Letter · 9 Sep 1916
Impatient for the hour
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
"Oh, it is grand to be so very near to the heart of the Action, and when we get the order to go over the top & take the enemy's trenches, it will be a tremendous moment. Just imagine rushing through a hail of Shrapnel & Machine gun fire, & then the bayonet work to follow. Oh it will be fine, & will show up who has grit in them. I am so impatient for the hour to come. I intend to do great things, & I am going to do a great big bit. I am so well & fit. I have never fallen out on the March, never attended a sick parade, and I am getting on so well."
"You can watch the papers & see me get a Commission, & I know you will be glad, because it is a Field Promotion, for Merit and I am so faddy. Last week I was the neatest man on parade, and today, after our march to this great Camp, we were all dog tired, but I got water out of my water bottle, had a shave & wash, cleaned my boots & buttons & was spick & span in 20 minutes and one of our Officers came round just as I finishes, & he laughed & said, ' How do you do it , Norton ? You look like you just stepped out of a Band Box , instead of doing a long march."
