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Grand Bank Soldier: The War Letters of Lance Corporal Curtis Forsey
“The Germans started to shell us and give us some hot machine gun fire. A lot of our men died that day. . . . I got a piece of shrapnel in the ankle but continued to carry on until 11 o’clock when I got two bullets in the left thigh [and] I fell into a shell hole full of water . . .” -- Curtis Forsey’s description of the scene at Ypres, Belgium, September 29, 1918
Grand Bank Soldier consists of 51 letters that Lance Corporal Curtis Forsey wrote to his mother and father back home in Grand Bank during the 19 months he was on active duty in World War I. He saw action with the Newfoundland Regiment at Passchendaele Ridge, at Bailleuil, and at Kieberg Ridge, where, in late September 1918, he was wounded by two bullets and a piece of shrapnel. Forsey was recuperating in an English hospital when the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. After the war he returned home to manage the family business, Patten & Forsey. Curtis Forsey died in 1993, a respected community leader and a man who lived a life of honour and integrity.
Grand Bank Soldier consists of 51 letters that Lance Corporal Curtis Forsey wrote to his mother and father back home in Grand Bank during the 19 months he was on active duty in World War I. He saw action with the Newfoundland Regiment at Passchendaele Ridge, at Bailleuil, and at Kieberg Ridge, where, in late September 1918, he was wounded by two bullets and a piece of shrapnel. Forsey was recuperating in an English hospital when the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. After the war he returned home to manage the family business, Patten & Forsey. Curtis Forsey died in 1993, a respected community leader and a man who lived a life of honour and integrity.
161 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 13, 2019
This is a good addition to the collection of books on the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during the First World War. This book contains a collection of 51 of the letters written by Curtis Forsey while he was on active duty.
It is quite different from the several memoirs that I recently read on the RNR as he served during the latter part of the war, was wounded and spent time in a hospital in England. Because they are letters (generally short ad paper was scarce), we get a sense of some of the things that a soldier was worrying about (money as they were paid little and had to buy some of their kit and food, tobacco, socks, etc). He also provides a glimpse into the importance of family and maintaining connections while serving.
We take communications (and instant communications) for granted today but during the First World War, it was quite different. At times, it could take months for a letter to find its recipient (if it wasn’t lost). Those challenges are clearly evident in Forsey’s letters.
It is quite different from the several memoirs that I recently read on the RNR as he served during the latter part of the war, was wounded and spent time in a hospital in England. Because they are letters (generally short ad paper was scarce), we get a sense of some of the things that a soldier was worrying about (money as they were paid little and had to buy some of their kit and food, tobacco, socks, etc). He also provides a glimpse into the importance of family and maintaining connections while serving.
We take communications (and instant communications) for granted today but during the First World War, it was quite different. At times, it could take months for a letter to find its recipient (if it wasn’t lost). Those challenges are clearly evident in Forsey’s letters.
April 12, 2012
"Riggs justifies this volume as 'in no way a sign of disrespect but a tangible means of honouring [Curtis Forsey] and his fellow soldiers,' a goal that is achieved in this valuable and carefully curated publication." -- Newfoundland Quarterly
"[Curtis Forsey's] descriptive words carry the full impact of the action in the trenches of Europe." -- The Southern Gazette
"Historians will certainly find this book intriguing." -- Atlantic Books Today
"A compelling and informative read." -- Canadian Military History
"[Curtis Forsey's] descriptive words carry the full impact of the action in the trenches of Europe." -- The Southern Gazette
"Historians will certainly find this book intriguing." -- Atlantic Books Today
"A compelling and informative read." -- Canadian Military History
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews