Berryman Letters

650 letters home from 5 brothers during #WW1, each one published 100 years after it was written. Follow @FamilyLetters for project news & #WW1Centenary comment.

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

Thank you for following the Berryman siblings through the last five years. This final post tells you what happened to them next and says some things about the way this project has changed me. It's been a privilege and a joy but I too am ready to move on.
https://t.co/6zqixM14pc

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

19 Jan 1928
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
I have had letters from the family about my tragedy [and] one from Charles Swan telling me he knew all about it & how dreadful it was, but he & Marjorie had not yet told their father; but I wrote to him of course
https://t.co/NlZE8wTEPz

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

6 Jan 1928
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
I suppose Nannie knows more than anyone, & naturally I should want to ask her masses of questions etc - truly she has behaved in a wonderful way & deserves every praise & my thanks for looking after the children 
https://t.co/dK5PyBinQq

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

24 Dec 1927
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
Am so awfully pleased to hear you are having such a large party for Christmas and I earnestly hope that you will all forget about my tragedy & enjoy yourselves. I ought to be hearing about now what has been done.
https://t.co/I7oRHvuwaq

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

12 Dec 1927
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
I had letters from Joan & Paddy the other day – very well written. They sent me photographs – taken in their school kit – but I don't think they are very good – do you? They both look so spikey!
https://t.co/XjCU8B3MQC

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

29 Nov 1927
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
I am dreadfully anxious about how my domestic affairs are getting on - but it is quite hopeless for me to say anything more about it-
I only hope it will all go smoothly and the sorrow and anguish will soon pass.
https://t.co/N8ZmjWByrL

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

19 Nov 1927
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
Things are quiet still up our way- though there is another big war going on in the Hankow area – but our Chinese up here are so called “friendly” with the side that is winning at present – so we are not worrying
https://t.co/ScDitQS2a9

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

11 Nov 1927
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
I’m abed with flue –  least it’s OK now & I’m feeling much better- Started last Sunday & I’ve had a rotten 4 days – no food or anything – sweating the fever out- I have come ashore to a house to recuperate-
https://t.co/aY4KeZi9u4

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

31 Oct 1927
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
I am wondering awfully what is happening about Nance & the kids – I am afraid this is a terrible time for you Mater – I dare'nt tell you how worried I am - & how much trouble is being caused – through it all.
https://t.co/XmHL1E8wyM

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

26 Oct 1927
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
Seems to be more trouble brewing on the River these days, mines being laid & more battles.The bandits started at Bias Bay again – A dreadful show aboard the Irene & all those wretched people on that Submarine.
https://t.co/QP1yEMmVet

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

20 Sep 1927
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan ]
We arrived up in Chunking again after a very quiet trip- No shootings. We stayed at Wanhsien for a day- and it being near the anniversary of the bombardment the people naturally rather resented us being there
https://t.co/ILeVTMcOgn

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

19 Nov 1926
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
I heard from Nance about the trouble over the house – I was almost certain she had bought “Riversdale” & so I have all my letters there, now I hear she has not bought it so don’t know where to send letters again.
https://t.co/StNMrXZxHk

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

8 Nov 1926
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
Nance says she is longing to get into the new house – poor old thing- I hope she is allright. I still have’nt had her letters telling me about what the house is like. I only know it’s called ‘Riversdale’.
https://t.co/DGzG334XPb

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

31 Oct 1926
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
I am asking someone to send you some rather pretty table mats & tablecloth for Christmas. I sent Nance some the other day. They are made in the Chinese Missions at Ichang. Hope you will like them.
https://t.co/5vmOzlHSTT

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

20 Sep 1926
Paul to his mother
HMS Widgeon, Shanghai
This Bombardment business has created a lot of unpleasant feeling; naturally – and anything may happen- The Red troops are very busy lower down the River & we are expecting them up here– but who knows
https://t.co/LMh6rWhKaO

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

18 Sep 1926
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
I have had a letter from Nance – I never knew Joan & Paddy had an operation – & don’t know what it was – & poor wee kids with whooping cough – but N says they are very cheery in spite of it.
https://t.co/X7Y8XKZ0q5

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

7 Sep 1926
Paul to his mother
[Szechuan]
Daresay there is something in the papers about our show on Sunday – at “Wanhshien” – really a terrific battle – and I am allright – but I fear we had a few unfortunate casualties altogether
https://t.co/nRHFBBIpwj

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

2 Sep 1926
Paul to his mother
H.M.S. WIDGEON
Chunking
I unfortunately ran the Widgeon ashore on a rock – but we got off allright - This river is dreadful – but apparently most people do it sometime or other – so I am not altogether in the best of moods
https://t.co/0wrjBZAPMx

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

22 Aug 1926
Paul to his mother
H.M.S. Widgeon, SZECHUAN
Troublous times ahead I fear – these Chinese seem to be continually waging war – I am going up the river this week to show the flag & try & suppress some boycotting & commandeering of British ships
https://t.co/9J0XQpC1Ci

[Berryman Letters @BerrymanLetters]

19 Aug 1926
Paul to his mother
H.M.S. WIDGEON
SZECHUAN
The whole thing is endeavouring to protect the British trade up here & the Chinese will try & boycott all of it – & we are not allowed to take any drastic measures
https://t.co/5LtuiDtNF0