Tag Archives: Sandwith

Ralph Sandwith, a comrade of Arthur Linfoot in the RAMC whose death is recorded in August 1917 at Kemmel near Ypres.

6 August 1917; Monday

August 1917, ,

Up at about 7 o’clock. Kept busy all day. Off in the afternoon and went to the Church Army reading room and read two short stories from a magazine. On duty at night and did some French. Lay awake and talked to Freddie about churches and festivals of the church year.

Rumours of the Division going out and of the ambulance moving.

Although the diary is silent on the matter, 6th August 1917 was the day on which ALL’s Sheffield barracks friend, Ralph Kenyon Sandwith, was killed in action near Kemmel in Belgium.

The images here are of a postcard sized portrait of RKS which exists in ALL’s collection. The front is signed “Ralph K. Sandwith” and the back has an address in Louth, RKS’ home address presumably written by RKS himself, and a note in ALL’s hand about the date of the photograph (1915) and the circumstances of Sandwith’s death (at Kemmel in 1917). Private Sandwith was about 21 years old at the time of his death, and 19 years old at the time of the photograph.

See also all diary entries tagged “Sandwith” and Ralph Kenyon Sandwith at Lives of the First World War.

Autographed portrait of Ralph K. Sandwith from ALL’s archive.
Postcard bearing autographed portrait of Ralph K. Sandwith from ALL’s archive.
Reverse of postcard
Reverse side of postcard with the handwritten text “88 Upgate, Louth, Lincs” (right) presumably written by Sandwith himself – his home address – and “1915 – Killed at Kemmel 1917” (left), apparently written by ALL.

25 March 1917; Sunday

March 1917, , , , ,

Up at 7 by new time – 6 in reality1. On duty as usual. Sandwith and a friend came very gamely to see me in the morning and we talked all the while. We were issued with waterproof capes in the evening. Received letter from Ernie. Went to service at the Y M at night and after the service played the piano until closing time, while several other chaps sang. Had a good time. First time I have played since last August. Went to bed and swotted a bit French last thing.

  1. Daylight saving in France started at 23:00 on 24 March 1917, with clocks being advanced by one hour to 00:00 on the 25th. ↩

28 July 1916; Friday

July 1916, , ,

Up about 5 o’clock. After sleeping very little. Read inscription in Testament on a heap of woundeds’ equipment, From your loving mother Dear Will read a verse every day and God will keep you safe. Mind you say your prayers.

Marched back to near the chateau and went to our old bivouacs. Weather still fine. Had bath in a horse bucket. Felt better after it. Newspapers from home and letter from Sandwith. Went to bed about 9 o’clock.