King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

		King's Own Royal Regiment Museum Lancaster
HOME Museum & Collections Sales Donations Events Contact Us REGIMENTAL HISTORY 17th Century 18th Century 19th Century 20th Century First World War Second World War Actions & Movements Battle Honours FAMILY HISTORY Resources Further Reading PHOTO GALLERY ENQUIRIES FURTHER READING LINKS © Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum. You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.		Museum Display Information The Great War 1914-1918 The folks at home Links with home and loved ones were maintained by letters, cards and gifts. Letters were censored to ensure that anything ‘secret’ was not included. Gifts of chocolate and cigarettes were keenly received. A favourite ‘meal’ was a ration biscuit in one hand and a bar of chocolate in the other nibbled alternately. The ladies of the Borough of Lancaster and the wives of all ranks of the Regiment were anxious to do what they could to alleviate the hardships of their men at the front. Christmas puddings were sent to the troops. Prisoners of War Care Committee, The King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, Collector's Badge. The committee raised money in order to send food and clothing to Prisoners of War. Accession Number: KO0901/01 Letter and envelope returned to sender. Private William Hooton was killed in action on 10th August 1915 in Gallipoli. The letter is postmarked 28th July. KO1344/03 “Dear Bill Just a few lines to you hoping you are keeping in good health as it leaves me and May alright. Dear Bill by the time you get this letter you should have got the parcels I sent you they have been on the road long enough. I wrote to Nelly and told her I would let her know when I got word from you. I saw it in the paper about Fred Disley he died with fever. I do wish it was all over. I saw that Major Sandbach as got killed. Peter Sumner has gone out. I dont know were to. They have never had a line from Jim for a fortnight. Our May says you have been a long time. I thought it would have been over before now but it looks like you being away another Christmas. But I dont care as much if you come home safe. I will close my letter with best love. from your ever loving wife and little girl xxxxx xxxxx Hoping it wont be long before I see you again. Good night and God Bless you.” Letter dated 20th May (Thursday), from Private Stephen Cook to his sister, Annie. Private Cook served with the 1/5th Battalion. KO1924 “Dear Annie Thanks very much for the letter and more so the cigarettes. I had just two left when they arrived. I thought you had forgotten me.... I believe we go up to the trenches again on Sunday night......it’s wonderful how I manage to be alive after what we have gone through. I got a nice shaking up on the 8th of May. I got blown up in the air....... I Remain Your loving brother Stephen” Stephen was wounded and died nine days later. Saturday 29 May 1915 1/5th Battalion War Diary - May 1915. Sweetheart postcards sent home during the war. Christmas was a particular time to remember the loved ones at home. The mobile canteens sold Christmas cards. Some were made by the soldiers themselves. © Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum. You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images. Only a proportion of our collections are on display at anyone time. Certain items are on loan for display in other institutions. An appointment is required to consult any of our collections which are held in store.