letter from WW1 soldier part 1

[nvb272]

HI

is there any one that decipher this letter as i have am really struggling to do it.
would be mega grateful.

[Milliepede]

Quite a lot there, are you able to break it down or highlight the words/sentences you are really stuck with to make it simpler?

[goldie61]

Here's a start:
(Dear) Sir or Sirs
On the 25 of April 19/18 at Mount kemmel
the enemy treid to make a hig attack
and we had orders from one OC to fetch
the guns out of action and to save them from
the enemy’s hands which we did as the enemy was advancing
very fast and while we were retiring a wheel of No 2 gun
fell in pieces being shattered with shappnel and the gun team
had orders to unhook it and leave it as the harnes could not
shift it over the rough ground.......


As Milliepede says, why not have a go at some more and post the bits you can't make out?
Good luck.

[Karen McDonald]

I think it might be "the horses could not shift it..."

I agree - perhaps nvb272 could let us know which bits are tricky to read.

Best regards,
Karen

[goldie61]

I think it might be "the horses could not shift it..."

I agree - perhaps nvb272 could let us know which bits are tricky to read.

Best regards,
Karen

Hmm. Not sure about 'horses' Karen.
The second letter could possibly be an 'o' instead of an 'a', but I can't see the fourth letter being an 's' instead of an 'n'.
The writer makes all 's's I can see pretty much the same.

'Harness' is usually written with 2 's's, but then there are some irregular spelling of other words too in the letter.

[Karen McDonald]

Hmm. Not sure about 'horses' Karen.
The second letter could possibly be an 'o' instead of an 'a', but I can't see the fourth letter being an 's' instead of an 'n'.
The writer makes all 's's I can see pretty much the same.

'Harness' is usually written with 2 's's, but then there are some irregular spelling of other words too in the letter.

There are lots of irregular spellings and it reads as though he wrote it in a hurry.

I sat looking at the word for a long time, as the letters are a little strangely formed, but I still think it could be "horses", though, as there are later references to horses and it would certainly make sense concerning the context.

Lower down in the letter, he writes "got mounted and cantered away". The end of the word has been amended, but it can only be "cantered", meaning there is no "s" in the word. What is definitely an "r" (but looks like an "s") is extremely similar to what would be the "r" in "horses" in the first section.

Best regards,
Karen

Edit: I'm harping on about the letter "r" and you were actually talking about "s". Oops. 
Having had (yet) another look, I disagree a wee bit about his "s" being consistent - it varies wildly. Sometimes a clear "s", sometimes almost a circle, sometimes almost an "8" and sometimes just a blob...

Edit II: I've just noticed that the best comparison is in the same sentence: ...orders to unhook...   

[brinda]

Hi nvb272,

I didn't read the other posts and just tried to translate it for you with fresh eyes, so to speak. It seems your letter author didn't always use punctuation so I think you have to read that into it as you follow along. Here goes for what it's worth - with lot's of best guesses:

Dear Sir or Sirs,
On the 25th of April 1918 at mount Kenard(?) the enemy tried to make a big attack and we had orders from one OC to fetch the guns out of action and to save them from the enemy’s hands which we did as the enemy was advancing my first and while we were retrieving a wheel of No 2 gun fell in having being (been?) shattered with shappnel (shrapnel?) and the gun team had ordered to unhook and leave it as the horses could not shift it over the rough ground the gun was left at a place called atebar corner(?) A(rtillery) dump facing Kenard Hill the gun layed there 4 days till a new wheel was put on it by Prt ? K(?) and a team was told off by orders of the CO of the Battery to fetch the gun which which was ready for pitching back to the ? which the battery had taken up something like 1,800 yards back to hold the enemy which this did, the gun team that had orders to fetch the gun sat about 600 yards from the gun mentioned and received articles from the officer in charge of the team to turn back on account of the enemy’s heavy shelling and machine gun fire which was not safe for the team to proceed the gun as the enemy had a good observation from the position he held for a little while. The battery turned out a team 4 times to get the gun and could not get it owing to heavy shelling from the enemy each time they turned out to proceed to fetch the gun. On the 29th of April 1918, I took a gun into action which had come from N, ordinance at ? in the place of No 2 gun and at the same time at 11/30 on the 29th I ? to my section officer 2nd Lt Weinhurst (?) to fetch the gun mentioned in charge of S. K. Schirengell 2nd LT proceeded to the gun and when 600 yards from… received orders from my Officer in Charge to that… as the enemy had been proceeding… from his o past.
… the enemy started to shell… my hearing and round about the gun… gun and shells were dropping all around… flying everyone then I hooked into the gun. Still on hearing shell fire and wild fire one lost no time in hooking in which was done very quick I had orders from my O.I.C. to get mounted as he said it was very unhealthy to being about too long and when i got my reins in my left hand and left foot in the stirrup in to next I saw a fire coming towards us I thought it was on of our own Tommys but at second look it was an enemy I took two shots at him with a French revolver I carried which i had picked up in March round about that district and got mounted and cantered away with the gun still under shell fire. (R? S? ) S. H. John(?) 2nd Lieutenant got hit in the left sleeve one took the gun to my lines and then my officer in charge took my name and number and said he would recommend me to my Major of all my battles McCarg M. C. b/162 Bde 303 Dir R. F. A.
R? S? my No 1 set gunning M. M. of my Sch Section told me I was commended from the M. M. For the deed I had carried out and faced I would hear about it later on Den Sci I have not heard anything since that date and I am writing to ask you if you will please see into it for me I think i(t) must have got delayed as I know my OC had quite enough on his mind that day and will gen office and let me know if i am entitled to have that honour until I receive it and allege.
I am your truly, R. F. T. Shemen 13/28 R. F. C. E. 33 Pui
Present address
R. F. A. Shemen
13128
14 Con? Camp 3 Pui
L Company ? No 6
B E F
France

Hope that helps a little?
Brinda

[Karen McDonald]

Hi Brinda,

I was only replying - I didn't start the thread. 

Best regards,
Karen

[brinda]

Sorry about that Karen - I hit the send too soon : )