Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 10

The body of each letter is as transcribed by Lady Joan Slack. In each case the name or initial of the writer is followed by the recipient, the date (where known) and the address from which the letter was sent. For convenience, these have been presented in a common format. CMS is, of course, Cecil Moorhouse Slack.

Dora to CMS; Monday 31.7.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I expect by now that you will be in the beastly old trenches again - how long did you have out? Thirteen days was an awfully long spell and I don't wonder you felt rather fed up with life. Pater thinks the war will last another year but not after next summer - it will be a wretched winter for you to look forward to but your leave will be due about October won't it? It's nearly two months now since I've seen you but somehow it seems ages - does it seem long to you? Your M.C. was in Hull's Sat paper so probably it won't be long before you get your short leave. Mother was going to write to you but I asked her not to - I thought it might be rather awkward for you replying under the circumstances (I didn't tell her the reason tho') - Flossie keeps saying she is going to write - who have you heard from? T'was rather amusing about Mrs. Lyndon - I would rather like to see the charming daughter of your Father's friend - we might go thro' a few comparisons and see which of us might be most suitable!! Anyway think what you have missed!

I should think the dinner at the convent must have been rather exciting by what you say - I really can't wonder at some of the men drinking and making merry after the monotony of the trenches still I am glad you weren't on the too merry side but I know your not that sort.

Mother is going to Hull on Wednes. to stay at Beech Croft and Pater goes on Thurs. night for the Board Meeting on Friday and I think they will stay in Hull until Mon. mg. - Ma may stay longer - so Flossie and I will be here on our own this next weekend. We rather enjoy being on our own and we do as we like - we never squabble when we are left alone - quite amicable all the time - rather funny really. We had Capt. and Mrs. Bowmer - Stedham and Huntley into tennis the other night - borrowed the Marsland's court again - Stedham is the best player and quite good but we are not fearfully keen on him - he's rather an about-towny - drinky sort if you know what I mean. Cephas has just gone past - he doesn't seem to be very busy really - wanders round and talks - cuts the lawn, hoes the garden and wears a war badge for it all. Nurse Waddington went this morning - Flossie wants to have Kathleen Runton over for the weekend - she is engaged to Leslie Brown (2nd. Lt. Dur.L.Inf.) I think I have told you sometime - they came in together one evening when you were at Beech Croft - Leslie has gone to the front now and K. feels rather down so we might have her over - she is just 20 and he is 25 - but she is a head taller than he is!

I wrote to Billy and Betty a few days ago and have had a very nice letter back from them both which I will show you when I see you - Betty wants your address and also your photograph - she says she has one of me hung in her drawing room so I feel fearfully honoured - I am sending her the one of you alone - one of us both together and one of me standing against the gate - the last one to remind her that there is a "me" still - I'm really not very keen on those you had taken at Turners last year - don't know why. Billy sent his congrats for you on your M.C.

Flossie came from Hull with a rumour that our Company is going to be moved to the East Coast - joy if it happens. They keep appealing for more nurses in the hospitals - letters neally every day in the paper - it is disappointing I can't go. Dr. Baine says F. must have a month's rest and I think farming is too hard work for her - Ma wants her to go nursing but William says no - so I don't know what she will do in the end.

You ought to keep some of your congratulation letters - the nicest - they will be very interesting when you are a grey haired old man - tush - but I mean it - some of the most interesting ones - you may not think of keeping these little souvenirs of different events now, but afterwards you will wish you had kept them - perhaps you have thought of it already. You know you ought to have kept that tunic that you were wounded in, just as it was - I remember I thought it was a great shame at the time - you have still got it haven't you- are you wearing a drill tunic now 'cause I expect you will be awfully hot - it's neally stifling here even.

Goodbye - I often think of you at night too,

Love from
Dora.

Do you know there were four whole days between writing your last two letters!!
Did you get the one I posted in Hull?

Harold to CMS; undated (spelling uncorrected from original)

Dear Cecil,

We have been away on holiday, at a country place, we had two picknics while we were there. I am looking after the hens and chickens now. We got 4 eggs today from 7 fowls. We are going away in August for about 4 weeks. We have got 2 young cockrels which are just starting to crow, they are 8 weeks old. Our hens are always fighting. I haven't had any school since last Christmas. We have got heaps of peaches and cherrys and crab apples and pears and 5 apples. I have to drink ever so much milk a day. I am weighd every Saturday I am now 5 stone 1 pound 0 ounces I was at first 4 stone 12 pounds 4 ounces. Hilda and Mabel come home in 4 weeks but Norman goes farming four 2 weeks of the holidays.

There is a big moth on the window I am just going to kill it BANG I have hit it it is dead. There is a thrushes nest in the garden. I hope you are getting on alwright.

From your Aeffeationate

Brother Harold.

CMS to Dora; 4.8.16

My Dear Dodo,

Yes we're in the beastly old trenches again, only they have been much quieter this time, but I shall still be very glad to get out and get my boots off and pyjamas on. I haven't had pyjamas on for 5 weeks. I understand that the Kaiser is going to commit suicide this month, and that the war is coming to a sudden end in September.

Yes it seems more than two months since I saw you, about four it seems, I don't know why.

I don't think I should have felt awkward writing to your Mother, but it's very nice of you to think of it. The awkward part will be telling your Pa, when we've fixed things up, if that happy day ever comes.

I'm keeping all my congratulation letters, as you suggest, but I was doing so in any case. There are about 20 at present and I've only answered 5 so far. Lord Nunburnholme sent one the other day.

5.8.16.

We came out last night. I hadn't time to finish this yesterday - I started whilst I was waiting for the relief to come. I suppose I ought to have kept the tunic I was wounded in as it was, but I've got a much better one now, the one I raided in. One pocket is torn right off and the other's only half on, and its covered with other tears, and both legs of the breeches are torn too. I threw the puttees away. Some of the scratch marks will always be on my body.

I remember Leslie Brown coming in one evening when I was at your house and was rather amused at his being so much smaller than Kathleen. I'm glad I'm taller than you: I think I have it by about half an inch because we tested it one evening if you remember, at the weighing machine in your hall nook. I sometimes wish I were a bit more than 5ft.7", but it's very convenient out here.

Please thank Billy for his congrats. when you're writing that way. I should love to have a letter from Betty. I had an awfully nice time at Newcastle the few times I saw her there.

We have a frightfully religious chap in one of the platoons of our company. We are not quite sure whether the texts etc. which he puts in his letters are cant or not: if we find out that he's not really serious we are going to put a naughty French postcard in one of his letters.

We are living in a pub at present at the foot of a beautifully wooded hill, and it's simply ripping.

Love from

Cecil.

CMS to WHS and WS; 6.8.16.

My Dear Father and Mother,

We are out of the trenches again after a fairly quiet time. I have had plenty of work to do myself, but not too much. We are going for a long march tomorrow.

I slept in my pyjamas the night before last for the first time for 5 weeks. I still enjoy a scratch however. I'm not lousy, but having ones clothes on night and day affects the skin a bit.

I have sent a fairly large parcel of spare Kit home, which may or may not reach you. Amongst other things you will find in it my raiding trousers and breeches, which I should like keeping in their present state. The tears are from Bosche wire. The red mark where the left hand pocket was might be Bosche blood.

Thank you for sending the letter from the Territorial Force Assn. I note with much pleasure that Tom and Roy Brealy have come safely through the scrap. I had a letter from Walter Sheppard a few days ago, and he is also safe. It will be a welcome change for us to have a bit of their sort of fighting. I should like to tell you a lot of things, but I can't, as the Censorship Regulations are very strict. There have been two or three official intimations about it recently.

I have received Father's letter from Scarborough with congratulations and a promise, and have already replied to it. Thank you for for the parcel containing cakes, turkish delight, etc. and for the tunic. I shall be sending a tunic home soon and shall be glad if you will ask Thirkell and Robertson if they can mend a few small wire tears in it. I shall also be sending some breeches, which I should like cleaned. I want to have some decent clothes to see the King in. I don't expect any leave at present, but when it comes it might come suddenly. I hear the Kaiser is committing suicide this month and the war ending in September. I expect it's either that or another year of it!!!

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Sunday 4pm. 6.8.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I have just discovered I haven't written to you since last Monday and I got your letter on Thursday - I don't know why I didn't write really - but I felt awfully uncertain of my feelings for you during the week - I couldn't tell you why and it made me feel awfully miserable - then yesterday I felt I wanted you so much and would have given anything to have you with me - I felt as if I only wanted you and nobody else and that's how I feel now, I do want you so badly Cecil dear,- I think it must be because I don't quite know my own mind that I feel like that sometimes, don't you think so- You don't mind my telling you just how I feel do you, 'cause I simply couldn't tell anybody else - it makes it more difficult writing and not seeing you and talking to you about everything, and then thinking exactly how much you love anyone when you never see them.

Still I shall be seeing you soon now - shan't I, and that will be a joy - but Cecil, I don't want you to bother about me when on your two days' leave if it makes it too pointed for you to leave your Parents, 'cause you will be over for such a short time - unless you get a bit more leave added on - and it might make it rather awkward for you with them. Don't think by that, I don't want to see you, because you know I do, very much, but you understand don't you?

I am glad you like the case - I did have a frock once - the colour of the inside - it had some bluey ribbon on it but it must have been before the war you saw it - the winter before - 'cause you didn't see me the first war winter at all. By the way, what do you think I sent the soap for if it wasn't to be used! I hope you haven't got a cold in your head with having a chilled left ear - if it's burning - your sweetheart is thinking of you.

Kathleen Runton is staying the weekend with us - I think I told you she might be coming. The skivvy is away for the weekend and the Parents too so we are leading the simple life and its gorgeous. Yesterday was a simply heavenly day - Capt. Bowmer hired a conveyance and took us and his family - Mrs., Stanley and the Babe, out for a day's picnic up over the hills to the reservoirs at Langsett about 10 miles from here. Stanley was four so they wanted to celebrate it. We had a gorgeous time - camped by a stream and made a fire - dabbled in the water and let the infants roll in it - Ernest is only 15 months old and he simply kicked and rolled in it - he simply loved it. I wish you had been taking me off for the day instead - we could have had a lovely time together amongst the hills and streams, couldn't we? Do you know it was the 5th yesterday - just 2 months ago - did you remember?

Monday morning.

I got your letter from the trenches to-day - it must be hot for you - when you said 250° I thought "poor man he must be boiling" but I suppose you go by the Centigrade thermometer. It is a nuisance about the leave isn't it I suppose if you mean emptying sandbags and filling up trenches it will be the end of the war t'will be next year by then you'll be a wrinkled old bachelor and I'll be a grey haired spinster tush by then - You know you were a cuckoo to bet the war would be over this year, or worse last month however you've had to pay for your foolishness!!

Do you know I dreamed about you again on Saturday night? After the picnic we had gone out for the day and were lying together on the bank of a stream, it really did seem real and it was nice being with you and then I woke up and came back to earth and true realities with a jerk. I thought you were very young for your age before the war you seemed to remain exactly the same as you were when you left Rydal until the war began. I think it was really because when you went to N'castle you saw other men and went about more and saw more of life the three weeks you had at the front a year ago made a lot of difference to you it made you older and then army life altogether has brought you out of your shell to use the expression. You seem just your age to me now tho', but in prewar days I always felt a lot older than you, I don't know why, you were always so quiet too. People say a girl of 20 is always much older than a boy af 20 but she doesn't get any older after that in her ways. How old do I seem to you cheri?

You are funny to call everything by a name - 'spect Diana would be rather a good name - glad it has come in useful. Is it a craze in the army to call everything by name?

Jelly-fishes were awful things at C.Bay weren't they ? P.C. always had to keep on the shore side of the boat or else Betty would call us in - it really was rather a responsibility for Betty to have all those girls to look after - however she used to generally let Jessie Hallitt - one or two others and me - go out a bit with the boat (just before time to go in) and then we could swim back. I remember seeing you once or twice after bathing - just as we were getting into rank nearly under the Pier-Pavillion. I haven't written to Betty S. again yet - I really must and she wants your address too.

We went to the Barnsley Swimming Baths the other day - but the water was most appallingly warm - like a big hot bath - I hadn't got a bathing cap so I couldn't splash so very much because it is such a nuisance to dry my beastly old hair afterwards - its fearfully tempting to cut the stuff off and be like a boy and have freedom - you don't know what a nuisance it is sometimes - a lot of women are cutting their's short now - about the same length as your bits on the top of your head. Do you think you'll be made a captain soon - I'm sure it's time you were - you've done two years haven't you now? Captain Slack would sound rather nice wouldn't it? Flossie and Kathleen slept outside on Sat. night - I was going to but thought I might get a chill probably in the early hours - as I have been feeling a bit dizzy at times lately - probably with the heat or probably a kind of slight reaction with nursing Mother - it takes it out of one so much more nursing one's own folk than strangers.

Goodbye, my cheri and take care of yourself.

Love,

Dodo.

Is there anything you want that I can get for you or do for you?

CMS to Dora; 9.8.16

My Dear Dodo,

We are living at a real live farm, out of the shelled area. We were at the same farm 2 months ago and are very glad to see the people again; they were very decent to us.

We had a long march the day before yesterday, with fully loaded packs and haversacks, and in the full heat of the sun. I had been feeling a bit groggy beforehand and in the evening I had a temperature of 102, so I stayed in bed yesterday. I'm better today, but a bit shaky.

I'm celebrating my medal tonight in the company mess: a matter of 6 bottles of champagne at 18 francs a piece, and a bottle of liquer, is what it's costing. I expect there will be a lively evening here. Unfortunately I shan't be able to have more than about half a glass for fear of going groggy again, so I am going round to another farm with some more chaps to have coffee with some nice Belgian girls whom we made friends with last time we were here. I hope you don't mind. It's rather nice talking to a young female again after a strenuous time in the trenches. I only wish it were a certain dear little English girl I know.

Tomorrow I am commencing to understudy the Adjutant, in case he gets outed. My own special job of sniping and scouting is also going to be understudied. I have had a gentle tour into a small town near by, by foot and by rail this afternoon and it's made me feel a bit more "fed". If I'm not careful I shall get trench fever and get a "blighty" and I don't want a "blighty" that way. Poor old Ingleby got it a few days ago, and I expect he's in England now.

Please forgive this very short letter after four days, but I'm really feeling too muddled to think.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Thursday. 10.8.'16.

My dear Cecil,

Swish! hasn't it been hot all this week - we seem boiled alive in this little rabbit hutch of ours - it's really only meant for two people to live comfortably at any rate. Mother came back from Hull suddenly, last night - had enough of it with the Zepp raid of Tuesday night - she was in the house alone with one maid and they dropped bombs in Westbourne Av. and Victoria Av. only half a mile away and then want over Newland Park - so poor old Ma felt a bit scared - she would not have been so nervous if one of us had been with her.

Yesterday afternoon we went a drive in our trap and took tea and Mrs. Baumer with us - Pa went on horseback and rode in front of us. Fanny simply cantered practically the whole time it really was great sport altho' the trap nearly went over twice - Flossie was horribly nervous - Mrs. B. and I enjoyed it thoroughly - still I'd sooner drive a car anyday - one has far more control over an engine - 'spect we shall all be too poor after the war to have cars - what do you think? Mother is taking me to Scarbro' on Monday I think to stay till Friday - Ma says I want a change for a few days and she wants a breath of sea air too - tho' I'm not fearfully keen on going - its rather a disgrace for girls to go to the seaside now - they ought to be working - so all the articles in the papers say - still I can't help my beastly fate.

Gladys Runton (she went V.A.D. nursing last year) has just got a post on a hospital ship in the Mediterranean and goes the end of this week - lucky girl - I simply longed to go on one last year and talked about it a lot but the parents put their foot on it absolutely, as they do on everything I want to do (except stay at home and look after them) - shall strike out soon I think - I'm sure you would - I wonder if your parents will keep Hilda and Mabel and Kathleen at home. Feel much better for that little bit of grouse - but it makes me feel rotten staying at home when they are wanting girls so badly - I feel it much more than I did. Sometimes I wonder which is the right thing to do. Which ever would you do if you were in my place?

We are just going out to tennis to Mr. Rawles' - my serves are improving just a wee bit - a little more puff behind them perhaps - still we don't get much chance of practising - we have to rely on people asking us - still we are jolly thankful for that.

Who do you have with you in your dug-out and whatever do you manage to talk about to each other all day long - or have you heaps of papers to fill in?

Love from

Dora.

CMS to Dora;13.8.16

My Dear Dodo,

We are living in a country house a long way from where we were a few weeks ago. It is a little village in a wood, and miles from anywhere. There is a front and back garden, fir trees in front and vegetables behind. We are not here for a rest, and are going to work hard.

I haven't had a letter from you, Dodo, for over a week, what's up? I hope you haven't got wrong in the address, which is 4th E. Yorks. B.E.F. France, only: the Brigade and Division should not be put on as we may be changed about a good deal now.

We had a long train ride a few nights ago. I was orderly officer and consequently had to get out at the stops to see that noone else did, and also to see what was doing. I had several chats with the engine driver, who was a Frenchman, and I'm awfully bucked with my French, because he didn't know a word of English, and we had quite intelligent conversations about his engine, which is one of the eight biggest in the north of France, and the French and English railways.

I got no sleep that night, as the interpreter bagged my seat and left me a rotten bumby place. It was a dirty trick because he would have been left behind if I hadn't picked him and his bicycle up at the last moment. It was only the fact that he was a foreigner that stopped me turfing him out.

I am feeling a bit like Cecil M Slack today; for the past week I've been feeling like nothing-on-earth.

How are you getting on with the horse and trap. I hope the old gee hasn't been misbehaving and causing an accident. I was just having slight fear that something might happened and that that was why I haven't had a letter lately.

I am Mess President again and enjoying the job. I am becoming quite an expert in housekeeping matters, so if you and I ever get married I shall be able to advise as to whether it is more convenient to have omlettes or sausuages with the bacon! and whether the cups which have had beer in should be washed or merely emptied before coffee is put into them and whether it matters very much if you don't get the same cup that you shaved in, and get the taste of another fellows shaving soap instead. But I suppose interference in household matters is not allowed.

Talking about shaving soap reminds me that I had a real shave from a real barber at the town where we detrained a couple of days ago.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

CMS to Bob; 14.8.16

Dear Bob,

Many things have been happening during the last few days. We have been marching about and have had a train ride. We are right in the country now and cannot even hear the guns, but we are not resting. We are in a beautiful little village in a wood. This afternoon I am going for a ride to have a look round.

I have been a bit groggy for about a week and had a temperature of 102 at one time, but I am better now. All officers who have specialist jobs such as bombing, scouting, etc. are being understudied, my job is being understudied and I am understudying the Adjutant.

If you should happen to meet Miss Scurr at any time you might tell her that I have got her socks, that is, those from a Brunswick Sunshine Guild, and that I am writing shortly thanking her. The last parcel from Mother containing tongue etc. arrived in good condition.

I expect you'll find it rather hot work on the farm, but I should think it's a nice job. News is rather scarce at present, most of our time has been spent in packing and unpacking and settling down and seeing how much we can get into our 35lbs. of spare kit to be carried on the transport.

Your affec. brother,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Monday 14.8.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I am awfully sorry you are not feeling well and I do hope that by now you are better again - you must have felt very wretched if your temp was 102E - who looked after you when you were in bed - did Ellis tuck you up etc. and who is the 4th. E.Y. doctor? Is it Nornan Inglegy who has got the trench fever? I did read once what trench fever is, but I have forgotten - what is it? I hope you don't get it but I don't think you will if you are very careful - perhaps you have caught a germ or two from Ingleby but you are just able to keep it off as you are so strong. Were you with him at all before he got it? I hope you enjoyed going to see the Belgian girls - of course I don't mind your going in the least - as you say, they are nice girls and it would be a nice change for you - I like you to meet fresh people - I always enjoy it myself.

I am very glad about the understudy to the adjutant it's quite a move on for you, isn't it? Is Grindell the adjutant out there at present ? has he been gazetted a major ? I am not quite sure whether I saw it or not. Didn't you share a company with Ingleby ? if he has gone who do you share it with now? This epistle seems to be mainly question marks so far - hope you don't mind - but I like to know things because I think about what you do and who you are with - who went with you to see the Belgian girls - I expect they will work on the land now.

We have done nothing special since I wrote on Thursday - went out to Mr. Rawle's for tennis on Thurs. and Fri. evenings - we also went to see two drafts of men go off to the front on those evenings - one of 100 and the other of 40 - the 100 draft were Durhams and were practically all drunk - we watched them from the distance - Durhams really are the limit - we've got 70 East Ridings going out sometime this week but Pater hopes to have them in better order than that! He may be taking them out himself but doesn't know yet.

We haven't gone to Scarboro' after all as Mother isn't very well again so we shall have to postpone it for about 10 days or a fortnight. It is the parents Silver Wedding on Sunday the 20th. - makes them sound rather ancient doesn't it but Pater is not quite 48 yet - they were married very young really - still it must be rather tame for people to get married at about 35 - they are getting old before they can enjoy life together. Mother and Father had some lovely times and holidays together when they were younger - they used to leave us at home and go off by themselves. I expect your parents had lovely times too.

Florence and I can't think what to give them - it really is frightfully brain-racking. I think we shall have to go to Leeds one day before Sunday to see what we can get.

I don't think I've told you about my cottage I am going to have after the war, have I! Well I think it will be at Filey - shall furnish it very inexpensively so that nothing will spoil - also very hygenically and nothing more than necessary - Mother has a good many necessities that she is going to give me - I shall let it furnished during some of the summer months so that I can just scrape enough money to pay for the rent and other expenses that may come along. Then the parents can go to it if they like and I shall go to it and have friends to stay with me on my own, and if I can get a nice agreeable chaperone I shall ask you too.

Don't you think it is rather a good idea - I have thought of it for several months now - don't you think Filey would be the best place ? if I got it right in the country (it must be by the sea) it would be such a nuisance to let and then the finance would worry me horribly (tho' probably it would be nicer to be away from towns) - I am awfully fond of Filey - I always have liked it - by the way I went there first when I was six weeks old and I also learnt to walk there, tush! Now I will tell you one of the houses I want to try and get.

(A sketch map appears here in the original)

I think there are three of them and they have very steep gardens down to the beach promenade. They are joined to one another but are rather to themselves because they are so high up from the road.

They have an entrance from the gate on the promenade and also at the back about 1/3 way down the hill. It would be quite in the centre of things yet quite high up and out of the way of the people and one could lead a somewhat simple life there. When Ma and I go over to Scarboro' we are going over to Filey for the day and I am going to have a look at one of them - if the war is over next summer and I'm sure it will be sometime next year - I think that all the nice places on the east coast will be snapped up pretty quickly and I am wondering really whether I ought to agree to take it (if I can get one) from next year - there is bound to be a rush as soon as the war is over.

Now I've told you - what do you think of it all - do you think it will be jolly ? do you think Filey would be nicer than any other place and do you like it? I imagine it will be very jolly but my imagination runs away with me at times and I have to come back to earth with a thud. If I can manage to run a cottage a motor bike and myself on my allowance after the war I think I shall do jolly well but I expect after a year or two's experience in the cottage it will pay its own way.

Dot Major (of Welton) has a cottage of her own at Flamboro' and runs it by herself but she finds it rather difficult to let - well, I think Flamboro' might be rather awkward 'cause the station is so far away from the cliffs and village and people who are going to take a furnished place for a month always think of these things. Hope I haven't wearied you with all this - 'spect it will have brought your temperature up - now do be careful and DON'T catch any more nasty germs - do you think it was a touch of ptomaine poisoning you had? I expect it makes you wish you were at home when you don't feel up to the mark - I always wish I were when I am away from home. It has been raining heavily today but it is lovely now and everything smells lovely. My marrows are a delight to look upon - have got 15 altogether the largest is about two inches long - my first one died.

Love to yourself.

Dodo.

Dora to CMS; Wednes. 16.8.'16

Mon Cheri,

I can't understand why you haven't had my letters - I know I didn't write for a week but then you evidently haven't yet received the one I wrote a week last Mon. the 7th. - probably it has not been forwarded on to you from the farm you left - then I wrote again on Wed. the 9th. - you ought to have had that on Sat. last (I have put the new address on all, ever since you told me) - I wrote last Mon. the 14th. so you ought to get three letters before you get this one - I'm quite sure about the posting this end. I haven't fallen out of the trap or anything like that yet, altho' Fanny (pony) has nearly had us out two or three times - she gets rather frisky at times especially if Father is anywhere about on horseback - with not being driven for about 18 months she still tends to wobble about the road and nearly gets us into the ditches at times!

I'm awfully glad you are better again - I have been wondering how you were since I got your last letter still you must take care. I wish I knew where you are now - still it must be a good long way if it took you all night to travel. It seems odd that the whole battalion should be moved away so far - I wonder if it means you are going to another part of the line nearer where the "push" is- I hope you are not really 'cause it's so awfully risky there isn't it? I should get awfully sick of the job of Mess Pres. - I hope you keep the accounts well - I'm quite a nib at accounts - the mess pres. generally gets the trips to the town to buy the provinda - doesn't he? You'll like that if you are near a nice town with decent shops. You mustn't eat sausuage or fresh pork in any month with an R in. It really means not in the hot weather between May and August. - I don't know why - perhaps the pigs arn't so healthy in the summer.

Will you come and be housekeeper at my cottage at Filey after the war ? with the experience you will have had you will be a splendid housekeeper for a holiday party - can you cook as well?

Florence and I walked to Cawthome and back yesterday afternoon - it seems ages since we have had a good walk - one doesn't walk much in the hot weather if we can get tennis at night and then we have been taking the trap out but that is no exercise for us. Is leave still stopped because someone at the camp told Pater that an R.F.C. officer was home on leave. We had a good deal of rain yesterday so it made it cooler and much nicer for walking tho' my marrows are wanting some sun again now. Flossie was meeting William in Sheffield for the day to-morrow - he's been in Derby on business - but she has just had a wire to say he's had to go back to Hull so she's feeling rather disappointed when she had been looking forward to a day with him.

Is the battalion being altered because you have all gone to another place to work hard? You will be getting quite a fluent French scholar if you stay abroad much longer. Six R.E. Northumbrian officers went to France on Monday last. Do you remember a young Ashby - machine gun officer - who was killed a few weeks ago? Alden - one of Pa's officers was telling me he had a Beverley friend out in the 4th. E.Y. and it was a day or two before he was killed that he told me about - he said he was only 18. Is Vivian Mayfield out with you now? I expect if he's there, the C.O. will think him rather a weird specimen of Hull!

Goodbye,

Your loving

Dora.

CMS to Dora; 18.8.16.

My Dear Dodo,

Today is the first chance I have had of sending you a letter since I last wrote, as we have had no outward post whilst we have been moving about. Your letter written on Sunday 4th. did not reach me until the following Sunday, and I got another yesterday, posted on the 10th. They usually only take 4 days.

I know it must be awfully rotten for you at times Dodo wondering about me: you can't really tell until we have seen each other a good deal, and that won't be till after the war, will it! I sometimes think I ought not to have told you, and should have waited a bit, but there was always the chance of someone else coming along, and if someone else had come along and I hadn't let you know of my love, I should probably have gone mad, or turned into a priest, or done something very silly. I don't see any sign of the short leave coming off at present.

When I do get it I shall manage to see you. If my people get the wind up I shall tell them why or leave them to guess. Your Pa would get the wind up however if I came sailing over to Silkstone when I only had 2 days. I don't want to tell him until something's fixed. But I daresay we could meet at Barnsley, or somewhere.

I have started on your soap now, and think of you every time I use it. Of course I think of you at other times as well.

Do you know, I slept in a bed a few nights ago. We were billeted in a village and I got a bedroom all to myself. There were 3 beautifully soft matresses on the bed, and real sheets. Unfortunately I was awake most of the night with rheumatism in my legs. I think it's what I stored up in the winter and is being brought out now by the marching. However, aspirin and embrocation are doing their bit in curing the pain and I shall be all right in a few days.

I can quite understand your feeling older than me a few years ago, because I was an awful Kid! I feel older than you now. I know one is supposed to be several years older than the girl one loves but I don't think it matters a bit, so long as the girl is not several years older than oneself.

No, I don't expect to be made a captain just yet. There is one vacancy out here and I am second senior subaltern, but there are two or three captains in the third line, and two or three subalterns also, who are senior to me. I am awfully sorry you haven't been feeling fit lately. I hope you've had a decent time at Scarborough and that it's bucked you up again.

Sorry you're feeling so fed up about not being able to do Hospital work and are chafing under parental authority. I well remember the first time I defied my govenor. He was awfully fed up at the time, and so was I afterwards, but nothing bad came of it, and it showed the people I had a spirit of my own. I suppose this is natural to all young animals.

Your serves must be jolly good if they have improved, because I'm sure there was nothing to complain of in them before.

In my dug-out I have the bombing officer, a rather stupid sort of person, who is usually asleep, but as I am round the trenches in the afternoon, evening and night, and asleep in the morning, it doesn't matter.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Bob to CMS; 20/8/16

Dear Cecil,

Thanks very much for your letter, which I got this morning.

We have had no buzzers since I got home, worse luck! However they may start again soon, as the moon is about suitable for them. There has been plenty of rain the last few days, but it has been of the respectable sort, just showers, no steady rain. I went to Hornsea yesterday with Forty, who was riding a Rudge 31/2 hp. which he is most likely buying. I shouldn't be surprised if I get a summons either this week or next, because a policeman told Ridgeway that another of their chaps had caught me on Friday riding, in what he called, a dangerous manner. I was riding in low gear, wheeling another bike, and John Taylor was on the carrier. I only went for about 400 yards and I could easily have stopped if necessary, so the chap who caught me is a blessed liar. Still there is the chance that he won't bother about it, I hope he doesn't, as Father said some time ago that he would stop the bike running if I got summoned, which is a blooming swindle, as you are bound to get collared some time.

Also about three weeks ago two old idiots whose names I don't know complained to Father about my riding. I should think they'll be two of these old chaps who usually cross the road as if they owned the place, and have had to hurry a bit for me. I had a row with another chap the other day. He made some remark as I passed him, so I looked round and he seemed very annoyed and shook his fist at me. So I turned round and asked him if he wanted to say anything to me. He seemed to want to, and kept on talking as he walked away, but as I didn't know what he was talking about I didn't wait. A policeman who was standing near didn't know what the chap wanted either. Jarman thinks it is a chap who often tries to stop him on Anlaby Rd.

Three of us are most likely going to Brid. on Tuesday if the weather is respectable.

Your affec. brother,

Bob.

Except where otherwise stated, the copyright in all of the archives and letters on this site is held by Sir William Willatt Slack and the Slack family. Copyright in teaching resources and materials on this site belongs to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Please acknowledge intellectual property rights by giving the URL of any pages you use, and/or include the © copyright symbol. Suggestions for improvement are welcome. Thank you.