The hundred-year letter - William Button's First World War

One hundred years ago today, my great-grandfather wrote a letter to my great-grandmother, from an encampment in Palestine.  The year was 1915, and a young William H Button had volunteered to serve with the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (RGH) during the First World War.  Having sailed to Egypt on the SS Themistocles, an ocean liner turned troop ship, William was one of the fresh wave of soldiers sent out to bolster numbers following severe losses sustained on the Gallipoli Campaign.

William Button in Palestine, First World War

"29th November 1915

Dear Hilda,

Have been on the move again.  We left the Bay 22 Nov for here arriving on 27th, when I wrote to you from Hyudroo [unknown place name.]  I had just posted it when we had orders to go up and join the first Regiment boys.  Well up we went, had been up with them just eight days when Lord Kitchener came, then we had to come down here, [just as] well as there was a rough wind going that day, we had to stop a day.  They land and embark all troops by cargo as the only large boats that go up are the battleships.  We came so far on there on the SS Themistocles.

Under canvas and on the banks of the River Nile with the largest of the pyramids to watch over us, the Sphinx is about two miles away so if I can [I will] find a piece for Dot [Hilda's sister - a teacher], as I guess it will interest her class to see a piece of these.  I am afraid the RGH are somewhat knocked about, we left a lot in hospital.  There used to be a man to a horse, now it is three horses for each of us to look after.  I hear there is another lot on the way, at  least I hope so.

I expect by the time you receive this it will be Christmas, I shall be thinking of your good people at 61, and hoping you will have a good time.

I see by the papers, which by the way are three weeks old, that things are not so bad, could be better of course, anyway please tell me as much good news as you can, I have not had a letter or P.C [post card] since leaving England, we expect a train in some time this week, so I am looking forward to one from you, the paper is well marked by the YMCA, so please excuse it as I have not unpacked my kit bag, and my pen and ink is in there.  I have not been into town yet, we have to obtain a pass, then it is eight miles to go in the car so will forward you a card from there, it is Monday now so it will be Sunday [day unclear] before I shall be able to have a pass.  How is Fred, has he left for abroad yet or is he still at doing it in Gloucester?  The 7th Gloucester were at Lemcos [unknown place name] the same day as us, there were several I could remember having seen at home.

The food here is better than we expected, of course nothing like home, the worst complaint is the sand, when the wind blows it is impossible to see a few feet in front, just like a fog and gets everywhere, we eat it in fact if we stay here long there will be no desert left, we are on the border of the Libyan Desert and every morning about 6am, go for a ride about ten miles, see some catacombs, I do not know what they are for, just ask Miss Dot - she will know - I hope she is alright, still busy.

Well I shall be glad when this scrap is over, have not been out here long but when thinking of home it makes me wish I was in England but I am afraid it will be some time before I return, well it is time I had some supper so must cease.  Wishing you all a Happy Xmas and best of luck for the coming year, 

Kind regards to all, 

Yours Sincerely, Bill"

William and his horse, Baby

During active service, William and his horse Baby would have undertaken reconnaissance and aggressive patrolling of Turkish forward positions.  The British campaign to defend the Suez Canal was centred on the town of Romani, from where William may have taken part in battles, including the Battle of Beersheba.  We also know that during one battle, William was shot in the leg.  Towards the end of the war, William's expertise in the railways saw him operate locomotives for the British Army.  William survived the First World War, however his army record did not, and we are therefore unsure of his exact movements during his time in service.