Letter from Major Frederick Walton to Mrs Watson
Reporting Frederick Walton's promotion to command of 18th DLI
18th Bn Durham Light Infantry
B.E.F
4-12-18
Dear Mrs Watson
You will, no doubt, be surprised to know that I am commanding the 18th Battalion now. I was sent up here and spent the time before the armistice chasing the Hun, and after the armistice in tramping almost to the coast. We have just got settled into our area and are getting ready for Xmas and the winter weather.
The 6th Battalion was taken over by an old Scotsman but about a fortnight ago they were demobilised. I applied for as many of them as I could get as soon as I heard of the demobilisation and am likely to get them here soon. In fact some have come already.
The officers have gone to various Regiments and are unhappy. There is no chance of me getting them here as I already have 44 but I want to get the men settled if I can. The few that have come are delighted. The band ought to come soon. Some General at the base wants them but I have written to say that if they are taken by anybody, the instruments must be sent you or paid for, to the extent of about £200. The Bandsmen all want to come to me so I hope I may win. The Xmas dinner we intended to have in Rouen has not taken place and I am having to organise here, now. Lord Durham appeared to have been the ‘patron saint’ of this but as yet we have had no news of him.
These men are nearly all from County – mostly about Durham, Stockton and Hartlepool. They are not as good as our old 6th men and have not seen a tenth of the fighting. I am hoping to have them as good soon but the trouble of lack of fighting cannot be rectified now – happily.
Colonel Jeffries thinks that all Territoral Battalions are to be reorganised and made up to strength soon. I should like to think ours would be made up to come home, but feel sure it will not be reformed until we are all home again.
I wish to offer you my best thanks for all you did whilst I was with the 6th Battalion both as second-in-command and commanding officer. Nobody did more and it would have been impossible for anybody to have done more, than you did for me. The band was the best institution in the Battalion and it was entirely due to your work that it existed as it did. I hope to be able to come thank you personally before so very long.
You will be interested to know that the late Colonel Robson said he hopes to come to Barnard Castle after the war on a similar mission of appreciation.
I trust you are all well.
Yours Very Sincerely
Fred Walton
Date: 4-Dec-1918
Reference: D/DLI 2/6/10 (492)
Where to find this: Durham County Record Office
Contributed by Fiona Johnson - Durham
