In this letter David Barrogill Keith writes to his family in Thurso to say that he is sending some souvenirs to them via his servant, including a bayonet which would “make a nice poker” and hoping to send out an empty German shell case which could be used as a dinner gong or a flower vase.
Whereas a couple of months before he had advised his mother that knitted goods were unnecessary, as the troops had more than they needed, now he gratefully acknowledges receipt of a parcel of woollen goods: “It came just as we got out of the trenches & therefore was more appreciated than had we been living lives of ease in the reserve billets”.
“Lord Derby’s Scheme” which he mentions at the end of the letter was an initiative which started at this time to increase volunteer recruitment – the aim was to persuade men to sign up on the understanding that they would not be called up right away. The numbers were disappointing, however, and in March 1916 compulsory conscription was introduced.
Dated 11th December 1915, 10th Battalion Cameronians, B.E.F.
My dear Mother,
I sent some days ago my watch home for repair. I enclosed two aluminium rings. Tiny asked for one some time ago so you might give her one, the other you might pass to Louise. Later I will no doubt get others. My servant went on leave a day or two ago & he was to try & smuggle thro’ a German rifle, a French bayonet & a fuze of a huge Bosche shell. He was to send these to you. If they arrive you might give the rifle to Edward John, the bayonet will make a nice poker for the drawing room & the fuze will do for Will. There is no chance of getting a Bosche helmet at present so I can’t do anything in that way. I hope the things get through alright. I may send later on an empty shell case which makes either an excellent gong which it is used for out here or a flower vase. However meantime I see no prospect of it getting sent home. Leave too is a bit in the air as very few of us are allowed away at one time. I will not know definitely for a few days how things are to pan out in that respect.
Parcels have been arriving with great regularity for which I am awfully grateful. Now however we are out of the trenches for a long time so it isn’t at all necessary to send more as we can get stuff cooked easily.
About clothes for the trenches I don’t want waders we get issued with them already. But I will get a coat myself in London one of these days. Thorntons I have always found too ready to palm off not extra convenient stuff as for instance the waterproof sheet which they presented me with & which I have never used & is more or less absolutely useless owing to its tremendous weight. The first rainproof I got there was nothing special either, & the waterproof I got later was a good waterproof but not a good trench coat. However now I have had experience & I know what to get myself.
A large parcel of woollens arrived yesterday for which please thank everyone. It came in very handy & is now practically distributed & everyone seems pleased. It came just as we got out of the trenches & therefore was more appreciated than had we been living lives of ease in the reserve billets.
I intended when I started to write a long letter about our doings but I feel very tired & don’t think I will just now. Tomorrow I’ll do it if possible. What is happening at home – everything as quiet as usual & the office very busy. Is Lord Derby’s scheme doing anything in Caithness or are they still living in hopes that it is a dream that the country is at war. Anyway the way in which the ladies have worked for us out here shews that they realise, if others do not, the unfortunate fact of this war. Well I really will stop now; I hope however all are quite well & father & granny keeping fit. With love to all
From D.B. Keith
[Caithness Archive Centre reference P38/10/14; the next letter from DB Keith will be published on 14 December]
