Murdoch Munro Collection (1914-1919)
This website is being migrated to another platform. Please excuse any issues in viewing whilst this takes place.
To check on progress please go to http://www.lodgepunk.com/MMC/
Letters
The letters here date between 1914-1919. In total there are 37 letters and 10 postcards in the collection. Included here are both letters AND postcards for continuity of events. Please note that efforts were made to provide these in chronological order. This was not always possible as not all were dated. Therefore the date may have been estimated based on a corresponding envelope with postmark, or by the content of the letter providing clues as to when it may have been written. Many envelopes had become separated from their corresponding letters, therefore dating them was not always possible.
Some text was noted as [illegible] due to the fading of the text or because it was difficult to make out the word(s). I appreciate help in identifying words marked as illegible. I also welcome the identification of some of the people mentioned in the letters. Thank you in advance.
1
WW1 postcard from LC Murdoch Munro BEF to Miss M Munro, dated 4th December 1914
Murdoch mentions gettings fags. Early Carte Postale postcard with Red Ensign maritime flag motif. Also of interest are the spaces for writing specific information about the recipient such as regiment, battalion and so forth. The written contents of the postcard is unfortunately almost illegible.
Date Created
1914-12-04
Location
unknown
3
WW1 letter from LC Murdoch Munro to Mary Munro dated 13th December 1914
Murdoch mentions Christmas is near. He mentions getting new boots. He also mentions the chap from the town of Letters who was killed. 1 item (2 pages). Letter is in quite good condition although somewhat discolored.
Date Created
1914-12-13
Location
France (Western Front)
5
WW1 letter from LC Murdoch Munro to Miss M. C. Munro, dated 27th January 1915
Murdoch is in a rest camp. He mentions that he has met some nice people and can understand the language better. 1 item (2 pages). This letter has an accompanying envelope. The letter is discolored with some foxing.
Date Created
1915-01-27
Location
France
6
WW1 letter from LC Murdoch Munro to Mary Munro dated 3rd March 1915
Murdoch has just come back from the trenches. He mentions being shelled and lucky to escape. He mentions Hugh going to hospital with an injured hand. Murdoch mentions receiving scones, and requests cocoa. 1 item (2 pages). Discolored, some stains and foxing.
Date Created
1915-03-03
Location
France
8
WW1 field service postcard from LC Murdoch Munro to Miss Mary C Munro, dated 19th May 1915
Murdoch comments on Mary starting nursing, which is reflected in her address changing from Ardcharnich to Ross Memorial Hospital in Dingwall. Murdoch mentions seeing three zeppelins.Discolored.
Date Created
1915-05-19
Location
Calais (France)
9
WW1 letter sheet from LC Murdoch Munro to Miss Mary C M Munro, dated 30th May 1915
A pictorial lettersheet whereby sheet of paper can be folded, sealed around edges and sent without need for envelope making it lighter for transport. French decorative print motif of "Poilu" translated as "hairy one", endearing term for a French World War 1 infantryman. Murdoch mentions hose tops, a type of footless sock or caddie. 1 item (1 page).
Date Created
1915-05-30
Location
Calais (France)
10
WW1 letter sheet from LC Murdoch Munro to Miss Mary C Munro, dated 12th June 1915
Pictorial lettersheet whereby sheet of paper can be folded, sealed around edges and sent without need for envelope making it lighter for transport. French decorative print motif of "Poilu" translated as "hairy one", endearing term for a French World War 1 infantryman. Murdoch mentions the hose tops. He also mentions being in a big house where food is cooked for them. 1 item (1 page). Good condition but discolored.
Date Created
1915-06-12
Location
Calais (France)
11
WW1 letter from LC Murdoch Munro to Mary Munro dated 26th June 1915
Murdoch mentions receiving hosetops which are a footless stocking worn over socks He mentions having breeches but also mentions kilt. He asks for shoulder plates, possibly the brass plates with the regiment's name on it. 1 item(4 pages). The paper has slight discoloration and has ink stains.
Date Created
1915-06-26
Location
APO S4
12
WW1 letter from LC Murdoch Munro to Miss Mary C Munro and Nurse MD, dated 5th July 1915
Murdoch writes to both Mary and Nurse MD. He mentions needing the shoulder plates again, and also cigs (cigarettes). It has been very warm and he mentions how it is the same at home and it may harm the crops. Murdoch mentions Lady Fowles, a military funeral, and looking after two officers. He also mentions riding on a cavalry horse. 1 item (4 pages). I leaf has been folded to create four pages. Slight foxing.
Date Created
1915-07-05
Location
Calais (France)
15
WW1 letter from LC Murdoch Munro to Mary Munro circa 16th September 1915
Murdoch describes his soldier experience as he sits under a tree in a park in Calais. He talks about his schedule, and about the dressed up ladies. As "one of the leaves of the tree" is inscribed on letter, it may date this letter sometime to the leaf which was pressed and attached on a card backing, dating it to 16th September 1915.1 item (4 pages).
Date Created
1915-09-16
Location
Calais (France)
17
WW1 letter from LC Murdoch Munro to Nurse Munro, circa 14th November 1915
Murdoch mentions familiy photographs. He mentions Tucker going West, and also Colin Mackenzie and his wife. Murdoch requests a Glengarry cap. Letter dated based on possible corresponding envelope, and on letter content (specifically mentioning of the glengarry). 1 item(1 page).
Date Created
1915-11-14
Location
Calais (France)
18
WW1 letter from LC Murdoch Munro to Nurse Munro, dated 21st Nov 1915
Murdoch mentions he has changed address and left Calais. He mentions the nice people and the little girl he was teaching English. He is in a fine big town where he sleeps in a canvas hut along with the police. He is not with the regiment at this point, and unhappy with the conditions. He mentions the Y.M.C.A.hall. The letter has a Y.M.C.A. letterhead and has accompanying envelope with Y.M.C.A. motif. Some discoloration and foxing, but remains in good condition and colors of motif are vibrant.1 item (2 pages).
Date Created
21st November 1915
Location
Le Havre (France)
20
WW1 letter from LC Murdoch Munro to Mary Munro, undated circa 1915 (c/o Capt Mackenzie-AMLO, Le Havre) Friday
Murdoch asks if Phemie answered letter from Simmone. He mentions not being as content as in Calais. He mentions the YMCA and Soldier's Club. He asks about Nurse Davidson. Murdoch asks again about the Glengarry, and says he will send a Christmas card. 1 item (2 pages). Written on a pinkish hued paper, with slight discoloration and bleaching.
Date Created
1915
Location
Le Havre (France)
21
WW1 letter from LC Murdoch Munro to Nurse Munro,undated, YMCA, LeHavre, Police Barracks, c.1915-1916
Murdoch mentions the glengarry and that it is too big. He mentions having left the big house and being back at the barracks, and is sorry losing a good bed and other comforts. 1 item (2 pages). Good condition with slight foxing and discoloration.
Date Created
1915-1916
Location
Le Havre (France)
22
WW1 letter from LC Murdoch Munro to Nurse Munro, circa 8th March 1916_Pharrack
Murdoch mentions having a hard time thinking of things to say when letter writing, and how Mary told him off in her last letter. He mentions having toothache. Mentions England having rough times. He mentions the cinema. Letter starts in ink then moves to pencil and in brackets is written "sorry pen is no use". 2 items (3 pages). Y.M.C.A. letterhead.
Date Created
circa 1916-03-08
Location
Le Havre (France)
24
WW1 Field Service postcard from LC Murdoch Munro BEF, to Nurse Munro, dated 19 January 1917
Murdoch mentions receiving parcel and letter, and is sending postcard as there is no way of getting an envelope to put a letter in.He is back from trenches and resting. Sent when on active service in 3 Company 11 Platoon, 4th Seaforths, British Expeditionary Force. Censor and postmark clear. Sent 25th January 1917.
Date Created
1917-01-19
Location
France (Western Front)
25
WW1 field service postcard from LC Murdoch Munro to Nurse Munro, British Expeditionary Force, dated 1st February 1917
Murdoch again mentions having no envelopes. He mentions it being very cold, and not in the trenches. WW1 postcard. Written in light pencil, discolored.
Date Created
1917-02-01
Location
France (Western Front)
26
WW1 letter from LC Murdoch Munro to Nurse M C Munro dated 10th April 1917
Murdoch mentions still having snow in April. He mentions Phemie not going to Buckie perhaps because fares being too expensive, and also having received a letter from a friend in England. Murdoch asks about Jessie McRae, and mentions writing to N. Huston. 1 item (1 page).Good condition.
Date Created
1917-04-10
Location
France (Western Front)
27
WW1 letter from LC Murdoch Munro to Mary Munro dated 15th May 1917
Murdoch mentions trying to send a photo but was unable to. He mentions a Scotch friend in England, perhaps called Juliette? Murdoch mentions Mary is trying to go to a bigger hospital. Murdoch would like to be in Ardcharnich right now. Very thin paper, slight discoloration and some foxing.3 items (3 pages)
Date Created
1917-05-15
Location
unknown