Letter · 24 May 1916 · Flanders Fields, Belgium
Someone is guiding me
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 have been so fortunate, & yesterday I stopped a piece of shrapnel on my helmet. It made me jump, but only gave me a bad headache."
"Nobody worries about being hit, because we are all fatalists, and Dear heart, there is no doubt I am being protected. I have had several proofs already, that someone is guiding me. Oh I am so sure... So I do my work with all my might, & am quite happy."
"I spend most of my spare time cleaning my rifle & wondering how many I can plug before I go to sleep that night. Do you know that I have crawled right close to their trenches trying to overhear their conversations, and I heard one man call Carl, and tried to plug him, but could not stop to see the result of the shot, as they saw the flash of my rifle."
"I can assure you snipers have some exciting moments at times. Talk about the lust for blood - Well they try it on us. Chum, I am strong & fit & well, but I would love to get home, but I must stay & do my very best, and thank God I am able. I am with a fine lot of lads..."
