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France Monday 15th
Dear May
No doubt by now you have heard that our regiment is ready to go into action at any moment. We have not done any fighting yet but are prepared to go into the trenches as soon as the signal is given. We are very near the Fighting Line and can hear the boom of the big guns very distinctly. We are here in reserve should the occasion arise when reinforcements are required.
My word we have seen a bit of life already. The Germans were here where we are stationed October 15th. Last Thursday March 11th we marched about 12 miles and on our way we passed many graves on the road side - graves of our brave comrades who have died a soldier's death. Most of these graves are surrounded by rough railings erected by the unfortuneate man's comrades. We sleep in barns now and have to wash ourselves in a brook, but every man is as happy and merry as if he were at home. We are not allowed to leave our billets and therefore get short of certain little articles. The only articles I an in need of however are - writing paper and envelopes. I am using the last to write this note and so should be very pleased if you will kindly send some on to me.
Please excuse this scribble - am just in time for post.
With kind regards to all,
I remain sincerely yours
Hubert
Please write soon
May Packwood, my husband's mother received this letter in Brierley Hill on 22nd March 1915 (postmarked Brierley Hill on back of envelope)
Pte George Hubert Benton was wounded by a bursting shell and died in France the same day, April 13th 1915 aged 23 years.
He left his parents and at least two sisters in the 1901 census, but may have had younger siblings. There are other letters, but his lack of writing paper shows that this may well have been his last.
Annie Lillian May Packwood married Samuel Harry Thompson in 1920 and my husband George was born in 1922.
Does anyone have connections with this Benton family. Whether a relative or her sweetheart is not clear.
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