A passage of U-boat perils.

Byline: By Ray Marshall

This letter, found many years ago, gives an insight into the trials and tribulations of a local regiment heading overseas to the North West Frontier in India, during the First World War.

From England to India, Cuzrat Barracks, Punjab NW Frontier, India.

Dear Sis,

I have been asked to pen a few lines to you on behalf of myself and some of the Chester-le-Street lads now serving their King and country on the far North Western frontier of India.

We would be obliged if you would publish this too in the Chester-le-Street Chronicle, it's our account of our voyage from England to India. We left Devonport on the 20th February, 1916 by the troop ship SS Canada.

The first night at sea upset most of the men and the first day we were all seasick.

The worst of it was that we had to walk about the deck with lifebelts on all day and night till we went to bed. It was sickening for the men I can tell you.

In addition we had to go on guard every other day in turns and when we were not doing guards, we were kept drilling, it was enough to drive one out of one's mind. The first two days at sea were very rough but the third day was fine and on this day, I am sorry to say, we had a man belonging to Lumley who jumped overboard.

The ship was stopped and a boat was lowered but he could not be found. I may say that before he went overboard, he took off his life belts and gave his ring and money away to some of his chums. They thought he was just joking until he suddenly jumped. When he went over I threw him the first lifebelt and an officer also threw one but he took no notice of them. He just laughed, threw up his hands and sank. He was never seen again. It cast a gloom over all the officers and men.

On the Friday morning a submarine rose up astern of us and sank again. But the captain of the ship altered course to throw the submarine off track and ordered full speed ahead and we went that way all day and all night.

The submarine was seen no more but we were told that we were being chased all the time. We were accompanied by two torpedo boats at night until we reached Gibraltar, which we passed during the night of 23rd February.

Malta looked a fine sight with all her lights burning. Then late on a Sunday night a submarine rose up out of the sea abreast of us. Our captain ordered the ship to be put a point over to the star-board and then ordered full speed ahead and ran over the submarine before she sank.

When we had passed over the spot, there was nothing but a lot of oil and so we had one submarine put down to our account. Previous to our running the submarine down she had sunk two steamers.

We docked at Port Said on the February 29th for coal. It was a novel sight for anyone who had not seen coolies loading a ship. They chant all the time they are working, it is wonderful how fast they can load. All the work is done by hand.

A gang of coolies can put aboard more than 200 tons of coal per hour. They hold the world record for loading coal and the most they get is 4d a day. We left on March 1st.

We would have liked to have gone on shore but the officers would not allow us. They were afraid we would get into trouble, which was quite possible as there are some men who can't control themselves like men and therefore spoil others from enjoying themselves.

It looked a splendid place from where we were. All the ships were embarking soldiers for France and elsewhere. What a grand sight it was going up the Suez Canal, with palm trees on one side and sand all over.

We passed thousands of soldiers on both sides. We passed them, and Durham's, and how they cheered us. Our band played all the time through the day as we passed up the canal.

I remember some of the Durham's asking if there were any Chester lads on board. How we did cheer and shout, Yes.

It cheered us up and most likely it cheered them up too.

Those of the young men who are fit and have not joined the Army ought to be ashamed to face us or any of the Chester lads who are doing their bit for their King and country. They have to leave all comforts and pleasures behind when they go abroad.

We had a very rough passage after we left the canal until reaching Karikal in India, on March 12th.

What a grand place it is, we were glad to get ashore and walk about to take the stiffness out of our legs. We were taken for a short walk on the Sunday afternoon and after that we enjoyed ourselves in boating across the harbour and all round to see the sights.

We left at half past nine at night on March 13th and we were three nights and two days in the train. We passed all kinds of towns and villages and jungle on the way and now we have got here for a short time before we go up to the hills.

Talk about living on Waldridge Fell or any other place like that. I would far sooner live on Waldridge Fell than stop here. It is the first place that God made and he forgot to finish it. It is rotten, I will be glad when we get up to the hills. From where I am now sitting I can see the hills, or rather the Himalayan mountains, covered with snow, and where we are it is three times as hot as it is in summer in dear old England and this is spring time here. What summer is like goodness only knows. But we will manage, we always manage.

I have asked my wife to send me a newspaper from home every week. We never get any news here at all. ( Yours truly, Walter E Morson, 1583, 165 Platoon D Coy, 2nd Garrison Battalion NT.

Also signed by Clem Anderson, William Dodds, Bob Wilson, Mitchell, Mansel, Robson (Some of the lads from Chester-le-Street).

Diary of my voyage to India under war conditions on His Majesty Troop Canada from February 20th 1916.