Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 15

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.

W.L.Speight to CMS; 37th. I.B.D.; A.P.D. S/17; Nov. 10th. /16.

Dear Slack,

You would be surprised to hear that I had reported sick, when I returned to the Transport Lines, I felt very ill. I was under the Doctor for 12 months, before I joined the Army, with my nerves, I thought I had completely recovered, apparently it was not so, I think the Artillery did it, I have suffered the last fortnight.

I have been before a Medical Board and they have given me a month's I.B.

I hope you are quite well and came through the last stunt alright.

If I do not rejoin the 1/4 E.Yorks. I wish to express my appreciation of your kindness, which I shall never forget, also the Officers of "C" Company. I left Waite at Rouen.

Would you mind having my letters sent on.

With kind regards.

Yours sincerely,

W.L.Speight.

Dora to CMS; Saturday, 9.45pm. 11.11.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I got another letter from you yesterday - written on 3rd. inst. but it came quicker than the other one - it was lovely getting one so soon after the other - only two days after - I do look forward to your letters that's why I like to have them often. It is a comforting feeling - if I am feeling a bit lonely any time - to think there is somebody who wants me and loves me - but you are such a long way off sometimes and other times you seem quite near. To-night you do - I would love to have a nice comfy talk with you now and sit over a nice fire all by ourselves. I think I should have that lovely feeling of understanding, you told me about in your last letter, if I were with you to-night. I think "lovely understanding" is the only way of expressing it - that one cannot put it into words. Its quite different from any other kind of love - I remember you told me in one of your first letters that you loved me in quite a different way from anyone else but you couldn't describe it any more. I think I am loving you a little more in the way you want me to, don't you think so?

The mud in the trenches must be simply awful - you haven't caught cold, have you? A company must be a very big responsibility out in the front still I am glad you are going to be made a captain - if one takes on these responsibilities, each time it makes bigger things in life easier to tackle and prepares one for them - don't you think so? I am afraid all this will have made you a lot older lately - has it?

I wonder if your leave has started yet - shall you just get your decoration leave and nothing else or do you think you might get another day or two added on to the four days - 'cause it will give you such a little bit of time in England. I suppose they are giving ten days leave now - that's better than eight days isn't it? You couldn't manage to work your ten days leave on to the four days could you?

What do you think! Emma and I are going over to Penrhos for the weekend next Friday the 17th.! I expect you will be rather surprised about it. Miss Hovey has always given an open invitation for O.G's. to go and stay at school and in last term's magazine they said they wished more of them would go over and see them - so when I was over at H'field for the theatre the other week, Emma and I thought we would take Ma at her word and we wrote a joint letter then. Ma says she will be very pleased indeed to see us again and we are to go on Friday. I haven't been since a year last February when they asked me to go over for a week and I taught some of the girls semaphoring and morse with flags.

Emma hasn't been since she was at college, I don't think so, and if I go nursing at Xmas I shan't have a chance of going for years and years, till the war is over, so taking all in all we thought it a golden opportunity. We shall stay till the Monday we think - it will be awfully jolly going over again and nice having Emma there too, as I don't know any of the present girls - except Hilda and Mabel of course, so I shall have a good talk to them - also a talk with your dear little friend Miss Clayton - you don't like her do you? I used to get on very well with her - in fact I believe I was one of her favourites - if you can think it possible! She really is very nice and broad minded in most things - but she has a kink somewhere and narrow-minded, very, in some things. I think the sordid existence at P.C., year after year, is enough to make anyone have a kink somewhere.

I do hope your leave doesn't drop on next weekend when I am in C. Bay - I don't think the C.O. will send you off at the end of a week with a Sunday in it when one can't get about - will he? I expect Ma Hovey would most decidedly object to an Old Rydal boy sending a wire to an Old Penrhos girl, staying in the school too !!!!

I quite enjoyed being in Hull from Tuesday till Friday. When Mr. Quant was over for the weekend he told us several times that if any of us were in Hull we were TO BE SURE to ring him up and come out to lunch with him - so I rang him up on Thursday night at Ferriby and had lunch with him at Polly's on Friday - I did enjoy seeing him again, I really get on very well with him - he says he is going to send me a 7d. novel he picked up on a bookstall and the girl in it is a managing sort and he says she is like me or reminds him of me - so I am wondering what kind of a specimen she will be - I should think it will be something rather chronic, I really must remember to curb my language for Ma Hovey next week and drop all colloquialisms (spelling!!) and slang by then !!

I must go to bed now - it's getting ever so late - good-night my love, I dreamt of you last night - I was sitting with you in a train - but only for a moment and then I woke up - disappointing, wasn't it !

Goodbye, my darling,

Love from

Dora.

How are the replies to the letters getting on ?? !!! naughty, très.

CMS to Dora; 12.11.16

My Dear Dora,

I have not been able to write to you before as I have been in Hell for the last few days. I have had the means of writing but both they and I have been too wet and muddy. Two days after my last letter we were again called up to the line. My company were led by a guide who lost his way, and whom I had to ignore. I found our trench eventually; it was watery and muddy. The night was dark, and it was raining. Next morning we sorted ourselves out a little and in the evening we set off to relieve another company further up the line. The communication trench was knee-deep in mud and water, and in places it was up to the thighs. Our new trench was worse than the last - in no place could one stand on anything solid. There were a few holes in the side of the trench where one could shelter one's head and back from the wind and rain, but these were continually falling in.

We spent 24 hours in this, and then relieved a company in the front line. By this time the weather had cleared and it was a bright moonlight night. The Bosche were about 200 yds. in front of us. There was a wounded English Officer out in front - he had been there for 3 days and nights. The company I was relieving had made several unsuccessful attempts to get him. The Bosche snipers were too keen, and several men were hit. I had orders to put out 4 strong-posts 70 yds. in front of our line, each party to consist of 12 men and a commander. The moon was bright enough to read by - you can imagine my feelings. Orders have to be obeyed however, so I set off with the first party, all of us crawling as near to the ground as possible. We were spotted at once and fired at, but only one man was killed. I found some suitable shell-holes, and the party started digging themselves in. I then had to get back, which I did with luck. Then I set off with the second party. We were furiously sniped at but no one was hit. Having fixed this party, I returned, again, with luck, and took out the third lot. A man was killed a few yards from the trench. I got the fourth party out safely. Then when rations came up we had to get them out at great risk.

The following day we were shelled by our own guns. One shell dropped at my feet - my feet were on a ration box when a "dud" went right through it. If the shell had gone off you would never have received this letter. We had 48 hours in the front line, and then the relief started. By this time the mud and water in the trenches was UP TO THE WAIST in places. It was almost impossible to move. There were many cases where it took two or three men to pull another man free, and there were about a dozen cases where even this could not be done, and the men had to be left until next day when parties were sent up with spades to dig them out. We were being shelled continuously.

When we had at last got clear it was only to find that our new home was a sticky trench with a few holes in the sides. Fortunately the cooks, who had been sent on in advance, had some hot tea, and after a drink we lay down and dozed in the cold, ABSOLUTELY DONE.

I took my boots off and had the greatest difficulty later in the day in getting them on again, owing to the swollen feet. Many men could not get theirs on, and had to go to hospital. However we are more or less out of it now, and I and my one remaining subaltern are quite comfy in a dugout in which I have rigged up an excellent fireplace.

Please give my congratulations to Marjorie Barker when next you see her or are writing to her. It really is quite a romantic engagement. She's an awfully nice girl I think and I'm glad she's engaged to a fellow, who, from your account, seems to be rather nice.

There are rumours, and not idle ones, of leave, so maybe we shall see each other soon.

I'm awfully sorry you've been having a cold, and hope all's well again by now. I had a long letter from Hilda a few days ago. She seems to be getting quite grown up and sensible and intelligent. I shall tell her so when I write to her. The "bug" still carries on in her old way, much to the disgust of Hilda and Mabel.

I should think you're a bit fed up with me for not writing before, but if you were to get just one inkling of an understanding of what it's been like here you would quite realise how it is. Do you know, when I took my clothes off the night before last they were stuck to my skin with mud, and it hurt to get undressed.

Yours, with love,

Cecil.

ORDERS FROM COMMANDING OFFICER; sent on or about 2.11.16
SECRET - To: O.C. 'C' COMPANY

A series of strong posts is to be formed in advance (75 yards) of our front line tonight. Your Company will have to furnish them and make them. I shall require four posts of an Officer (or good N.C.O.) and 12 men each to go forward at dusk and dig themselves into strong posts by improving shell holes. These posts will work under your supervision and will be provided with a day's rations before dawn tomorrow. With the remainder of your Company you will relieve 'B' Company in Abbaye Trench. O.C. 'B' Company will find the ration carrying parties tonight.

You had better come and see me 3 pm. re above.

W.T.W.

Retrospective note by CMS.

When the C.O. saw me about this order which had come through from Brigade, I said "Does the General realise it will be full moon tonight Sir-" To which the C.O. replied "The General is a very able soldier".

The purpose of the operation was to provide outposts in No Man's Land as an obstruction to a possible attack from the enemy. The 75 yards mentioned in the order would be about half way across.

Bob to CMS; 12/11/16.

Dear Cecil,

One of your letters to Father and Mother arrived on Monday and the other on Thursday. It must have been a bit thick in that mud; I should think all the mud out there is pretty awful in this weather.

The merit holiday is to-morrow when three of us are going on motor bikes to Scarborough, unless the weather is too rotten.

Old Cobby thought he'd got me the other day, he's been trying to for a term or two. He saw me riding down the drive on the foot-rest of the bike, so he came to me in school, afterwards, and asked if it was me he had seen riding down the drive, so I told him it was. So he asked me if I knew it was against the school rules, and I told him it wasn't as I was a prefect and used my own discretion. This annoyed him, and he told me that if I wasn't a prefect he would give me an imposition, with which I agreed, and told him so. However as I was a prefect he said he would report me to the Head instead, and I told him that that would be quite all right. So he made quite a long report, thinking I should get into a row. But he was had, as the Head simply told me riding down the drive was forbidden as also was carrier riding. The latter rule, of course, I ignored, and shall continue to do so, as also does everyone else, including the prefects.

Forty is somewhere near you, and got on the track of the 4th. the other day but lost it again, so you may be seeing him.

Your affec. brother,

Bob.

P.S. I expect you will have got your third pip by now, I hope you have.

Reggie Gaskell to Dora; 12. Nov. 1916.

Dear Dora,

As I've not had any leave for SUCH a long time I thought I would try for some. I've been looking round for a two-seater of some sort and one appeals to me very much.

( Sketch) comme ça
but the beastly thing's been built for track racing and although its a jolly speedy affair its rather light for road work I think.

I brought old Carlin here to dinner last night and met two chaps who were out in France with me. So we had quite a cheery party.

Carlin however cannot partake of much ambrosial liquid on account of his having to hobble about on crutches, and as I had him in my car I couldn't. I'm going hunting to-morrow if I can get a days leave. Possibly they may consider I've had enough to be going on with and refuse accordingly.

I've got the "Nonsense Noals" wrapped up to send to Flossie but thats as far as I've got à ce moment. I'm reading Ordeal by Battle at present and find it awfully interesting.

Love to all

Yours very sincerely

Reg.

WHS to CMS; copy of letter from Company Sgt. Major Carr to a friend (Mr. Gibson).

Just as I am writing this a letter has been sent in to me to read received by a local man from the front - The following is an extract from it -

Aunt Bertha to CMS; Nov. 13. 16.

My dear Cecil,

Mother has just sent us some copies of your very interesting letters from the trenches, and we are most thankful to know that you have been protected amidst all the dangers to which you are exposed. It will be lovely if you go to Eng. and are decorated by the King. I think we did write congratulating you on the honour received Cecil, but if by any chance we did not, I do so now most heartily, I am VERY proud of my brave nephew. God grant that you may be preserved right to the end of the war, your decoration will be an honour you can carry to the end of your life. It is a grand thing not to fail at the call of duty, no matter how dangerous. I hope you are feeling quite fit again, the nerve shocks must be dreadful, and I hope you wont find the Winter work in the trenches as trying as last year, no wonder so many of you suffer with rheumatism - We have to send our letters to you via Hull, as we dont know your address in France, hope you have received all our letters safely.

I hope and wish for you a happy Xmas, as happy as it can be under the circumstances, it would be lovely if you could get home. Poor Les Dinning is badly wounded and is in hospital in Birmingham, you have not come across Mervyn yet, though he says in a letter received this morning that he met one of your officers who spoke very highly of you.

It is grand to know that the Allies are making such good progress. I wonder if you saw anything of the battle in the air, news of which is wired out this morning. It must have been a thrilling sight and reads more like romance than reality.

God keep and bless you Cecil dear, give you all needed strength and courage, and bring you home again in good time, if it is His will: I am with much love and many prayers,

Your ever loving

Auntie Bertha.

Aunt Mary Douglass née Slack, to CMS; 13th. Nov. 1916

My very dear Cecil,

I want to send you a letter to reach you about Xmas time, I hope, to wish you with all your gallant comrades as happy and glad a Xmastide as it is possible for you to have, and may the N.Year dawn bring some hopes for an early settlement of this terrible conflict. You will be all remembered in the various homes you belong to and will receive packages too. Wish we could send you along something too, but we can't just now, but you have a wealth of love and kind thoughts and many prayers. Grandma received today a typewritten extract of your home letters - It is most interesting but you have had some very narrow escapes in your various exciting encounters with the enemy. We pray, dear boy, you may come through safely to the end. We are delighted and most thankful for your being brought safely through so far, and that your health is O.K. again. I'm not sure if I have sent you my warmest and heartiest congratulations on your attaining the Military Cross. If not, its been quite an oversight, and I now do so with all my heart. It's grand to know a representative of our family has got this distinction for great bravery under danger - We are justly very proud of our Cecil. I can imagine the joy and pride of your parents and sisters and brothers. All your Mother's and Father's friends out here rejoice to hear of your honour. I wonder if you got my letter for your birthday. I've written several times to you, but haven't heard if my letters ever reach you - I hope they do, however.

You have not yet come across your cousin Mervyn evidently; though Merv. met one day in Sept. when he was going "somewhere in France" an officer of your regiment and he said he "knew you well and spoke very highly of you and your coolness - That is nice. I hope you'll come across Mervyn yourself one day though. He has met so many friends and acquaintances on the Field or in the Hospitals. He used to know in Australia Fletcher Wallis who was in the Hospital ship "Mardina" has now returned to N.Z., but he is expecting to return to Active Service before long, and is anxious to be on the Field next time. If so, you may possibly then meet him. He has been away from home nearly 12 months. More cousins going to the Front are Irvin and Frank Mc Roberts, Jim Wilson from N.Z. with others to follow - and various branches of the Fletcher clan from Australia, so you may be coming across some of them. Oh for the time when there'll be no more need for more men and more men to go out to battle. It is awful, but we are proud of all our kith and kin who are so loyal and brave that they count not their lives dear unto them; may the power, oppression and cruelty of such an inhumane enemy be surely and finally supressed.

I want to write to your Mother now and Auntie Kew. Grandma sends her best love and heartiest congratulations on your great honour, though she believes she has already done so. She cannot write by this mail to you, but sends her love and best wishes for a very happy Xmas season. How thankful all you boys will be when you can return home for good - surely that time must come, though long delayed.

We all have had a very pleasant and happy three weeks at the seaside, I went in for surf-bathing nearly every day. We are now settled again at home and the weather is nice and cool. Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Callaghan have their son Cecil somewhere in France, and they're hoping he'll come across you. His father is a friend of your Father's and Cecil is about your age. He was very pleased to hear of your winning the M.C.

Now, Cecil dear, I must close; this does not seem an interesting letter but it is full of love and kind thoughts for you, and may you ever be protected on the battle-field and in due time return once more to your dear home and loved ones.

I've been over from N.Z. since the end of September and will be staying some time with Grandma, and Uncle Arthur and Auntie Bertha. All are pretty well just now. Accept once more much love, hearty congratulations and all good wishes for Xmas from

Your loving Auntie,

Mary L. Douglass.

CMS to WHS and WS; 19.11.16.

My Dear Father and Mother,

It is a long time since I wrote, but I have been in Hell twice since my last letter, and unable to write. I thought we had come out of the line for a rest, but we were called up again. I have never had such an awful time in the trenches. At first my company were in the support trenches. We were led there by a guide who lost his way and it was fortunate that I knew the country slightly. We got to our trench to find it sodden - it rained all night. The next evening we had to move up to a worse trench that was everywhere up to the knees in slush. There were no dugouts, only seats cut in the sides where one could shelter a little from the wind and rain, and these were continually falling in.

We spent 24 hours here and then moved into the front line. The rain had stopped now, and it was moonlight. There was a wounded officer out in the front and the company I relieved had made several attempts to bring him in, but had lost men owing to the moonlight and the Bosche snipers. I had orders to put out 4 posts, of 12 men and a commander each, 70 yds in front of our line. You can imagine my feelings, knowing that the moon would be up 'till well after daylight. I started off with the first post, crawling like snakes. One man was killed at once. I found some suitable shell holes and set the party consolidating them. Another man was killed. I returned, and took the second party out safely. A man was killed whilst I was taking the third party out. I lost no one with the fourth party. Later on we had to get rations out. This was done safely, but two men were wounded the following night. About eight o'clock on our first morning our guns started to shell us and continued to do so throughout the day in spite of many protests. At one time I had my feet on a ration tin when one of our shells went through it. Fortunately for me it was a "dud".

By the time we were relieved, the mud in the communication trench had become exceedingly sticky, and in places one sank in it HALF WAY UP THE THIGHS. We were laden with kit etc. and the Bosche were shelling the trench. It was just possible to get along very, very slowly. Many men got stuck and it was impossible to move them. Parties had to be sent up the next day to get them out.

When we were out at last, it was to find that our new place of rest was another wet trench. We were too exhausted to mind however, so just lay down and slept. The next day we moved out to huts, and did not expect to see the line again for a considerable time. But not so; we were lent to another Brigade for a couple of days, and I had to go again to the front line with my company. By this time the mud was not so bad, but it was very cold. In the trenches which we took over were some sights which I will not tell you about till the war is over. On the afternoon of the first day, another company commander and myself went back to Headquarters to get orders about an attack we were to make that night. Whilst we were away the Germans took our trench, and when we got back through the barrage we found only half our men left, and in a different trench. All my trench kit, British warm, field glasses etc are now being gloated over by some beastly German: I cannot explain things more fully in this letter.

I hope shortly to be home on leave. Norman Ingleby has come out again, and has taken his old company "C", thereby deposing me. I have now got "D" Coy. and there is going to be a rough sea for a week or two. It's previous commander was very lax, with natural results. It was owing to this change that I got a double dose of front line work. I was with "C" Coy. whilst "D" was in the rear trenches and came to "D" when it was their turn for the front line. We are now, I believe, out for good, that is for some weeks.

Thank you for the excellent parcel which I got yesterday. It contained cakes, butterscotch etc. I previously received one containing salmon etc. I do not know why it is that my letters do not reach you sooner. It is the same with other letters that I write, and with other officers.

I'm awfully sorry to hear about Barnett's death. I remember seeing his name in the casualty lists, and wondering if it was the one we knew. Capt. N.W.Ingleby reverted to the rank of Lt. on returning to England on sick leave. He will get his third pip back, now that he has returned to us.

I am delighted that the Brunswick Bazaar has gone so well. £500 is surely out of the ordinary - You should have the Bosche helmet by now, I posted it about 8 or 10 days ago. I am very sorry to say that I have lost the pocket knife which I used in the German trench for the raid stunt. I lost it at High Wood. It would have been an interesting souvenir to show to my great grandchildren!!

You will probably see Sgt. Major Carr next Sunday. He and I have been through a lot together and "just missed it" several times.

Love to all,

Your affec. son, Cecil.

CMS to Dora; 19.11.16.

My Dear Dodo,

I expect very soon to be home on leave. Our colonel is going tomorrow if the ports are open - they have been closed for a few days. The other officers start very soon and I am one of the first to go.

When I get to know definitely I will let you know. I don't think I shall let my people know. I shall just roll up at the front door as I did last time. Since writing last we have been in the line again and had a rough time. Norman Ingleby has come back and has been given his old company "C" thereby giving me the push. I have now got "D" CoY., not nearly such a nice lot. There will be a rough sea for a week or two, for the last company commander was rather lax, with the result that the company is very sloppy. It's going to be my job to turn them into soldiers. I rather enjoy a strafing job like this.

This last tour in the trenches we had an encounter with the Bosche and I am sorry to say we came off second best. Another company commander and myself went down to Headquarters from the front line, which belonged to the Bosche about a week ago, to get orders about an attack we were to make that night. Whilst we were down there the Bosche attacked our trenches and took them, and when we got back, it was to find half the number of men and in a different trench. Some greasy Hun now has my trench kit, including my British warm, field glasses etc.

Our trench had been shelled a good deal during the morning. One high explosive hit the parapet just where I was, knocking it in onto me and making me feel horribly fed.

There are some wounded men up there from recent fighting who have been left for three and four days in the trench in No Mans Land. They are not our battalion but of course we get as many of them down as we could but there are a lot who will die there. It is terribly hard to see men dying and not be able to help them. Some of the wounded would be left in the freezing mud.

There are a lot of wounded in No Mans Land. A party of Bosche went out with a white flag to tend them. Of course our fellows did not fire at them. A similar party of our men went out and were immediately fired at by the Bosche. We are at the beginning of our rest now. I have started by having a day off duty on account of my feet which are very sore at the heels, owing to the constant dragging out of the mud.

I expect you would rather enjoy being home again at Newland for a few hours and feeling you had plenty of room.

I wonder where Adrian Farrell's aunt got her rumour from. I should like to know who is the suspected person.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Tuesday 21.11.'16.

My dear Cecil,

What an awful time you have been having! I can hardly realise that anyone can go through what you are - and the escapes you have seem simply miraculous - don't you think so? But I think the conditions you have to live in are simply awful - I hope you get a nice long rest in between each dose in the trenches. I wish they would send the whole battalion home for a rest and send another one out - I'm sure its jolly well time YOU came home, nearly twelve months out there. One thing, you must be about the fittest man in the whole lot to stick it all so well. I do hope you won't be getting rheumatics or colds or anything while you are out there. If we get married ever - I shan't mind if it comes then - I shall be there to look after you and I'm really quite passable at looking after people.

I really was beginning to wonder when I should hear from you again - it's a fortnight all but two days - and I've been awfully anxious about you for a whole week - and as a matter of fact I quite thought you were wounded and I thought I wouldn't write as I didn't know what would happen to my letter if you had gone into hospital. Would they always post the letters on to you? I quite see how it was you couldn't write to me while you were in the mud - heavens - don't I often wish you were in England again and I could be with you a bit sometimes. This war seems loathsome and vile from end to end - the worst of it is we don't seem to see the end - p'raps it wouldn't be so bad if we had some idea when it would be over. Sometimes I feel as if I hadn't an ounce of patriotism left in me where you are concerned - I don't care a hang for the nation as long as you come through alright - I expect I shall go down plop in your estimation for thinking about one's country like this - so I think I will change the subject before I get into strong language.

Cheerioh about leave! Shall you get longer than decoration leave - do try and scrape up a bit more - it's quite time you had it and don't forget to send me that wire when you get to Folkestone. I will do just as you arrange about seeing you - so I leave it all with you but you must consider your Father and Mother first - you see really I have no right to ask you over here at all - or take you away from them by meeting you - as you will be over for such a short time - so I don't want you to hurt their feelings at all. We can always find you a bed here if you can manage it.

I never went to Penrhos this weekend after all as Emma contracted influenza and I wasn't keen on going by myself so we postponed it. The poor kid is still in bed - having rather a bad dose I think. I was rather looking forward to seeing Hilda and Mabel - I expect they will have altered a good deal as it is a year since I have seen them. Anyway I'm glad you think she is getting a sensible girl - really, I don't think sisters appreciate their brothers, or brothers their sisters until they get older. I expect Hilda is just beginning to appreciate her big brother.

Its rotten not having any brothers - I expect it must be awfully nice to have one. Do you know I am using your inkstand for the first time - I haven't used it yet 'cause it had to have a little mending job done to it - as a matter of fact it wouldn't hold ink - which was rather a drawback! Pater took it to the camp and a sapper put a piece of brass plate across the bottom of the nose-cap - and I have polished it all up beautifully and the toute ensemble is really awfully nice, in fact quite artistic. I'm awfully fond of it now it is in going order - I wish you could see it on the writing table in front of the dining room window. I'm always going to use it just for writing letters to you.

I am going to Wolverhampton to-morrow - its about six or seven miles from Birmingham - I expect you will be rather surprised to hear I am going there. I am going to stay with Doris Cullwick - I slept with her at Penrhos for two terms after Flossie left - after that I had a room to myself - well, I have written to her, say, once in six months since she left in 1910 and she wants me to go and stay with her - she asked when Mother was ill but I couldn't go then. Her fiancé was killed in March and has been feeling rotten with life in general so I hope I shall cheer her up a bit. I haven't seen her for 4 1/2 years. - she was very nice when I knew her last - quite a sport - musical but not frightfully brainy - good at gym and games - so I hope she is just as nice as ever. Their address is Douro House, Waterloo Rd. Wolverhampton - that is, if you should happen to be on leave while I am there. Shall leave there Wed. 29th. Nov. - come back to Silkstone for one night and on 30th. thurs. I have promised to go to Huddersfield to help with a Sale of Work Mrs. Blamires is getting up. I shall be there till the Sunday or Monday 3rd. or 4th. and address is J. Blamires Esq. Bradley Lodge, Huddersfield. I seem to be trotting about pretty well, don't I?

I sometimes think its rather disgraceful of me when you are having such a rotten time but anyway I am going to have a jolly good burst at working after Xmas till the end of the war. Ma and I went to Manchester for the day yesterday and I interviewed the Matron of the Royal Infirmary and she filled in my paper for Service in Military Hospitals - she was very nice indeed - had two war decorations - so I should think she is rather a big pot. She will send that form up to H.Qs. in London and the Joint V.A.D. Committee will pass me, I hope, - after they have studied my references and seen whether I was a good girl at school etc. - then after that I shall be sent to a hospital somewhere in England - I hope it wont be a very unearthly spot.

I expect I shall get off at Xmas time - after I have been inoculated and vaccinated - I wrote to H.Qs. y'day and said I should be able to leave home now and asked if I could be sent abroad when I was 23 - they won't allow them out of England under 23 - so by next May I might be experienced enough to be sent elsewhere - I should love a hospital ship (as long as one wasn't drowned) and go cruising in the Mediterranean - Gladys Runton is on one and has been to Cairo - seen the Pyramids and been about a good deal. Anyway it will be jolly nice to have some settled work to do but I shall have to stick to it pretty hard - 11 hours a day work - Sundays included and half a day a fortnight and ten days holiday in six months unless one gets measles then you get an extension to three weeks. I expect I shall get a bit moth-eaten with all that work!

I'll tell you what - supposing you get leave while I am at Wolverhampton - you could come up to Birmingham - could meet you there and then I would come up to Silkstone with you - I would have to tell the Cullwicks that a great friend had come over from the front and I should have to go home. I don't know why I've put this when I said you were to do all the arranging - my sickening managing spirit or managing devil in me that keeps popping up. I've been awfully naughty since I came from Grimsby - the first two days I came I burnt some jam that Ma had been saving up sugar for - I forgot to post an important letter with cheques in and Pa had to run all the way to Barnsley to catch the post and I've broken the glass in our lantern we take out with us when it's very dark. So you see if you married me what you would have to stand at times!

I have had to leave off in the middle of this letter as Pa came in for me to go to look at a mine that was going to explode - 80lbs. of gun powder I think - I saw it go off which was very interesting and then the vicar and vicaress of Thurgoland came for tea - from the next village - they are awfully nice people - very congenial - quite different from the coal magnate specimens round here - unfortunately they are leaving their parish and going a mile or two from Doncaster - they can't stand the people round here and I don't wonder.

Isn't this a long letter - I hope I haven't made you very tired with all my talk. I do like my new inkpot - I always polish it myself - delightful advertisement for Brasso. Goodbye, my love, and do take care of yourself. I am spending two or three hours in Nottingham with Queenie Willatt on my way to Wolverhampton to-morrow.

Bye-bye, once more my love,

Love from

Dora.

CMS to Dora; 22.11.16.

My Dear Dora,

I don't know why it is that my letters take so long in reaching you. My people say the same thing about their letters. Now that we are out I shall be able to write oftener. I am sitting on a camp bed at present, in a wooden hut with nine other officers. The colonel has said that he wants every officer to get himself a bed and a stove and to pay more attention to his personal comfort. I have a Primus stove which does excellent work with a sheet of tin, and yesterday Norman Ingleby and I bought a bed each in Amiens. You'll enjoy your trip to Colwyn Bay I expect - you ought to. I love going back to see the old school and recall old times. Of course it's awfully sad about Rydal - it's a different kind of school now you know.

It was rather rocky financially, and just when it was picking up, the authorities altered it and made it cheaper, with the result that there is a different class of boy there now. Things may improve later on, and it may be the old school again some day.

I am very glad to read what you say in your last letter about nearly having that "lovely understanding" feeling. I think you are getting it more. Perhaps when I come home on leave very soon we shall wake it up and know for certain. I think it is just lying dormant and beginning to get restless.

I am hoping for leave in about a fortnight or three weeks' time. Ten days from leaving France to returning. I may also get an extra four days decoration leave. The colonel, and a few men have already gone, so it has really started.

Yes, I think all this responsibility and worry is making me a bit older, but not much. There are no deep lines of care on my face, as yet.

Four of us, the doctor, Ingleby, Boyle, and I had a day off in Amiens yesterday, and spent a ripping time in eating, shopping, and a scented bath.

No, I haven't answered all the letters yet, but I'm going to.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

CMS to Bob; 23.11.16.

Dear Bob,

Sorry I've been such a long time in writing but we've been stuck in the mud. We are out of the real mud now, and expect to remain out for some time. I hope to be home on leave in a week or two in spite of ugly rumours.

I am bringing home a rather nice mascot for the bike or the car, a German fish-tailed bomb. It's about the only souvenir I have as it is far too much bother to collect them and carry them about when we are away from our valises as long as we have been.

(The line which follows has been censored.)

24.11.16.

I got a letter from Mother to-day, also another good parcel. Please tell her I have received the cardigan jacket and have been wearing it for some time.

Your affec. brother,

Cecil.

CMS to Dora; 25.11.16.

My Dear Dora,

Only a few more days now and I shall be back in Blighty, with any luck. There is an ugly rumour about that leave is going to stop again, but I don't think there's much in it. (The doctor has collared my paper and has returned it with a few notes).

Ellis, my servant, was wounded during our last tour in the trenches, and I have got a new man now. He surprised the hut the other morning by asking whether I would have hot or cold water to wash in. He got me hot water too, and gets it every morning.

I have rigged up a little writing desk, cupboard, and dressing table with biscuit boxes at my.........................

To Slack's Lass; 25/11/16

Reference attached, - Beware, my child, and place no faith in this foolish youth's wild statements, - they are the idle wanderings of a love sick boy.

Of course, he is an awful nice infant but very trying - stamps his little feet and cries for very rage just because he can't have his leave. The C.O. had to call his nursey and have him removed from parade only yesterday - the dear little chap would suck his revolver and it was so rusty!

Now I must tell you how the little fellow is - his little toothy-pegs are nearly all cut except one big one at the back - he has been very good most of the time like the brave little lad he is.

He is growing quite big these days and loves to play soldiers - will sit and play with a bomb for hours and is never so happy as when the gunners fire the big guns for him.

I am sending him for his leave in a few days, as he has been so awful good lately, - PLEASE SEE he does not eat too many sweets, washes his face now and again and goes to bed at seven

4th. East Yorks,

J.H. Jameson.

Capt. R.A.M.C.

Bob to CMS; 26/11/16.

Dear Cecil,

The helmet turned up on Monday and your letter to Father and Mother, three days ago. It was blooming lucky that shell through the ration tin didn't burst. Ronald Jarman left for London yesterday having been gazetted sub-lieutenant, on probation, in the RNAS. I have a chance of getting an early 1916 model 2 3/4 pp. Douglas for ,30 so if I can get ,25 or more for the Sparkbrook, I shall have a shot at getting it. I don't suppose you will mind, as it is a lot better bike, that is if I can get it. It is tons faster than our bike and only needs one new tyre. Still, I expect I shall finish up by not getting it. C.S.M. Carr is coming in to-morrow night.

We break up on the 20th. of next month for only short holidays, the Head says, as we are to have longer ones at Easter, which is no good to me as I shan't be at School then, but in the Cadet Battalion.

It would be hot stuff if you could get your leave for Christmas, but I suppose you can't choose your time, and have to get it when it's given. Gyp has been groggy lately; the result of a fast life; but is improving now, as the result of dieting, pills and being kept from low comparisons. She has been in the habit of digging a hole in one part of the garden every time it is filled in. She did this before dinner to-day, so I clouted her and filled it up after dinner, instead of one hole there were two, and bigger than before; meant to be a "tell off" I suppose.

Your affec. Brother

Bob.

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