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Letters 41-77 Describe life in France and at the Front

41-47 Ready to move at a moment's notice; had choice of Battalion - chose the 1st Battalion; wished he had been at home for his birthday on 20 November; not yet in the firing line, but hopes to be there soon; tells parents not to put Regiment details on letters; leaving for the front. 48-49 Sending Field Service Post Cards. Can only select one from a series of options - rest have to be deleted. Only able to select "I am quite well". Postcards would be destroyed if anything else was written on them. 50-57 Weather is cold and has been some snow; had to attack through trench half full of water; sends Field Service Post Cards; news of his parent's soldier lodgers; talks about family and friends at home; shortage of writing materials so sends post card thanking parents for parcel; not allowed to write letters when on reserve in the trenches; describes rations: 1 oz bread per day, biscuits requiring hammer to break them up, bully beef; complains about conditions: lice etc., unable to sleep because of the vermin; asks parents when the war will end, questions whether he will be home by the summer "Austrians are about finished now...The Russians will no doubt finish the war and the quicker the better." 58-60 Resting; asks to be sent some cocoa; sends Field Service Post Card; mentions he's been "collecting lost nerves"; all bread being sent to hospitals for the wounded; has now got photographs from home, can look at it and think of the old days; had sports whilst on rest; many casualties the previous Sunday; talks about a Frenchman who prophesised the beginning and end of the war - the war should end 22 August 1915 (5 days from the date of the letter), Jim doesn't think it's possible. 61-67 Took a German trench in a charge; bombs being thrown at them and some men were blown to atoms; he went for a shell hole to lay there until dark, and then crawled back again; sends Field Service Post Cards; in some places it is hard to believe there is a war going on as Catholic priests are walking about fearlessly - he would like to hear a sermon in the trenches; says Peter (brother? - mentioned frequently throughout letters) would be better staying where he is, says he was foolish to run away. 68 There is no time to censor letters whilst in the trenches; glad to receive mouth organ - will liven things up a bit; last position was only 35 yards from the Germans; went into a nearby village and was treated well; shall be classified for a miner when he comes home; no chance of getting a furlough - only the officers are getting them. 69-72 Out of the trenches for a rest; hopes to be able to get 7 days leave; mentions someone from home who is missing in action; there are rumours about the Expeditionary Force coming home for two months rest but he doesn't think anything will come of it; passes have been stopped because some men are not returning at the given time; being treated badly - complained to the Company Officer about bread shortage; currants, raisins, dates etc. are being rationed out and issued instead of jam. 73-77 A few casualties at the last position - someone he joined with has been taken prisoner; had to make an obstacle for the wood between the British and German trenches; away from the Regiment making a shooting range for those on rest; heavy rain meant it was almost possible to swim in some areas; returned to Regiment and is down for two weeks training; clothing is meant to be free - will see the Company Officer if it isn't; wearying, would welcome 7 days leave, but he knows his turn will come.

Writers' Weekend correspondence

Correspondence between Dr Hilda Spear and Margaret Drabble (Author). Correspondence relates to Writers' Weekend 1992 and includes other relevant documents

Dr Hilda D. Spear

Montreaux, Switzerland. Panorama Des Rochers de Naye.

Vue Panoramique Prise Du Sommet Des Rochers De Naye (2044m). [Perspective view of mountain range]. Publiée Par Les Compagnies De Chemin De Fer. Territet - Clion Aux Rochers De Naye. Includes advertisements for hotels, restaurants and other facilities in the area. [Bound] Engineer X. Imfeld. No scale given 3150 x 220 mm.
First World War Collection

First World War Collection

  • MS 106
  • Collection
  • 1914-1993
Miscellaneous documents relating to World War I and in particular to Private James Braid, Captain Patrick Duncan, William Cuthill and Captain John (Jack) Macqueen, including war poetry, correspondence, military documents, photographs, maps and plans, 1915-1919.

Spear; Hilda (1926-2014); Dr

Correspondence of Private J. Braid to his family in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

The correspondence covers Jim's time spent training in Aldershot and in Ross-shire and abroad at war in France. The contents of the letters concern family matters, expressions of thanks for parcels received, and some detail of life as a soldier, both during peacetime and at war. Many letters refer to friends from Kirkcaldy and to colleagues in the army. Also included are postcards and field service postcards. Letters 1-26 Describe training at Aldershot. Letters 27-32 Describe training at Nigg Camp, Ross-shire. Letters 33-40 Describe training after returning to Aldershot. Letters and cards 41-77 Describe life in France and at the Front.

Letters 33-40 Describe training after returning to Aldershot.

33-40 Working in the cookhouse; Battalion left for the front; took part in Highland Light Infantry mobilisation parade; have to be ready to march off within 6 hours of getting the order - expected at any time; discusses people from home; Battalion lands in France; gives news of a spy imprisoned for starting rumour about Black Watch being "cut up"; being sent to Cromarty; food prices increasing; Battalion "in the thick of the fight"; would have preferred to be at home for Christmas.

Correspondence from the Braid family and others to Jim whilst at war.

1 Letter from friend to Jim. Talks about mutual friends; men in Edinburgh who won't enlist. (Envelope marked Charles Wright, Floorcloth Merchant, Alexandra Street, Kirkcaldy). 2-3 Letters in envelope marked Killed in Action, from family to Jim. Barbed wire is being put up around the harbour and pier; no fishing is allowed; a sentry is on duty; people are afraid of a German landing; family are anxious to see him - have heard that leave has been stopped for the moment; war fever seems to have gone down; talks about people at home. 4 Letter from parents dated 6 October 1915 [10 days after Jim had been killed], reads "are there anything wrong with you that you are not able to write were you in that Battle as I see your Regt was in it. We are in an awful state not getting word can't you send a PC."

Memorandum

Memorandum from Regimental Paymaster (Dependants' Section) dated 19 November 1915

Letter

From Jim's parents to David Vallance asking for more information about Jim's death and burial; inviting him to come and see them if he is spared to come home. Envelope is marked deceased and Killed in Action.

Telegram from 52nd Division

"Wire from 52nd Division begins AAA Hostilities will cease at 11.00 on 11 November AAA. Troops will stand fast on line reached at that hour which will be reported to this Office AAA. There will be no intercourse of any description with the enemy AAA. Acknowledged AAA. (?) all concerned AAA. Ends AAA Acknowledge". [Photocopy]
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