July 23, 1916 Letter #47

Can Red Cross Hospital

Buxton

July 23 1916

Dear Mother 

How is the world in general.  I have been very anxious to know if VV got along all right with her exams I sincerely hope she did.  Things here are very much the same I was at one of their English Dances last night and for the first time in my life I got up in a square dance and I created a lot of fun for the onlookers.  Gee it’s the most foolish dance I ever heard tell of hugging and jumping around like a bunch of Jack Rabbits.

There’s a big parade here this afternoon I guess we will be inspected by some General - or General Nuisance, both the same thing.  Some official comes around about once a week and nobody is allowed out of the building till he has gone.

I was very much surprised to hear that Albert was rejected on that Battalion as they don’t have to so very much mostly all fatigue duty and a person don’t exert themselves on those kind of jobs.

          Do you know I would like to be in France for this great move, Gee we are giving them just what the troops have been praying for this last 18 months.  When I was there is was always our fellows that were getting the worst of it and I sure like to see those square heads on the go, I suppose we will have some unsuccessful attacks but the line in general will be greatly changed.

          The wounded that came in to London from this great drive were met at the Station by about 100,000 women or more and literally covered with flowers, I wouldn’t like to write on paper what went through the tommies minds but a fellow who is half dead and hasn’t had a square meal for a couple of months or so, doesn’t feel just inclined to appreciate an instants of that kind.  England is mad over the troops progress and think it is the end of the war but you believe me it is just the turning point, and there will be more slaughter this month and the months following than there has been in six times the length of time in any stage of this war.

          There are thousands upon thousands of wounded coming across every day and Battalion after Battalion going over every day.   If we can hold out in shells there will be some fun.

          Well mother I have got to get all polished up for this parade so remember me to Dad and VV and ans soon

With love

Chas

Fighting In Delville Wood, The Somme, 1916

Ed. H.W. Wilson - Official British Military drawing. First published in "The Great War" Ed. H.W. Wilson, 1917 Military Artist drawing of the Battle of Delville Wood, The Somme. July 1916 

July 15, 1916 Letter #46

Can Red Cross Special Hospital

Buxton
Derbyshire England

July 15th, 1916

Dear Mother

Just a line to say I am all OK etc. Was out to Chapel on the Frith the other day and enjoyed it fine. But to cycle 60 miles in one day is a little too much for a person who hasn’t done any for six or seven years and as a result I am stiff yet.

Chapel-en-le-Frith's Old Town

It is raining again as per usual, darn this country for wet weather it is by far worse than BC. We have to have fires on the wards to keep the patients from freezing to death. I think I told you about the young English kid that used to set up pins in Barclays Bowling Ally being in here and he is in pretty bad shape he is suffering from shell shock and a piece of his head has gone. As a result, he goes a little bit nutty at times but when he gets that way the boys just sit on him and its all over in a few minutes.

I won a watch in a raffle the other day. Its value was about 50 shillings. I went down town with it and when I looked to see what time it was it had gone “Lost” so that is losing time in quick time but being a minister’s son I did not swear but believe me I thought something.

What do you think of me working over here. Well the other night I was called up on the Phone and was asked if I would mind coming down to Young’s Chemist Store. So when I got down there he told me that he would like to take his family to the seaside and see that they got fixed up for a week or two and that he would be gone a couple of days and asked me if I would come down in the evening and do the Dispensing as it was more than the girl he had could handle. I did and believe me their methods of doing business are so far behind the times that they don’t know they are alive.

Is Dad and VV in good health, there is no use asking you about your own because you wouldn’t say anyway. Well dear Mother remember me to Dad and VV and write soon.
Love Chas.

A note on the reverse of page 1 from Mother to VV.  Charley's letters were forwarded from Jennie to Charley's sister who was away at college.

"Vevie I forgot to say I have finished two tight waists that we started for you will I send them or will it do when Pa comes.  I got the gr--p, why didn’t you send your dress.

Source: Chapel en Frith's Old Town Photo  

July 11, 1916 Letter # 45 ~ The 4 month battle of the Somme has begun

Can Hospital

Buxton

July 11 1916

Dear Mother 

          There is absolutely no news to tell you only that I am quite well and as fat as ever.  It has been raining here for at least two weeks off and on every day.  Had a letter from Jim Ross the other day he has been in France for nine months and has never been hit yet.  Of course he may be dead by this time.  The general feeling of the people here is that the war will be over this fall I don’t say anything but people that talk that way are those that have never saw it.  This is sure one great offensive that the Allies are launching but it is small in comparison to the German drive from Mons.  This country is literally covered with Khaki, even the old ladies have their kids dressed up in a juvenile officers outfit.  The girls are having their dresses made in a military cut and the girls that are taking men’s places are using short shirts and leggings.  The girls that are helping on farms wear bloomers and puttees, looks very funny to us fellows but the College girls, Society people all go out on weekends and make hay etc.  They think they are very patriotic but they don’t do enough work to feed themselves, this is sure one funny country.

I asked one farmer what they had all those stone hedges up for “to keep one of those potato patches from running in to one another” He said no they were all fields when I started to laugh he got as sore as he could and told me “that you bleeding Canadians think you know everything” It sure is amusing.

This hospital is sure in full swing now but I can’t say as I am all together in love with it.  It makes on laugh to hear these 99^th Contingent ginks talking and flying around when about fifty patients come in I wonder what they would do if they were handling them by the thousands like we were in France.  Most of these fellows here are the men that just came over from Canada last spring.  Well I wonder if VV got through in her exams don’t forget to let me know soon.  Remembrance to Dad and VV and write soon

Chas

---

 This soldier of the Royal Canadian Regiment is wearing the Canadian 1903 service uniform. This is the Canadian version of the British M1902 uniform adopted after experience in the Boer war showed the value of a simple and inconspicuous uniform. This uniform differs from the British in that it has 9 buttons instead of 7 a standing collar, detachable shoulder straps and pointed cuffs. This uniform was used by the First Canadian Contingent for about a year and by new recruits in training for the duration of the war. The cloth wrappings around the lower legs are known as puttees. The detachable shoulder straps were coloured, dark blue for the infantry, green for rifles, red for artillery and yellow for cavalry

 "Gink" is a term referring to a man, especially one regarded as foolish or contemptible.

I'm travelling right now and seem to be missing a page of the original letter here ~ will re-scan it in once we are back home.  The transcription above is complete.

 

 

June 30th 1916, Letter # 44 Raining in Derbyshire

Can Red Cross Special Hospital

Buxton

Derbyshire England

June 30, 1916

Dear Mother

            Still raining. This darn country is worse than BC in winter time, when it is not raining it is trying to.  A person has to be half duck to like this climate.  I am sending you a picture in a day or so.  I had one all ready the other day then all at once I changed my mind and destroyed it.  But some of these days when I think I can stand you laughing at it, I will send one.

          I had paid my perfectly good cash in advance or else he could of kept them.  They are absolutely rotten and when I look at myself I have to laugh.  However it is me in a government issue.

          

I suppose you are busy as can be.  This job of mine is sure all right for experience but it is one awful tour.  I have the dispensary all fixed up now and things are runny pretty smooth.  It will soon be time for the results of the Exams. I sincerely hope the kid gets through but even if she did fail it would not be her fault as she has not had teachers etc.

         

Tell Dad that I was talking to an English soldier the other day who had been in Dauphin. I told him I had been once or twice and he wanted to know if I knew the big white curly headed man that used to run a hotel, I said that I knew him slightly.   I afterwards learned that he used to work for Bol Cruise. 

Remember me to Dad and VV

Love Chas

There is no photo of Charley in his Government issue but we do have this picture of "the big white curly haired man" Charley's stepdad; Marmaduke.

 

 

Photo: canadaatwar.ca  "Canadians at the Somme in 1916, with troops leaving front-line trenches while relief units moved in to take over."  Follow the link to read about 'Canadians on the Somme' while Charley works at the Red Cross Hospital in Derbyshire.

June 12, 1916 Letter #43 Charley and the 'Poultice Wallopers'

Can Red Cross Special Hospital

Buxton

Derbyshire England

June 12^th, 1916

Dear Mother

          
There has been absolutely nothing new around here for the last week or so only three of the boys are leaving here for the Training School and from there to France.  They start his morning.  The weather here is absolutely rotten it has been raining for one week without a stop and for the life of me I can’t see where it is going to be beneficial to Rheumatic cases. 

          
I have the Dispensing just about finished; I mean just about all my stock is in.  But these infernal Sisters get on my nerves, one came down this morning and was quite put out because she had to come down again as I was in town buying some goods for the Colonel.  She said she thought it was just about time I was getting some sort of hours and I told her she could always find out if was open or not.  She wanted to know how so I told her “by trying the door.”  Gee Whiz she turned around and beat it like a shot.  It’s hard enough to take a calling down from one of the Officers, but I am sure none those poultice wallopers are going to tell me about my own business.

          
Gee it is so dark in here that I have to turn on the lights and it just 9:30 AM.  We are just a few miles from the famous city of Manchester and if I ever get a chance I am going to see it.  Do you know when I look back to the time when I first joined the Army, and think of the different places I have been to it makes one think that he has saw some of this world.

          
Tell VV I received her last letter OK and she is pretty strong on her Latin phrases.  Well Mother remembrance to Dad and V-V and answer soon.

Love Chas

P.S.

The Nursing Sister from the third floor was just in, she is a little more civil.

Chas.

"The term "poultice walloper" originated in British Naval slang for medical staff. "  pg 179 

We're only "Poultice Wallopers" a-bringing up the rear;

But with fractured bones or blistered heels you're pleased to have us near;

You'll want our splint and bandages before another year,

As we go marching on.

We're only "Poultice Wallopers" a-bringing up the rear;

We can't enjoy the martial strains that cheer the Pioneer;

But we'll be there in step, my boys, without a doubt or fear,

When we get to Berlin

No! we are not downhearted,

No! we are not downhearted,

No! we are not downhearted,

As we go marching on.

Written by Cdn James Robertson, The Western Scot, Dec 4, 1915
from THE ONES WHO HAVE TO PAY: THE SOLDIERS-POETS OF VICTORIA BC IN THE GREAT WAR   By ROBERT RATCLIFFE TAYLOR

Unrelated to Charley Bailey, but a group photograph of Canadian Nursing Sisters in uniform (WW1) 

Letter # 42 June 2nd, 1916 : Charley The Canadian Chemist

Can Red Cross Special Hospital

Buxton

Derbyshire England

2 June 1916 

Dear Mother 

I guess you wonder just what kind of a gink I am when you don’t hear from me for about five weeks and then I start writing every day or so.  Well I got one promotion but I don’t like it very much but will get another before long I think.  I have a very nice little dispensary and have complete charge.  So I come and go when I like just the same as if I was in a store of my own and am responsible to no one only the Colonel. 

The weather here is perfect and the scenery is at its very best but the town is absolutely dead.  I have been at some very nice homes since I came here the fellow I go out with is a professor of Music in civilian life and so he plays the Organ in one of the churches and goes to all the charity concerts, etc.  We get a good few invitations out.

I was at a home the other day that the paintings cost thousand of dollars afterwards I went motoring with the daughter and mother and she seems to like the Canadian Chemist as I have been asked to tea tomorrow.

It makes me laugh when I think of these people in this country you see they never saw any Canadians in this part before and they imagine that we are all owners of big ranches and we are such brave fellows to come all the way from Canada to fight for England.

One of the boys told an English girl that he owned a Gopher Ranch and she didn’t know a gopher from an ostrich, she says “My you Canadians make a tremendous lot of money” Just at that particular time he couldn’t have bought a package of smokes.  

How is Dad getting on with the seeding? It is reported here that the seeding in Canada is very favourable.  I sincerely hope that report is correct.  The patients are coming in very fast now and there are a few here from Winnipeg.  A couple of them knew me but I never saw them to know before. 

I was down to the mineral baths the other day they are perfect.  The fixtures alone are worth a fortune. Well, Mother the sisters will be coming in with prescriptions soon so I must get ready for them.  Remembrance to Dad and VV and answer soon.  

Cpl Charles

A page from The War Diaries of the First World War; Collections Canada.  This is the first mention I've discovered in the War Diaries that includes CR Bailey by name.  CANADIAN RED CROSS SPECIAL HOSPITAL, BUXTON, Derbyshire, England  April 17th 1916

As an aside: 5 Canadian nursing sisters came on staff at the same time, taking over the organization of the ward and took over the work of stamping, and sewing in silk the name of the Hospital on all linen that had to that time been delivered.

More about this Canadian Hospital in Buxton from the wonderful resource that is the Buxton War Memorials website.

The Buxton Hydro Hotel, with bed capacity of 700, and which was said to "contain all of the most up-to-date surgical appliances yet invented, many of which are made in the machine shops of the Arts and Crafts Department of the hospital".

The Buxton Red Cross Special Hospital opened on the 1st February 1916 and remained in operation until the 26th March 1919. "The Canadian Great War Project" has records for 12 Doctors and Nurses of the Canadian Army Medical Corps [CAMC] who served at Buxton, and their records can be accessed by clicking the CGWP link. The first CO was Lt. Col. Henry D. Johnson.

The Hospital was set up in the Peak Hydro Hotel, on Terrace Road, Buxton, which now houses Buxton

Museum and Art Gallery.

The Hospital could accommodate up to 275 patients

and as well as the CAMC staff, was also staffed by

members of the Canadian Red Cross Society.

Many of the Canadian casualties who are buried in

Buxton Cemetery spent their last days in the Hospital,

which specialized in cases of Neurasthenia (shell

shock), as well as rheumatism and arthritis, malaria

and heart disease.

May 21st, 1916 Letter #41 From Charley to his sister Vida Valerie

A letter from Charley to his younger sister Vida Valerie (VV) who is attending college in Holland, Manitoba. 

Can Red Cross Special Hospital

Buxton

Derbyshire England

May 21^st, 1916

Dear V-V

I see you still have that foolish idea about learning the Drug Business well the sooner you get that out of your head the better because as a woman you would never be able to demand any wages and you would never make a success of a Store of your own. 

I don’t by any means that it would be because you are not capable or anything like that, but it is because of the people of today do not feel much confidence in Women Doctors or Women Lawyers or Druggists and the drug business is no place for a girl.  In the Drug world people kind of laugh if you tell then you employ a female dispenser. 

So really VV if you take my advice you will teach and with the money finish and get your degree, then you are somebody and you have a decent social standing.  If this war lasts just another year or so, then I will be able to help you but till then do all you can towards finishing in Arts. 

          I am dispensing here but don’t like the place and in order to get a promotion I have to stay so you see how I am fixed.  I want the promotion and I don’t want to stay.

          You were saying Ina and Karl are Happy well I sincerely hope they continue to be so but I think the novelty of the thing will soon be over.

          Mother was saying she had Rheumatism.  I wished she was here because this is a hospital specially for Rheumatics you see this mineral water contains Sodium and Radium.

          Say you talk about getting fat, well I have gained just about 16 lbs since Xmas and it makes me look a lot shorter.  But even the fellows are noticing it and jolly me about getting porky.  My old tunic will not even as much as button on me.

          You see I never hear from any of them in Winnipeg. As I have only wrote one letter since I came back.  Occasionally Hess drops me a line or so but for the last three months I have never answered one.  I suppose the least I could do would be to drop a note anyway.  So some of these days I might get feeling sentimental and answer one.

Well Kid, I see by this letter it has gone to three different towns for me and on the back of the envelope it has written in Blue Pencil “Hello Dolly how are you old boy” so I must have a Winnipeg friend in one of those places. 

Well VV I am going to draw to a close remember me to Mother and Dad and think well on what I have said. 

Lovingly

Your brother
Chas

Just four months earlier in January 1916, some women in Manitoba became the first in Canada to win the right to vote in provincial elections and to hold elected office.

"In Britain, throughout the war, both the government and the press tended for propaganda reasons, to exaggerate the extent to which women took over men's jobs. Actual female dentists, barbers and architects - all of which were featured on war savings postcards - were extremely rare. Most male-dominated professions remained closed to women. Even in areas where they were employed in large numbers, such as munitions and transport, they were often treated as inferior, stop-gap replacements for enlisted men. Moreover, women's wages, routinely portrayed as 'high' in the wartime press, remained significantly lower than those of their male counterparts.

Many women did find their wartime labour experiences in some way 'liberating', if only because it freed them from woefully paid jobs in domestic service. But the comment made in 1918 by the women's suffrage campaigner Millicent Fawcett - that 'the war revolutionized the industrial position of women' - should be treated with caution."

From the commentary to the BBC TV series Out of the Doll’s House, which looked at the history of women in the twentieth century (1988)