Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 11

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.

CMS to Dora; 22.8.16.

My Dear Dora,

Before giving you any news I must explain why I haven't written sooner. The reasons are that I have been very busy and have had very little time of my own, practically none, and also I have had horrible rheumatism in my legs, the result, I think of last winter. I haven't had more than 3 hours consequetive (sic.) sleep for a week, owing to the pain, but I'm keeping on the go now with the help of aspirin every two or three hours. When I'm off parade I have a scouts class in the afternoon, and then I have to understudy the Adjutant in the Orderley Room. Don't think I'm grousing, because I'm not, I'm just explaining why I haven't written.

The Adjutant by the way is not Grindell. He resigned his commission on account of ill-health several months ago. Holtby is the Adjutant. He comes from somewhere near Driffield, where his Father farms. Bob and one of his pals are going into Holtby's Father's farm for the holidays. Bob is staying at school until he is 18½, when he is going into the Inns of Court O.T.C.

I got your letter about getting a cottage today. It came enclosed in a letter from an officer in the 6th. East Yorks, where some silly postman had taken it. Someone had half opened it and then thought better of it on being pricked by his conscience.

I got a letter from Betty Keeble yesterday and was greatly bucked thereat. I am worrying as to how I shall address her in writing back; "Dear Mrs. Keeble" seems so staid and proper. (I must get dressed for another parade now, which means that I shall miss today's post.)

I think your idea of getting a little house is awfully jolly. What a ripping time you'll have. I used to go down that steep hill about 5.30 every morning for a bathe when we stayed at Filey before the war.

Do you know a man called Gibson? He is one of our officers. I took him with me to see the Belgian girls. There were eight or nine of us there altogether. We often used to go and have coffee with them in the evenings when we were there about 3 months ago. It is Norman Ingleby who has gone home with trench fever. When we were in the trenches I looked after the scouts and snipers and did not do duty with the company. Our company is now in command of Capt Parker, and I am 2nd. in command.

I am very glad you talk of running a motor bike as well as a cottage, I simply love seeing a nice girl on a motor-bike. I want to get a "Sunbeam" when I come home after the war.

The job of mess President doesn't mean trips into the villages, one hasn't time for that. It's usually a thankless job because people only notice delinquencies and forget all about the decent stuff they get to eat and never think of the trouble there is in getting it. But I don't care a bit if they grouse, they haven't done yet - if they do, I shall just tell them a few home truths about tent-keeping.

I should love to house-keep at your cottage after the war. No, I can't cook but I think I should be awfully good at washing up.

Leave is still stopped as far as I know.

I remember Ashby well. He was an awfully nice boy and a splendid fellow with heaps of pluck. I am very sorry indeed that he has been killed. I saw his body a few minutes after it happened. He was killed by a bomb in No Man's Land.

I had a very interesting journey a few days ago, when I saw Bosche hemets, minus the spikes and chains, and greatcoats lying on the roadside. I went down into a Bosche dugout, which is about 20ft below the surface and splendidly built. A poor little Bosche prisoner passed through here today.

I haven't written to my people for a fortnight!

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Tuesday 22.8.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I'm glad you got my letters after all, tho' you ought to get another one before you get this - are you in the trenches again now? If you are you haven't been long in that little wood you told me about - where you went the long train journey to.

Since I began this Cephas Marsland came in for a minute and then I had to go and change into tennis togs - they're all clean today so I feel extra special now. Mr. Rawles came round this mg. to see if we would go round there for a game tonight - and Pater is bringing Bertie Alexander in - he was in the R.E.T. before the war and has been out at the front in the 1st. line E.R. since last Sept. but has been gassed and is suffering from shell-shock - so he's come to the depot 'till he's better - he's awfully nice - lives at Hornsea on Marine Drive one of those white houses if you remember them. Ma had a letter from Reg. Gaskell the other day - he's home on leave getting his pilot's certificate and is coming over to see us sometime this week.

I had a wire from Emma Blamires at H'field on Thurs. asking me over for the weekend as her parents were away - I wired back and said "Yes" and then suddenly realised it was the parents' Silver Wedding on Sun. Flossie and I went off to Leeds in the afternoon so I had to telephone thro' and say I could only stay Friday night and come back Sat. night. I went, and had a very nice time - quiet - but I enjoyed it immensely - talked all the time mainly. Took a bomb to pieces that Emma's cousin had given her and then found a job putting it together again - but we managed it in the end.

When F. and I were in Leeds - we bought the silver wedding present - that's why we went - we bust our allowances on a pewter tea-pot, tray, sugar and cream jug - they are very artistic really - all beaten if you know what I mean - nothing tottery - won't wobble over at every turn - take less cleaning than silver and are cleaned with Brasso - pewter is very fashionable again now - it used to be years ago too - but we didn't buy it just because it is fashionable - it's rather silly to be always doing that - don't you think so - but because we thought it artistic and would be useful.

I'm awfully sorry about the rheumatism of yours in your poor old pegs - you must take care and not get damp feet or anything like that - did the Dr. tell you to take aspirin because if he didn't you mustn't take too many 'cause it's a drug really and you may find you can't get to sleep without them so remember my words - tush!

I must go now they are waiting for me - had an awful time with Fanny y'day - she shied and spun round and did it twice - fearful exhibition - I got fed up and Fanny was too so I brought the animal home and let Pa finish Ma's drive - I funked it really didn't I?

Love from me

Dora.

CMS to WHS and WS.23.8.16.

Dear Father and Mother,

Just this short line to let you know I am alive and well, but very busy. I have practically no time to myself, but shall have more from tomorrow, when I hope to get a letter written.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

CMS to WHS and WS; 24.8.16

My Dear Father and Mother,

I have been unable to write before owing to much work, and ill health. I still have plenty of work but the rheumatism which has been bothering me has practically gone. I had my first whole night's sleep for 10 days last night. The pain in my legs has been very bad; I think our recent marches must have brought it out from what I stored up in the winter. I have kept going by taking aspirin every 2 or 3 hours day and night for the last week. A temperature of 102° probably had a bit to do with the matter as well.

I had a most interesting visit last few days ago when I saw Bosche greatcoats, helmets etc, lying along the roadside, where they had been left in a hurry. I also went down into the Bosche dugout 20 ft. below the ground, a splendid piece of work. A party of us were having a tour of inspection on bicycles, We get fresh experiences every day now, - a welcome relief from before.

This morning the C.O. and a number of officers were out on horseback preparing for a "battle" we are having this evening. I am awfully bucked about getting my on my gee without help, because it was a big animal. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

I am understudying the Adjutant at present with another fellow, in case he gets pipped. Norman Ingleby is back in England recovering from trench fever, having had a temperature 1 point higher than mine. Another fellow who was half a point lower went a few days ago.

Thank you for the last parcel containing 2 cherry cakes, chicken etc.

Will you please ask James and Co. not to send any more tobacco, Father, as I am getting rather tired of it? There is a plentiful supply out here, both ration and otherwise. Of course it's frightfully hot here, and the flies of all sizes and kinds are awful. The people are quite as dirty if not dirtier than the Belgians.

Our company is living under canvas and in bivouacs in a cornfield, and are as happy as can be expected. Like everyone else we are fed up with war, but not nearly so fed up as the Hun. A poor little Bosche boy soldier passed through here the other day. He is lucky to be out of it. I wonder how our prisoners will fare when the pinch becomes harder.

Damn and blast the flies - they have been crawling on my neck, hands and head all the time I have been writing. It's very difficult to write without putting too much in. I could write pages and pages, but the censorship regulations are very strict.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS. Friday 25.8.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I thought I would just write you a note to-day as I don't think I shall find time to to-morrow and then Sunday is no post in or out so it would mean Monday and you will most prob. have this by then. Had a wire from Reg. G. y'day to say he's coming over 5.18 this afternoon - don't know how long he's staying - 'spect he'll go tomorrow again. Bertie Alexander is coming down to dinner to-night - he hasn't seen him since he went into the R.F.C. - by the way Alexander says he used to go to Hymers with you and was in the same form and you and he were always the naughty ones of the form - can quite imagine it!

The weather has been awful the last three days - have been intending playing tennis at Mr. Rawles' in the evening but it has always started to rain about 4 or 5 pm. and it has just started again now. Ma has gone to Sheffield for the day to meet Queenie Willatt and is bringing Olive (Q's eldest kiddie - aged 6½ yrs.) back here for a week. Next Friday is the Board Meeting and probably Pa and Ma will go for the weekend and probably after that Ma and I may go to Scarboro' for a few days - straight on from Hull.

When you get your decoration leave do you think you will get much notice beforehand - 'cause if you don't you could send me a wire as soon as you get to Folkestone or London then I should know you were in England - then if you let me know where and what train to meet you I'll manage to be there somehow or other. Could meet you Doncaster if you like or wherever you like - I don't mind.

Have you heard about Adrian Farrell's death? Isn't it awfully sad - he died on the 23rd in hospital near London - you would probably see it in the Times of the 24th. - Bertie Alexander was only talking about him and saying he had seen him in Hull quite recently looking very well. Mrs. Farrell will be fearfully upset about it because she made a great trouble of Bede and was simply living for Adrian to get better again.

We are awfully fed up with Dorothy Crooks who lives opposite - she IS a lazy slacker at every blessed thing - she looks so dissatisfied and lives absolutely in luxury and then feels depressed and says she suffers from depression - makes us feel fed up with her - what did you think of her when you saw her?

Peggy Wellsted is married to Colin Coute, last Sat. - I think I showed you a group I took at Reighton last year - we met him there - he is 22 and Peg is 21 - he is awfully clever and did very well at Camb. before the war - however it has been quick work as she only met him last October. He has been out at the front for some months but is home again now for a time I think.

How's your rheumaticy old self? I hope it is better now - or does it last a while? Gladys Runton sailed from Liverpool on a hospital ship yesterday. Flossie answered an advert. for looking after animals and helping with garden - she got a reply from a Miss Wilson - The Manse - Ackworth, near Pontefract - wanting someone to look after 2 goats and a kid - about 20 fowls - about 24 rabbits - and part charge of a few house cats! What do you think of it!!! She wrote back and said she thought "animals" would mean cows, pigs etc, and was seeking necessary work. Can't you picture an elderly spinster wearing glasses and mittens feeding those cats in cold weather!

Please excuse the awful scratching but I'm in rather a hurry - isn't it awful to think of the winter coming on? Awful in the rabbit hutch, shut in with lamps - still I expect you'd rather have a hutch than your dugout.

Love to yourself

Dora

Did you like Prisoner of Zenda? Rupert of Hentzau is the sequel but it's out of print at present.

CMS to Dora; Sunday, 27.8.16

My Dear Dodo,

Church bells ringing on the west and guns firing on the east is what I can hear at present. It seems strange to hear the bells again, and in such a place as this.

The company has gone out bathing in a river this morning, so I have a few hours to spare. They needed a bath as most of them were chatty. One fellow was picking chats off his shirt yesterday and dropping them on the ground near someone else's bivouac. The second fellow was rather annoyed about it, but cooled down somewhat on being told they had been "nipped" first. It would have made a splendid Bairnsfather drawing.

I had a nice little cross country ride a few days ago, and am awfully bucked about getting on and off, without help, on a big gee.

I should like to tell you where we are and more about what we are doing, but the Censorship Regulations have become very strict lately.

Yesterday morning we were out on a route march before breakfast, and passed a prisoners' camp. The inmates looked quite happy. They have good tents to live in, good food to eat, and nothing to grouse about. I think a Bosche prisoner is one of the luckiest people in the war. He's done his bit, and he's absolutely safe, far from the rest of the war, and has nothing at all to bother him. Did you know that Adrian Farrell had died of wounds after 15 months. It's awfully sad. I expect the strain of the numerous operations has told on him at last.

I have been straightening up mess accounts, it's quite like being back at the office. I give each member of the Mess a little account of his own, which I always try to keep a credit balance to, by making them pay in advance.

The Brigade is having a "battle" this afternoon, but I've got off on account of my rotten old legs, which arn't quite better yet. I'm looking forward to an interesting day tomorrow, when I am going up to see our new trenches. It means getting up at 3.30 am. though.

How is the little cottage affair going on. I think Filey's a splendid place for one. One can always get fresh eggs and milk there, tinned fruit etc. That's how we view a new billet out here. Are there farms near where we can buy milk, eggs and cream? Will they sell fresh vegetables? Is there a butcher's shop and so on? We usually manage to get milk and eggs from the farms, and tinned stuff from the nearest Expeditionary Force Canteen. We always eat pork when we get the chance, whether the month has an "r" in it or not. It is surprising what a lot of things one can buy at these canteens in tins, tinned peas, tinned beans, tinned rabbit, tinned plum puddings, tinned asparagus etc. So we don't have such a bad time in the food line.

You asked in one of your letters if there was anything you could do for me. Please send me a hot bath: I haven't had a real one since I was on leave.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

CMS to Dora; 1.9.16

My Dear Dora,

It's been raining cats and dogs here for the last two days and we've had a ripping time out in our cornfield. On going to my tent after 20 minutes extra heavy rain I found a pair of boots and various tobacco tins and other stuff floating about the floor. The three beds, which of course are on the ground, were surrounded by water. Maps, books etc were covered. Half the company was washed out of it's bivouacs.

Yesterday morning I killed 16 lice on my shirt, and on a closer inspection found more in the seams, and scores of eggs. I have got another shirt on now. I found some more in my collar and in my pyjamas. The doctor says they are caught in the trenches as eggs, and hatch out in anything from a few days to a few weeks. They are awfully tough, and one can't squeeze them between the fingers, it takes finger nails to out them. I told Ellis to burn the shirt, but he boiled it all this morning instead. I've just had a look at it, and the eggs are still there and look quite well.

I've been reading Military Laws, in the Orderly Room, this morning, and have become horribly fed with it. I have to know a bit about it in case I became an Adjutant. A couple of us had a trip to the trenches a few mornings ago. We arose at 3.30 pm. and set off on horseback in the dark. It was quite an exciting visit, we had to bend down and run quite a lot. There are a lot of dead Huns and British lying about. We came back about noon and had some glorious races. I jumped an old trench and hardly noticed it. I got the wind up horribly at first because the gee was galloping all out and didn't see the trench, and I did.

About decoration leave, I don't know whether one gets much notice. If I don't, I will wire you from Folkestone or wherever it is we land, and fix up about where and how and when to meet, after consulting the time-tables.

I'm not surprised you are feeling fed up with the Dorothy Crooks person, she seems rather a fluffy sort of creature, although I really didn't take much interest in her for the few minutes I saw her.

Do you know what it feels like to have had a rotten headache and then to get better, how delightful and fresh one feels after the headache's gone! That's just how I'm feeling now, after my rheumatism. I got hold of a professional masseur, and he's almost cured it.

You were right about the asperin. I couldn't sleep, so took a whopping big hot whisky and soda for two or three nights instead. Flossie must have been fed up when she got the letter about the cats etc.

Yes, I liked "The Prisoner of Zenda" very much, and have named one of my pipes Rupert.

Yours with love

Cecil

Dora to CMS; Friday. 1.9.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I have only time for a short note to-day - I have been busy cooking and doing odd jobs this morning and this afternoon and then we are going by the 6.8 train to Barnsley to see the Battle of the Somme pictures with Mr. Rawles, Capt. Bowmer and Mr. Bruce - friend of Bowmer's whom I don't know - people say they are very gruesome - still I want to go. I have to put Olive to bed as well before that and it is 5.30 now - she's quite a good little kid - only 6 ½ - but I shall have to slip her bath to-night. You said in your letter to-day that your legs weren't well yet - are they getting better? I have been awfully anxious about you since I got your letter last Monday and I do hope they are improving now. I am enclosing a cutting about Adrian Farrell - thought you might be interested - I do think it's awfully sad Cecil.

I have packed up a parcel for you to-day and hope it will arrive safely - I made the orange cake myself so say goodbye before you eat it - I have also made the marrow cream - we nearly put it in tarts but I thought you might like it to eat with bread.

Hope you've been getting all my letters and the 6th. E.Y. haven't got them. No more time - just train time so good bye and write often to your love

Dodo,

Love from me.

Dora to CMS; Sat. 2.9.'16.

Mon Cheri,

I only had time to write you a scratchy note yesterday and I thought I would like to write you another scratchy affair to-day - I was going to write a long one and Dorothy Crooks came across early this afternoon and wanted to make up a four and one can't refuse to make up a set very well but I had to write some letters but I shall have to be off again in a minute 'cause they are waiting. I sent off a parcel to Willie Hallitt - Emma Blamires' cousin - an awfully nice boy - yesterday and hadn't time to write a letter with it so I have just been doing it. I sent him a chocolate cake and a few oddments. I hope you remembered to put a crumb of the wedding cake under your pillow and see what you dreamt about! Father ordered the cake for Mother quite as a surprise. Do you know I was thinking about you a lot last Tues. Wed. and Thurs. 29 - 31st - I don't know whether you were having a rotten time or not or what was happening- Was anything?

The Somme pictures are really very sad and they do make one realise everything I think as well - when I got into bed last night I said to myself "Thank God I'm not a boy" - I know its fearfully cowardly of myself but I couldn't help it - I simply couldn't stand it - how do you manage to stand it and then be cheerful with it all ? I'm sure it must get on your nerves horribly - you know I simply hate to think of you going through it all - How is your rheumatism - look after your poor old legs well - do you think you have been careless with yourself? - I think you need someone to look after you, Don't you?

Goodbye, cheri, they have just been in again for me,

Love to yourself

Dodo.

CMS to Dora; 4.9.16.

My Dear Dora,

Just 3 months ago tomorrow isn't it? How ripping it is to read in your letters from time to time that you know now that you do love me just a little bit more than you did. I think one day you will love me just as I love you. You wont have the slightest doubt about it then; and we shall be married and will carry on for life together.

Leave is going on now, I believe, but not for our Division, so I'm afraid we shan't be seeing each other just yet awhile. Don't I just LONG to see you again, if only for a few hours.

Do you know we only just missed seeing the King when he was over here. A party of our battalion who had been left behind to clear up one of our camping places was asked to form a guard of honour for him, but the officer in charge considered they were too dirty etc, as they were, because one can't keep as smart as usual when making a long journey without cleaning materials, so some Guards who were living not too far away did it instead.

I think if I'd been the officer though I'd have taken the job on. The King was an awful sport, he went very near the firing line indeed, and in places that were very often heavily shelled.

The rheumatism's quite better now, thanks chiefly to massage. I note the strafe about not writing home, but I really hadn't time you know.

Yes, Parker is a Hull man, he lives in Park Avenue I think. He's a big fat chap and I like him very much. I've been struck off the strength of the company now, and spend my time with the scouts, and in understudying the Adjutant. I too think the war is going to be a horribly long do - I took on a bet the other day that it would last for another year.

I expect Reggie Gaskell will be coming out here soon. I wish I had got into the Flying Corps. They have a much better time than we do, and its such a nice uniform too isn't it. That fellow Allderidge must be an awful tick. He ought to come out here and be dealt with by our subalterns' picket.

Betty Keeble's letter congratulates (1) on the M.C. (2) on the thought of you as my dear little wife. She says she always hoped it would be so. There are several other very nice little things in it. I will send the letter on to you when I have answered it, which I expect to do in a day or two. I have about 15 congratulation letters to answer yet, including one from Lord Somebody Nunburnholme, and another from Reckitt's board. A call to the Orderly Room has prevented me getting this off by today's post.

Goodbye my love.

Love from Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Thursday 7.9.'16.

Dear Cecil,

I'm in rather a hurry - have been busy making a Y.M.C.A. overall - black and white stripes - to help at the canteen here every Mon. for 4 hrs from 2pm. to 6pm. - also have to wear a black silk cap affair - the whole thing is rather a nuisance - to wear the apparel - I like going to the hut.

Emma is coming over for the weekend - she couldn't come last week as she injured her knee but she won't be able to play tennis even now. William is also coming so I shall be very busy with the blessJd housekeeping and cooking and I positively LOATH IT - I don't do it for love of anything - it is just sheer duty that makes me do it and when Mother is strong enough to do it by herself - I expect in a few months' time or by next year - I shall jolly well turn out and do something and I'm sure I shall never want to do it again once I get away from it all. I do hate being a girl at times and having to scratch round in one's hutch all day instead of getting away for one's work and having it outside the home and then come back at night.

Flossie has gone to Hull and on to Sigglesthome today to see the Rector there about a job on his little farm - milk two cows - pony and trap and feed small stock - sounds rather decent really - she's a lucky beggar. I am very glad your rheumatics are better - you must take care now they are well again. Ma hasn't been well for the last two or three days and has been in bed. Olive is here still and will be staying another ten days yet - she is quite a good little kid really altho' rather a monkey at times. Everything is Why, What for, When and Where, with her at present and it keeps one busy.

Love from your chum

Dora.

W. Hallitt to Dora; 10 Sept 1916.

Dear Dora,

Thank you very much for the cake and letter, both arrived perfectly intact, and neither tasted in the least cardboardy.

The "officers' mess" here voted the cake as most excellent. The men consist of three other officers and myself. I am mess president, and I should have the honour of sitting at the head of the table, if the table, with the natural perversity of things, didn't happen to be round.

I am afraid I haven't anything very interesting to say. I haven't had my hat swept off by a shell, or my life saved because the nib of my fountain pen stopped a bullet which otherwise would have been fatal, like most people here appear to have done.

I think the Bosh gunners have finished their lunch. They are working it off by putting 5.9s and "Pip Squeaks" over, our 18 pounders will start in a minute. I am billeted in what was a rather fine old Chateau once, in a little village, about three thousand yds from no mans land.

Our 18 pounders are hard at it now and a 60 pounder battery has started up. There must be something about behind their lines. A battery of French 75 mms has just started up. They are making a row We shall be getting something back for this in about an hour.

I work just in sight of the Bosh lines, but out of range of the rifles. This morning they contented themselves with half a dozen 5.9s and a "Whiz Bang" or two.

"Whiz Bangs" are 4 inch high speed shells

I wish I had been at Bradly to watch you put the striker back in the bomb. It would have given me much pleasure. I have a horse out here, or rather I had till a week ago, It got hurt.

It was a nice old brute called Tommy and it shies at everything from match tools upwards. It also is the possesor of a very strong will, and as you say arguing with your horse as to the merits of various roads home, at a corner, is rather undignified, specially when the brute can not argue with more than two feet on the ground.

I do hope Mrs. Willatt will soon be better.

Please thank them all for their wishes

Your affectionate friend

W. Hallitt.

P.S. Excuse the paper etc. Its jolly hard to get hold of any here.

CMS to WHS and WS; 12.9.16.

My Dear Father and Mother,

I am quite well again and as happy as is possible under the circumstances. This is my first chance of writing since my last letter and if I have not time to finish this I will just pop it into an envelope and send it off as it stands. I did start a letter 3 or 4 days ago but have been unable to finish it. Bob is right what he has heard.

If you don't hear from me for some time don't worry. We shall be vey busy - the papers will tell you why - I will let you have a word though if I have the chance.

I will carry out the tip about keeping a Key word if I have time. I was hit by a piece of spent shell yesterday, and have 3 times been covered with earth from bursting shells. There is plenty of excitement as well as work. I have not yet thanked R.and S. board for their congratulations, also a number of people, but will do so when I can. Time up

Love to all,

Cecil.

WHS to Dora's Father; Sept 13 1916.

Dear Captain Willatt

A week or two ago I was going through some papers of my Father's when I was in Sheffield, and came across the enclosed.

Probably you have a copy, but possibly not two - I am sure your daughters will be glad to have photos of "Father when he was a boy"

Yours sincerely

W.H.Slack.

Dora to CMS; Thursday 14.9.'16.

My dear Cecil,

Flossie forwarded me your letter on and I got it this mg. and you wrote it on the 4th. - the Field P.O. stamp was Sept 9th so I wonder if it got mislaid - you posted it before the 9th. didn't you or did you forget and carry it about in your coat pocket or something silly!! I hadn't had a line from you for a whole week and I was beginning to wonder what had happened to you old boy.

Ma and I came here on Tuesday - we only decided to come on Monday night so it was rather a rush getting off - this place is a boarding house next door to the Prince of Wales if you know where that is - at the south end just about the spa - I'm not keen on boarding houses at all really but we didn't engage rooms and had heard of this place so tried it. It is about half full - mainly of atrocities in the female spinster line - a few old fogies and their wives and not more than two weedy unfit looking youths - however we have a table to ourselves in the dining room and come up to our bedroom after so we don't see much of the blessed folk. It does make one wonder how boarding houses manage to get these collections of spinsters - hope I shan't get like them when I'm in my senile decay and I hope you won't get fat and portly like these munition people one sees here about 45 or 50 - heaps of them just about your height too - but I don't think you will.

We've got a simply delightful bedroom - big bay window which overlooks the sea - about 10 yds. from the front - Cayton Bay and Filey Brigg - I pulled my single bed right into the bay window the very first night - had all the windows open and it was absolutely gorgeous - I could see the moon shining on the sea as I lay abed - it is just like being out of doors - last night the clouds, sea and moon were really beautiful - I wish you had been here to see it - I always wish you were with me when I'm enjoying things - I wish you had been here to go all the nice walks there are with me and then we could have gone riding together couldn't we? Still we'll have a shot at it at Filey after the war - I want to go over there for the day while we are here to see about a cottage.

If Pa comes over for the weekend I shall be able to go riding with him but I doubt if he will be able to get over. The Winkleys are staying in rooms not far from here also the Whitticks minus dear Tommy - also the Woodhouses of The Park - did you know that Dorothy Woodhouse was privately engaged to Hugh Hopkinson of Sutton who was killed about a year ago ? I think it was Hugh - someone at the hospital in Hull told me - did you know the Hopkinsons?

I remembered the 5th. and wondered if you had done too - sorry I wrote such a fed up letter to you last week but I really WAS fed up with life but I feel much better now - I think wanted a change really - it gets awfully monotonous at Silkstone at times - found a grey hair the other day and spotted another one to-day - isn't it tragic? Ma says I must come now as she wants to go out - so goodbye, my love, and look after your dearself. I DO want to see you again too.

Love from your

Dodo.

Excuse smudgings and scratchings but I am sitting outside.

CMS to Dora; 14.9.16

My Dear Dora,

By the time this reaches you, you will have seen from the papers why I have been unable to write before. We have all been worked till we are just ready to lie down anywhere and sleep. I have had a few hours now and again but couldn't write - just HAD to sleep. Today is the calm before the storm. Don't worry if you don't get a letter for several days now, because I dont expect I shall be able to send one even if I have time to write.

Thanks awfully for the parcel, especially the lemon cake. I didn't know I had to put the button thing from the wedding cake under my pillow. I ate it - I suppose that was all right?

Round about here there are hundreds of dead men lying, both British and German, and helmets, rifles, rations, shells, bombs etc. The helmets are bent and broken and no good as souvenirs.

I had an exciting little experience a few days ago. The colonel and I were walking along a shallow trench when a sniper's bullet cracked between us; about half a minute after two more came, so we had to get on our hands and knees in the mud which was 3 or 4 inches deep. We had to crawl like this for 50 yds. The C.O. had a new pair of breeches on too!

My present home is a German dugout, and a very nice one too except for the crowding. The rheumatism's quite better thanks. I suppose I ought to have someone to look after me. I shouldn't need very much looking after though: I've learnt a few things during the war.

Yesterday I took four men up to the front line trenches with me to reconnoitre a route. I got hopelessly lost and in the end had to go across 400 yds of open ground in daylight, with the Hun about 600 yds. away. We expected a machine gun or a salvo of shrapnel, but managed to get under cover after a most embarrassing journey.

I shall give this letter to one of the men who are going back from the trenches this afternoon to post: I hope he doesn't forget it.

My next letter will probably not be for some time but I think there will be some interesting news in it.

Till then goodbye

and love from

Cecil.

CMS to WHS and WS; 17.9.16

My Dear Father and Mother,

I am quite well and happy, having had many escapes from death. We have been "over the bags", in the push. My job is "liason" officer to the Brigade, which means I have to keep information going between Brigade and battalion as much as possible. This means personal trips back from and up to the front line - no "cushy" job I can assure you. Shelling is always going on, I and my orderly, Ellis, have had many narrow escapes both from that and from snipers.

There are some awful sights. The morale of our chaps is splendid. The Bosche prisoners look absolutely done when they come down. Ellis and I brought one back with us on one of our return journeys. He was handed in to battalion Headquarters whilst we were there. I had an interesting talk with him after we got off the heavily shelled area.

Two officers whom Bob would know, Grainger and Phillips, were killed yesterday. Hundreds of souvenirs about but it is impossible to carry them about.

Many happy returns to Father and Bob.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

CMS to Dora; 18.9.16

My Dear Dora,

We have been "over the bags" in this last big push, and are a mile further on than when I last wrote. What is left of the battalion has been withdrawn for a few hours rest. When the battalion went over we had one of these new armoured motor-cars with us. They have caterpillar wheels and go right over trenches and shellholes. They ignore bullets and small shells, and just wander about shooting their machine guns. My particular job in the game was to keep up communications between our brigade and the battalion, apart from the telephone, ie. let the battalion know how the battle was going on elsewhere and let the brigade know the position of the battalion and how it was faring, also the taking up of orders from the brigade. This meant journeys up and down and they were rather unpleasant ones because the Hun was always shelling heavily.

Ellis and I had many narrow escapes from these shells and from snipers. We were in the open all the time after our journey. The unit communication trench up to the new front lines was much too crowded with men both dead and wounded, British and German, for us to get along it. There were some awful sights lying about, half a body here, a head there and so on.

Everyone keeps cheerful though, as much as possible. The weather has been good until today, which means a very great deal, but it is very cold at nights.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

CMS to Bob; 18.9.16

Dear Bob,

Glad to hear you've had a good time farming. Holtby says his Father is awfully bucked with the work of you and the rest.

We have had exciting times here lately, as you will have seen from the papers, and I read in the papers that the work of our Brigade and Battalion was not unnoticed. No names are mentioned, but the positions of our lot was mentioned and the fighting commented on. These new "tanks" are splendid things and they give a tremendous feeling of confidence, quite apart from the other work they do. A couple of them patroled the streets of Martinpuich whilst the Bosche were actually in posession. We had one with us when we went over.

27/9/16

Since beginning this letter we have gone another 1000 yds. nearer Berlin!! and have had a strenuous time.

Three nights ago, Sgt. Major Carr, a Brunswick man, and I went out together on patrol to see how strongly a certain Bosche trench 600 yds. in front of us was held. We got to the trench all right and found there were some Bosche in, because they fired Very lights - ("star shells"). We jumped into the trench where we thought no one was, and found it deserted with the exception of a few men at one point about 50 yds. from us. I think we could have killed them easily but it was important that we should get back without the Bosche knowing anything about us. It is very nervy work going slowly along a trench with a revolver in one's hand, expecting a Bosche any minute. We went along for 20 or 30 yds. but met and heard nothing. One has to be careful, when out on patrol in No Mans Land, as to direction. It is absolutely impossible to carry on without a compass, or the stars.

We got back allright and I sent in my report. On our way across we discovered a good metalled road that had not suffered much from shells. I looked it up afterwards on the map and couldn't see it marked, so I was afraid I had lost direction and crossed another road. I mentioned this in the report, saying we had been very careful as to direction, and accused the map of being wrong. It turned out that I was right and the map was wrong, in aeroplane photographs being examined.

It was a very useful bit of information, as this unmarked road would have been very disconcerting in an attack. I am very bucked about it, and also about getting into the Bosche trench. Last night the trench was attacked and entered, but our people were eventually bombed out. The Bosche has now, however, evacuated it. Before the attack last night a certain battalion did not turn up to time and I had to guide a company up at 5 minutes notice to take their place. I did my job all right but it was absolutely impossible to get there to time. Having left the company in position and explaining to the captain what was going on, I returned to Headquarters with news.

There was a terrific barrage the whole time I was going up and coming back. Shells were bursting absolutely all round us and on top of us. It was rotten work going on through them, but it had to be done. One shell, a small one, fell at my feet, ONLY 3 YARDS FROM ME. An orderly was by my side, and we could see nothing for at least half a minute. Shortly afterwards another landed about 10 yds. behind us. Exciting work, I can tell you. It is really rather wonderful how both my orderly and I got through 600 yds. of it untouched. (At one time we held hands to keep in touch with one another).

Later on in the night I led a party, carrying ammunition and bombs, to a certain place. We had just dumped our load and were moving off when a great shell burst 30 yds. from us and rained iron at us. Again noone was hit, but the bombs, against which I had been standing 15 seconds before, were, and one exploded, but noone was hit. These are some of the nearest shaves I have had for some time.

I had a letter from Father a little while ago, and he says that a letter from me had not come for nearly 3 weeks. I know I have written oftener than that. I think a mail or two has gone "west".

There is a rumour that leave has started again, but I don't think our Division will get any at present. I have received parcels from Mother, the last being a splendid one of fancy cakes. I am now Headquarters' Mess President, but do not expect to have the job long, as I shall probably have a company shortly.

Please ask Mother to send me a tin of "Boot's Vermine in the Trenches Killer". I am simply awful, as is everyone else, including the C.O. and the doctor. Every time I have a wash and shave which is every 50 hours, on the average, I have a chat hunt. One day I killed over 30 on my shirt, and there are dozens of eggs.

Will Mother also please send a cardigan jacket and a sleeping cap, a pair of nail-scissors and a packet of Gillette razor blades.

I think we shall be having a short rest soon, when I shall be able to write again.

I shall be interested to hear how you have got on with the interviews with Col. Easton.

Your affec. brother,

Cecil.

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