15th September 1917
Announcement Date: 15/09/1917
“Our Coy. front was part of the ruins of Messines & from there along the ridge to the left. Of course you will think of it as street fighting but it is nothing of the sort as the whole town is blown to pieces with our shells. You can’t tell where the streets were & the whole village looks more like so many acres of dredge tailings than anything else. Closer inspection reveals all sorts of smashed up furniture & household goods. Messines now is only a name the few bricks that are left will soon be used up for roadmaking etc. & the place will be forgotten by all except those whose especial interest has been centred here.”
Len Shepard – Letter 66 – France
Read full letter here.