Hubert Ward Letter to Joseph Boyce - November 28, 1918
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November 28th 1918. Capt. Joseph Boyce. My dear Joseph A few lines to wish you and yours a very happy Christmas and a bright happy and prosperous New Year. I fear my greeting may be late for December 25th 1918. If so I shall be very sorry, for this is the first opportunity I have had to write, since the hostilities ceased on November 11th. Immediately after the armistice took effect the 1st Cavalry Division was warned to prepare for a march to Germany, and several things had to be arranged in a very short time. On November 17th the move forward commenced, and now we are two days march from Germany. On November 22nd we passed through Namur, and on December 10th we shall be in position on the German side of the Rhine. It is impossible to describe in a few lines our feeling of gratitude and great satisfaction for our great victory and the complete defeat of our enemies. Sincerely hope nothing will interfere with the course of justice in dealing with the Germans, and that those criminals who murdered defenseless
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[Page 2] civilians, who pillaged, plundered and wantonly destroyed almost every place they occupied in France and Belgium, and who carried on war on land and sea without regard for the laws of God or Man, will receive no mercy. The Kaiser is undoubtedly the first and greatest of Hun criminals, and I should be deeply grieved if the Allies do not tear him from the Chateau where he is at present secluded, and place him in the dock. Twelve intelligent and fair minded men could decide his fate without retiring from the jury box. Our march through Belgium has been a triumphal procession, and no doubt you have read long ere this, many excellent descriptions of the reception accorded the allied armies by the population of occupied France and Belgium. We have been ten days on trek, and I think the day I enjoyed most was November 22nd. the morning was extremely cold, and the ground was frozen hard. From the map I saw we would have to go over several steep hills
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[Page 3] and I feared the frozen roads would make this difficult. However the sun came out, we had a glorious day, and the march was completed without mishap. Our way lay through Namur, and there General Mullens inspected the 1st Cavalry Brigade as it passed, so we all had to 'sit-up' and look our smartest. Each village we went through gave us a great welcome, but the enthusiasm of the people of Namur eclipsed everything yet experienced. They formed a great crowd through the town, and cheered and shouted Vive les Anglais, Vive les Allies. They stood on roofs, they stood on signboards, they crowded every window and shouted with delight. It was amusing to hear them imitate the English shouting "Heep Heep - Hurr-ray." They rushed with flowers to the soldiers. I was leading my unit behind "I" Battery Royal Horse Artillery. An interval of 100 yards separate us. Through this space the crowd broke, and cheered and cheered, and one would think I was King Albert himself. It was frightfully hard marching to attention through such a display of
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[Page 4] enthusiasm, and I fear the people of Namur must have thought us a little cold. But the Brigade made a tremendous impression as each regiment went through with swords drawn scabbards burnished and looking as if or parade in Aldershot. One sad sight came often before me while going through Namur and that was a number of British Prisoners of War left without food or transport to struggle as best they could to the British lines. These unfortunate men with uniforms in rags, without boots, without caps, without puttees, emaciated beyond recognition, dirty beyond description, with skin pealing from their fingers, the colour gone from their lips, - tortured, starved and neglected these human wrecks made a terrible contrast with the fine soldiers the people welcomed. I beckoned to one fellow to come and speak to me. He told me there were hundreds of prisoners in Namur, and that but for the kindness of the Belgians they would have starved to death, that words could not describe their delight now deliverance was
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[Page 5] at hand. "Ah Sis" said he "it's fine to see soldiers again. The Germans went away from here an undisciplined mob - their equipment was very bad, and they had no respect for their officers. The mere sight of the British Army does me good." Such words showed that this poor soldiers had still a fine spirit and a stout heart. It also showed that the Germans to the end were brutes of the vilest description. I really believe that the majority of German officers and men are cruel because they love to see human suffering. To them pain in others is a stimulant, an intoxicant to be relished. On such a nation the Curse of God will surely fall. I think the war will soon end for the British Army, and it will not be long until demobilisation will turn Edward and myself from soldiers to civilians. I am glad to think our career in the Army has in no way brought discredit on our people. To you, the veteran whose example was always before us, and about whom my Father
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[Page 6] told many thrilling stories. I can say now the war is over - "we have done our best. we have never shirked an unpleasant duty, and never turned back on account of fear." I must conclude. I should love to tell you many things, about our march to Germany, about the coming general election, about the Ward family at home and abroad but time forbids. In order however to send you something of interest I enclose you a copy of the report of a strange adventure. This report will tell you how Private Patrick Fowler - 11th Hussars was hidden in BERTRY near Le Cateau for nearly four years, and how owing to the splendid behaviour of a French family the Germans failed to find him. Of course discovery meant death to all concerned. Please return this report as it is the only copy I possess. News from home is pretty good. I regret to say Mother has suffered recently from bronchitis and neuralgia, but thank God latest letters report improvement. She is now waiting for Edward and myself to return from the war.
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[Page 7] Au revoir dear Joseph. My best love to you and yours. Again I thank you for your splendid letters and for the many nice things you have said about me. I look forward with great pleasure to "the time of my life" in St Louis. Please give Mrs Beauregard my best wishes - and tell her when the Army is settled in Germany I shall send her that long promished letter. With renewed greetings and all good wishes for a Happy Christmas, and record good luck in 1919 I remain always Your affectionate cousin Hubert Ward. [November] 30th Didn't manage to get this away yet. Hope it will go to-morrow. To-morrow morning we enter Germany. JHW
Details
| Title | Hubert Ward Letter to Joseph Boyce - November 28, 1918 |
| Creator | Ward, Hubert |
| Source | Ward, Hubert. Hubert Ward Letter to Joseph Boyce. 28 November 1918. Boyce, Joseph Collection, 1844-1913. A0161. The Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter, dated December 28, 1918, Hubert Ward wrote his cousin Joseph Boyce of St. Louis concerning the armistice and his march toward Germany. |
| Subject LCSH | Great Britain. Army. British Expeditionary Force; Great Britain. Army--Cavalry; Great Britain. Army. Royal Army Medical Corps; Christmas; World War, 1914-1918--Armistices; World War, 1914-1918--Destruction & pillage; World War, 1914-1918--Prisoners of w |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | A0161 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Date Original | November 28, 1918 |
| Language | English |