Letter · 1916 · London, Great Britain and Ireland
No care for medals
GS Richardson was a high-ranking military official who led a number of units (NZ and British) and was promoted through the war. For his bio, see: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3r16/richardson-george-spafford
Extracts from this letter
"I was recalled by NZ Govt. to take charge of their show here - Someone was urgently needed as there is a muddle here but I hope to put things straight & then go back to the Front"
"I have been very fortunate & got really more than I deserve viz a Br. Gen[?] promotion - C.M.G. and French Legion of Honour for good work in the Field, but I would rather these were given to those who have suffered by wounds than to me... However, such is war - the glory goes sometimes to those least deserving, but on the other hand war is a purger, & gives the men who are soldiers a chance to show to advantage over those who are not...."
"I am now fit & putting on weight again but I could afford to carry a little more as I was down to 10 stone on the Peninsula ...England is very much the same as it was - at least I see very little difference except camps everywhere, wounded everywhere, women on trams & railways - Lamps darkened at night..."
"The war will have to go on for another three years from a soldiers point of view... We are paying the penalty of unreadiness and selfish indifference. We will all have to live simple lives after this in order to pay the debt."
