove bits of shells from my back. '   He went on to describe how it happened.
 

‘The enemy dropped a big shell smack in the trench.  It knocked two out, missed one altogether and hit me and Ernie Jervis.   He shouted to me to ask if I was hit, I told him yes, he said  it had blown his leg off, I don’t know where he is or how he is getting on’

Private Ernie Jervis died that day and his body was never found – he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.  Private Cappendale survived the war and returned home to Brimington

COMMANDING OFFICERS PAINFUL DUTY
In Quotes and Letters

‘ ..  He has proven himself exceedingly capable and undoubtedly one of our most valuable NCO’s – the loss of Serg George is felt by all of us officers and men alike’
Letter from commanding officer to Serg Albert Georges wife, following the Brimington soldier’s death from wounds in (Nov 1917)

Written by Platoon Sergeant Ingleton to Serg Walter Malam’s sister in Cotterhill Lane
‘….I felt it my duty to tell you that he was shot through the heart and shoulder – we did what we could to ease his pain but he did not suffer long’  (Jan 1916)

Lieut-Colonel Goodman – in a letter to Private Fred Browns family 
‘He died like a true British soldier” (Aug 1915)

L/Corp E Newberry’s Commanding Officer
‘…  he was cool and brave in performance of his duties and I beg
you to take heed of those words and find comfort”  (Apr 1917)

Private Walter Turners Commanding Officer –
‘Your son has gone where the horrors of war can no longer
trouble him’ (Oct 1917)

Private Arthur Turners Commanding Officer’s remarked to the soldiers
parents
‘… your son was hit in the heart by a shrapnel bullet… he was one of
my best men…  full of pluck and always cheerful’ (July 1916)

April 1917 - Mrs Allen, (Heywood Street) – mother of six and already terminally ill with throat cancer, received the following letter from Lieutenant Elwood about her husband’s death.

“…..with deep and sincere regret I have to inform you of the death of your husband who died the death of a hero.    He saw no fear and did splendid service to his Company in carrying messages. It was while he was doing this work that he was killed instantly and thereby suffered no pain. 

Let me ask you, although I know your feeble condition, to bear this heavy blow with courage, as your husband would wish you.  I sincerely trust the Great Comforter will endure you with strength necessary to bear the burden "

                             Trust the Great Comforter”

July 1916   Private Herbert Smith  (Brimington Common)

From Lady Hughes who was writing on behalf  of Private Collins (South Wales Borderers) who could not read or write.. 

‘He feels sure you will be comforted to know that he buried your son on 24^th July alongside his comrades in a wood where he fell and he was reverently buried.  He took from his pocket a match box and pocket book which I will send  you "

Private Smiths grave was never located – he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. 

KEEPING UP MORALE
 Despite the hardships and the constant fear Brimington soldiers attempted to put on a brave face in their letters and postcards home.
 

Below - extract from a post card sent by L/Corp James Hall -2nd/5th Bn KOYLI to his mother in Brimington -    Oct 1917

Acknowledgements/Source Material:

Family donations/ Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald / Derbyshire Courier / Sheffield Evening Telegraph/ Derby Daily Telegraph/ Lincolnshire Chronicle/Johnsons Press/ British Newspaper Archives/London Gazette/National Archives/WW1 Posters

Not Forgotten Brimington    Not Forgotten Brimington