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Royal Engineers Signal Depot Camp

Hitchin, World War One

Royal Engineers Signal Depot Camp, Hitchin
Photo: H.G Holden, Hitchin
Posted 15 Oct 1916

Expect to leave Hitchin late on Sunday night and go to Devonport to a rest camp. Shall not be there long before we start on our Journey. Will write letter tomorrow. Harold
Posted to: Mr W. H. Melton, 18 Dodsworth St. Mexboro, nr Rotherham, Yorkshire
The 1901 census lists a 3 year old Harold Melton, son of William (Theatre Manager) and Annie Melton living at Mexbrough
Note the Y.M.C.A. hut in picture.

Hitchin in Old Picture Postcards records that the YMCA hut was was part of the main camp near Bedford Road. It also records that Some of the soldiers were under canvas, mainly near Oughton Head. The motorcycles were Triumph and Douglas machines. Some of the men posted at Hitchin eventually found themselves in a quiet part of the war - in East Africa.

 

Royal Engineers Signal Depot Camp
Hitchin
Photo: H.G Holden, Hitchin
Posted 18 Oct 1916
 

Message reads:
Sept 13/9/16
Len was here for almost 15 or 16 weeks before he sailed.
 

The following postcards come from a collection of cards which had been sent to a Miss Moss of Hitchin  and which was being broken up and sold individually on ebay. The date of 1915 was suggested.

f

[Tent made by Putman, Aylesbury, Bucks]
P. B Morgan
Photographer: Latchmore, Hitchin
 


J Dempster 76792
[H.G. Mouldon, Hitchin]


Sapper A Ross Fraser
[Latchmore, Hitchin]


Eric W Plowman
72563

These portrait cards were also sold on ebay.
[photographer where identified]


Sapper A Sherwood
[A.E. Lupton, Hitchin]


Robert S Stevenson
76419
[H.G. Mouldon, Hitchin]


Robert Mc F Thomson
[A.E. Lupton, Hitchin]

First World War pages

There is a web page for Hitchin

If you can add to the information given above tell me.

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Page created May 2007