Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 14

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 WHS and WS; 21.10.16; Recd.30.10.16.

My Dear Father and Mother,

We are still resting, but do not expect much more of it. I had another trip to Amiens yesterday and had a jolly good lunch and dinner. We are having a comfortable time whilst we have the chance. I suppose you'll be having the same cold spell as we are. It froze hard last night, and I did away with my outdoor spongedown before breakfast. It's too cold for the feet. I put my winter clothes on today.

I have been having a good deal of riding lately and enjoyed it although I'm a rotten rider.

You should be getting a German helmet shortly after this letter. I am going to pack it up and post it tomorrow if I have time.

22.10.16.

I went up to the front line this morning. Breakfast at 6.0am. Last night I slept in my socks, pants, vest, shirt, and pyjamas, and just managed to keep warm. It is a lot warmer tonight. I have just come back from the line, having been on the move the whole day. Thank you very much for the two parcels received lately, one containing chat powder, cakes etc. and the other containing a tinned chicken etc.

I am sorry that I cannot say that I killed the owner of the helmet and then took it from his head, which is the correct thing to do. As a matter of fact I bought it. But it is a genuine helmet from the Somme battlefields, and might make a nice billiard room ornament.

It's rather a worrying job being a company commander, but I'd sooner be one than not. The company were playing Rugby yesterday. I managed to get a try, and a smack in the eye and a strained arm.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Sat. morning. 21.10.16

My dear Cecil,

Its just a whole week since I wrote a line to you but I've been doing tons of things since then seeing different people etc. that I haven't had a minute to spare for writing letters. It's exactly a whole week AND a day since I had one from you (I got one this mg.) so you can't scold me very much can you? Last Monday I was at the Y.M.C.A. for two hours in the evening had a fearful rush there as there was only one man besides myself serving so we were kept busy I know the prices of all cigs and tobacco etc. now! On Tuesday I went to Hull and came back last night Friday I stayed with my grandfather who lives past the train terminus on Holderness Rd. Flossie was staying there too for a few days and won't be back till Monday. Harry Quant is coming over for the weekend today at 12.32. Mother had asked him for this weekend so I rang him up in Hull and we had lunch with him at least the dear gent asked me to have lunch with him and I felt very honoured - we haven't seen him for nearly a year and he looks older and thinner I think.

I am scribbling a note to you this morning as I thought I shouldn't have time later on. When I got back last night the inkpot had arrived! I have unpacked it and it's AWFULLY nice a huge thing altogether isn't it? Its awfully kind of you to send it to me and thank you ever so much for it the next letter I write to you I will use it I haven't put any ink in it yet its a lovely paper knife too they are ingenious with the bits of shell. We saw Kathleen Watts in Hull and she is awfully excited she is going off to the Bermuda Islands in about a fortnight; The Reserve 4th. E.Yorks, are going out, Jack Ferens and that lot. K. Watt's sister married Major Ted Collingwood and she is going with her and taking 4 children youngest 1 yr. they are going on the troopship passage paid by Government and they will be there two yrs. or till the end of the war. Jolly nice soft job and quite safe till the end of the war - aren't they lucky I wish you could get a job like that - Marion Ferens isn't going with Jack Ferens - I do think she is missing a lot and a good chance of travelling if she doesn't - don't you and it would be good for her chest too I should think.

Harry Quant's bringing his camera with him - it will be quite nice having some old friend from Hull to talk to. Isn't it awfully cold nowadays I'm nipped to the marrow. I was glad to get your letter this morning it seemed quite a long time since I heard from you I should love to go riding with you someday have you got a rubber hot water bottle to take to bed? Would you like one? Or do you scorn one? Byebye I've got tons to do before Mr. Quant comes - we met several people in Hull but will write again soon.

Thank you ever so much for the inkpot old chap.

Love from

Dora.

C. Gilby to Mr. Biggs (a Reckitt's traveller) passed to WHS; October 19/1916.

Dear Mr. Biggs,

I have not written before, because censorship, just as it is, prevents me from saying what would be of interest to yourself. Had it not been for this I could have given you some vivid pictures of life and death on the field of battle. And a soldiers impressions of the things you read of in the daily papers. You will remember giving me Patrick McGills book on the Loose Offensive, well I thought I would mention how true to the life out here it is. It does not however give all the hardships and trials of a soldier, no book does. The incidents, as in the book are exciting, and worth going across the world to experience, but the life between is hard and monotonous, especially to those who have had some experience of the best life can offer. However, I'm not complaining. How could I, for others have done so much more than I. Besides I have had the satisfaction of experiencing the joys of real battle, have stood face to face with the enemy. The particular one was in the trench, I was on top. The poor beggar had no chance as two others fired practically at the same time as I did. You will wonder what it feels like to kill a man. Well, I must confess that my emotions were quite normal. It did not affect me in any way whatever, even though I had subsequenly, the better to do my work, to stand on his corpse. We remembered the Air Raids on that occasion.

On the other hand, we get long hours of hard toil, under conditions the reverse of pleasant. These do not serve to stimulate your enthusiasm. But, its work that must be done. Your friend Mr. Slack has a son with my Batt. and a very fine, brave officer he is too. The men call him the "daddy" of the regiment. Meaning the best. There are other good ones too. Men reveal many unexpected qualities under fire. Good and bad. You will have had Fred Stephenson over. Cecil also will have leave after recovering from his wound. Cecil deserves his rest. The weather today is vile, windy and raining. You can imagine what that means to the boys in the trenches. Absolute misery. You will have got another stocktaking over. I do hope the year has been successful, in spite of the difficulties.

Yours sincerely

C. Gilby

CMS to Dora; 22.10.16, 9.15 p.m.

My Dear Dora,

I was up at 5.30 this morning and it was HORRIBLY cold. We had to make a trip up to the line the C.O. and the four company commanders.

We shall have to get up again at 5.0 tomorrow morning. I went for 12 hours today without a drink from 6.0 this morning till 6.0 tonight, when we returned, so you can imagine how I enjoyed the bottle of real English beer which I had for dinner. Last night I slept in socks, pants, vest, shirt, pyjamas and balaclava helmet, and only just kept warm. It's a lot warmer though tonight.

I had another trip to Amiens on Friday. We spent most of the time eating. Lunch cost us 22 francs each, dinner 38 francs each, so you see we did ourselves well. I was with Capt. Seed, you may know him, he lives in Hessle, and 2/Lt. Boyle. No, I'm sorry to say I haven't answered all my congratulation letters yet, I haven't had time to do it comfortably I know it's awfully wicked of me, neither have I written yet to Betty Keble I'm always meaning to, I want to. and I really must do it within the next few days.

Thanks awfully for the cakes they were topping. The mess did not let them stay on the table long. I was thinking of you all the time, and imagining I could see you making them. I have stopped cold baths now they're a bit thick in weather like this and one's toes take such a long time to get warm I shouldn't mind them indoors, but outdoors, NO. I have read Reggie Gaskell's letter with interest.

I wish I could get a home job like Bertie Alexander's. But I daresay I should want to get back here again after a few months, more from a sense of duty than anything else of course if one is not physically fit it's all right. Yesterday one of the men broke his collarbone and sprained his shoulder badly at football: he got no sympathy, he was just told he was a lucky devil, as it meant a trip to Blighty. I should love to be nicely wounded, and yet I don't want to be you understand the feeling don't you?

I'm going to bed now, and to think of you, so cheeroh!

Yours, with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Tuesday 24.10.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I got your letter of the 17th. this morning taken a long time to come hasn't it! Flossie didn't take that farm job after all at the vicar of Sigglesthorne's because he wanted a rough farm girl. She has been at the Labour Exchange in Hull for a fortnight and has now come home again and STILL got nothing - she thinks she might do motor driving but doesn't know I expect she will end up by doing nothing at all.

You are quite forgiven tush about my green coat - still I'm sure you will like it - it looks very nice and is coming tomorrow and I have got a nice black hat to go with it and the "toute ensemble" is s'rather nice!! Leslie Brown (Kathleen Runton's fiancé) has got night blindness whatever it may be and has got a job down at the base camp now. Just after I had written the letter to you on Sat. morning we had a wire from Reggie Gaskell asking if he could come over so he arrived by the 11.8 train and Mr. Quant came at 12.32. Flossie was staying on in Hull for the weekend but she arrived back last night. On Sat. afternoon Pa, Reg, Mr.Q. and I went for a long walk together and then we asked Dorothy Crooks in at night.

On Sunday mg. we all trotted down to church and then Emma arrived in time for dinner - I had rung up for her to come over - did another long walk in the afternoon and then two of Pa's subs were in for supper. Mr. Q. went y'day mg. and the D.O.R.E. at Doncaster and one of Pa's subs on the way to France called for lunch the D.O.R.E. was an AWFUL gasbag never stopped talking once. I had to go to the Y.M.C.A. at 5 to 7 and then another of Pa's subs was in for supper also on way to front and who was the limit then Flossie came in at 8.35. So you see we have been very busy altogether.

Reggie is very nice, altho' a little quieter than he used to be he has always been chummy with us all he is friendly with the Todd boys and we have known him for about four years. He goes tomorrow morning I think - he has just finished his R.F.C. exams and got a week's leave. He says he's quite sick of the army and wants to get back to his architect's work again. We did enjoy having Mr. Quant - he is an awfully nice sort and I do like him don't you? I think he is so awfully genuine in everything. He says he's sick of the works sticking in an office all day and wants to travel again. You know I'm SURE you won't like sticking in an office year after year now shall you? Don't you think you would like to start and do something different or go abroad or something? Mr. Quant says he suffers fearfully from loneliness sometimes and I felt awfully sorry for him. He told Mother he wanted to find a wife and get married and take her out to South America next time and then on to Spain and Russia. I wonder if he ever will get married. He says he will come over for another weekend soon and when we go to Hull we are to be sure and ring him up and have lunch with him. You didn't tell me your Mother is staying at Colwyn - is it for the PrizeGiving?

Flossie is talking to Reggie at present so I thought I would hop off and write to my love.

Marjorie Barker has asked me to go and stay with her at Grimsby on Monday for a few days so I might go but don't quite know yet. I am going over to H'field to Emma's for the night on Thursday to see "Peg O'my heart" again do you remember seeing it? Its an awfully sweet thing, isn't it? I don't know whether I was thinking of you last Wednesday at 9.30 or not I couldn't say - I know I was late in bed that night so it would be late before I had my little thought about you. It's lovely looking into a glowing fire and imagining things isn't it - I love doing it. I often lie awake and long for you sometimes so badly Cecil, my love that I wonder when I shall see you - I think you will seem different to me from the last time I saw you shall I seem different to you?

Goodbye my love,

from your

Dodo.

Did you get the two cakes I sent off about 12th.? Hope they aren't lost.

CMS to Dora; 27.10.16.

My Dear Dora,

Just a few lines to let you know I'm quite fit after a rather strenuous time.

When I last wrote we had just received orders to go up to the line the next day. We had to get up early in the morning and pack our things in a hurry. Whilst we were parading before getting into the buses I was told that as soon as we got out I should have to take 400 men to the front line for a working party. The first trouble was dinner, which we did not get till 3.30 pm. We set off, with our packs on our backs, and each man with a spade, just before dark. We went across country and uphill. The ground was wet, and it soon came in very dark.

It was an awful walk it took us four and a half hours to go only a mile and a half. Packs were then dumped, and after a short rest the men went up to the front to dig, returning at daybreak. It rained all night, and up till midday. After the men had dumped their packs and I had seen them and the officers with them off to the line I went back with 3 orderlies to try to find the cookers, which had set off with us but had stuck fast in the mud. I could not find them and had to put it off till dawn. So we lay down in the rain, whilst one of the four stayed awake, and tried to sleep. I got about a couple of hours and then woke up sopping and shivering. Daylight came at last and we found the cookers, which had only arrived an hour previously, as they had to send back for more horses, just as most of the transport had to. The cookers were there but no rations. The A.S.C. had also been held up by the weather. I managed to get some warm tea up to the men however, which kept them going until rations eventually came.

Most of them had no sleep owing to the cold and rain and lack of shelter. Then we heard we should have to man the front line that night. I did not tell the men this. Later on the order was cancelled and we were ordered back. The men got a hot dinner at the cooker at about 3.0 pm. Then when it was dark I received an order as to where I was to take the 400 men. I found the spot all right, but neither I nor anyone of the other officers, N.C.Os. or men had been there before.

The only thing to do was to turn in anywhere for the night. It was raining, and pitch black. About 9.0 pm the C.O. and the rest of the battalion turned up and my responsibility was over. Shortly afterwards I turned into a dugout I had managed to find, and slept in the cold for nearly 10 hours. The next day but one we were shelled out. Two officers were blown to bits five yards from where I was kneeling behind some sandbags. The C.O., Adjutant and Doctor had a miraculous escape. The officer who was in my dugout has gone down with shell shock.

I don't think I've ever had quite such a rotten time. But it's over now. I'm lying on my side now in a dugout some of the men have helped me to make, and am just waiting for the post, before wrapping myself up in sandbags for the night.

I haven't written to Betty Keble yet, we were rushed off too soon. We came off in such a hurry that I had no time to get anything I wanted, such as washing and shaving tackle. I had on a most dinky little British warm which has badly suffered owing to the numerous holes I slithered into when searching for the cookers. Poor Ellis is still a bit muzzy. He was with me all the time. The India rumour is still on, but I don't suppose there's anything doing.

Cheeroh my love,

Yours with love,

Cecil.

CMS to WHS and WS; 27.10.16. Recd. 6.11.16.

My Dear Father and Mother,

Just a few lines to let you know I am quite fit after a VERY strenuous three days, about which I will tell you some other time when I am not so tired.

Part of the strenuous time was being 5 yards from two officers when they were blown to bits. But it's all over now and I am looking forward to a rest tonight.

I got a tin of shortbread from Mr. Baker 5 or 6 days ago, and thanked him before I got Father's letter. I have not posted the German helmet yet.

I am due for a captaincy at the end of this month, having been in command of a company for a month. It will be temporary, whilst in command.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Sat. 28. 10.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I went to Huddersfield for the night on Thursday to see "Peg O'my heart" I think I told you I was going in my last letter it was awfully sweet and charming just as nice as before. I came home y'day and got in at 1.20 pm. and then had to pay a call with Ma on the village schoolmistress. This morning I had breakfast in bed I have got a dawful gold in my dose and my head feels all swollen with it rotten however I am existing for a few days till it has run its course.

Ma, Pa and I have been to a military wedding in the village church this afternoon one of the Northumbrian officers got married to a Llandudno girl and he thought he would like to have the wedding in the camp with his friends. The story goes that the girl's former fiancé told the present bridegroom to look after his girl while he went to the front - which he did - only too much so - and has married her today! I don't know what has happened to the poor chap at the front! They had all the military honours and soldiers on horseback pulled the carriage to and from the church and there were six officer outriders. It really looked very picturesque. I haven't been to a wedding for years and years - 1906 - I think when Auntie Alice Batty was married - just ten years ago. The bride looked a bit dithery and pale and didn't smile much but Whalley looked decidedly cheerful.

On Monday I am going to Marjorie Barker's: The Mount, Bargate Avenue, Grimsby staying until Friday I think so write to Silkstone when you do write - 'tis only in case you get sudden leave. She is engaged since you saw her in June, but will tell you in my next letter as the post is just about to go. 'Tis most romantic anyway! Heard a girl in H'field say all letters were stopped from the front I haven't heard since Tuesday and today is Saturday so am wondering if it is true?

Bye bye don't catch cold like me

Love from

Dora.

Bob to CMS; 29/10/16.

Dear Cecil,

I went to York last Wednesday and saw the General, or whatever he was. He was quite a decent chap and didn't ask me much, only my position at school, what sports I went in for and what I did in my spare time and a few other things. I told him I motor biked in my spare time, so he asked me if I had a good bike, so I told him it was once.

The Head kicked up a row again about motor bikes yesterday, because some silly fool had written to him saying that a boy had nearly knocked him down and had then sworn at him for getting in the way.

Later on he interviewed the motorcyclist alone and generally ran us down, saying that if he were Chief Constable of a town like Hull he wouldn't allow a motor bike to go more than 4 m.p.h. (poor chap). However he asked us what was the slowest speed our bikes would do. I said mine wouldn't do less than ten, so he kindly consented to allow me to ride to school so long as I do not exceed 10 m.p.h. Of course I shan't: I don't think. However he wouldn't let any of the others ride to school at all, except one who lives at Beverley.

I have to see Colonel Easton again on Wednesday to see what the chap at York thinks of me, and also to see about getting into the Inns of Court at Christmas.

Your affec. brother,

Bob.

Dora to CMS; Friday 3.11.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I didn't come here till Wednesday after all my cold got worse on Sat. and a bit feverish so I stayed in bed on Sunday quite enjoyed it too and then came here Wednesday and I am going back on Monday I think it will be early as I made an appointment a week ago with a dentist in Barnsley to have a tooth stopped at 11.30 - the stopping came out of it and have had to have the nerve killed - still I think he is going to save the little beggar. I don't think I have told you about Marjorie's (Barker) engagement have I? I have intended doing so in my last letter or two but have never got it in somehow - it really is very romantic and was only fixed up about three weeks ago. She came up from Jersey in August and travelled up from London in the same carriage as a naval lieutenant - neither spoke but I suppose he noticed Marjorie and also her name on her suit case - he sought out someone he knew in Grimsby to introduce them played tennis etc - called on Mrs. Barker, and three weeks ago they were engaged - he is 25 and Marjorie mearly 24 - his name is William Ratburn Richardson and is a full lieutenant in the regular navy - also senior submarine officer at Immingham.

I have really been asked over to meet him so I wondered what he would be like. He is very broad, fair, blue eyes, nearly 6 ft. - and doesn't part his hair but brushes it straight back - so now you have a full description - the naval uniform is very nice and Marjorie says he is very neat and tidy so that's one blessing. She quite knows her own mind and is very happy - so I'm really very pleased 'cause she is so nice, kind and unselfish that she really deserves someone really very nice.

I feel quite envious of anyone who quite knows their own mind it must be a nice happy feeling - sometimes I do feel like that and other times like nothing on earth. I have told Marjorie about us and she says it must be very difficult to think differently of anyone I have known so long and not see them that's why I think I shall know more the next time I see you. She likes you and thinks you're very nice so I am glad she does. I seem to be repeating words in this letter but I seem to be just rambling on and on. You always manage to keep quite clear in yours and never wander away.

You would enjoy your second trip to Amiens - I know of Capt. Seed by name that's all but not of Boyle. The price you paid for your meals seems a simply terrific amount to spend but I suppose one does things out there at the front that one would never dream of doing in ordinary peace times - as one has to live such a wretched life in the trenches.

I've been a long time writing to you, haven't I? Marjorie's young man came in on Wed. night and brought his sub who was quite nice and we all went to the pictures - yesterday we were out practically all day and this a.m. we were working in Marjorie's kitchen garden - she sells the vegetables for the War Supply depôt. Am just going out now. Richardson is out on his submarine today till Sunday and then he has invited us out to Immingham to tea to H.M.S. Vulcan their depôt ship so you see I am going about quite a lot! Marjorie got her ring y'day a very nice one with just three diamonds made of palladium something like platinum.

Goodbye my love, it must be awfully cold for you now I often wish you could get a wound but only a little one that wouldn't hurt you but would bring you home then I could get to love you more and know you more.

Love from

Dora.

CMS to Dora; 3.11.16.

My Dear Dora,

Thanks for forgiving me about the green coat. I should just love to see you in it, and the black hat. I believe leave is starting soon, so perhaps I shall. You say in your last letter that you're sure I won't like sticking in an office year after year, but I don't think I shall mind it as I once used to, in fact I think I shall like it. Of course I simply couldn't and wouldn't be a common, or garden, clerk for long, but I have to start there. I shall take a real interest in business after the war. I didn't care a damn before. When one is interested in one's work, it's quite all right. Of course I should love to travel, and maybe shall. What I should like of course would be to have any amount of cash, or none at all, and just go about the world when and how I liked! Poor old Mr. Quant, he must feel a bit lonely at times, especially after the travelling life he has led. I am awfully fond of him. Of course you know he's an old pal of my governors. They used to camp out together in the Australian bush. What a glorious life it must have been.

Yes Dora, you will seem different to me when I see you again, as I shall to you a feeling of understanding and nearness. I do love you so. One can't describe the feeling. It's not the same as it used to be, because now I know what I was not sure of before, namely that you love me too it is, as I say, a feeling of lovely understanding.

We have had a hard time since I last wrote to you. We have been up in the front "ditch". It is not a trench. It is EVERYWHERE knee deep in mud, from the consistency of water to that of treacle. The rain has been awful. I have not had more than six hours' sleep out of the last sixty. Everything is wet and horrid, British warm, socks and boots are all soaking with mud. We came back to rest this morning and are now in comfort. Men have stuck fast in the mud and have been too weak to get out. They have to be pulled and dug out. One of my officers got stuck and it took three men to get him out. You can't imagine what it is like. I am going to have a glorious sleep tonight. I hope I dream of you, but I expect it will be too deep for even that.

I seem to have lived through months these last ten days. A company is a very great responsibility. I have been very lucky though as regards casualties. I am due for another pip now, having been in command of a company for a month, so I expect it will come out any day now.

Yours, with love,

Cecil.

CMS to WHS and WS; 4.11.16; Field Post Mark Nov. 9; Recd. Nov.10.

My Dear Father and Mother,

The last 10 days have been about the most strenuous I have gone through. To begin with we got hurried orders to move up to the line. We packed up hurriedly and were just setting off when orders came for a working party of 400 to set off as soon as we got out of the buses. I had to take charge of the party and in consequence I had to go up as I was with a lot of rubbish in my haversack and nothing in it that I really wanted. After leaving the buses, we marched to a wood for dinner, and set off again about 5 pm. All the men had packs and each had to carry a shovel. It was soon dark, and then the rain began to fall. The guides led us across country , torn up by shells, and which our boots would not grip. The horses in the rear with the cooking pots etc. stuck fast and we had to leave them for the time being. After 4 hours of this we reached our destination, tired out.

This was a wet trench with no dugouts, or shelter of any kind, and was where we were later on to sleep. Packs were dumped here, and after a short rest the 400 men went right up to the line, under the charge of R.E. officers and 4 others. I set off with 3 orderlies to look for the "cookers". It was raining and as black as ink. After about 3 hours I gave it up until daylight. We lay down on a dump in the rain, and tried to sleep. I got 2 hours doze. You can imagine what I felt like when I got up for a rest just like a piece of wet blotting paper which has fallen in the mud. We soon found the "cookers" at dawn. They had only been in their place about an hour, as they had to send back for fresh horses. The "cookers" were there, but no rations for 400 men. The A.S.C. and our own transport had also been stuck. We had some water however and tea, and I managed to get some taken up by a party from the rest of the battalion. Rations turned up eventually, and we got the bread, butter, and jam up. The 400 men returned from their 9 hours' work at 6.0 am. to find the trench they were to sleep in still more flooded.

Very few of course got any sleep. We had orders to work again in the afternoon and then return to the battalion, having dinner on our way back. During the morning these orders were cancelled as the battalion was to hold the line that night! You can imagine what condition the men were in for holding it. Just as I was completing arrangements for dinners to be brought up I received orders cancelling everything, and telling me to return to the cookers and wait there for further orders. So we packed up and arrived at the cookers at about 2.30 pm. where we had a hot meal for all.

It had stopped raining by now, but there was quite a lot of mud about. No more orders came until it was dark, when I was told to go to a certain well known wood for the night, and there await the rest of the battalion. We got to the wood in the dark, when it began to rain again. The ground of course was covered with shell holes.

It was too dark to find any dugouts or shelters so I just had to let the men know whereabouts these were and then dismiss them till morning, when we could sort ourselves out. Soon after this the rest of the battalion began to turn up and on reporting to the Colonel my resposibilities ended. Soon afterwards I found a bit of shelter, and slept in the cold for ten hours.

We stayed in the wood for the next day and night. The following day (that is the 2nd. day) we nearly had eight officers wiped out by one shell. The C.O., the Adjutant, the M.O. and two more officers were just coming out of a dugout where they had been having lunch, when it came. I was five yards away with two more officers; we just ducked in time to miss the "bits". Everything went black and I wondered whereabouts I was hit.

When I got up I saw men frantically digging where the dugout had been. Two men were eventually dug out, both wounded, but not dangerously. Parts of two officers were lying about. We were lucky in not having more hit.

We cleared out of the wood after that and made ourselves "homes" in some old trenches a few hundred yards away. We stayed there for a day and then moved into the line. Never have I been in the trenches under such bad conditions. It rained heavily almost the whole time. Men got stuck in the mud and were unable to move. One of our officers got stuck and it took 3 men to dig him out. At one time my company were standing in mud OVER THEIR KNEES for 18 HOURS, with absolutely no shelter. There was no sleep for any of us. Once I went out to a forward trench to put up some boards for the artillery. I got the boards in position all right. I knew my way back by a lone tree, but everywhere I looked I saw a "lone tree". They kept coming and going. I was lost in No Mans Land with a small party of men. I knew if I kept on going south I should be all right. I eventually came across ground I knew and got "home" again after spending 2 hours over what I should have done in quite a short time. When our company were relieved we could hardly walk. We could not use the communication trenches owing to the mud and had to risk it across the top. It was impossible to keep one's feet in the slippery mess. Once when we were waiting for the rear of the company to come up the officer next to me fell down as he was standing, owing to weakness.

We got to our destination at dawn having taken 6 hours to come one mile and a half. At one time we had to walk by sliding our feet, one in front of the other for 600 yards. You cannot imagine what the last 10 days have been like. However it's all over now, and we had a good sleep last night.

I am due for another pip now, as I have had a company for a month, I expect it will come out any day.

The latest rumour is that the 2nd. line is not going to Bermuda, but is coming here to take our place, whilst we go to Bermuda. Of course there is nothing in it. It's nice to think about, but one realizes with a terrible thump that we are still here, and probably shall be till the war ends.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

Hilda to WHS and WS; 4.11.16.

My dear Father and Mother,

There's no examination for me this morning, so I've a little more time to write letters in. We got a letter from Mrs Leech on Wednesday, asking us out to tea today, so Robin and I have had to put off our little spree until next Saturday, but we will do it well then; scrambled eggs etc. at two or three different cafJs; Mabel says we must bring her a scrambled egg in, but as we can't manage that very well, we shall have to find something else.

A French lady arrived here yesterday afternoon; she is going to stay here till the end of term, to help us on with our conversation; the first we saw of her was at breakfast this morming; she is about fifty or thereabouts, fairly ancient, and looks quite jolly; she did make a row at breakfast, you see hardly anybody talks then because we are supposed to talk French, so the noise she made carried further: she was sitting at the French table of course, and she waved her hands about, nearly fell off her chair, and was generally somewhat excited; I was quite sorry for the girl next to her, who was rather smothered with this French person sitting on top of her. Ma does not know what to do with her in the holidays; she's offered her to one girl already to improve her French, but the girl refused with thanks; would you like to have her?

Mr. Bribbs is taking class tomorrow night instead of Ma, it will be quite a nice change, I can't say Ma's classes are very interesting, did I tell you that I read the lesson for her the other Sunday, the prefects and sixth form girls take it in turns. Before we read it in class, we have to go up and read it to her first, to see that we pronounce all the words correctly; just fancy, anybody would think we had only just begun to read. The half term holiday is next Friday if the weather is settled, if not then the following Friday, and if it is not then, the Friday after that; so it's not fixed at all, and lots of the girls have their parents coming over for it, so I don't know how they will manage to come on the right day.

Tell Ralph we won't forget his birthday is on Thursday, but we will get him something on Saturday when we are out, but we shan't be able to send it till Monday so he won't get it till the following Tuesday. I am going to write to Cecil now, so I must stop.

With love to all,

Your affectionate daughter,

Hilda.

P.S. I must also send Norman his termly letter, he hasn't written his to us yet, though.

I have got to have a French peasant's dress for the French play; Miss Owen is going to get me a pattern of one, and I shall send it home to be made, with directions; I'll never have time to make it here.

Mabel to WHS and WS; November 4th, 1916.

My dear Father and Mother

We got a letter yesterday from Mrs. Leach asking us to go out to tea today, of course we are going, so that Robin and Hilda will go out next week and not this. On Thursday night a person called Miss Guelder came and talked to us about the Russians for half an hour, in the dining hall of all places. She has just returned from Russia herself so that she told us quite a lot about them, before she came to us she had been lecturing in Colwyn Bay.

A new French person has come here, she arrived last night but we did not see her until this morning. She was making us roll with laughter at breakfast when she was at the French table because, when she talked she kept edging further and further off her chair so that I expect if Ma hadn't rung the bell she would have come off altogether.

Everybody has had knitting mania this week its awful. You see everybody going into prayers and coming out, going into the dining hall, on the prom: all knitting, as hard as they can go and yourself as well. I have got about half my scarfe done already, once I finished a whole ball in a day. Will you send my hymnbook to me please because I never brought it back with me, and I need it now, as we don't use school hymnbooks any more.

Love to all from

Your affec. daughter

Mabel.

Kitty to CMS (undated)

My dery cessul

you had a narrow urscap from bing tacune prinr havunt you. gilbert has bene silly today hes been tuning sumusolts under the tabl. I hope that you wil son be home. mother wont let me rite in ink but she isnt (here) now so I can hilda sed I cud so I doing I dont no wot mother wil sea wen she cums home. I like riting in ink I havunt rote a letter in ink.

from you little sister

Kitty Slack.

Bob to CMS; 5/11/16.

Dear Cecil

Your letter to Father and Mother arrived at the beginning of last week. The helmet, however, hasn't turned up yet.

Five of us went over on motor bikes to Pocklington yesterday to watch the first play Pocklington. We won 15 - 5 although the refereeing was all for them. We were fairly lucky with our bikes, nothing going really wrong. I had three nuts missing which hold the engine to the frame. The mudguard also had about three inches play, with the result that I thought it would break, all the way.

Colonel Easton now says it is no use sending my papers up till the end of January as they will be sent back if they are sent too long before I am 18 ½, and he says it is no good going into the Inns of Court at 18 ¼ as I should only learn what I am learning in the school O.T.C. I am fed up about it as it means waiting till about the end of February, staying on at school, with which I am, at present, fed up. I cut about six periods a week, 2 of them the Head's as they are so feeding. The other day I asked a master if he would mind repeating something he had said, at which he got quite annoyed and told me to leave the room, so I told him it was a pleasure, and spent the rest of the period reading in front of the prefects' room fire.

The chap who kicked me out is a funny old blighter. They call him Elmer. He often kicks sixth form people out of the room or gives impositions which he lets off with a bit of arguing.

Your affec. brother,

Bob.

Dora to CMS; Thursday 9.11.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I got a letter from you yesterday - written on the 27th.- when you had taken those 400 men up and had such a rotten time - fancy taking about eleven days to come! I left Grimsby on Tuesday and have been staying at Grandpa's since then and I go back to Silkstone tomorrow. I thought I should be going straight back to S. but Mother wrote and said the car was getting mouldy inside so I have had to clean it out also vaseline silver work and see that the maid put fires on etc. I did all that on Tuesday and today I have come down and put three fires on downstairs all by myself and they are blazing merrily now but it still seems chilly and now I am sitting in the dining room writing to you. It does seem ages since we have lived here and ages since the time when you used to come in from Dalton and it is only a year since really. I was always glad when you came in to see us and enjoyed talking to you.

By the way I saw Bob on your motor bike yesterday but he didn't see me as I was across the road. I have just been writing my letter of thanks to Mrs. Barker at Grimsby - I always feel glad when that kind of letter is done. Marjorie came over to Hull yesterday for the day and we both enjoyed it very much - William asked us out to lunch and we went to Polly's - do you remember those glass coffee making affairs they have there and you can make it on the table yourself 'cause Ma has bought Pa one for his birthday - they are awfully nice and make delicious coffee.

Marjorie is an awfully nice girl all through - so awfully genuine and unselfish - she was 24 on Monday - I think Billy Richardson is a jolly lucky man. I stayed till Tuesday because they got a wire to say that Richardson's brother had come on leave from the Somme and would come up on Monday so Marjorie wanted me to stay overnight. He is Capt. in the D.L.I. 33 but looks 40 and frightfully haggard and ill. He was very nice but I felt awfully sorry for him an attack of trench fever came on while he was at the house - fearfully cold and shivery with a bad headache and then he went awfully hot and says the temperature can go up to 102E in a very short time poor man - we did feel sorry for him - he took 3 aspirin and that seemed to pull him round a good deal and then we all went to the "Marriage Market" at night - I have seen it in London before the war quite good on the whole but we couldn't stop to see the end as they had to get back to Immingham.

On Sunday I enjoyed going to Immingham immensely altho' it was an awfully rough and rainy day. Mr. Richardson took us on his submarine had to walk along a plank 1 ft. wide to get to it! It was awfully interesting but there isn't much room and two officers go out in them. Looked through the periscope too. Then we had tea on H.M.S.Vulcan which is the depôt ship for the submarines - they had borrowed the doctor's cabin for the occasion and I thought that was rather on the pokey side but they said as cabins go it was immense! I really have had quite a gay time last week. Last night I took Nurse Waddington to see "A little bit of Fluff" at the Grand - it's the first time it has been and I really enjoyed it thoroughly tho' it is a bit "high" in parts and one has to put moral sentiments aside and enter into the fun of it!

I met Miss Talhurst yesterday (Adrian Farrell's aunt) and she stood talking a long time and told me all about Adrian etc. and also she wanted to congratulate me as she had heard about a year ago that I was engaged! I said - no no - and wished afterwards I had asked who the unfortunate gent was! Goodness knows who creates these rumours - some silly people I should think.

You have been having a simply wretched time Cecil - you must have a lot of vim to stick it. I think they ought to send your lot home for a rest - and it is five whole months since you had leave - I never thought it would be so long did you? The D.L.I. man said a new order had just come out that new officers had to be 4 months out at the front before they could have leave - so it gave the others the better chance of getting more leave. Also he said that if a battalion went back for a rest leave could start at once so probably you will get yours before long. He had been out 14 months and is utterly fed up with the front and wants to get back again to England. He has been wounded once and got the MC.

I expect the C.O. feels he can rely upon you if he puts you in charge of 400 men - you said he is very nice, didn't you, and you like him very much? You do have marvellous escapes I think; but I feel sure you are being taken care of in some way that we don't see my love. Goodbye, my dear one, I have been thinking about you such a lot lately, and wanting to see you so badly.

Love from

Dora.

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