一个少年士兵的一战家书

Early July， 1914

Dear Mother，

Just a line to let you know that I am getting on all right in the Army. I hope that you are all well as I am myself. I am very sorry for what I done when I was at home and will pay you back when I get some more pay. I like the Army very well for I am going to join the Regulars1) when I have done my time in the Reserve2). Then I shall be able to pay you back for I get 30 shillings3) as a bounty4). I hope you and Dad will forgive me for what I done when at home. I cannot write no more at present for I have to do some more work. Trusting you will forgive me.

I remain your son， Stephen Brown

August 4~9， 1914

Dear Mother，

Just a line to let you know that I am getting on alright. I hope [you] are the same. I am sorry I did not write before. We are so busy that I have had [no] time. We are confined to barracks5) so I cannot get a stamp ... I hope Tommy and Archie Hammond are all right. Give my love to Kitty， Lillie， Maggie， Freddy， and Ted. I hope Dad is quite well ... I thank you for forgiving me. I know I don't deserve it. Tell Auntie Tot and Uncle Bob that I am getting on fine. Is Uncle Bob been called up yet? We are calling all our Reservists6) up and those on leave. This is all at present.

I remain your loving son， Stephen

November， 1914

Dear Mother，

Just a line to [let] you know that I got the fags7) on Tuesday. I thank you very much for sending them ... They have stopped the weekend passes8) as there are a lot of absences， but I shall ask the Captain for permission to come on [a] pass. We are going to the front on the 19 of November. Dear Mother， do not worry about me for by God's help I shall come home well. Give my love to Lillie， Kitty， and Freddie and tell him I will come and see him by and by9). You will receive 3 shillings from me and the same from the War Office which will make six all together. Give my love to all ... This is all at present.

So goodbye from your loving son， Steve

December 13， 1914

Dear Mother，

Just a line to let you know that I am alright. I am enjoying myself ... I will soon be home.

Love from Steve

April， 1915

April， 1915

Mother，

Just left for France.

Stephen

April 30， 1915

Dear Mother，

Just a line to let you know that I arrived quite safe. I hope you are quite well as it leaves me the same. Give my love to all at home.

From your ever loving son， Stephen

May， 1915

Dear Mother，

Just a line to let you know that I sent you all a photo of myself outside a tent door with two of my mates. Hope you will get them safe. Hoping you are in the best of health as I am myself. Goodbye for the present.

I remain yours truly， Stephen编者注：在这封信中，斯蒂芬多次提到津贴，但实际上，他真正在乎的是他对家人的感情。编者注：从这封信中我们可以看出，斯蒂芬还是一个稚气未脱的少年。他像个小孩似的一一问候父母和亲友，同时还在信的最后一页画满了表示亲吻的符号“X”。另外，他还在信中写了部队征集其他预备兵的情况。编者注：战争动员还在继续，斯蒂芬在11月随部队转移到希尔内斯后，被调到第四步兵营，该营从印度归来，准备前往法国，与英国远征军汇合。在快要出发前，斯蒂芬写下了这封乐观的、充满希望的家书，希望可以尽快回家。编者注：写这封信时，第四步兵营已到达法国，斯蒂芬正在前线。他往家里寄了一张明信片，对军队生活依然很热情。编者注：自上封家书之后，斯蒂芬一直没有写信回家。直到1915年4月6日，他写信说自己要出院了，显然他之前负伤住院了。不过他现在又重新加入了第四步兵营。但之前所经历的事情让他震惊不已，于是他在信中向妈妈求助，希望可以不上前线。编者注：也许是他妈妈回得太晚了，或者根本就没有回信。显然，斯蒂芬没有收到任何回信。编者注：过了几天，斯蒂芬又变得乐观起来。在从法国鲁昂大本营到重新加入第四步兵营的途中，他给家里寄了一张明信片，上面印有“在服役”的字样。编者注：斯蒂芬从鲁昂又寄了一张明信片之后，就回到了第四步兵营。5月4日，他在战场上身受重伤。六天后，人们发现了他的尸体。1.regular [#712;reɡj#601;l#601;(r)] n. 【军】正规兵

2.reserve [r#618;#712;z#604;#720;v] n. 后备军；预备部队

3.shilling [#712;#643;#618;l#618;#331;] n. 先令(1971年前英国货币单位，20先令为1英镑，12便士为1先令；现1先令等于5便士)

4.bounty [#712;ba#650;nti] n. 津贴

5.barracks [#712;b#230;r#601;ks] n. 军营；营房

6.reservist [r#618;#712;z#604;#720;v#618;st] n. 后备军人；预备役军人

7.fag [f#230;ɡ] n. 香烟

8.pass [pɑ#720;s] n. (士兵的)短期休假证

9.by and by: 不久之后