一個少年士兵的一戰家書

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編者注：在這封信中，斯蒂芬多次提到津貼，但實際上，他真正在乎的是他對家人的感情。編者注：從這封信中我們可以看出，斯蒂芬還是一個稚氣未脫的少年。他像個小孩似的一一問候父母和親友，同時還在信的最后一頁畫滿了表示親吻的符號“X”。另外，他還在信中寫了部隊征集其他預備兵的情況。編者注：戰爭動員還在繼續，斯蒂芬在11月隨部隊轉移到希爾內斯后，被調到第四步兵營，該營從印度歸來，準備前往法國，與英國遠征軍匯合。在快要出發前，斯蒂芬寫下了這封樂觀的、充滿希望的家書，希望可以盡快回家。編者注：寫這封信時，第四步兵營已到達法國，斯蒂芬正在前線。他往家里寄了一張明信片，對軍隊生活依然很熱情。編者注：自上封家書之后，斯蒂芬一直沒有寫信回家。直到1915年4月6日，他寫信說自己要出院了，顯然他之前負傷住院了。不過他現在又重新加入了第四步兵營。但之前所經歷的事情讓他震驚不已，于是他在信中向媽媽求助，希望可以不上前線。編者注：也許是他媽媽回得太晚了，或者根本就沒有回信。顯然，斯蒂芬沒有收到任何回信。編者注：過了幾天，斯蒂芬又變得樂觀起來。在從法國魯昂大本營到重新加入第四步兵營的途中，他給家里寄了一張明信片，上面印有“在服役”的字樣。編者注：斯蒂芬從魯昂又寄了一張明信片之后，就回到了第四步兵營。5月4日，他在戰場上身受重傷。六天后，人們發現了他的尸體。1.regular [#712;reɡj#601;l#601;(r)] n. 【軍】正規兵

2.reserve [r#618;#712;z#604;#720;v] n. 后備軍；預備部隊

3.shilling [#712;#643;#618;l#618;#331;] n. 先令(1971年前英國貨幣單位，20先令為1英鎊，12便士為1先令；現1先令等于5便士)

4.bounty [#712;ba#650;nti] n. 津貼

5.barracks [#712;b#230;r#601;ks] n. 軍營；營房

6.reservist [r#618;#712;z#604;#720;v#618;st] n. 后備軍人；預備役軍人

7.fag [f#230;ɡ] n. 香煙

8.pass [pɑ#720;s] n. (士兵的)短期休假證

9.by and by: 不久之后