The Last Post

A Christmas Ghost Story. It won a competition in a newspaper. It also made my Grandma cry.

The Last Post         

A Christmas Ghost Story by Zach S. Rumfitt

 

14^th November 1914

 

Dear Daniel,

It is so quiet without you, here at home. Well it was, until the birth of our son! We named him Jack, after your dad. I’m so happy, everything went as planned. The little rascal has your eyes! We all miss you greatly, but as long as you keep fighting the war is won! Come home soon, please!

 

Love,

Harriet

 

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20^th November 1914

 

Dear Harriet,

I am so proud! Who would imagine it, me, a father? I can hardly believe myself! All my men are happy for me. Guess who I saw out here earlier this month? Old Jonny Filthy! I was so surprised I almost dropped my bloody mug of tea.

He’s dead now, though. Should’ve kept his head down. That’s the way of things out here, in the trenches. You got to be careful at all times, or some Hun takes out your brain. But it’s not so bad. We get tea, as I’ve mentioned, a warm bed and the guns to keep us as safe as possible from Mr Fritz’s bullets. There are always going to be casualties.

So long for now, then. Write back soon!

 

Lots of love,

Daniel

 

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3^rd December 1914

 

Dear Daniel,

It sounds ever so terrible out there! I must admit, I am very worried about you. From the way it sounds, you can get your head blown off if you are at all careless. I wouldn’t last a minute. But I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that.

Your son is getting along fine. It’s getting near his first Christmas and I’ve got him a little blanket to keep him warm in the cold. Every day I tell him about how brave his Daddy is. I think he wants to see you so much!

 

Love,

Harriet

 

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12^th December 1914

 

Dear Harriet,

It is getting near Christmas, isn’t it? I’ll send you something as a present, though I don’t know what yet.

I may not be writing for a while, but I think they may spare us work on the 25^th. Maybe they’ll give us a nice roast (though I doubt it’ll be turkey. More like a bloody rat!). Went scouting along the lines earlier, but it was thankfully uneventful. I’ve known the best soldiers caught off guard by the blasted snipers while doing that. But let us not think of these gloomy things. It’s been snowing here in, and no-man’s land looks just like the fields back home. I’ve half a mind to go out and have a snowball fight with Fritz, but I’m not sure it’d end well for me.

 

Much love to you and Jack,

Daniel

 

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18^th December 1914

 

Dear Daniel

I’ve enclosed your present, as this will be your last letter from me before Christmas day.

It snowed out here yesterday! Little Jack loved it, though I’m not sure what he thought it was. We played on the lawn. Remember how my mother hated it when we did that? She used to scream at us for being so immature!

I can’t write much today, as I don’t have much paper.

 

 A merry Christmas to you, Daniel!

Harriet

 

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25^th December 1914

 

I don’t have much time to write, but I just had to. First and foremost, Merry Christmas! I’ve sent a present to you and Jack; hopefully they’ll arrive along with this letter.

The most amazing thing happened just now, the reason I am writing this so hurriedly. We heard a carol coming from Fritz’s trenches. It was sung in German, but I recognised the tune as Silent Night. We joined in English, and we were singing together, two sides of a bloody war! They seemed to enjoy it. Some brave chap from our lot got up and walked over to give them a cigar! Soon we were all exchanging gifts with men we’d been trying to kill only a day before! We even had a game of football on no-man’s land, which we won (obviously!). I was given a bottle of some strong alcohol by a Fritz called Kristian. We are still holding the truce now; I only just got away from the merriment to write this.

An amazing day.

 

Merry Christmas again,

Daniel

 

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30^th December 1914

 

Dear Daniel,

Wow! It sounds fascinating! The truce is all over the papers, something that the Generals are not too happy about. They say all further ceasefires are banned, so please take care!

We received your presents, thank you so much! They’ll make me think of you every day, out there, fighting for us. I’m so proud of you. Oh, and happy New Year!

 

Much love,

Harriet

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7^th January 1915

 

Dear Daniel,     

Why are you not replying? I sent you a letter on the 30^th and you have not replied. Please, I’m so worried. Please reply!

 

Love,

Harriet

   

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10^th January 1915

His Royal Highness’ War Office

 

We are writing to inform you of the death of your husband, Daniel J Hart on the 26^th December 1914. His body was recovered in no-mans land after an assault on the enemy position. He will be buried in a cemetery near to where he was killed.

 

Our condolences to you and your family,

HRH War Office 

 

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12^th January 1915

 

Dear Daniel,

Why did you have to die? Why did they kill you?

 Damn it all! Why? I told Jack you were a hero, and he should try to be like you. I think he knows somehow. He’s been terribly quiet lately.

It is pointless writing to your dead husband, but I just wanted it out there. Maybe your soul will receive this and take some comfort.

 

For the final time,

Harriet

 

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15^th January 1915

 

Dear Harriet,

I’m always here for you.

 

Love,

Daniel

Author's Note

This story was written as if it was in letters. That's why its written as if it was in letters.

Reviews

[Marie]

I completely understand why it was written as if it was in letters--it's beause it was written as if it was written in letters.

Good, fresh concept. Nice job.