1 Copy of letter from Capt. Spender
to Colonel James Craig.
4th JULY, 1916. My dear Colonel:— I have been trying to obtain more definite
news of your brother before writing, but beyond the bare state—
ment that he was wounded, and left in the German lines on the
retirement, I can get nothing definite, and have been unable to
go and make enquiries on the spot from the battalion. I have no
doubt you are being given all possible information available
direct by the battalion. I am very sorry for your anxiety. Your brother's field company is now attached
for duty to another Division for defensive purposes. I cannot write much of the battle. Our men
behave as never man have done before. Nothing could stop them,
and they won right through up to the last German lines of Defence.
Neither of our flanking divisions were able to advance at all,
and we were thus in a narrow salient two miles into the German
lines, unable to send up supplies, and raked on the right and left
with every form of devilment, including glass bombs. When the
division was withdrawn and replaced, we were able to hand over
two of the German lines, and the third cannot be occupied by either
side. I had to watch the fight powerless to help.
Everyone who was there belonging to other Corps was dumbfounded
by what our men did. Half of the Infantry of the Division deserved
the V.C. Nothing I believe has been done like it before — and
that is all one can say. The facts will never be given out I fear, as everyone
dislikes being associated with lack of success. It seems the
Ulstermen's fate to do the most incredi ble deeds for the Empire,
and to get no recognition, but I would rather be an Ulsterman than
a Peer of the realm, after what I saw. It is impossible for me to write details. Some day
perhaps I may be able to give you a tale of the battle as the
men rushed forward shouting No surrender boys, but not now. May your present negotiations bring prosperity to
Ulster. Forgive this very poor scrawl, but my eyes are only
just recovering from lachrymatory shell effects.
The General refused to select any battalion for special
mention, maintaining that the Devision as a whole has done.
He also says no other troops could have done what our men did. Yours ever,
W.B.W.