Roses in the Trenches, 4th July 1917

“ROSES IN THE TRENCHES.

“INTERESTING EXTRACTS FROM CIGARETTE FUND LETTERS.

“Writing to Miss M. Fleming, Camphill, Mapperley Park, on a khaki postcard. Sapper B. Bradshaw says: “Just a line thanking you for your goodness and doing your little bit in the great war.”

“In a letter the sapper says: “Thank you for your generosity in thinking of me and sending on a few cigarettes, for they are about the scarcest thing you can name out here. You cannot get them all times for the Y.M.C.A. and the E.F.C. seem unable to get any stock in, and when the boys have not got a cigarette to smoke it is worse than going without. They are one of the most important factors in a Tommy’s life out here, so you see how it helps to keep the boys' nerve soothed. I have several chums who will help to enjoy the smokes, so I must thank you on behalf of them. There are two more from Bulwell and two or three from Nottingham in this company, and it used to be like old times discussing and arguing on different points. All seem very fit out here, but would like to have a good try to get it over in one big crush so that all may get back home again. It makes the men out here very wild to hear of the aeroplanes and Zepps coming over to dear old Blighty. They mean to make them suffer for it. It hardens their hearts when they go over the top. They will spare nothing. They would not care so much if they would leave the innocents at home and fight it out here; but what can we expect from such curs? They don’t know what fair fighting is. We are having grand weather just now, and where there is sunshine you will find smiles.”

“Pte. E. Tebay also writes to Miss Fleming in this strain: “I was so pleased when those cigarettes arrived. I got them about 3.30 a.m., shortly after 'stand doon.’ Nearly all the chaps were without cigarettes, myself included, and we had a good smoke before getting down to sleep. We are having jolly fine weather, but it is awfully hot, though we must not complain for it is better than rain. I came across some lovely roses to-day growing about the trenches. It did seem queer to find roses and all about the houses ruins.”

“Writing to the fund H. Thorne says; “We can do without some things but we hope it is never fags that are cut out, as time passes quicker when smoking.”

“Says S. Love: “Your most welcome parcel was received at a most opportune moment and was well appreciated by myself and chums. I may venture to say nothing more is welcomed so much the old whiffs.”

“Pte. J. W. Wright says; “I thank you very much for the cigarettes, and were very pleased with them. We are all pleased to see old Notts, has not forgotten the boys out here.”

“A Notts, lad, A. Smallwood H.M.S _____, writes: “I received your splendid gift of cigarettes on our return to port this morning, and I thank you on behalf of myself and shipmates, they were most acceptable at a very convenient time, I honestly assure you that one and all thoroughly appreciated your generosity, and we wish all the donors to your fund good luck.”

'Nottingham Evening Post', 4th July 1917.