During the First World War, some two billion letters were reportedly handled by the British Army Postal Service. Letter writing was more common than it is today, and was encouraged as a major support for the morale of both the men serving in the armed forces and their family and loved ones at home.
All letters home from service personnel were first read by a Censor, even personal ones.
On 8th April 1917, Private John William Godber, a twenty-one-year-old stretcher bearer generally known as "Billy", took the time to write to his fiancée, 19-year-old Maud Stubley, to thank her for a parcel she had sent to him in France.
He writes on very thin paper, and starts "My Dearest Maud". He thanks her for the parcel he has received, and the trouble she has taken, and tells her about the weather and other trivial news. He says how he would like to be with her this Easter instead of where he is, and ends "heaps of Fondest Love, Billy" and surrounds it with more than 100 kisses.
Sadly, this was the last letter that Billy ever wrote home. On 16th April 1917, just eight days after the date of his letter, Billy was carrying a wounded comrade to safety when he was hit and killed by a sniper's bullet.
Billy's letter is now item no LOUWM:2019.087 in the Carillon Museum's catalogue, and you can read it, enlarged, in a separate window by clicking one of the page images below, or as a transcript further down this page.
Mrs Henrietta Godber, Billy Godber's mother, was chosen to lay one of the foundation stones of the Carillon memorial during construction in 1922.The picture of the event (seen above, right) is also in the museum's catalogue as item LOUWM:2019.058.
In 1921, Maud Stubley went on to marry Reginald Skillern, who was born in Pontypool. They lived together in Loughborough and had two children. Maud lived until the age of 77.
Transcript of letter
All letters home from service personnel were first read by a Censor, even personal ones.
On 8th April 1917, Private John William Godber, a twenty-one-year-old stretcher bearer generally known as "Billy", took the time to write to his fiancée, 19-year-old Maud Stubley, to thank her for a parcel she had sent to him in France.
He writes on very thin paper, and starts "My Dearest Maud". He thanks her for the parcel he has received, and the trouble she has taken, and tells her about the weather and other trivial news. He says how he would like to be with her this Easter instead of where he is, and ends "heaps of Fondest Love, Billy" and surrounds it with more than 100 kisses.
Sadly, this was the last letter that Billy ever wrote home. On 16th April 1917, just eight days after the date of his letter, Billy was carrying a wounded comrade to safety when he was hit and killed by a sniper's bullet.
Godber, John William ("Billy")
Private (Stretcher Bearer) 241814 2/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment
Killed in Action 16th April 1917, Aged 21
Buried Roisel Communal Cemetery SP. Memorial 10
To read more about Private Godber, see his entry in the Loughborough Roll of Honour Website.
Private (Stretcher Bearer) 241814 2/5th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment
Killed in Action 16th April 1917, Aged 21
Buried Roisel Communal Cemetery SP. Memorial 10
To read more about Private Godber, see his entry in the Loughborough Roll of Honour Website.
Billy's letter is now item no LOUWM:2019.087 in the Carillon Museum's catalogue, and you can read it, enlarged, in a separate window by clicking one of the page images below, or as a transcript further down this page.
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Mrs Henrietta Godber, Billy Godber's mother, was chosen to lay one of the foundation stones of the Carillon memorial during construction in 1922.The picture of the event (seen above, right) is also in the museum's catalogue as item LOUWM:2019.058.
In 1921, Maud Stubley went on to marry Reginald Skillern, who was born in Pontypool. They lived together in Loughborough and had two children. Maud lived until the age of 77.
8/4/17
My Dearest Maud,
Many thanks for your most welcome letter & parcel I thankfully received this morning. I was quite surprised to get a letter so soon again and two yesterday. It seemed quite cheering, & to receive the unexpected parcel. When somebody came & said there's a parcel for you, I can tell you it didn't take me long to go and fetch it from head quarters, but Dear, I think I have told you that I am not there now. I'm with the company & my address is the same as first, A Coy. No. 2 Platoon, 2/5 Leicestershire Regt, B.E.F. France. I hope this will find your face alright again, as this leaves me in the best of health, now what sort of weather are you getting, we have been getting it awful, snow & rain, but today it is a little brighter & that makes it look a little more like Easter, but don't I wish I was there to have a trip over to Blaby with you, I keep looking forward to getting back soon, I've had quite enough, and I think Horace is a lucky chap, especially if he gets his discharge, that would suit me. Now Maud, I think the bread is fine, and the socks just dropped in right as we are going down to have a bath this afternoon & they will be a treat. I have eaten the eggs for fear I should break them I meant to tell you, I managed to get a writing pad last time we were down, but it was too large to carry about so I fancy yours best. I must say everything was packed very nice, nothing damaged whatever. I know it's taken some time to pack that & I can just imagine what Ma would be saying while, but never mind, I am like Walter Roper says, don't think it will be a long job now. Will you tell Edith I received her letter this morning and pleased to hear she is quite well. I hope she will have a good time this Easter, & also yourself but I'm afraid there won't be much enjoyment. When you write Clarice, remember me to her, & I am sending mother a card this time. I expect you will be having a walk down so I will write her the next letter, but so long as she knows I am well, I don't suppose she troubles so much. Well Dear, I am just about tied up for news now so I think I will have a read of the Echo & mug myself with a bit of your bread & butter. Oh I must tell you, I saw some of Harold's pals last night & I enquired of him & was sorry to hear he is on the sick list but believe me there isn't many that's off. Give my best love to Ma & remember me to all, as I must close with heaps of Fondest Love. Yours Ever,
P.S. Excuse Writing as he is sending us a few shells.
My Dearest Maud,
Many thanks for your most welcome letter & parcel I thankfully received this morning. I was quite surprised to get a letter so soon again and two yesterday. It seemed quite cheering, & to receive the unexpected parcel. When somebody came & said there's a parcel for you, I can tell you it didn't take me long to go and fetch it from head quarters, but Dear, I think I have told you that I am not there now. I'm with the company & my address is the same as first, A Coy. No. 2 Platoon, 2/5 Leicestershire Regt, B.E.F. France. I hope this will find your face alright again, as this leaves me in the best of health, now what sort of weather are you getting, we have been getting it awful, snow & rain, but today it is a little brighter & that makes it look a little more like Easter, but don't I wish I was there to have a trip over to Blaby with you, I keep looking forward to getting back soon, I've had quite enough, and I think Horace is a lucky chap, especially if he gets his discharge, that would suit me. Now Maud, I think the bread is fine, and the socks just dropped in right as we are going down to have a bath this afternoon & they will be a treat. I have eaten the eggs for fear I should break them I meant to tell you, I managed to get a writing pad last time we were down, but it was too large to carry about so I fancy yours best. I must say everything was packed very nice, nothing damaged whatever. I know it's taken some time to pack that & I can just imagine what Ma would be saying while, but never mind, I am like Walter Roper says, don't think it will be a long job now. Will you tell Edith I received her letter this morning and pleased to hear she is quite well. I hope she will have a good time this Easter, & also yourself but I'm afraid there won't be much enjoyment. When you write Clarice, remember me to her, & I am sending mother a card this time. I expect you will be having a walk down so I will write her the next letter, but so long as she knows I am well, I don't suppose she troubles so much. Well Dear, I am just about tied up for news now so I think I will have a read of the Echo & mug myself with a bit of your bread & butter. Oh I must tell you, I saw some of Harold's pals last night & I enquired of him & was sorry to hear he is on the sick list but believe me there isn't many that's off. Give my best love to Ma & remember me to all, as I must close with heaps of Fondest Love. Yours Ever,
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P.S. Excuse Writing as he is sending us a few shells.