Soldiers’ letters home in the First World War share a familiar rhythm: a blend of reassurance, understatement, and the quiet details of daily life.

With letters censored, what survived on the page was often the monotony of trench routine and the instinct to protect loved ones from the truth.

One line captures this perfectly. Writing to his mother from the Western Front, Private George Coppard tried to lift her worries with a flash of humour:

“Mother, don’t worry, the rats don’t bite often.”

This December, we’ll be sharing 24 snippets of letters home, written by those serving from the First World War to modern conflict.

You'll see the written word full of courage, love, humour and hope.

Follow along as we open a new window every day.