Letter to Mrs Woodward from Italian Boyfriend (3)

Letter to Mrs Woodward from Italian Boyfriend (3)

Woodward, Poppy

Letter sent to 'Poppy' (Mrs Woodward?) from 'Anthony'. Reads: 'My little dear Poppy, I just received the order to equip myself for the fighting line, so this is my last letter from here. Of course when you get this letter I'm already far away. Fully of confidence I shall leave my dear country for the Dardanelles as I shall find there your dear tommies and I hope to have a lof of friends in them. I'm proud and satisfied to fight hand to hand with the heroic sons of my old England and I shall like the English life although very far from London. Don't be sad for me my little dear, this war will be soon over as a dreadfull story (?). Do write me as usual with the same address for the moment so I can get your letters sooner. Next Sunday 5i. (?) I shall leave this town, and the only regret is that I leave behind such a lot of dear friends, and I am going further from my dear dear Poppy. I think that the only thought that I'm going and fight with your English brothers will be enough to get you quieter (?). Don't cry for me, dear, and keep me constantly aware of your views. I feel that I'm writing so badly: excuse me Poppy, I'm not quick it is not (?) fear but sorrow for everything I shall leave behind. The day of reckoning will come at last, and those who have the responsibility of the war will pay all the mournings (?) my dear. So I leave you, dear dear, remember always your old boy. I kiss you sadly, friendly, with my soul on my lips. Your Anthony'

2nd September 1915

Macousta

Leaf

Paper

Letter

3

4

Richard Marshall

GWA_2517_img042.jpg

The Great War Archive, University of Oxford / Primary Contributor

The Great War Archive, University of Oxford

Stuart Lee

D Woodward

Letter to Mrs Woodward from Italian Boyfriend

Woodward, Poppy

Letter sent to 'Poppy' (Mrs Woodward?) from 'Anthony'. Reads: 'My little dear Poppy, I just received the order to equip myself for the fighting line, so this is my last letter from here. Of course when you get this letter I'm already far away. Fully of confidence I shall leave my dear country for the Dardanelles as I shall find there your dear tommies and I hope to have a lof of friends in them. I'm proud and satisfied to fight hand to hand with the heroic sons of my old England and I shall like the English life although very far from London. Don't be sad for me my little dear, this war will be soon over as a dreadfull story (?). Do write me as usual with the same address for the moment so I can get your letters sooner. Next Sunday 5i. (?) I shall leave this town, and the only regret is that I leave behind such a lot of dear friends, and I am going further from my dear dear Poppy. I think that the only thought that I'm going and fight with your English brothers will be enough to get you quieter (?). Don't cry for me, dear, and keep me constantly aware of your views. I feel that I'm writing so badly: excuse me Poppy, I'm not quick it is not (?) fear but sorrow for everything I shall leave behind. The day of reckoning will come at last, and those who have the responsibility of the war will pay all the mournings (?) my dear. So I leave you, dear dear, remember always your old boy. I kiss you sadly, friendly, with my soul on my lips. Your Anthony'

2nd September 1915

Macousta

Leaf

Paper

Letter

4

Richard Marshall

The Great War Archive, University of Oxford / Primary Contributor

The Great War Archive, University of Oxford

Stuart Lee

D Woodward