Letter · 26 May 1916 · Flanders Fields, Belgium
For women and children
Harry Norton was killed in action on 15 September 1916, at Flanders. His family were not informed of his death for 5-6 weeks, and continued to write to him. Their letters were returned marked with 'deceased'. Harry wrote to his wife everyday - his letters are very descriptive and personal.
Extracts from this letter
"I was 4 days in the trenches before the Coy came in, and had the very first shot at the enemy of all the NZ troops fighting in France ... I have something to be proud of"
"There is the most beautiful Cathedral just across the road. I go over night & morning, and it so restful to sit for an hour in front of the altar, and think & pray for you all"
"You can hardly imagine the desolation of the places ... and when I see sometimes little children & women, I thank God that you are safe & far away from the war. If the men in NZ could only see what goes on, the dreadful breaking up of homes, they would realise what we here are fighting for. If they could only understand that Our Women & homes are liable to the same wicked brutality, they would come forward... Thank God I came ...."
