The Final Letter – #13 – Transcript – 24 July 1798

#13 Addressed to Mr. Henry Hirst, Grocer, Heptonstalll, Halifax, Yorkshire, South Britain Gibraltar 24th July 1798 Honor’d Father & Mother I once more take the opportunity of writing to you but with great concern I do assure you, for I have writ to you several times and can never receive any answer to my letters,...

Letter #12 – Transcript – 4 February 1798

#12 Addressed to Mr. Henry Hirst, Heptonstalll, Halifax, Yorkshire [Single Sheet] Gibraltar 4th February 1798 Honoured Father & Mother I once more have the opportunity of Writing to you, hoping this will find you in good health as this leaves me at present thanks be to the Almighty for it, I never received a Letter...

Gibraltar 1797 – “The worst place a soldier can lay in”

It is September, 1797. William Hirst has been stationed in Gibraltar for well over a year. He clearly hates being there. What kind of place is it really? Would it be any better with a wife at his side? Gibraltar I always thought Gibraltar was an island but it is actually an isthmus extending out...

Letter #11 – Transcript – 16 September 1797

#11 Addressed to Mr. Henry Hirst, Heptonstalll near Halifax, Yorkshire, South Britain Gibraltar 16th September 1797 Honoured Father & Mother I once more have the opportunity of writing to you, hoping this will find you in good health as this leaves me at present thanks be to the Almighty for it, I would have writ...

Letter #10 – Transcript – 7 September 1796

#10  Addressed to Mr. Henry Hirst, Grocer, Heptonstalll near Halifax, Yorkshire, South Britain Gibraltar 7th Septr. 1796 Honoured Father & Mother I once more have the opportunity of writing to you, hoping this will find you in good health as this leaves me at present thanks be to the Almighty for it, I am sorry...

Sailing immediately – William Hirst at sea on The Coverdale

Three months in England – without ever seeing his Wife, Child, or “Honour’d Father and Mother” – and William Hirst is once again aboard ship in Portsmouth “sailing immediately” to Gibraltar. He tells us the name of the vessel I am in is the Coverdale of London, and the other two belonging to out Regiment...

Letter #9 – Transcript – 16 May 1796

#9 Addressed to Mr. Henry Hirst, Heptonstalll near Halifax, Yorkshire Hirst Letter #9 – 16 May 1796 – Detail. Private Collection Board Ship Portsmouth 16th May 1796 Honour’d Father & Mother I write to you once again informing you that we this day Embarked here for Gibraltar, after only one days Notice, Letter #9 –...

Procure me a [rich] Friend to lay down money for my Discharge

By Richard Simkin - Epochs of the British Army by Lt. Col. H. S. Spalding. London: W. H. Allen, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8863900 After 3 years in the Army poor William Hirst is now desperate to get out. Why? Is it even possible? I shall never be happy or content in my mind though I had...

Letter #8 – Transcript – 24 April 1796

#8 Address Panel missing Hirst Letter #8 - 24 April 1796 - Detail. Private Collection. Poole 24th April 1796 Honoured Father & Mother I Writ to you some time ago but never received any answer, whether the Letter miscarried or not I cannot tell, Hirst Letter #8 - 24 April 1796 - Page 1. Private...

Letter #7 – Transcript – 3 March 1796

#7 Addressed to Mr. Henry Hirst, Grocer, Heptonstall near Halifax, Yorkshire, South Britain Hirst Letter #7 – 3 March 1796 – Detail. Private Collection West Cowes, Isle of Wight 3 March 1796 Honoured Father & Mother I received your Letter dated 12 March, at the same time one from my Wife dated the 13th March,...