The letters cover everything from sad farewells to pleas for food or sweet treats, and show the terrible and horrifying conditions that the Trenches faced during World War I.

Written by British soldiers during the 1914-18 conflict, the previously unpublished communications, as well as images of the men who wrote them, feature in Letters From The Trenches – The First World War By Those Who Were There, by historian Jacqueline Wadsworth, which is published by Pen & Sword.

The letter is by Charles Alderton (second lieutenant) from Clerkenwell in London. He wrote it to his sisters, mother and father in March 1917, to inform them that he was being called to the ‘greatest price’.

After exhorting them to stop grieving or showing any signs of loss, he offered to lift their spirits and said that they could “rest assured” that he’s still “always cheerful”.

Alderton survived another eight months. However, Second Lieutenant Alderton died leading his men in the Battle of Cambrai. He was 21,

Private Philip Luxton was a loving father who wrote his darling wife in June 1915 to say that he could not ‘put you and your children out of sight’.

He said, movingly: “I wish that this horrible war would be over.” Private Luxton died in machine gun fire the same year, and his remains were never discovered.

Private Tom Fake wrote another letter that revealed the struggle of these men with monotonous army food rations. He instead requested comfort food from his home. 

His wife was told by the soldier that they had received a lot more crumbs than the cake and biscuits he intended. The chocolate had also been broken up and French nougat looked like it had been stepped upon.     

New book Letters From The Trenches – The First World War By Those Who Were There, by historian Jacqueline Wadsworth, reveals the words which British soldiers sent home from the trenches during the First World War. Above: Among the letters is one by Second Lieutenant Charles Alderton, from Clerkenwell, London, who wrote to his mother, father and sisters in March 1917 to tell them that he had been called to make the 'greatest sacrifice'

Second Lieutenant Alderton is seen in uniform

New book Letters From The Trenches – The First World War By Those Who Were There, by historian Jacqueline Wadsworth, reveals the words which British soldiers sent home from the trenches during the First World War. Above: Among the letters is one by Second Lieutenant Charles Alderton, from Clerkenwell, London, who wrote to his mother, father and sisters in March 1917 to tell them that he had been called to make the ‘greatest sacrifice’

Ms Wadsworth describes in her book Second Lieutenant Alderton’s excitement at the prospect of fighting and how he, just like so many young men before him, “couldn’t delay” getting to the Front.

Alderton, Second Lieutenant wrote his family March 6: “By time you see this, I’ll have made the most terrible sacrifices of all with my entire family and will be on my final long leave.”

‘I don’t want to see you grieve. I have only done the same thing that many other people have done.

“My only desire is for this war to end with the British Troops in safety and well-being of my happy homeland.

The homes of England will never be again divided.

‘I can never tell you how thankful I am for the happy home and the comforts I have received from you all … You can rest assured that even up to the very last Charlie was always cheerful.

“It will be difficult, but I am as positive as possible over the parting. Then I set out to search for a place where maybe the bread-earer is called home and provide comfort and assistance to them.

Private Philip Luxton, a devoted father, wrote to his 'darling wife' in June 1915 to tell her that he couldn't 'put you and the children out of my sight'

He movingly added: 'I wish with all my heart that this terrible war was over'. Private Luxton was killed by machine gun fire that same year and his body was never found

Private Philip Luxton was a loving father who wrote his beloved wife in June 1915 to inform her that he could not ‘put your and the children out my sight’. He added, movingly: “I wish that this terrible war was ended.” Private Luxton, who was also killed in machine gun fire in the same year, was not found.

Charlie, ‘With love and concern for all.

Alderton became Second Lieutenant while leading his men behind tanks. These were the first tanks to be used in substantial numbers.

A captain from the Royal Army Medical Corps sent his parents a touching letter in December. It was a few weeks later that his family received his news of his death.

Soldier Arthur Youell asked for flea killer

Arthur Youell, a soldier asked about flea killer

‘Two stretcher bearers of ‘C’ company carried your son back … One of them Pte Easton told me that Mr Alderton had no pain, was very quiet and complained only of his hands being cold.

“The stretcher was lowered several times by the bearers to allow him to touch his arms. “So far as I am able.”

As you can see, he did not say anything more.

Pte Alex Easton C Coy (both very well-known men) and Pte H Murray C Coy are the names of their bearers.

“Your son was an outstanding soldier and eager to serve, but he did not deserve it.” Personally, I was very proud of him friendship.

“I can only imagine how you will be missing his cheerful, friendly presence. He was taken from us on the following day.

Other people might save you.

“You will have this comforting, sad thought every dreary Xmastide.”

From the French trenches, Private Luxton wrote to Hannah several times. He wrote to Hannah, giving a glimpse of their lives and saying: “I would like you to see me now so that you wouldn’t forget it.”

“We look like rabbits, buried in the ground. Fry and me are inside one. It can hold only 2 to 3 men. And we cannot leave there at daylight because of fear of being shelled.”

Some letters revealed his love for his wife. One of his letters stated that he loved his wife even when he wasn’t there.

He added: ‘…when I returns to you I hope I will prove it because no man loves his wife and children better than I do.’

Also revealed is a diary entry, written by soldier Archibald Dunn in July 1919, which highlights how men became desensitised to the horrors of war. He described the shocking sight of four men being 'blown sky high', before simply saying in the next sentence that he 'bathed in the evening'. Pictured: Dunn is seen before he departed for northern Russia

Dunn wearing his infantryman's helmet

A diary entry written in July 1919 by Archibald Dunn, a soldier, is also revealed. It reveals how war-related traumas caused men to become desensitized. After describing the horrifying sight of four men being ‘blown skyhigh’, Dunn simply said that he had ‘bathed the evening’. Pictured: Dunn, left is wearing the helmet of an infantryman and right before he set off for Russia.

Youell wrote to his mother to ask her to 'please send some more flea killer' so that he could get rid of 'these 'disturbers of the peace'

Youell wrote to his mom to request that she send him more fleakillers so that he could rid himself of these ‘disturbers to the peace.

Alf Dowling spent most of the war as a prisoner in a German PoW camp

In a letter (right) to his mother after she had written to him, he said: 'It's great consolation to get word from home'

Alf Dowling served most of his wartime years as a German PoW Camp prisoner. He wrote (right), after receiving a note from his mother, that he felt it was a great comfort to hear back from her.

He concluded the letter with the words: “I wish I were home to share one true kiss from an old Dutchman who loves you deeply.”

He wrote to Hannah again in June 1915. He wrote: “There are many night that I cannot put you and my children out my sight. Even though you live miles from me, I can still see all of you in life. I wish this terrible war was over.

“For now, I feel very alone, as he was such a great guy. I was so shocked to hear that he had been killed.

Hannah received a letter in autumn from the Army Pay Office, which Ms Wadsworth calls a “brutal” message. It stated that her husband was likely to have been killed, and that he wouldn’t be returning home for Christmas.

It states simply: “I regret that this information has reached that office that Pte

Soldier William Cole, who was part of the original British Expeditionary Force, used to send his children embroidered cards. He is pictured above with his wife Rosie and their children William Sidney (known as Sid), Rosie (right) and Ivy

William Cole, a Soldier in the British Expeditionary Force was known for sending his children embroidered postcards. Above, he is shown with Rosie his wife and their three children William Sidney (known by Sid), Rosie the right and Ivy

One card send by Cole to his son depicted a grey aeroplane being flown by a British pilot, as a French soldier trailed brightly coloured holly through the sky. On the back, it read: 'Best Love and Kisses to my Dead Siddy from Daddy'

Cole’s son sent a one-of-a kind card. It featured a British pilot flying a grey plane, while a French soldier flies brightly colored holly in the sky. The back of the card read, “Best Love and kisses to my dead Siddy from Dad”

P Luxton, of the Welsh Regiment, has been reported as missing.

“The current separation allowance and allocation of pay will be continued to be.”

Is available to you for a duration of 30 weeks.

Ms Wadsworth does not note the exact date, but she recounts that Private Luxton was shot and killed before an explosion shell buries his remains, which were never discovered.

The letters of Canadian medical officer Harold McGill – who served in the 5th Canadian Field Ambulance Corps – to his love interest Emma Griffis also feature in Ms Wadsworth’s book.

McGill wrote from the Western Front, October 1, 1916 and described some of the terrible injuries that men sustained.

He wrote, “My stretcher-bearer sergeant (the finest little guy in the battalion) had his leg ripped off by a Shell and was killed in an F.Ambulance. [field ambulance]Dressing station After he had been hit, I was able to see him.

Letters From The Trenches – The First World War By Those Who Were There, by historian Jacqueline Wadsworth, is published by Pen & Sword

Letters From The Trenches – The First World War By Those Who Were There, by historian Jacqueline Wadsworth, is published by Pen & Sword

“He asked me to say good-bye, saying that he’d tried to finish his work and regretted being late.

It was impossible to continue to the end.

“I felt like a baby hearing him talk that way and it made me laugh a lot.

“He was the last of the Calgary stretcher bearers that I took and was loved and known throughout the battalion.

His letters to Ms Griffis revealed that he was still in England and they were developing a romantic relationship.

He told her in July 1917 that he had accepted her marriage.

“In the interim we both must ‘Carry On’.

In a later letter, he said: “Can you please tell me the size of the ring that you’ll wear?” I would like to get one for you as soon as possible.

“When I take my next leave, I’ll ask you for one month. We can then be quiet married and enjoy it together.

McGill survived World War II and married Ms Griffis, in England, in December 1917.

Following the war they came back to Canada, where they had two beautiful daughters. They then went on to have the rest their lives together. 

Arthur Youell, a soldier, wrote another letter that revealed how poor the sanitary conditions were in trenches.

Youell wrote to his mom to request that she send him more fleakillers so that he could rid the house of these ‘disturbers to peace.

A diary entry written in July 1919 by Archibald Dunn, a soldier, is also revealed. It reveals how war made men more sensitive to its horrors.   

The shocking sight of four men being “blown high” was described by him, and he then said that he “bathed in evening”.

Letters From The Trenches – The First World War By Those Who Were There, was published in paperback on November 8.