These fascinating and deeply moving letters show that love can survive even through the incredibly harrowing experience of the Battle of Passchendaele.
I hope these stories will encourage more people to explore their past and apply to join in this summer's commemorations of this infamous battle.
- Rob Wilson MP
Private Charles Snelling sent heartfelt letters to his wife Alice and daughters in 1917. His letters have been preserved by his grandson Bob Snelling, from Surrey.
Bob's items include this embroidered lace postcard addressed to Charles' wife Alice,"with fondest love from your husband".
Alice's picture was found by chance in a Belgium wood, months after he was killed in action.
Ann Phillip's uncle Edward Woolley, known as Ted (pictured below) wrote to his sister in the summer of 1917, a few weeks before the big push began.
In his letters to his sister, Ted writes:
"I am glad you told me that you met Bessie and I think she is sorry now she throwed [sic] me up. But I am glad and if you see her again, tell her I have got another girl whether I have got one or not, tell her I have, but I am sorry for her if she has lost a brother out here."
Ted lost his life on 22 August 1917. His name appears on the Memorial to the Missing in Tyne Cot Cemetery.
Private Albert Ford wrote to his wife Edith (pictured below) just before he went over the top, his letters are now kept by their great-granddaughter Louise Argent from Devon.
One of Albert's letters reads:
"My darling if this should ever reach you it will be a sure sign that I am gone under and what will become of you and the chicks I do not know but there is one above that will see to you and not let you starve…You have been the best of wives and I loved you deeply, how much you will never know."
Albert was killed in action on 26 October, 1917.
Find out more about our commemoration plans to mark the centenary of Passchendaele and apply to the public ballot to attend the commemoration services at https://passchendaele100.org/
