Simeon Brown, Wounded 1st July 1916: "It was a regular h__."

Cpl. Simeon Brown, from South Normanton, served with 11th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment. He was wounded on 1st July 1916 and in a revealing letter recorded his thoughts in a letter to his sister from his hospital bed in Eastbourne:

"Just a few lines to you hoping you are quite well, as I am going on fine. I am at a nice place on the sea coast and it is lovely weather. My wounds are about right. I couldn't see out of my left eye for five days, and I am pleased to tell you I can see out of it all right now, and my right foot is about right again. I got tapped on July 1st about 9.30 just as we were going over the top. It was a regular h___, and I hope I don't spend another four hours like that. We were in the trenches eight days and only bully and biscuits to eat, and I can tell you I am run down and all my nerves seem gone. I see that sight above once at night and can't sleep, but I never say anything, but I shall be better in a day or two. I took party of men for rations one night, and we had a devil of a job to get them up and I did that for three nights till I dare not go again. But never mind I am in Blighty and in a fine spot. I have had a nice walk tonight over some great big hills, and it is lovely to see the sea and country for miles, but one thing I don't like, and that is we can hear the big guns roaring."

'Notts Free Press', 21st July 1916.