Next in the family came two brothers who both took part in WW1. Frederick(Fred) was born in 1893 and George, my father, in 1896 and they grew up as close companions. They are seen in this photo with my father in the chair with Spot the dog. My father had had an appendix operation in Canterbury Hospital and had a long period of rest, as was usual then.
Fred worked on the farm but was obviously interested in medical matters as he was part of the Boughton Ambulance Brigade. He had a young lady called Evelyn who was close to the family.
Fred joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in WW1 and sent a telegram to his brother George when he was about to go to the Front.
I have some postcards that Fred sent home during the War. In one card he says that he has met Alf Fletcher, also of Staple Street, and a school friend. Most of the postcards are humorous and he says that he is A1. It is plain that they are sending parcels and money when needed.
The first Postcard is from 11th November 1915
The transcribed text reads:
11.5.15: ‘Dear E, Alf Fletcher is only about a stones through from us and I have walked into Aldershot with him this afternoon as we are done from 2 till half past 9 on Saturday. We have just had some tea. We did not get any money yesterday we shall get any before next week but still I have got plenty. From your L.B. Fred
‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’
The following Postcard is from 5th August 1916:
The transcribed text reads:
2.30PM – 5.8.16 ‘Dear E, Just a card to let you know I have received letter with note. Thanks very much. Am pleased to hear you got the money, and I guess you will have got my letter asking you for some. Am just A goodbye from Y.L.B. Fred.’
‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’
The following Postcard is from 11th August 1916:
The transcribed text reads:
11.8.16: ‘Dear Edith, just a card to let you know I am A.1 we had some sports yesterday and I won a prize a gold tie pin. Weather was lovely. Hoping you are all well goodbye love to all from your L.B. Fred’
‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’
The next Postcard is from the 12th September 1916:
The transcribed text reads:
12.9.16: ‘Dear Mother, Just a card to let you know I shall be coming home on Thursday. Goodbye love to all from Evelyn & Fred.’
‘Mrs J Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’
The next Postcard is from 23rd of ? 1916:
The transcribed text reads:
23.?.16: ‘Dear Edie, Just a card to let you know I got back alright I have got Harty’s letter with hankies alright and have had a letter from George and Em. I am just going to post this and then undo the parcel and do myself a bit of good. Goodbye from Y.L.B Fred
‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’
The following postcard is from 16th August 1917:
The transcribed text reads:
16.8.17: ‘Dear Edie, just a card to let you know I am getting on A.1. Hoping you are all the same. By now you will be back off your holiday and I hope you have had a ripping time with love to all from Fred xxxxx’
‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’
The next Postcard is from the 24th August 1917:
The transcribed text reads:
24.8.17: ‘Dear Edith, Just a card to let you know I am keeping A1. Will you send on Wills address please. The weather is lovely hoping you are enjoying the same from Y L B Fred xxxx’
‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’
The next Postcard is from the 29th August 1917:
The transcribed text reads:
29.8.17: ‘Dear Edie, just a card to let you know I am getting on A.1. Hoping you are all the same from your L.B. Fred xxxxxxxxx’
‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’
The following postcard is from 9th September 1917:
The transcribed text reads:
9.9.17: ‘Dear E, Many thanks for paper and letter received today am A1. Hoping this finds you all the same from Y.L.B Fred xxx’
‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’
The next Postcard is from the 25th June 1918:
The transcribed text reads:
25.6.18: ‘Dear Mother this is a view of the place where we were staying when I first went in to hospital. Am getting on A.1. now with love from Fred.’
‘Mrs J Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’
The next Postcard is from the 30th June 1918:
The transcribed text reads:
30.6.18: ‘Dear Edith, Just a card to let you know I am getting on first rate. Have been up a little while this afternoon and went to a concert, it was great this is a view on top of a hill and I have been round here many a time. Goodbye from Y.L.B. Fred’
‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’
The last postcard is from the 20th of September but we are unsure on the year:
The transcribed text reads:
20.9.?: ‘Dear Edith, just a card to let you know I am getting on A.1 I have heard from E and she did not get my P.C. until Tuesday so that got mislaid. I wrote to mother on Sunday did she get it alright, goodbye love to all from Y.L.B. Fred’
‘Mrs E Horn, Staple St, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent’
Fred was killed in action in 1916 in Flanders. His memorial is in Hernhill Church.
Courtesy of Diana Jones Nee Horn