Oldham Historical Research Group

'THE GREAT WAR', 'THE WAR TO END WAR', 'WORLD WAR 1'
'What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
- Only the monstrous anger of the guns.'
from 'Anthem for Doomed Youth' by Wilfred Owen

1914 - 1918

LETTERS & CARDS SENT FROM OVERSEAS

Letter sent from John Thomas Fenton, in the 17th Manchesters, who was a Prisoner of War in Sprottau

WW1 letter- card

Letter postmarked 27-4-17, written April 9th, 1917, to Mrs. Goodyear,
at Failsworth Wesleyan War Comforts Society.

Letter, below the fold, reads :

Dear Mrs. Goodyear, Just a few lines in answer to
your welcome letter. Excuse me for not writing before
now as I have mislayed your letter and I also
thank you very much indeed for the bread
I was receiving from you and also about your
writing for clothes for me which I have received
and I think it is very good of you indeed to
go to so much trouble. I give your best respects
to G. Lowe. Yours truly, Pte. J.T.Fenton.

When folded, the letter shows :

on the left : -
The Sender's
name and address:
Regtl No. Y9123 95/42
Rank, Name : Private
John Thomas Fenton
Regt. or Corps:
17th Manchester Regiment.

Gefangenenlager
Sprottau (Schlesien)
Germany.

on the right : -
the intended recipient's
Name and address : -
Mrs. Goodyear,
Failsworth Wesleyan WCS,
Failsworth,
Lancashire,
England

Link to a Youtube clip about the Sprottau Prisoner of War Camp, with Photographs
HERE

John Thomas Fenton was also the subject of a War Comforts letter, written in 1917.
(click on image to read it)

Contributed by : Martin Goodyear