Letters From World War One Trenches

During World War I, soldiers at the front lines were encouraged to keep in touch with their loved ones back in Britain through letters. However, many chose to shield their families from the brutal realities of trench warfare. This self-censorship was partly due to the Defence of the Realm Act of 1914, which required that all correspondence be reviewed and potentially censored by military officers.

Harold Chapin, in a letter penned to Calypso Chapin on May 23, 1915, describes his relentless work tending to wounded soldiers following a joint British and French assault. Despite being assigned to night duty in the operating tent, the continuous influx of casualties meant that the distinction between night and day blurred. Chapin recounts an exhausting experience of being called upon to carry injured soldiers across muddy fields, highlighting the physical strain and the curse of the omnipresent mud.

In the 1930s, Guy Chapman reflected on his wartime experiences, recounting how he would review a platoon roll filled with names and personal details. This activity would evoke vivid memories of those he had served with—some of whom had died or disappeared. Chapman describes a sense of disconnect as he censored their letters, bypassing their most personal thoughts and fears.

Arthur Savage shared his harrowing memories of the Western Front, characterized by extreme fear, the agony of soldiers suffering from gangrenous trench foot, and the pervasive presence of lice, rats, filth, and the ever-present mud. Savage also spoke of the chilling normalcy of death in the trenches, where a comrade could be alive one moment and dead the next, with their bodies remaining in the trench for days.

Journalist Philip Gibbs offered insights into the trauma of shell shock, initially dismissed by some military leaders as cowardice or nonsense. Gibbs witnessed firsthand the profound impact of shell shock on soldiers, describing them as strong men reduced to trembling, speechless, and unable to control themselves, highlighting the severe physical and psychological toll of the war.