Letter · 25 May 1916 · Flanders Fields, Belgium
The jumps
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
"Well life is very funny, if you can only see the comical side. Yesterday afternoon I crossed the road to the Notre Dame Cathedral & gave thanks & prayed for you all. This morning I went to the same building & picked out a smooth stone & sharpened my bayonet ... Kill Kill. Kill. That's what we are here for"
"We never take off our clothes night or day. Only when we get a bath, about twice a month, & a clean change"
"By Jove it was funny. Du [friend] & I laughing at each other's knees shaking, the first hour we were under fire. I said to him 'Buck up du, your legs are shaking' & he swore at me & said - 'Damn you, and what about yourself' & then we started to laugh. The other boys were just the same. Some admitted it, & others tried to look brave, but all had the jumps. We are used to it now, & go about smoking as usual"
"The worst thing is Rats, hundreds of them & such monsters, as big as kittens. They run over us at night & it takes a lot of getting used to"
