Edwin's Story.
Son of Mr. Alick Proudlove and Mrs. Anna Winifred Proudlove of 19, Holmes Chapel Road, Congleton, Cheshire and Bromley Farm, Congleton, Cheshire. He had three sisters, Emily, Annie and Ada Proudlove, along with three brothers, Alick, William and Jesse Proudlove. William and Jesse Proudlove also served with the colours and survived the war. Private Edwin Proudlove of the 8th Battalion, the Cheshire Regiment who were under the command of the 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division arrived at Basra on the 28th of February 1916 having been evacuated from the failed Gallipoli campaign some weeks before. Fresh new drafts of men had arrived and whilst they were not yet fully trained, they were fit and ready for action. By March, it was becoming clear that the situation at Kut was becoming hopeless. Food supplies were almost exhausted, and disease was of epidemic proportions. It was decided to make a last attempt to relieve the 9000 men still trapped in the city. The British 13th Division including the 8th Battalion, the Cheshire Regiment were fully prepared for the attack. They had practised for a month, using full scale dummy trenches. Ample artillery was available. Concealed trenches had been dug, leading out from the British front line to within 50 yards of the Turkish line. The attack would be on positions at El Hanna, approximately 20 miles north west of Kut. As far as the Cheshire's were concerned, the plan was that other troops would attack and secure the Turkish front line. The Cheshire's, advancing close behind, would overlap and take the third line of trenches. The leading Battalions found that the attack had been expected and that the Turkish army had already withdrawn to newly fortified positions at Fallahiya, a couple of miles away. On the 9th of April, another attempt was made, but it is clear that there had been completely inadequate planning or reconnaissance. The Cheshire's advanced the planned 600 yards and then charged towards the expected enemy trenches. After running as hard as they could, they reached no trenches, but drew a hail of small arms fire. They stopped to re organise and charged again, but still did not come across the enemy trench. By now almost all of the Cheshire's were exhausted and could go no further. A small number made a third charge and reached the Turkish trench only to be shot down. The 8th Battalion relieved the forward Battalions of the 3 rd Division early on the 18th of April and were continuously engaged in strenuous trench warfare until the 19th of May with one day's rest for a wash and brush up in a rest camp on the 7th of May. The total casualties in the Battalion during the month were, including the sick, eighteen Officers and 355 Other Ranks. It is not known when Private Edwin Proudlove became sick with fever or where he died, but it is very likely he took part in the action during April 1916.
The following letters were written by Private Proudlove to his family at home. By kind permission of Derek Proudlove, Liverpool.
Dear, Sister Annie,
Just a line or two to say that I am very sorry I did not call round at Wadsens to see you, but never thought until I got in Chester but never mind, I shall soon be over again.
So, Goodbye from your loving brother, Edwin.
P.S. Send me a photo of you and one of Arnold.
Private Proudlove, No. 26577, The Gamlins, Birkenhead.
Dear, Mum and Dad,
Just a few lines to say that I have been moved to Birkenhead, I have met up with a few pals out here. Will you send me Uncle Edwin's address for I can cross the water for a two penny return, so I can go some night and see them. We have from half past six to half nine, so let me know if I can go at that time. I have been wondering how it is that you have not written before now. I go to see every morning and have received nothing yet. I should like to know how Florrie and Lily are going on. I am going to try to put in for a pass, I think I can get one for I have got in thick with one of the Sergeants and I think he will get me one. Remember all the children and all my Friends. I think this is all this time.
So Goodbye from your loving son, Edwin.
On the 5th of December 1915, when part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Private Proudlove wrote the following letter to his parents.
My Dear, Mother and Dad,
We have been moved from the place where we were at when I wrote to you last. We are at a big place here and we are waiting for the 8th Battalion Cheshire's to come out of action for a rest and then I suppose we shall be cut up and sent back with them when they go back. We have had quite a fine time up to now, we have had six weeks on the water and only came off yesterday, December the 4th 1915, but through all my enjoyment I always think about my dear Dad for I often wonder if my Brother goes out with the milk float at night, for it is too much for dad after working hard all the day, won't it be nice when I get home and do the milk round and help dad through the day for I shall be a different boy when I get home to you all, won't it be nice for me to be driving the cart and the milk float and Dad able to sit by the fire these cold winter nights, for he deserves it for what he has done for me and my dear Brothers and Sisters. I often pray at night for a quick and safe return to all who are dear to me and God I know will answer my prayers for "in him" I have found a good friend, he has always helped me through all my troubles. Finally brethren whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report and if there be virtue and if there be any praise think on these things (Philippians Chapter 4 Verse 8) I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me (Philippians Chapter 4 Verse 13) But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in the glory of Christ Jesus (Philippians Chapter 4 Verse 19) Lead kindly light.
Remember me to all at home. From your dearly loving son, Edwin.
My Dear Mother, and Dad,
I suppose you will wonder how it is I have not wrote for quite a long time, but we have been quite busy driving these Turks back which we are still doing up to the time of writing this letter. The first attack we had was very hard for we advanced in the daylight and where we met up with very heavy rifle and machine gun fire, but we stuck it well, every time we get down, I Prayed to God that he would help me through and I sang that little hymn, need thee every hour" and God helped me and brought me through. We have had about a fortnight in the trenches up to the time of writing this letter. I wrote a letter a few days back and put Lewis Worth's in with it and gave it to a pal of mine to send for me but he was too late to have it censored and now the poor lad is missing. Mother dear, you were thinking of sending me a parcel but do not put fruit in it or cake, put biscuits for I received a parcel from Ethel and she put four apples in it and it spoiled all of the biscuits and chocolate, all that was good, tin of cocoa, salmon and soup. Mother, Dad will you write to all my friends for me. I cannot return letters to them all, I have not got the time. Dear Dad, I hope you are going on alright with the work at home for I often look at the letter you sent me and how I am longing for the time when I come home and stay. How sorry I am to hear about Willie being such a bad boy for you, but tell him there will come a time when he will remember all that he has done wrong. Think this is all this time.
From your ever loving son, Edwin. Remember me to all my dear brothers and sisters.
Good Night and God Bless You.
P.S. Will you send me word if James is still with you at home, as Peter Barker was asking about him and give me a list of killed, wounded and missing of our Regiment and send them on.
13th February 1916, No Address.
My Dear, Mother and Dad,
Just a line to sat that we are having a very rough time at present but I hope I shall be better later on. We left England on Friday and I have never been right since, but I seem to be taking better ways. I do not know how father went on when he went to America, but it has touched me up. I said above once on Sunday, I knew one who would break her heart if she knew what I was going through, but never mind mother dear, if we look to God he will carry me through and tell father to give Willie a good talking to for he is a bad lad. I am sure if had only gone through half of what I have gone through then he would be a different boy. I suppose you will have got the letter I wrote on the train.
From your ever loving son, Edwin, to his dear Mother and Dad, remember me to all at home, Mary and Annie.
8th Cheshire Regiment, Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces, c/o G.P.O. London.
My Dear, Mother and Dad,
I am going on fine now mother dear and we have not landed yet, but we are getting on fine now. It was crossing the bay where it was so bad. On Sunday we had a little service in the Officer's sitting rooms and I was that bad I thought I could not get down there, but mother I prayed to God and asked him for strength u to hold out" and it came to me and I was able to go down and wait until the finish. So Mother dear, there are a big lot that need your prayers that cannot prey for themselves. I talk to some of them and some take notice of me but others sneer at me, but never mind we will put our trust in God and he will bring me safe home again to you all. Dear Dad, I have seen over the sickness and I am alright now. I slept on deck last night, Monday. Remember me to all at home.
From your ever loving son, Goodnight and God bless you all, Edwin.
Extract from The Congleton Chronicle 1916.
This week comes the news of the death of Private Edwin Proudlove a youngster of 16 years of age, who has been fighting with the Indian Expeditionary Forces for the past four months. From information to hand it appears that after fighting against the Turks with great bravery and bearing the inconveniences inseparable from trench warfare for several months, he contracted fever from which he succumbed. His unexpected demise came as a great shock to his family, to whom the sympathy of all will go out. A cheery letter from Private Proudlove was received only a few days ago, telling of the stirring times through which he was passing The following is his last letter home.
Dear, Mother and Dad,
I expect you will wonder what is the reason why I have not written to you before this, but we have been very busy driving the Turks back and we have had quite a big success. So I suppose you will excuse me not writing for so long. It is now about ten o clock on Good Friday morning and we have just had breakfast, I don't suppose it is one like yours, it was a biscuit and a bit of jam, but never mind there goes a mail from the trench today and one comes tomorrow, so I am looking forward to a nice little feed tomorrow. I have managed to get a few envelopes and writing paper, so I will write to you as many times as I can. I am going to put a few lines at the bottom and chance it going to you. Think this is all.
From Your Loving Son, Edwin.
When we relieve Kut el Amara, I believe we are going to Bombay and from there to home.
Researched by John and Christopher Pullen