The Times Great War Letters: Correspondence during the First World War. James Owen
to time he uttered in his agony, will not soon be forgotten in his regiment. Of that end we who mourn him can only say in the simple words of Derry’s letter, that he “died as he had lived—an officer and a gentleman.”
Perhaps it would not be inappropriate to add as a thought of consolation to those throughout the land who day by day see their loved ones thus devoured by the waste of war, that of a truth these do not vainly die. Not only are they crowned with fame, but by the noble manner of their end they give the lie to Bernhardi and his school, who tell us that we English are an effete and worn-out people, befogged with mean ideals; lost in selfishness and the lust of wealth and comfort. Moreover, the history of these deeds of theirs will surely be as a beacon to those destined to carry on the traditions of our race in that new England which shall arise when the cause of freedom for which we must fight and die has prevailed—to fall no more.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
H. RIDER HAGGARD
PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS AND THE WAR
14 October 1914
SIR,—I AM WRITING to suggest that the professional footballers of the hundreds of clubs throughout the country should be allowed to enlist under certain conditions which might be arranged between the War Office and the Football Association. The men might be allowed to take part in the Saturday fixtures both at home and away, arrangements being made that men of the London clubs should be trained in and near the metropolis, those of the Lancashire clubs in and near Manchester and Liverpool, &c. Possibly a professional football brigade could be formed, and as their training will take a long time their services will not be required out of the country until the football season is practically over. Hundreds of amateur footballers, and other sportsmen have already joined the ranks, and surely the professional will not be less patriotic than his fellows, and will be proud to help to keep the flag flying and the ball rolling at the same time.
Yours faithfully,
WILLIAM A. BECKETT
INVASION BY AIR
16 October 1914
SIR,—ONE DOES NOT want to raise an unnecessary scare, but in the case of invasion by Zeppelins the total or partial obscuration of the lights of London will be of little avail if an airship is able to pick up a guide on the coast to direct it on its way. Is there at present anything to prevent some of the well-to-do aliens who show such an affection for the east coast from guiding the invader by driving a motor with a bright headlight along the road to London? The hour and place of the airship’s arrival might very well be arranged beforehand, and the car could easily be identified from above by preconcerted distinguishing marks.
Yours truly,
MAKE SURE
GERMAN SPIES
19 October 1914
SIR,—I WAS GLAD TO read your article to-day in The Times on German espionage and preparation for this war. Here is an instance. About three years ago I was staying in Norfolk, and I asked a friend of mine if the Germans had ever found out a place called Weybourne, on the coast, where Nelson said was the place to land an invading force for England. My friend answered: “Found it out; the Germans have bought land there and built a hotel.” About 10 days ago I was motoring along the coast there and was stopped several times by the cycle corps guarding the coast. I happened to ask one of the men how much coast they looked after, and he told me from Hunstanton to Weybourne. I said, “There is a hotel at Weybourne which belongs to the Germans.” And he replied,“I don’t know about that; but a short time ago we made a raid on the hotel and found several Germans in it.” I send you this in case it may be of interest to know preparations have been made in this country just as in France and Belgium.
Yours faithfully,
J. B. STRACEY-CLITHEROW
WAITERS AND MILLIONAIRES
22 October 1914
SIR,—AS I TALKED this morning with a distinguished German, long resident in this country, he observed:—“From our point of view it is inconceivable that your Government should permit Germans and Austrians to reside freely in your midst, knowing that in the event of a successful raid upon England they will at once rush to the help of the invaders.”
On the important question of German and Austrian waiters and managers at English hotels he said:—“It is equally inconceivable that the German people would for one moment tolerate English waiters in German hotels at any time. Hotel managers and waiters have particular opportunities for spying on visitors to hotels. They have master keys in their possession opening all the bed-rooms, and can therefore search correspondence in the absence of the visitor; they have opportunities of listening, and it should be noted,” he remarked, “that there is hardly a naval or military town, hardly any resort of British military and naval officers, hardly any strategic point of Great Britain, that is not provided with its German hotel waiters.
“As to the hardship caused by the expulsion of such as are married,” he added, “surely some of the wealthy naturalized German financiers who have so long thriven in this country might look after the wives and children of such of their compatriots as may suffer from a necessary measure of protection. I observe,” he added, “that their names, as a rule, are noticeably absent from the charitable and other funds now appearing in the newspapers, despite their recent lavish expenditure on town and country houses, racing stables, yachts, and Scottish and other shootings.”
I enclose my card and the name of my German informant.
Yours faithfully,
VIGILANT
THE NAME OF “THOMAS ATKINS”
27 October 1914
SIR,—WITH REGARD TO a letter in your issue of 24th inst., signed “Arthur Mercer,” I am afraid your correspondent’s account of why the British soldiers are called “Tommies” is incorrect; the true reason is that in all the old War Office forms of soldiers’ accounts the method company officers were to pursue in keeping them was illustrated by one finished example, and the name taken was “Thomas Atkins,” hence the name.
I am,
THE EDITOR OF “HISTORY OF 32ND LIGHT INFANTRY”
THE INDIAN WOUNDED
5 November 1914
SIR,—AS WOUNDED INDIAN soldiers are being received at Netley, the need for Indian volunteer orderlies is greater than ever. Nearly 70 members of the local Indian corps are already serving as nurses there. Leaving aside the medical members of the corps there are now very few left to answer the further call when it comes. May I therefore trespass upon the hospitality of your columns to appeal to the Indian young men residing in the United Kingdom to enlist without delay? In my humble opinion it ought to be our proud privilege to nurse the Indian soldiers back to health. Colonel Baker’s cry is for more orderlies. And in order to make up the requisite number, and also to encourage our young men, several elderly Indians occupying a high position have gone or are going to Netley as orderlies. One of them is a barrister, having a Privy Council practice, another is an educationist ex-Vice-Principal of a celebrated college for Indian Princes, and a third is a retired