Copy of the 2nd and 3rd page of a letter written by my grandfather, while he was recovering from his wounds, probably December 1918.

Manuscript letter sent by Denis T. Hayes, Honourable Artillery Company while in France. Letter dated B.E.F. British Expeditionary Force 14 October, 1917, France sent to 'Pat' at home in Ireland. Denis Hayes refers to the 'frightful rain' and remarks that the 'days of the officer class are over'.

Alfred’s Great Niece Sue Armitage inherited an incredible collection of items from Alfred relating to the war. These include medals, identity discs, exemption and wound badges, photos and a piece of shell casing. Alfred had reserved occupation status as a steelworker in Sheffield but chose to sign up with his mates anyway. He was wounded in the knee by a piece of shell casing in May 1916 and this ended his war. Alfred’s wounds never healed and he had a limp until the day he died but this wound prevented him from fighting in the Battle of the Somme where many of his mates died. He was given the shell casing from his knee and brought it home with him as a reminder of his service. || The shell casing from Alfred's knee; Notification of Alfred's wound; Alfred's medals (including 'Pip', 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'); Alfred's identity disc; Certification of war badge; 1915 On War service Badge; Silver war badge issued to wounded men; Alfred; Alfred's wife to be, Jessie; Alfred with bike; Alfred in uniform; Notification of wound || || Official document || Medical || Notification of Alfred's wound || Trench Life || || Photograph || Alfred Armitage in uniform || || Alfred Armitage before signing up with bike || Photograph || || Women || Jessie, Alfred's soon-to-be wife || Photograph || || Photograph || Studio portrait of Alfred before signing up || || Alfred's War Badge (awarded after his wounding in 1916) || Medal || || Other || On war Service 1915 badge showing Alfred's status as a reserved occupation worker || Manufacture || Home Front || || Official document || Notification of Alfred's war badge || Medical || Trench Life || || Other || Alfred's Identity disc || || Trench Life || Medal || Alfred's campaign medals incl. 'Pipsqueak and Wilfred' || || Medical || Official document || Trench Life || Notification of Alfred's wound || || Trench Life || Medical || Shell casing that hit Alfred in the Knee, May 1916 || Other