Letter to Mrs Beach from the Commanding Officer of 40 Company RGA

This letter was written by Major Charles Fisher, commanding officer of 40 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery, in response to a request from Mrs Beach that her son, Bombardier Philip C. Beach, be allowed home for Christmas leave in 1914.

Dated just days before Christmas, the letter delivers a polite but firm refusal:

“In reply to your letter of the 18th Inst. asking that Xmas leave might be granted to your son, Bombardier P.C. Beach; I have to inform you that leave can only be given, to Officers, N.C.O.s, or Men, in cases of sickness, or very urgent private business.”

Sadly, Mrs Beach’s original letter no longer survives, so we don’t know the full circumstances. Had Philip encouraged her to write, or was it a well-meant surprise? Either way, Major Fisher took care to reassure her that the restriction was not personal:

“This seems hard, & is hard; — but it is the same for the Officers as for the men, & we are, none of us allowed to go home, much as we all wish to do so; so it is quite fair all round.”

At the time, 40 Company RGA was stationed at Dover as part of the coastal defences of the English Channel. While coastal units saw limited action during the war, the German naval bombardment of Scarborough had taken place just two days earlier—likely on Major Fisher’s mind when he added:

“I am sorry for your disappointment, but I am sure you can quite understand, in the light of recent events, & the evident intention of the enemy to attack our coasts, as far as they can, that it is absolutely necessary for the Artillery to stick to their guns. It is only by doing so, that we can ensure a peaceful & happy Xmas to our families at home.”

Major Charles Fisher had retired from the Royal Artillery in 1904 after 25 years of service in Malta, Egypt, India, and the UK. At the outbreak of war, aged 53, he returned to duty.

We don’t know whether Bombardier Beach ever made it home for Christmas during the war. Many soldiers did not. But we do know that he survived, remaining in the Royal Artillery until 1927—and, hopefully, was able to enjoy many future Christmases with his mother.