'Buried Letters' Historical WW1 Short Story (Text & audio)

Buried Letters is an award-winning, poignant, bittersweet creative nonfiction piece inspired by true historical events and heartfelt family history research.

It unfolds through a series of intimate, reconstructed letters written by Sister Chloris Drabble, a Yorkshire nurse who left her post at the Huddersfield Infirmary to serve with the all-women Scottish Women’s Hospitals on the Macedonian front during the First World War.

The story delicately captures her passionate love and engagement to a Serbian army interpreter amidst the chaos and devastation of war, revealing the emotional toll of separation, duty, and hope. With a richly authentic voice grounded in extensive archival research, the narrative offers a vivid glimpse into the sacrifices of women medical workers, the harsh realities of the Macedonian front, and the personal battles fought alongside global conflict. This moving work weaves historical fact with poignant personal reflection, inviting readers into the fragile humanity behind war, love, and loss.

Award

Away from the Western Front Creative Writing Competition

Over 18 category

Winner: ‘Buried Letters’ by Helen Parker-Drabble

Reviews

From the Judges from the Away from the Western Front Project Creative Writing Competition  The author’s chosen approach – reconstructed letters – offers a route into the hearts and minds of the three writers so that we were able to empathise with them in the way that one can with original objects and documents. Each writer has been given a distinctive voice, so that it’s almost possible to believe that these are actual letters. The effect is made all the more authentic by the historical context, which comes over as very realistic, and is undoubtedly based on extensive research. We also liked the modern context, which the author is obviously part of – that of family history researchers who have opened up the history of the First World War, including our own project, through their painstaking work.

From readers

Your tale is excellent, it’s emotional, everyone can empathize with it. You had a great idea, & you put effort to realize it.

Aleksandar Jankovic

Wow! – just read your entry. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck and a lump rose in my throat.

Anita Evans

Cover for an award-winning WW1 Factual Tale 'Buried Letters' by Helen Parker-Drabble

Imagined depiction of Captain Aleksandar Petrović, a Serbian army interpreter

(Alamy licensed image AG28PD)

Letter regarding Chloris Drabble's engagement to Captain Aleksandar Petrović.

Part of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals collection held at the Glasgow Archive.

Scottish Women's Hospital, Ostrovo entrance to camp, WW1

Macedonian front WW1

Scottish Women's Hospital Badge 1914-1919

'Lest we forget' is a quote from "Recessional" is a quote from a poem by Rudyard Kipling.

Composed for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, in 1897.

First World War Scottish Women's Hospital Tents at Ostrovo