1915年11月12日
Dear Lionel
亲爱的莱昂内尔
Our boy was reported “wounded and missing” since Sep. 27 – the battle of Loos and we’ve heard nothing official since that date. But all we can pick up from the men points to the fact that he is dead and probably wiped out by shell fire.
自9月27日的露斯之战后,有报道称我们的儿子“受伤了且不知所踪”,自那以后,我们再也没有听到任何官方消息。但我们能从了解情况的一些人口中得知,他已经死了,可能已被炮火炸的粉身碎骨。
However, he had his heart’s desire and he didn’t have a long time in trenches. The Guards advanced on a front of two platoons for each battalion. He led the right platoon over a mile of open ground in the face of shell and machine-gun fire and was dropped at the further limit of the advance, after having emptied his pistol into a house full of German machine guns. His Commanding Officer and his company commander told me how he he led ‘em: and the wounded have confirmed it. He was senior ensign tho’ only 18 years and 6 weeks, had worked like the devil for a year at Warley and knew his Irish to the ground. He was reported on as one of the best subalterns and was gym instructor and signaller. It was a short life.
然而,他有自己的心愿,他在战壕也没有呆很长时间。卫兵在两个营的前方行进。面对着炮弹和机枪的扫射,他率领右侧士兵越过一英里的开阔地,将枪里的子弹一发不剩射进满是德国机枪手的房子内,没有了退路。他的指挥官和连长向我描述了,他是如何率领众将士的,而伤兵也证实了这一点。他只是个18岁零6周的高级少尉,在沃尔里忙忙碌碌地工作了一年,对爱尔兰了如指掌。报道称,他是最勇猛的少尉之一,也是最优秀的教导员、通讯兵。这是短暂的一生。
Now, my dear old man, try and look after yourself a bit and keep fit. We’ve a hell of a year ahead of us but after that I think we’ll be through.
好了,我亲爱的儿子,请你照顾好自己,保重身体。我们还要分隔一年的时间,在那之后,我想我们会度过难关。
Ever,
永远爱你的
Rudyard
鲁迪亚德
来源:可可英语 //www.utensil-race.com/Article/201811/571537.shtml