Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-04-12

are among them and their music is
always so sweet: they often play in
the theatre of the camp.
Though there are different attrac-
tons here the time seems to be long.
1t is nearly three years we all are
separated from our family, and it is
so difficult to receive some news
from them. Be sure, Belgian people
suffer at present. but, 1 hope with the
aid of the United States. having al
ready done so much for our country,
the Germans who asked the war may
he defeated in a short time, and peace
is nearer than we know.
We have had a severe winter, too.
, 1t has frozen during many weeks, but
now, since a long time the weather is
very fine.
please do not pay attention if |
have made some mistakes for as you
know | am one of Mr.. Van Heckes
pupils and as l enjoy reading your
letters. I hope to hear soon again
from you and have the honour to be
Your sincere friend,
GOMAIRE DERBOVEN,
Belgian Soldier,
informed at Harderwijk
Barracll "a, Holland
Another letter is as follows in
part: Some days ago ! received
your kind letter and ] want to tell
You ! was very glad, for such nice
letter being agreeable to me | read
it over many times and have to
I'm, 70 hnl
in the English language.
THE American soldiers of whom
you wrote arrived in France, went
already to the fireline with our
French Allies and fought bravely
against the Germans. | think ii was
home and you could hear their music
from your window, How | like to
hear the playing of music too.
You ask me if | have been long at
this place. will tell you how l
came here. At the very beginning of
the war | belonged to the fortifica
ton of Antwerp. which is one of the
largest cities of Belgium. and when
the enemy began TO lombard the
town, after some days, we were
obliged 70 retreat for the superior
power, and our general, instead of to
have us made prisoners of war by the
Germans. preferred to exceed the
limits of a neutral country. SO We
arrived IN Holland on the 10 of De-
always been at the same place. You
can guess how long and tiresome it
seems to me.
Before the war lived at Nijlen, a
village If 5000 inhabitants. not far
from Antwerp, ana followed the
trade of q diamond polisher. ! have
lost very much by these unhappy
times. l am married man and when
this war broke out ! had three chill
dren. My youngest son died when |
was in the fireline. So ! have still a
daughter of ten and son Of nine
years old. 1t is more than three
years ago | saw them all. SO imag
inc how | wish to see the end of this
dreadful war. | think it maN-be the
same for you If I am married or not?
for | saw in your letter sent to Mr.
Van Hecke you would correspond
with everyone and nearly all those
who are here belonged to the fortifi-
cation which We're the oldest soldiers.
We have here about nine thousand
men in our camp and are sleeping in
wooden barracks. ] fear the coming
winter for we always have to be
without fire. If possible l will send
you some pictures of our camp. We
receive nut ten cents a day, so it is
impossible to buy all things we need,
for toba eco being already too dear
noY. Harderwijk is not a big town
and is lying on the Zuider Zee.
Il see IN your letter you have no
brothers TO go to war and you wish
you could go and help. You are do
ing a noble deed by working on band
ages for the Red Cross. | am the
eldest. I have still four brothers and
two sisters at home. My brother in
law is one of the best musicians was
taken prisoner by the Germans.
You ask me to send some or
chestra music. Certainly you can do
a favour to our musicians by sending
it to me.
LAS for the enclosed address l
handed ii over to my teachers and
he gave it to- another pupil who was
also pleased to have an opportunity
to write in English.
When | read the little piece of DO
etry (The Kaisers Prayer ! thought
you to be the author, for your letter
being SO we'll you might be able TO
have made it yourself.
Hoping you will write me soon
again ana thanking you once more I
send nv best greetings to your moth
er, but the kindest to you, and l re-
main,