Previously we have published two other sets of letters written by Ernest Upton from the front starting in 1915. This third series takes us from the spring of 1916 to the summer of that year. His letters are shorter and gone are the proper addressing of where he is with just a basic date and Dear etc.

He mentions coming home on leave and missing out on a pass. There is quite a jump from April to August – the assumption is he was still sending letters but that they have no survived.

 

To read about Ernest Upton’s story click HERE

The two previous Letters from the Front can be found HERE and HERE

We are once more very grateful to Pauline King one of our volunteers for taking the time to transcribe Ernests letters.

23/3/16

Dear Freda,

Just a few lines hoping this will find you in the best of health as it leaves me at present. I received your letter today 22nd and was very pleased to hear from you. I am going on very well, we have moved back from the firing line now for a rest, so we are taking things easy for a bit. The passes have started again now so I shall not be long now before I am over for a few days. Remember me to your Mother and Dad and the children, also to my Mother and Dad and Ethel, Jack and Doris. We are having a bit of good weather now the sun shining is a treat; it’s a nice change from the frost and snow we have been having. Remember me to Luton when you see him, as he got that Police job at Alton yet. I must close now for I have got to be on parade in a few minutes time so no more this time with love From E Upton

26/3/16

Dear Freda,

Just a few lines hoping this will find you in the best of health as t leaves me at present. I received your letter today sun 26th and was very pleased to hear from you. We are down for our rest now, well out of the noise. I think the passes will increase now, and send a larger number over at a time. If they do I shall be over in a few weeks time, remember me to my Mother and Dad also to Ethel Jack and Doris when you call in. I will send you a few silk worked post cards the next time I write. I cannot get any just now or I would send you some in this letter, remember me to your Mother and Dad also the children, tell them I hope to see them soon. I must close now so no more is time Best love From E Upton Xxxxxxxxxx Excuse writing I have had to write this in a hurry.

4/4/16

Dear Freda,

Just a few lines hoping this will find you in the best of health as it leaves me at present. I received your letter this morning and was very pleased to hear from you. I am sorry to hear of your mother’s illness it came quite a shock to me. I could never think of your Mother being ill some how, she was always so healthy and strong. I hope this letter will find her much better and some thing like her self again. Remember me to her, and your Dad also the children, the passes have started again so I shall be out in about six weeks time if they keep on. It is a good thing for your Mother that you are growing up, you will be a great help to her, for there is plenty of work to do on a farm, remember me to all my friends at Alton. I must close now so no more this time with love to you all From E Upton Trusting this will find your Mother better

 

April 13/1916

Dear Freda,

Just a few lines hoping this will find you all in the best of health as it leaves me at present. I received your letter to day the 13th and was very pleased to hear from you. I am very pleased to hear that your Mother is better. I hope she will soon be her old self again, I am going on very well, we are still on our rest and having a decent time of it, remember me to your Mother and Dad also Reg and the children also to Will Burton and Luton. I shall not be very long now before I come over to see you all that is all being well. I should like to see you all again remember me to my Mother and Dad Jack and Doris, Ethel when you call in.

I must close now, I have to be on parade in a few minutes so no more this time with love to you all from E Upton Please excuse short letter

 

April 23rd 1916

Dear Jack, Bella and Freda

Just a few lines hoping this will find you in the best of health as it leaves me at present. I received letter from Freda dated 19th April and was pleased to hear from you, I am very pleased to hear that you are mending. I hope you will soon be well and fit again. I am writing to you this time, Freda says she is leaving Miss Barnett’s on 1st May so its no use directing my letter there. Our rest is about up now so I expect we shall start business again now anytime. I believe it will be a little brisk too this time, the passes have been suspended again for how long, I don’t know, its just my luck I am only four off now on the roll for leave, if they had kept up I should have been home and back again by now. Remember me to Reg and the children, tell them I shall see them some time all being well. We have had a lot of heavy rain this last week I hope it will clear up very soon, everywhere is up to the ankles in dirt. I must close now I have to be on parade in a few minutes time, so no more this time with love to you all from E Upton Please excuse short letter Freda asked for one of my photos I am afraid I cannot get any taken out here and I have none by me, I will have some taken when I come over

 

Aug 22/1916

Dear Freda

Just a few lines hoping this will find you in the best of health as it leaves me at present. I received your letter and photo quite safe today the 21st of August and was very pleased to hear from you, thank you very much for the photo, I think it is a very good one of you, I notice you have not got the old smile on, by jove you seem to have grown quite a woman, since I saw you last. Remember me to your Mother and Dad also Reg and the children. We are having some very nice weather over here, it seems a shame that men should kill one another for its a treat to live on such days as these, I hope this was will end soon, so that I may get back to the old country once again, and be amongst you all again. Remember me to my friends also to Mother and Dad Jack Doris Ethel when you see them, I must close now so no more this time with best love From E Upton Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Please excuse short letter