Poverty rather than patriotism led Horace to war
Horace Maynard was one of nine children who lived with his widowed mother
in Ferry Road
The story of Horace Maynard - brought up in grinding poverty, he was worried
about his family back home in Grangetown as he fought. His family still have
the last letters he wrote back before he was killed at the Somme on July 18th
1918.
Horace's father John - a seaman - died in 1908, aged 63,when Horace was 12
and his mother was left with nine children at home. The family were plunged
instantly into poverty. Horace, like his siblings, had to work as soon as he
was able to if the family were to escape the Workhouse. In 1911 he was employed
as an errand boy. Poverty, rather than patriotism, made him enlist in the 16th
Welsh (Cardiff) Battalion in 1914. In December 1915 he went to fight in France.
He eventually rose to the rank of Lance Corporal in the 2nd Welsh Battalion.
His promotion came about probably because thousands of soldiers died and there
were fewer experienced men left to promote. He died of wounds after the Second
battle of the Somme in July, 1918, aged 23.
In his last two letters home - reproduced below - his main concerns were that his
mother was getting his soldier's allowance and the future happiness of his favourite
sister, Annie, who was soon to be married. He is buried at Varennes Military
Cemetery near Albert, the Somme. His family were too poor to visit his grave
and it remained unvisited until his nephew John Maynard went to pay his respects
there in 2010.
Copy of letter Horace Maynard wrote on 8th July 1918 - 10 days before he
died - to his friend Horace Partridge, who married his favourite sister Annie
two months before
Dear Horace Am just taking the pleasure of answering your most kind and welcomed
letter which I was very glad to receive, also to hear you are getting on quite
well and am pleased to say I am in the pink at the time of writing. You say
that you are still in the same place but have asked for a nice job well done
kid and I hope you will have the luck to be able to keep it and it is not such
a bore to you now - yes I got your last letter alright but I say Horace please
do not put Welch Rgt on addressing the envelope to me just put 38th Btl MGC
as I am afraid your letter got delayed through it so please take notice. You
say you have not heard from Doll - well neither have I but I am hoping to every
day and I guess it is all off with the pusher as I have not heard from her for
8 weeks so I am all on my lonesome now but still smiling Horace, and I am proud
to know that you and all your people speak so highly of my Sister and I too
reckon you are a very lucky fellow and I can tell you that Annie was always
my best pal for a good many years and will always be though we're far apart
I'll tell you Horace you you can trust anyones life in her hands and it will
be alright and she will stand by you in anything at all but I will have a long
way to go to find her equal. Well Horace I don't think there is any more news
so will conclude with best of luck and kindly remember me to Doll if at any
time you should drop her a line so Good-bye-ee for the present from Your Old
Pal Horace
Copy of letter written by Horace Maynard on 11th July 1918 to his mother
Mary Ann Maynard, a week before he was killed:
My dearest Mother Just a few
lines to let you know that I received your parcel quite safe but in a very bad
condition thanking you very much for the same hoping that these few lines will
have the pleasure of finding you all well and in the best of health as I am
pleased to say leaves myself and all the boys in the pink at the time of writing.
Well Mother I don't know whether you put any cigs in the parcel or a letter
as I never received them being as the parcel was all burst when I received it
but I still think I got the greater part of the thing.
Well how have you got on about my allowance affair. I hope it has gone through
alright as I have heard no more about it lately and what sort of weather are
you getting over there as we are having it rather wet at times but lately we
have been having some beautiful weather . I have received a letter from Lottie
[an older sister] the same time as your parcel and she is quite well.
Well Dear Mother I fear that there isn't any more
news for the present and will close with past love and kisses from me Your loving
Son Horace xxx
Thanks to John Maynard.