Soldier's 102-year-old letter to friend uncovered at Black Country Living Museum
A letter from a First World War soldier written to his friend before he died in battle has been revealed.
Henry Maurice Tinsley, from Oldbury, wrote the letter 102 years ago whilst based in Mesopotamia, which is part of the Middle East today.
Mr Tinsley died in battle aged 21 and received a medal for his bravery.
The letter is stored in the archives at Black Country Living Museum. It was brought to life in a video by an actor wearing military uniform from that era.
Mr Tinsley was a private serving in the Worcestershire regiment. Documents at the museum say he was killed serving in the 'Asia Theatres'.
His died on January 25, 1917, and received a a British war medal and victory medal, with a 1914 to 1915 star.
His parents were Frederick and Ann Tinsley of Bromford Road Oldbury.
Frederick worked as a foreman while other family members worked in the clothing industry as tailors, dressmakers and machinists.
The letter was handed into the museum back in 2015 by a member of the public. The museum says the picture of Mr Tinsley had become separated from the letter before it was donated.
It was read out by Edd Miller, an actor who works at the museum.
The letter was written on Christmas Eve, 1915, while Mr Tinsley was at a horse depot in the Wardian Camp in Alexandria, Egypt.
It reads: "Dear Will, now that I have got over my very large batch of correspondence NI take the opportunity of writing to you again.
"No doubt you will be surprised to hear from me soon, but I could not help sending you a photo of myself in my riding habit, one of my pals passed a joke when I was having it took, that is why I am smiling.
"I was more than pleased to get your letter and parcel, and thank you very much for them, for now I am sure of having an English smoke for Christmas.
"I said I should not get a very good Christmas, for nothing has been altered as regards to food, but never mind.
"Will, I will make out for it when I come home, what say you?
"I was absolutely done in one Christmas morning, never had anything to eat all day, or free beer and whiskey, so I do not feel like writing so will close now from your old pal Harry."
