One soldier's letter home to his young wife encapsulates the helplessness of an individual in such circumstances. Charles May served in the 22nd Battalion Manchester Regiment, although the sentiments he expresses could have been written by any of the enlisted men on the front, fighting for any side:
“I must not allow myself to dwell on the personal – there is no room for it here. Also it is demoralising. But I do not want to die. Not that I mind for myself. If it be that I am to go, I am ready. But the thought that I may never see you or our darling baby again turns my bowels to water.
…My one consolation is the happiness that has been ours. Also my conscience is clear that I have always tried to make life a joy for you, and I know that if I go, you will not want. That is something.
But it is the thought that we may be cut off from each other which is so terrible and that our babe may grow up without my knowing her and without her knowing me. It is difficult to face. And I know your life without me would be a dull blank.
Yet you must never let it become wholly so, for you will be left with the greatest challenge in all the world; the upbringing of our baby. God bless that child, she is the hope of life to me.
My darling, au revoir. It may well be that you will only have to read these lines as ones of passing interest. On the other hand, they may well be my last message to you. If they are, know through all your life that I loved you and baby with all my heart and soul, that you two sweet things were just all the world to me. I pray God I may do my duty, for I know, whatever that may entail, you would not have it otherwise.”
- Captain Charles May to his wife Maude. June 16th, 1916.
Charles was killed by a german shell on July 1st at the Battle of the Somme.
