Letters To The Dead

By B T Coll

The date is 1914. A young man enlists in the army and leaves behind his pregnant wife and their hopes and dreams of a better future. Life is tough in the trenches and his letters home describe the horrors of living and fighting on the frontline. When tragedy strikes, it is decided that the news must be kept secret from him until his return. How will it end?

• Language: English
• Publisher: B T Coll
• Release date: Apr 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310077876

Book preview

Letters to the Dead

B T Coll

Authors Note

Letters to the Dead: is a work of fiction. Names, characters and incidents are entirely fictitious.

Copyright © 2017 B T Coll

Smashwords Edition

All Rights Reserved

Chapter One

My Darling Mary

Just a note let you know that I have arrived at our destination safely. The place is a bit of a shock to tell you the truth. No amount of training could have prepared me for the sight that met my eyes on seeing the trenches.

It is a rather dismal place. We are all squashed together like sardines and the smell is horrendous. We have been assured by our commanding officer that we will soon get used to the smell but somehow, I doubt that.

I miss you already my darling wife. Our time together after training went too fast and I miss you so much it hurts.

I hope this letter finds you both well as it cannot be long now until our baby arrives.

Love you always my darling Mary.

Your loving husband

Edward x

Mary a letter has arrived. I think it must be from Edward. Elizabeth Hodges excitedly told her older sister, as she ran to hand the letter to her. Oh my! Mary exclaimed, as she carefully but quickly opened the envelope. Tell me what he says Mary. Elizabeth asked, finding herself excited and not really knowing why. At eight years of age, she didn’t know much about the war and her father, mother or her sister Mary, wouldn’t tell her anything about it. She was seen by her family to be too young to worry about such things, which annoyed her greatly.

Please read it to me Mary. she begged and seeing the look on her sister’s face, Mary read her husband’s letter aloud. At least he is well. Anne Hodges said, as she came through from the kitchen. Does he say where he is stationed? she asked and Mary shook her head. I don’t think he’s allowed to tell us that mother. Mary replied. What’s that? Edgar Hodges asked, as he came through the front door. Mary has a letter from Edward. Elizabeth told her father. I see. Well hand it to me girl and let me read it. Edgar said, with an outstretched hand. You’re just back from the pit father. Clean yourself up first. Mary told him, as if chastising a filthy child who had been out playing in the dirt all day. Do as she says Edgar. Go out the back and I’ll fetch some warm water and soap. his wife Anne told him.

When he returned, he was as clean as the coal dust would allow him to be but Mary noticed the dirt around his fingernails and was reluctant to hand over the much-treasured letter from her beloved husband, to such filthy hands. Edgar noticed her staring at his hands, which made him angry.

"Honest hands these are Mary and if Edward was still here, he would be down the pit, working alongside