Letter from Joseph Derbyshire

This letter was written in March 1919 by Joseph Derbyshire, asking that his war pension, which was granted earlier that month, be increased. He describes his situation, having a family to support, and some of what happened to him during the war which is now making him unable to work in his usual profession.

The image here shows a draft of the letter, with some blanks. Another copy of the letter, dated one day later, has factual information inserted into the blanks. One further difference between the versions is that in the draft, Derbyshire says that his wife, Janey, is suffering from a 'nervous breakdown'. In the later version, he has changed this to 'is suffering from a serious illness and she is not strong'.

Either there was a third copy, sent to the commissioners, or this letter was never actually sent.

[Transcript of second version]:

Gentlemen,
I Joseph Derbyshire of 5 Rigby Street, Preston, Lancashire most humbly petition you to review my pension of eight shillings and threepence (8/3) per week granted to me on the 7/3/19 for twelve months, for the wounds which I received in action during the war. I don't think this amount satisfactory and I think that you will agree with me when I tell you that I have a Wife (who is suffering from a serious illness and she is not strong) and a Child who is three years old depending on me and I cannot yet follow any employment and particularly my own trade that of a journeyman Black and White smith nor do I think I shall ever be able to do the same at my work as I did before the war.
My Regimental address was 23807 Pte. Joseph Derbyshire, 9th Batt. Loyal North Lancs Regt. and I was wounded through the chest and lungs on the 21st Oct. 1916 and I was in Hospital six months before I recovered. Shortly after this I was suffering from dysentery and had to be sent home on the 12th Sept. 1917 to recuperate. I was again wounded on the 27th May 1918 and taken prisoner with a broken leg. Through some cause or other this leg is now shorter that the other and as my work demands me to be on my feet most of the time I shall be handicapped while ever I live.
Hoping this will receive your best attention .
I remain,
Yours humbly
Joseph Derbyshire 

The letter was shared and transcribed by John Derbyshire's grandson, who also provides more information about his grandfather on the Europeana 1914-1918 site.