This letter home to his family in Thurso is undated, but as David Barrogill Keith says he’s “reached the end of his wanderings” it seems reasonable to assume that he’s arrived at Noeux les Mines, a small mining town near Loos. This was where his Battalion was stationed during the final days of the Battle of Loos.
Although he is keen to emphasise to his family that he is far from danger, in fact they were on standby while the Germans counterattacked the British lines to recover ground they had lost in the battle.
The “George” referred to in the letter was a cousin who served as an officer in the Seaforth Highlanders. “Georgeson” would be Horace Georgeson, of the family of Georgesons’ solicitors in Wick whom DB Keith had known at Edinburgh University. AS Pringle was Captain Arthur Pringle of the 10th Cameronians who was tragically killed on the first day of the Battle of Loos.
Dated: Tuesday? 10th Battalion Cameronians, Scottish Rifles, B.E.F.
My dear Mother,
At last I am at the end of my wanderings at least for the time being. I am now within sound of the guns but quite far away from them & in absolutely no danger & likely to be in none for a month at least.
I met George today & was at his billets & saw him at tea time again. I have also been toddling about with Georgeson & have met Taylor who is in George’s company & also seen a fellow Ross I used to know in [Edinburgh]. Altogether it has been most interesting. The division we are in is resting after Loos.
I heard that AS Pringle – who was north with Keith Fraser – has been badly hit. He was magnificently game. With a battle axe & a revolver old Toosie got over the trenches. He was hit 4 or 5 times & still fighting when last seen. He was in command of the OTC [Officer Training Corps] when I joined. George was not in it until the end. All seconds in command, of whom George is one, were left behind before the attack. Later I believe George went up. My impression of him is that he makes an exceedingly good officer & is quite worthy of his job.
I don’t think there is much to say now. We are just settling down here & quite behind the firing line with the certainty of a long rest.
Hope all are well. Love to all
From
DB Keith
[Caithness Archive Centre reference P38/10/6; the next letter from DB Keith will be published on 11 October]
