Young soldier’s ‘last letter home’ among handwritten treasures unearthed at Stirling Castle
The Scotsman
2021-08-19
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Young soldier’s ‘last letter home’ among handwritten treasures unearthed during museum renovation
Museum encourages people to share stories of relatives’ letters home from war
A heart-breaking note written by a young Scottish soldier killed in WWI is among a wealth of handwritten treasures brought to life at the newly reopened Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum at Stirling Castle.
Eighteen-year-old Private Vincent Collins, 8th (Argyllshire) Battalion wrote the last letter home to his parents in 1915, the night before his unit moved into the trenches. Tragically, Vincent was wounded on 4 October that year and died from his injuries.
The note is in an incredibly fragile condition so to bring it to life the team has created a short film which will be ‘premiered’ on its YouTube and social media channels today.
Vincent went to France with The Argylls in May 1915 and in the touching note he expresses concern that he might not survive this spell at the Front. The closing sentence underlines his love for his parents, Harry and Martha, with an emotional sign off ‘I could not have had better parents, of that I am sure. Especially you dear mum.’.
Allison Spark, Collection Development Officer at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, said: “Handwritten letters and messages like these are very precious. Not only do they give an indication of what life was like at the Front, they’re also very touching.
“Vincent’s letter in particular, while short and hurriedly written, really communicates his nervousness and fear about what was about to happen and the love he felt for his family back home. It still gives me goosebumps when I read it.
“Sadly, Vincent’s letter is in such a poor condition we aren’t able to have it on general display at the moment but our film really does bring it to life.”
Among the precious handwritten artefacts include a ‘letter to Gertie’ written by Private George Martin, 2nd Battalion. The heartfelt letter written from the Front expresses his desire to be back home with his sweetheart, Gertie.
‘We have not said about being engaged, we are practically… I hope this war will finish for I want to get home.’
Sadly, George was killed in August 1916, shortly after the letter was written. Many years later, Gertie wrote her response on the back of the letter as a means of personal closure, expressing her regret that they didn’t get to spend more time together.Also on display is a letter sent to Private James Sword, 14th (Service) Battalion from his children John and Bella. In the poignant letter, John writes ‘…mother’s looking for the bus every day and I am a good boy… and you have to come home for Christmas.’ . The back of the letter is signed off with kisses from the children.
James enlisted in December 1915 at the age of 36 and was one of the lucky men to return home. He had previously lost his daughter Margaret to illness, so items from home would’ve meant even more to him.
Museum encourages people to share stories of relatives’ letters home from war
A heart-breaking note written by a young Scottish soldier killed in WWI is among a wealth of handwritten treasures brought to life at the newly reopened Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum at Stirling Castle.
Eighteen-year-old Private Vincent Collins, 8th (Argyllshire) Battalion wrote the last letter home to his parents in 1915, the night before his unit moved into the trenches. Tragically, Vincent was wounded on 4 October that year and died from his injuries.
The note is in an incredibly fragile condition so to bring it to life the team has created a short film which will be ‘premiered’ on its YouTube and social media channels today.
Vincent went to France with The Argylls in May 1915 and in the touching note he expresses concern that he might not survive this spell at the Front. The closing sentence underlines his love for his parents, Harry and Martha, with an emotional sign off ‘I could not have had better parents, of that I am sure. Especially you dear mum.’.
Allison Spark, Collection Development Officer at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, said: “Handwritten letters and messages like these are very precious. Not only do they give an indication of what life was like at the Front, they’re also very touching.
“Vincent’s letter in particular, while short and hurriedly written, really communicates his nervousness and fear about what was about to happen and the love he felt for his family back home. It still gives me goosebumps when I read it.
“Sadly, Vincent’s letter is in such a poor condition we aren’t able to have it on general display at the moment but our film really does bring it to life.”
Among the precious handwritten artefacts include a ‘letter to Gertie’ written by Private George Martin, 2nd Battalion. The heartfelt letter written from the Front expresses his desire to be back home with his sweetheart, Gertie.
‘We have not said about being engaged, we are practically… I hope this war will finish for I want to get home.’
Sadly, George was killed in August 1916, shortly after the letter was written. Many years later, Gertie wrote her response on the back of the letter as a means of personal closure, expressing her regret that they didn’t get to spend more time together.Also on display is a letter sent to Private James Sword, 14th (Service) Battalion from his children John and Bella. In the poignant letter, John writes ‘…mother’s looking for the bus every day and I am a good boy… and you have to come home for Christmas.’ . The back of the letter is signed off with kisses from the children.
James enlisted in December 1915 at the age of 36 and was one of the lucky men to return home. He had previously lost his daughter Margaret to illness, so items from home would’ve meant even more to him.
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