BX May 28, 1915
Letter From A Paris Soldier – Mrs. Carroll Has Received Story of the Recent Heavy Fighting From Her Son Jack
PARIS, May 28 – Mrs. Margaret Carroll, Washington Street, has received a letter from her eldest son, Pte. John Carroll, of No. 1 Company, 14th Battalion, 1st Canadian contingent, who is now at the front. The letter follows:
May 6, 1915
Dear Mother and Sisters,
I received your letter this morning and was simply delighted to get a line from you. Well, I am glad to let you know I am still existing and came through that last battle, which was like hell let loose, without a scratch. I suppose you will have read about the Canadians great fight which saved the situation, and which, according to the English papers, will go down in history, and if you notice in the reading what a grand part the 3rd Brigade took in it. But at what a cost. My God mother, what a few were left when the roll was called. It seems like a miracle to me how our little company No. 1 was not swept out of existence amidst that hail of shrapnel, shells and bullets pouring at us like rain. It was simply screeching of shells, men falling on all sides. Frenchmen retreating in disorder, yelling all kinds of things we could not understand, until they saw our gallant boys in khaki advancing in one thin line at the double and then they rallied with shouts of “Bravo, Anglaise.” We drove the Germans back, a few hundreds of Canadians against thousands of Germans. But I don’t think they knew there was only such a small number of us, it was getting dark, and probably they did not like the look of those flashing bayonets. But, anyhow, we gained the situation and dug ourselves into the ground and the Germans, nor the terrible shelling could move us, and wasted out and tried as we were, doing without much food, we stuck to them five days and nights, until we were relieved. For about 17 days we have now been facing death at every turn, shells, bullets and every device of the Germans. We have now got pads to put over our nostrils and mouth, ready for the poison gas that those Germans use. They tried it on the French in the last trenches we have just come out of, but as soon as it started, the French and English artillery opened fire and gave them an awful pounding. Mother, I have seen some awful sights out here. Things that will ever live in my memory if I am lucky enough to get through all right. The last letter I sent I gave the sergeant that collects the mail just about one hour before we were in the thick of the fight, and maybe all the mail never went forward. We had to rush out of billets at a minute’s notice leaving our kits behind, and dash up the road, and were in the battle just in time to stop that German advance, which would have meant a great reverse for the Allies if they only had got through. You would hardly know me now. I have aged quite a lot in looks and also in feelings, and got very thin. It is all with the continued hardships and nerve-racking things we have to endure. Well dear mother, I will now close, hoping I am alive to receive your answer to this letter.
From your loving son
Jack
