Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 16

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; Sunday 26.11.16.

My Dear Dodo,

Delighted to get your long letter today. I'm sorry you could not get to Colwyn Bay, but I suppose it will be just as good later on. Leave has been put off another two days, so I don't expect to get mine before next Sunday at the earliest. I like what you say about looking after me if we get married and I get rheumatism as a result of the beastly trench life. I'm sure you'd be able to look after me, and I hope we get married, but I hope I shan't need the looking after, although of course I should love to be looked after by you.

Yes, letters would be posted on to me if I were to get wounded, that is if I let them know what hospital I was at. I'm sorry the inkstand wasn't one and am glad it works all right now. If you're going to use it for writing letters to me please give it plenty of work, although it's a bit thick my asking for plenty of letters when I write so few to you.

Hope you have a good time at Wolverhampton.

I'm glad you're going into Hospital again after Christmas, although I'm sorry the hours are rather long. Wouldn't it be ripping if I could get a Blighty and come to your Hospital, either in France or England. I should schrimshank horribly, so as to stay on as long as possible.

I expect you'd have an awfully decent time on a hospital ship, but its a bit risky now that the Bosche torpedo them so shamelessly.

You say you saw a mine go up a few days ago. Can you imagine the going up of a mine which made a crater 35 yards deep and about 80 yds. across? I have seen this actual crater at High Wood, although I did not see the mine explode. It is a most wonderful, awful sight.

I had an experience of a Bosche mine soon after I came out again last January. It was fortunately short, and left a crater across No Man's Land for 50 yds in front of our trench, but we got a frightful lot of stones and earth down, and several men were killed.

I'm afraid this paper's rather oily in places, but I've had a bit of trouble with Araminta (née Bertha). I'm afraid she's won for the time being, but I'm going to get her a new washer, and see if she'll go then.

Araminta has a pal now, in Ethel, our new table-lamp, who burns without a glass chimney.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Monday 27.11.'16.

My dear Cecil,

It was jolly to get your letter yesterday about your leave coming off very soon - and that was written on the 19th. so it is nearly ten days nearer the time when I shall see you already. Do you know what I have been thinking all the time - that you would only just get your decoration leave and nothing else - about two days - that's why I was wondering about your getting over to see us in so short a time. Awfully silly of me not having to have thought of it before! I get rather potty at times. You will be getting ten days I suppose, so you will be able to come and spend a few days with us - just write and let us know when you are coming - any time will suit us. I hope you won't find it deadly in Silkstone - walks are the only excitement - still its rather nice going off for the middle of the day and taking a sandwich - would you like to do that? I expect you will be awfully busy getting your fresh coy. into order - rather a job - I shouldn't think the Tommies will enjoy the strafing, still I should think it's the "only, only way".

Do you know that song - it's out of "To-night's the night". We went to "The Happy Day" on Sat. night. Doris Cullwick's brother took us - it was quite good but nothing extra special - not as nice as "Betty" - tho' the ending was rather sweet. The best song in it was "O for a night in Bohemia" - p'raps you've heard of it. I am awfully keen on some of the "Bing Boy" songs at present - "If you were the only girl in the world" - it's in my head from a.m. to p.m. - I expect you know it - I got awfully bored with the Bing Boys when we saw it in London in May but I think I should rather like it if I saw it again now - I know the music better.

I tried to get a letter off to you y'day but people came in so I couldn't. I am enjoying being here very much - going to Birmingham for the day to-morrow and Wed. I go home again - calling at Nottingham on the way home to see Queenie Willatt and family for a few hours.

It was rotten of that beastly Hun to pinch your nice little British Warm etc. - a horrid trick still no matter - it's alright as long as they didn't pinch you.

Cheerioh old sport,

Love from

Dora.

I hope you wrote some letters off while you were in rest!!!!!! How are your poor old feet?

Dora to CMS; Wednesday 29.11.'16; 7.30 pm.

My dear Cecil,

I have got nearly an hour to wait in this train before it starts for Silkstone only 5 minutes away - and only 4 miles - I would walk it if I had someone else with me and hadn't got my luggage. The connections are awfully bad at Penistone. I left Wolverhampton at 10.57 this mg. - had to change at Birmingham and Derby - where I missed the connection and arrived Nottingham about 2 pm. Queenie met me and I went and left at 5.30 again and got here at 6.45 - quite a good train. It was awfully nice to see Queenie again - I thought I might as well have an hour or two there as I was passing thro'. She really is an awfully good sort, I told her you were coming over soon for a few days and she has asked us over for a day if we can manage it - however I haven't promised anything, I said I should have to see what could be arranged. Anyway I'm sure you would like Queenie and Frank if we went and Nottingham is a very nice place.

It will be absolutely topping if you can get fourteen days leave at once - do try - cause it will mean really two extra days - if you take off the two days allowed out of the four for travelling - comprenez-vous? Come and stay with us as long as you can - but don't neglect your parents. I am getting awfully excited about seeing you again - aren't you getting excited at the thought of a holiday? I am glad you had a day off again in Amiens - you would enjoy it - especially the scented bath - rather funny to think of you having a scented bath!! Still I should think it would be rather nice - I've never had one.

I have had a very nice time in Wolverhampton - they are very nice people and Doug is quite jolly - very plucky I think - but she says it is very hard at times. I feel heaps better than I did a month or two ago - I really did feel rather rotten then - it was really worrying that did it - and Mother being ill too, I was always worrying about whether I knew my own mind or not - and sometimes I did know and sometimes I didn't. Then a month or two ago I resolved I simply WOULDN'T worry but let things run a natural course and I'm sure it's much better - don't you think so - and I feel much better for it too.

I am going to H'field by the eleven train in the mg. and will come back on Monday morning early - William is coming over for the weekend and parents are spending Thursday night in Hull for Board meeting on Friday.

I hope your new bed is comfy. They have had the Zepps over Silkstone and at Wolverhampton - fearful excitement for Silkstone!

It will be just six months since we have seen each other won't it?

Love from

Dora.

CMS to Dora; 1.12.16.

My Dear Dora,

I forgot to say "Rabbits" this morning and I am wondering if it will mean my leave being stopped.

I have been expecting to go for the last 3 days, as my destination has already been given to the Orderly Room, which usually means that one goes the next day. I think now that I shall leave here on Monday next, that is if today's Friday: I think it is but I'm not sure. "Here" is a little French village where we are billetted for a rest. We left the huts yesterday.

I have a bed to sleep in and share a bedroom with another fellow. We have a very nice mess room which is kept warm by Germaine the stove, and lighted by Ethel the lamp and George the acetylene gas-bracket.

The Adjutant told me a few days ago that I might as well put my third pip up, as the General had sanctioned the promotion, but I think I'll wait till it comes out in the Gazette.

I'm in a most untidy state to come home - both tunics are torn and dirty and my best breeches are gone at the knees and elsewhere. I am, moreover, disgustingly "chatty".

I'm not a bit in a writing mood tonight and can't think of anything to say, except that I'm just longing to see you again.

So I'm going to turn in and think of you.

Cheeroh, Yours with love,

Cecil.

CMS to WHS and WS; 2.12.16.

My Dear Father and Mother,

I shall probably be home soon after this letter, perhaps before. I expect to leave here on Monday, but cannot be sure. Even if I actually get off there is always a chance of the ports being closed for a few days.

We have left our huts now, and are billetted in a village well away from the noise of the guns. It is, in fact, so strangely quiet, that I cannot sleep properly yet.

We are quite cosy, and well content with life for the time being.

I have had another bit of bad luck. A senior captain has come back from the hospital and it was one of two who had to make way. On referring to dates of gazette I lost by 5 days. O.C. A Coy. however has now gone to Hospital, so I am in command of "A" Coy.

I have now been in command of A,C, and D Coys. and for 48 hours in command of the battalion, or 4/5ths of it. There is just "B" Coy. left. I have also filled the Adjutant's place.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Tuesday 5.12.16.

My dear Cecil,

I got your letter of a week last Sunday only this morning - I was thinking all through the weekend that you would be coming on leave and most probably you will not get this before you leave. I have had two of your letters since I have written to you - s'never mind you'll forgive me I hope! I believe the last epistle I wrote to you was in the train - I hope you got it as I gave it to a Tommy to post - said it was important but he looked pretty trustworthy. Well, I went off to the Blamires on Thursday morning and was helping at the bazaar with the Teas for Thurs. Fri. and Sat. - absolutely worn to a thread at the end of it - bazaars are wearying and sickening things - I'm not fearfully keen on them. The whole affair made £2,740 for Comforts for Soldiers so I don't think they did half badly - at the Teas we made £150 profit - but the whole thing was very well managed. May Allan was there helping with Teas too - I had a talk with her - she is an awfully nice girl and a friend of the Inglebys I believe. I was coming home on Monday but Mrs B. asked me to stay for a dinner party she was giving on that night so I did not get back till yesterday afterall. I sat next to Mr. Asquith's uncle, a Mr. Willans - swish - he is about the same age as the Premier, altho' he is his uncle.

I laughed about the Dr.'s note in the last letter but one! Thank him for telling me how you are getting on and I'm pleased you are growing into such a fine big boy - I shan't know you when I see you! It can't possibly be long now before you come home - Pa says Allderidge says that his brother can't get home on leave because it has been stopped but I do hope yours hasn't.

It has been fearfully cold lately - white frosts every morning - so I expect you are jolly glad you aren't in the trenches just now. Ma has got an awfully bad cold but I hope it will be better before you come.

It is Wednesday that I am writing this letter really - I began it yesterday but couldn't get it finished then. It was just six months ago yesterday wasn't it - I remembered.

Goodbye now. I must go and come over soon.

Love from

Dora.

CMS to Dora; 8.12.16.

My Dear Dora,

I got home last night, having been travelling since Monday night.

I wanted to drop you a line at once but didn't get an opportunity, and now it's 2.0 pm. today. I didn't wake up till 11.0 am.

I MUST spend Sunday at home, there would be a frightful row if I didn't.

I have till Sunday week. I should like to come over on, say, Monday or Tuesday, so, with your Ma's permission, will roll up on one of those days. Will you drop me a line to say if it will be all right?

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Sat. 9.12.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I am pleased to hear you have got your leave at last but what a long time you were on the way. Mother says she will be very pleased to see you for as long as you can stay. We can get a nice comfortable bed out for you if you won't mind being sent out to sleep. Come on Monday will you - there is a train leaving Paragon 2.55 and gets into Silkstone 5.18 I don't think you have to change at Doncaster but I know you have to at Mexboro' then you get into a thro' train for Silkstone. Look out for me at Barnsley at 5 pm. about, as I have to go in for some shopping and will come back by your train.

I have caught Mother's cold but I am trying my very best to stop it. If one member of our family gets a cold some one else is bound to get it too as we live so huddled together in this little hutch.

Love from

Dora.

WHS to Cecil; 13.12.1916.

My dear Cecil,

Your letter received this morning gave me great pleasure -

You are a lucky fellow, and I am only too pleased that Dora has said "Yes" and that Captain Willatt and Mrs. Willatt have approved -

I know that you are not demonstrative, but that is a Slack failing for several generations, but I know you have "character", and that is far more important -

Nothing can give me pleasure equal to that caused by you and your Brothers and Sisters leading useful and worthy lives -

You have proved yourself during this wretched war to have the manly qualities which are worth more than anything else and I have the fullest confidence in you -

Give my love to Dora and say she will receive a hearty welcome for her own as well as for your sake -

May God bless you both and preserve you to one another until the day of peace is declared

With love

Your affectionate

Father.

Dora to WS; Wed. 13.12.'16.

My dear Mrs. Slack,

Cecil and I have come over here for the day to see some cousins of Father's, and Mother has just telephoned Mr. Slack's wire to us.

It is most kind of you to ask me to come back with Cecil especially as his leave is getting so short now, but I shall be delighted to come along to Hull to-night but our train does not get into Silkstone until 8.30 pm. There is a train from Silkstone at 11 am. to-morrow and arrives Paragon at 2.29 and we hope to come by that one.

With love,

Yours very sincerely

Dora.

TELEGRAM

Dora to CMS; sent from Penistone on 17.12.16; handed in at 2.5 pm.

To Lt. C.M. Slack. 4th. East Yorks. Embarkation Office

Arrived Penistone dont forget 10.30 to 11 pm. each night.

Dora.

TELEGRAMS

CMS to WHS and WS; sent from Southampton; handed in at 7.15 pm.on 17.12.16.

To Slack. Wilton House, Holderness Rd, Hull

Cheeroh. Cecil.

CMS to Dora; sent from Southampton; handed in at 7.15 pm. on 17.12.16

Received your telegram Cheeroh. Cecil.

CMS to Dora; 17.12.16.

My Darling,

I am at Waterloo and shall be off very soon.

I do hope you got home all right - it was frightfully rotten for you. I know you felt just like I did. I had a good old splash in the train - a thing I've not done for years.

Train's in now,

Goodbye

Love from Cecil.

CMS to Dora; 18.12.16

My Darling Dora,

My last note written at Waterloo was a very scraggy one, as I was standing up and just waiting for the train, but it was just a line or two to let you know. You must have felt awful after I had gone - I did.

But although I shall feel the being away from you very badly I am going to be outwardly cheerful, and you'll be the same, won't you? After all, it's no good moping over what can't be helped. I shall just live for that glorious day when we meet again, when the war will be very near the end, and maybe, over. Every night I will remember 10.30 - 11.0. I went to sleep last night on the floor of the steamer, thinking of you, I woke up, thinking of you. I am thinking of you, and loving you, and longing for you all the time, and always shall do. I pray to God that you will be comforted whilst I am away, and that I shall be brought safely and soundly through this war, and that one day we shall be able to set out in life together.

I got your telegram all right at Southampton. It, and one from Father, had been sent to the Embarkation Office and then returned to the Post Office. So, after reporting at the Office, I had to go off to the Post Office, but it was not very far and I had plenty of time. We spent the night on the boat and arrived here about dawn.

Our train goes about 7.0 am. tomorrow (Tuesday). I and another fellow have got a bed each at an hotel near the station, instead of spending the night at the rest camp. Several others are going to do the same. Do go to Hull this week won't you? and see Mother. I think it will be good for both of you.

Goodbye my love.

Love from Cecil.

CMS to Dora; 21.12.16.

My Darling Dora,

Just a few lines to let you know I'm still alive and kicking.

I am giving a little dinner on Saturday night, the 23rd. in honour of something very special which happened when I was on leave. As it is being given in our company mess all our company officers (D Coy) will be present, but as there are only two undesirables it won't matter. The colonel is coming, and Norman Ingleby, and a few others. There will be ten or twelve altogether. I will let you have a copy of the menu later it will be quite good. There are to be some Brigade Sports on Saturday. I have been entered to run in the relay race, and in the officers' 100 yds. I told you in my letter yesterday I was to be acting Adjutant for a time, but I have got "D" Coy. again, and have to keep in touch with the Adjutant's work as well.

What sort of a time have you had in Hull this last week? Let me know all about what's doing. But I expect you have done already. Your two letters were waiting for me when I got here. I hope the photographs have turned out allright this time. I am eagerly waiting for them, only I don't expect them for some days yet. I wasn't able to think much in bed last night, I was so very sleepy, but I went off to the land of Nod thinking of you.

Yours, with love

Cecil.

("Yours, with love" seems a very tame and mild ending to a letter, till one thinks about it for half a minute)

Dora to CMS; Thursday 21.12.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I got your letter card yesterday mg. - they forwarded it on to me from Silkstone - it was lovely to get a line from you - I expect I shall have to wait for about a week now before I get one from France so I am looking forward to that. I think I'll tell you what I have been doing first. I went to the Y.M.C.A. hut on Monday from 5 to 7 (and thought of the Monday before) - Pater took me and brought me back - the ground was frozen hard - all frozen mud in lumps and awfully hard to walk upon. I wrote to Queenie, Emma, Marjorie, replied to Mrs. Todd and I think that's all - anyway Emma will know the worst about her poor old chum now!

On Tuesday we left by the 7.30 am. train and Pa came too (Flossie hadn't come back from M'chester) and we went to Reggie's funeral service in Newland church at 12.45 - it was a very impressive service and AWFULLY sad - nearly all the E.R.R.E. officers from round Hull were there - William was there too and Mrs. Todd. Then we went to the new cemetry along Cottingham Rd - just past Newland Park. Heaps of R.F.C. were over too. There was a carriage full of wreaths - we all sent a laurel wreath with a big cluster of pink roses and pink heather in one place - it really was rather artistic.

I am sending you a newspaper cutting about the funeral - would you mind returning it as Ma wants to keep it. I sent a parcel off to you y'day - I expect you will just get it after Xmas. I hope you will like the tie - they said it would wear better than the kind you are wearing now - the cushion I got from Hall and Hamlyns - Asbestos hadn't one - and Holt said this was the regulation patten so I do hope it is alright - are these cakes the kind you like? I sent a khaki flash light off to Frank Willatt y'day - I knew you had promised to send one so that's why I sent it - I thought you would like me to. We were down at Beech Croft y'day and I brought a lot of nursing things away with me.

I haven't time to write any more now - will write again on Sunday - post just going - going home Friday 2.55.

Good-bye my love,

Love from your

Dora.

I DO MISS YOU.

Hull Newspaper Cutting; December 16, 1916: Lieut. Gaskell of the R.F.C.

The death has occurred of Lieutenant R.R. Gaskell of the Royal Flying Corps, the only son of Councillor Peter Gaskell, Inglewood, Newland Park. He had been a flying observer in France for eight months, and had returned to England to obtain his second "wing". He had passed one examination, and was transferred to another part of England. He was flying there yesterday for his pilot's certificate when an accident happened. The officer appeared to be descending all right, when suddenly the machine nose-dived and crashed to the ground and Mr. Gaskell was killed instantly.

Lieutenant Gaskell joined the colours in September 1914, and obtained a comission in the Royal Engineers, serving for six months in France. He afterwards joined the Royal Flying Corps and obtained one "wing" as an observer in France.

Lieutenant Gaskell, who was 27, was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. P. Gaskell. He was a Hull boy, and was educated at St. Bede's College, Hornsea. On leaving school he entered the office of his father, Freeman Son and Gaskell, architects, and showed great promise. The greatest sympathy will be extended to the parents in their bereavement. Mr. Gaskell had a visit to the scene of the accident yesterday. He is the Chairman of the important Corporation Committee, the Water and Gas Committee.

Dora to CMS; Sunday 4.15 pm. 24.12.'16.

My love,

Mother and I arrived here 5.18 Friday and your letter from Le Havre was waiting for me. Hilda had rung me up in the mg. to say they had had a letter and that you had sent one to Silkstone so I thought there would be one here for me. I am afraid you wouldn't get much rest on the steamer but am glad you have had the chance of a good night in Havre and in a decent bed. Did you meet that Orchard - was that the man's name who gave you his card? I have felt awfully tired ever since you went and don't feel rested yet - feel as if I had some more to sleep off yet - do you still feel sleepy? Do try and get as much sleep as you can because we both missed such a lot on your leave. I rang your Mother up on Tuesday night and told her all about you then on Thursday Ma took her out to lunch and I went to Ferriby meanwhile - then she met me with Hilda and Mabel when I came in with the 3.16 train. I was awfully glad to see her again but hadn't chance to have a talk with her - anyway I think I shall be going to Hull once more before I go nursing so I will go down and see her then to say goodbye.

Your Mother asked me how I felt and I said I was keeping cheerful, and I am doing so to everybody - I never let anybody see the other side of me - I don't think its right to bother anybody else or depress anyone - it is you alone who knows how I really feel - how I simply more than long for you - still I am very happy because I know I love you with that strong - deep love at last, that will always be the same. I did feel you were very near to me on Thursday night when I thought of you about 10.30. Felt awfully sleepy this afternoon and sat over the fire looking into it till about four and looked at my two little diamonds sparkling away and thought of how you used to look at them. That sore place on my finger is quite better now. When I was at Ferriby I went to see the Quants - saw Mrs. Quant and Nellie (Mrs. Hemmons) and they did like my ring - Nellie said she wasn't surprised and said we were made for each other which I said was quite true.

On Friday we saw Mr. Quant in Powbrys so had lunch at the same table - he was awfully nice and said even though I was engaged I was to be sure and ring him up and have dinner with him when I went to Hull and he also said he would come and see me when I got into hospital. Saw Geoffrey Watt there - he is training in the O.T.C. at Berkhampstead and home on Xmas leave - he congratulated me - don't know how he got to know - but it has gone round pretty quickly - saw one or two other people too while I was in the town.

Hilda and Mabel came to see us off by the 2.55 and brought me a parcel - I opened it in the train and it was a lovely silver frame - and a note inside from all at Wilton House written by your Ma. It really is AWFULLY kind of your people and you've no idea how I appreciate their kindness. It will do beautifully for your photograph. I asked the Sheffield man for two of each of yours and he only sent me one of each so I sent them off y'day for your Mother. I didn't like parting with them but I hope to get some myself anyday now. The prints of you are awfully nice but have touched them up a very wee bit - still they are awfully good and I like then very much indeed - I am sure your Pa and Ma will like them.

William came last night at 8.35 - Pa and I went to church this mg. - we had about six ins. snow y'day and it is thawing a little to-day. The sky has been gorgeous to-day - lovely colouring - just like one long sunrise and sunset. Yesterday I was busy cooking in the morning and writing letters in the afternoon. Had a letter from Marjorie Barker (who is thinking of getting married in May, at least her Billy wants her to.) Emma who is VERY pleased about us, I am pleased to say, also Mrs. Jesse (think you met her at tennis at Beech Croft last year) and Kathleen Runton. Will show them all to you sometime. Tea is just ready - a man just going to Barnsley so he is taking this letter to post. Do take care of yourself and tell me about your sports and what people have said to you. Goodbye my darling - I am always thinking of you,

from your love

Dora.

CMS to WHS and WS; 24. 12.16.

My Dear Father and Mother,

I have settled down again now to work. I am in command of "D" Coy. again, having been acting adjutant for only a few hours. I had a much better journey coming back than going, and got here about 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning. There were several parcels and letters waiting for me, including Mother's parcel, and one from Reckitts, and one from Brunswick.

Brigade Sports were on yesterday, and our battalion won 80% of the events. I ran in the Officers' 100 yds. and came 3rd. - Only 4 of the whole Brigade ran though.

This morning I have spent in the dentist's hands, as the last bit of stopping came out of one of my teeth. He is killing the nerve, and I have to see him again on Thursday.

Last night I gave a little dinner in honour of my engagement. I had the colonel and several friends in and we had a splendid feed, and everything went off right.

Tomorrow, Christmas Day, we are to have a cross country run for the Brigade. The men are having a feed at Midday, and in the evening there is to be a battalion concert, after which the officers will have their dinner, which will be held in our mess, as it is the largest.

News is scarce at present. I don't know when we go back to the line.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

CMS to Dora; 26.12.16.

My Darling,

Your letter came on Christmas Eve - I had been waiting for it, for I knew you'd write soon. It brought back very vividly our last few hours together and the happiest week of both our lives. I am glad you remembered the Cathedral was nearby, after I had gone, Yes, the parting was very hard, but perhaps it will help us to realise what a great and wonderful thing this love of ours is, more so, perhaps, than if things had been very smooth. We can both realize it without this parting, but when we are finally together I think it will make our joy just a little bit greater. Perhaps it will not be so very long before I have you in my arms again - oh! how I long for that moment.

I hope the photographs were done for you and Mother in time for Christmas. No, don't send mine to me until yours are ready to come with it. I shall make a little double frame that folds up, and will put yours in one side and mine in the other. I shall be able to stand it on my "dressing table" when out at rest. I think Dr. Baine's letter is lovely, and its just like him. I am returning it herewith.

Poor old Reggie, I feel though I have lost a friend in him, although I did not know him as well as you did. I am returning the newspaper cutting about his funeral.

We have had quite a merry time this Christmas. On Saturday we had our little dinner that I told you about, and it was a great success. On Sunday I had dinner with another company, and then on Monday we had a very jolly time with all the officers together. It was a ripping do, and noone became vulgarly drunk except one silly young idiot in my company, and he has been very subdued since. This evening (Tuesday) we have had a company concert which has been a great success. I managed to get the Mairie for it, and borrowed a piano. Waite, one of my officers, and I gave a little turn, a parody on "I will give you the keys of Heaven" which caught on very well with the men. We had given it previously on Christmas night, and I know the Colonel was taken with it.

Thanks awfully for sending a flash light like mine for Frank Willatt. It was stupid of me to forget it. It is 10.45 pm. now, part of the precious half-hour. I am going to turn in, and shall go to sleep thinking of my love who is loving me just as I love her.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

CMS to WHS and WS; 27.12.16.

My Dear Father and Mother

Christmas out here has not been at all bad. On Christmas Eve I was out to dinner with another company, then on Christmas Day we had a battalion dinner in our mess, followed by an impromptu concert. I am going out to dinner again tonight. Last Saturday I gave a dinner in honour of my engagement, and had the Colonel and several friends in. It was a very good dinner, and everything went off splendidly.

On Christmas Day, twenty two officers sat down to mess, and when the large item, the dinner, was over, speeches began. The Colonel said a few words first, in answer to his toast being drunk, and to my dismay began to talk about engaged officers and after a few merry remarks called on the senior engaged officer for a speech. Capt Ingleby then said a few words and then called on me for a speech. I got through a few sentences, and then passed on to the Transport Officer as the most likely man to be engaged next: in the end everyone had said a few words, some serious, but mostly not.

I am in command of "D" company as Capt Parker has gone to hospital again, as expected.

I believe it is lucky to find money. Today I found a five franc piece. I have good reason to believe that I may get a job as a Musketry Instructor at a school that is going to be formed. It may only be for a short time, and on the other hand it may not! I shall not hesitate for a minute in accepting any job which will keep me out of the line. I should be doing useful work. I have moreover done well over the average in trench work. Mother's parcel has come this afternoon, and thank you very much, and thank you also for the two parcels of clothing.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

CMS. to Dora; 28. 12.16.

My Darling Dora,

Do you remember when we were in Sheffield on the last Sunday that I found a penny on the road and you said that it was lucky? Well yesterday I found a purse with an English and French halfpenny and a five franc piece in it ! And the luck is this - When the battalion goes forward again I am going to stay behind as a Musketry instructor at a sort of school that is being formed. It may only be a short job for a few days, or it may be for a few weeks, or perhaps longer. I do hope it is for a long time, or will lead to a job that will keep me out of danger. I DON'T want to go back to the line. I have never been very keen on the trenches, and am far less keen now than ever. Of course if I have to go I shall do my job properly, but I shall always be on the look out for a soft job. I don't feel ashamed of myself for feeling like this for I'm the only officer in the battalion who went through last year (1916) without being off trench work for a day either through sickness, or on a course. I don't include the Colonel and the Adjutant because they always live at Headquarters, and have a respectable time compared with the rest of us.

Thank you awfully for the parcel - it came yesterday. The cakes are just right, and it's a ripping tie. The pillow I shall use to sleep on, and dream of you. I can never remember any dreams in the morning but I'm sure I do dream of you - I ALWAYS wake up thinking of you - perhaps it is because you are my last thought at night.

I had a ripping ride today. I went over to see the dentist, about nine miles away. I set off about 8.15 am. It was a beautiful morning, just like the Sunday morning when we walked to Penistone, only a little bit colder. I had an orderly with me, and we had some most delightful canters. The dentist has put back my tooth quite right, and he says it wont need attention for another year. Germaine, the stove, has gone out, and it is very cold. I am going across to my bed now, as my little watch tells me it will soon be half past ten.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Thurs. 28.12.'16.

My dear Love,

I am SO disappointed Cecil, I haven't had a letter from you yet since I got the one from Le Havre last Friday - just a week ago to-morrow since I have had a line from my love - I think really the Xmas posts must have disorganised things more or less and your letter is a long time getting through - but you will write to me often won't you because I look forward to your letters just as much as you look forward to mine and you know how much that is - don't you? I hope you had a nice Christmas - I was thinking about you such a lot - tell me all about the sports - how they went off. We had an awfully quiet day - never been so quiet in our lives before on Xmas day - Flossie and William went out for walks but I didn't go out at all except just to the Y.M.C.A. from 5 to 7 in the evening. On Boxing Day F.W. and I went tobogganing in the morning but it wasn't very satisfactory as we couldn't find a suitable run. William wants to get married this next year - about the summer or autumn I think but I don't know what is going to happen about it all really - William thinks he has waited long enough and he is 28 I think and Flossie will be 25 next August. Mother says anyway I shan't be getting married for years yet so she will have me left - we shall both be pretty ancient according to Ma when we begin life together! I think one of the joys of married life is to enjoy it together when one is young - don't you think so?

On Monday there was a letter from Nellie Hemmons (Quant) staying at Rotheram asking us to go over for tea y'day to Dr. and Mrs. Slack's - so we went y'day - Ma, Pa and me - we arrived there 2.30 and left again at 7.40 - got into that train we came from Hull by on Sat night - and arrived here 9.30 pm. - the train being an hour late again. Your uncle and aunt were awfully nice and your aunt liked my ring very much. Your uncle had had a letter from your Father that morning - Nellie Quant seemed well and talked and talked till my head nearly buzzed! She said she liked being married very much and is only sorry she didn't do it ten years ago. She is now going to L'pool to get a flat and get it ready for her husband for when he gets leave or if he is wounded. How did you like "A Rose Garden Husband"? It seems longer than only ten days since I saw you - you have felt SO near to me sometimes this Christmas - I miss you more in the evenings than any other time - it is because we had such wonderful evenings here I think, but we will have heaps more when we are married. I think I am going to Sheffield on Monday with Ma to have my photograph taken - I feel heaps more rested now.

Good-bye now, my love, I think I shall get a letter in the morning from you, we will always be young lovers all our lives, won't we, I can't bear the thought of getting a stodgy old married couple.

Your own love

Dora.

I wrote to Billy and Betty y'day and various other people.

Dora to CMS; Friday. 29.12.'16.

The chocolate icing on the choc. cakes I made y'day has never set! Don't know why - but they will be set in another day's time so Mother says she will post them off as soon as they are ready as I shan't be here then. We have been to Sheffield today to do shopping and have bought two other choc cakes as temporary substitutes! Mother has boiled a tongue for you and sent the butterscotch - the tongue is an experiment - have never sent one out before but they are so much nicer than those in tins and glasses. I hope you will like the cheese straws I have made - we warm them a little in the oven when we have them at home - but they are quite alright as they are if you haven't time to do otherwise - you could warm them on your primus if you like. I hope the tongue isn't "lively" by the time you get it - it ought to be (alright) if you put it in a cool place and in the air as soon as it arrives.

I am going to post the parcel in London to-morrow - it will get to you a day earlier if I do that I think.

Love from

Dora.

CMS to Dora; 30.12.16.

My Darling Dora,

The battalion has gone up and I haven't. I am a sort of Musketry Instructor at a reinforcement camp and have about 200 men to look after. I think I am going to have a strenuous but useful and comfortable time. But there is a sword hanging over my head, but not by a thread; it is suspended by a good piece of string. You see, I am liable to be called back to the battalion whenever the Colonel prefers me there, but if they do not get too short of officers and I do my job well here I think it will be all right.

Yes, I met Tolchard on the boat - he was feeling very fed up with life.

I too have felt awfully tired since I came back, and I simply hate my servant in the mornings when he brings my water.

It was rather nice of them to give you that photoframe. I think both your people and mine have been simply ripping.

I am sorry the photographer man only sent one copy of each photo in time for Christmas. I got a letter from Father yesterday, and they are awfully bucked with them. It was awfully nice of you to send them on in time for Christmas.

Glad Emma and the others are pleased. Everyone out here has been simply ripping, especially the Colonel. At Christmas dinner the Colonel called on the senior officer to speak, and after a few words Ingleby called on me for some words. Every officer present had to make some sort of speech.

I think I told you that our battalion won 2/3 of the events at the Sports. Unfortunately the Brigade boxing has not come off. I was looking forward to it.

Notes etc. keep coming in to me and there are all sorts of things to fix up, as this is our first day here, so I must obey the call of duty, so cheeroh.

Yours with love,

Cecil

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