Destrubé family - letter from Georges to Dear Ones, 1917.03.17


Creator:
Destrubé family
Description:
Item is a typed copy of a letter written by Georges Destrubé to his family on March 17, 1917 while in hospital in France. In this letter he discusses the deaths of his brothers Guy and Paul in February and the details of their burial.
Subjects:
World War, 1914-1918; Destrubé, Georges
Date:
1917-03-17
Location(s):
France
Transcript:
[Centre:] FROM GEORGES DESTRUBE TO THE FAMILY [Upper left:] COPY. [Upper right:] France 17/3/17 Dear Ones, I have recieved your numerous letters and they have been a great consolation to me. I hope you get mine too; I sent one the day before yesterday in a green envelope. I believe I have already said that I recieved no copy of ye your letter to Col. Barker, and I would like one very much. You will find many letters enclosed, I would like you to put them by for me Pumps, - except of course the new letters that you haven't yet seen; these last you can keep, Pumps. I shall be leaving segregation on Tuesday so my new address will be -, Pte. Destrube, No. 50512, 22nd Royal Fusiliers, I.B.D. A.P.o. Sec. 17. B.E.F. France. There is a letter from Vinicombe. He latterly joined the M.G. He was not with Guy and Pauls team but he knew them well, though perhaps not intimately. He was a Sergt. last summer, but was reduced to the ranks for shewing cowardice, so I heard. He was a good hearted fellow though. It was a great, great relief to know that our dear boys were buried together and a cross erected, - this will make it possible to find their dear grave when the war is over and it will be a great consolation to us all. When I get on the Front again I shall naturally try and locate the spot but unless the Battn. returns to that neighbourhood, this will be impossible. But you may rest assured that the graves will remain untouched and the spot still quite traceable after the war. Also the burying parties are instructed to make notes of the exact whereabouts which are preserved in England. A chap told me that there was a public office in London where they made it a business of keeping these records and all such information. It is in charge of Sir Lionel Earle, he did not know the exact address, you could enquire Pumps. I should imagine that their personal belongings will have been sent to you without delay. I wrote to Cox asking him to see about it and to do his utmost to secure everything and that if some of their things fell in the hands of strangers to buy them back if necessary. I hope so much that we get everything back. I met Forbisher again, his version was quite correct, - poor Paul was first to be killed. I do not know at all whether Paul left any things at Edmonton or not. I should imagine that somebody at the Bank would know -unfortunately, the people where he was boarding have left, I think. Of course I don't know their address. Will you please forward the parcel from Rife to the new address I gave you. (I'm afraid it will contain more tobacco than I can possibly use if such was the duty!) Thanks so much my very dear Syl, for your kind numerous letters. Sunday. 18//17. Last night I recieved a letter from you dear old Syl, and 2 from Mme. Mac Coll and one from Rene. I am so pleased to hear that Minty is arlight, - I had heard he was killed (only rumour). Goodbye my dear ones, (I dont feel I can write a longer letter.) Love to all Lovingly yours Georges