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Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 676

A particularly fine and detailed archive of 23 letters - many with their corresponding envelopes - eighteen of which were written by Captain W. J. Ralph, Royal Field Artillery late Shanghai Light Horse, to loved ones from the Western Front between 30 July 1915 and 10 July 1916, five days before his death

The letters offer a very personal insight as to the 'pandemonium' on the Western Front, the sentimentality of the British Tommy and the 'toughness' of the enemy, the final five detailing the impact of his loss upon friends and family, generally very fine (Lot)

Walter Joel Ralphs was born on 26 January 1884 at Tabley, Knutsford, Cheshire, the younger son of Joel Ralphs of Blenheim Place, King Street, Dukinfield, the headmaster of St Mark's School. Upon leaving education he took employment at the Manchester & County Bank, then moved to London, and to the Chartered Bank in Shanghai. Commissioned Lieutenant in the Shanghai Light Horse, Ralphs commanded a squadron during the Chinese Revolution in 1912. It was here that he also developed a reputation as a fine athlete and all-round sportsman, becoming well-known as a rider and polo player.

He returned home at his own expense following the outbreak of the Great War and was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery. Promoted Lieutenant on 25 March 1915, Ralphs travelled to France with the 12th Battery and was appointed Captain during the Battle of the Somme. A few days later on 15 July 1916, he was injured whilst serving as forward observation officer for the battery near Montaubin. The wounds were severe and he died later that day, a tablet to his memory later being erected at St Mark's Church in Dukinfield.

Extracts from five of these hand-written letters include:

'The war would undoubtedly have been over now had the ammunition been forthcoming and were there abundance of it… If only the responsible parties, the agitators, the arch murderers at home were made to pay the penalty of the crime in civilian life, others so inclined might be brought to their sense of duty. You would imagine how heart-breaking this waiting becomes if you could visit a section of our lines after a scheme of attack has been completed, every man & every gun in position only to be uncovered by the enemy's aircraft, spies and snipers, while the weary wait for ammunition is past, by which time our scheme is thoroughly known and our men & guns targeted… Even the Huns get tired of waiting and shout across to our trenches naming the regiment directly opposite and imploring them to get on with the attack' (A letter to the recipient's brother, Dr. Frank Gerald Ralphs, 16 September 1915, refers).

'I am forward laying new wire & although I am now only 2/300 yards away from the Hun, I am more or less protected. Things are fairly 'windy' & both sides are shelling, being anxious to do as much harm as possible before the winter sets in… I wish you would procure me a pair of waders… There is 2 feet of water on top of the mud in the trenches at present - we are in a swamp. They will cost you between 20/30s but I will refund' (A letter to Dr. F. G. Ralphs, 30 October 1915, refers).

'We are back again to wet days & remarkably cold nights, which latter however the Hun endeavours to warm up. In the last 3 days we have had four artillery duels, the direct result of 'raiding' on both sides. Unfortunately, the music generally begins after 10pm & goes on well into the morning, finishing between 1 and 2am… He has again resorted to tear shells & has twice made us look to our goggles in the last few days. These damned things would bring tears to the eyes of an elephant… However we are still intact and ready to fight at a moment's notice and there is little doubt that his present situation is desperate, strongly resembling that of a cat facing destruction for a ninth time' (A letter to Dr. F. G. Ralphs, 6 June 1916, refers).

'My own darling, dearest, bros. Walt.


Your post card, or rather field card was more than welcome & has been hugged and kissed ever so many times. You must be tired little lad. I do hope you get a little rest & be in safety' (A letter written by the recipient's sister, affectionately known as 'Dopsie',10 July 1916, refers).

And alas, the final roll of the dice:

'Dear Dr. Ralphs,

Thank you so awfully for your kind letter about Jack, I always called him that… I first met him when we were quartered at Redford Barracks, & we used to go for lots and lots of rides and were great friends. I soon found he was as keen on horses as I am. I was eighteen & a half then and he was the first & only real man friend I've ever had… I do miss him dreadfully, never to have any more letters in awful. Everything seems to empty and hateful… Everything is miserable now' (A letter from Mr Douglas Lodge of Newmarket, 31 July 1916, refers).

Sold with copied research and MIC.


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Sold for
£90

Starting price
£130