Captain Charlie May
I have been listening to the 'Blueprint got Armageddon' podcast by Dan Carlin recently while I work, and I have to say it is fantastic. He speaks about The Great War in a very captivating and informative way. All round I highly recommend the podcast (which is free on his website). In particular one part which has stayed with me are the letters and personal records from soldiers at the battle of the Somme:
The following is a letter from Captain Charles Campbell May, to his wife Maude, written on the 17th June 1916. Having seen the waves of soldiers perish over the top of the trenches, he writes a letter to his wife and daughter. Charles Died on July 1st.
'I must not allow myself to dwell on the personal, there is no room for it here. Also it is demoralising, but I do not want to die. Not that I mind for myself, if it be that I am to go , I am ready, but the thought that I may never see you, or our darling baby again, turns my bowels to water. I cannot think of it with even the semblance of equanimity. My one consolation is the happiness that’s been ours. Also my conscience is clear that I’ve always tried to make life a joy to you. I know at least that if I go, you will not want, that is something. But it is the thought that we may be cut off from one another which is so terrible, and that our babe may grow up without my knowing her and without her knowing me. it’s difficult to face. And I know your life without me will be a dull blank, yet you must never let it become holy so, for to you will be left with the greatest charge in all the world, the upbringing of our baby. God bless that child, she is the hope of life to me. My darling, au revoir, it may be that you will have only have to read these lines as ones of passing interest. On the other hand they may well be my last message to you. If they are, know through all your life I loved you and baby, with all my heart and soul, and that you two sweet things were just all the world to me. I pray God I may do my duty, for I know whatever that may entail, you would not have it otherwise'
