Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 18

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; 11.1.17.

My Darling - Dora ,

The postal service to our little camp has gone wrong again and this is our third day without a post, and I am wondering how things are going on with you. There may be a mail this evening but if I wait for it before writing I shall miss the post.

I sent a large draft up a few days ago. They were quite cheery on the whole. I felt awfully sorry for them, for they've not the slightest idea what they're going to. I felt rather a louse about staying behind in comfort, although it is their turn to do a bit.

Yesterday I made a tremendous effort, and wrote three letters in succession, two being letters of thanks for congratulations on my engagement to my love.

I should like to tell some of my old school-fellows, but I haven't any of their addresses, so shall have to wait until I come across them.

Have you told Ma Hovey yet? I should like to hear what she has to say.

In the New Year's Honours my late company sergeant major has been awarded the D.C.M. He is a splendid fellow, and thoroughly deserves what he has got. He is the man who called in to see Father when he was on leave, and told Mother to call him Percy. We only have one honour amongst the officers, the transport officer, who has been mentioned in dispatches.

There is a slight improvement in our mess now, as a lot of its members have gone off on courses. We have a gramophone and dozens of records. We have bridge very often in the evenings, so we are not at all badly off, in fact it is the height of luxury compared to the line. I could grouse a lot about the cold and the wet but won't when I think of where I might have been now but for this instruction stunt. The course I had at Strensall has come in very useful.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Thursday night 10.30.; 11.1.'17.

My dearest,

I thought I would just like to scratch a little line to you before I hop into my bed and say goodnight - it is just the beginning of our half hour too - it is lovely to think there is one half hour when we both think of each other and when the day's work is done. I haven't had a letter since Monday but I think I shall be getting one in the mg. - expect they have been delayed in the post again. After I finished that letter to you in London on Tuesday at Harrods - Hartley and I took a tube from Knightsbridge for L'pool St. but were told to change at Holborn - we did so and couldn't find the other tube station we had to go from - it made us miss the 6.5 train and caught the 7 pm. one. It was pitch dark and I simply couldn't find the place and we wandered about for 20 minutes - went a long way down a wrong turning. There wasn't a policeman to ask the way either - I was very thankful I wasn't alone - I should have been a bit scared - I can manage daylight alright but it is darkness that puts me off - neither Hartley nor I know London at all well which is the sickening part of it - still we managed to pull through alright. I must take a hop into bed now - I AM so tired - I will finish this tomorrow - Goodnight my darling - you know how much I love you and think of you and pray for you - but I know you will come back safely to me - goodnight my love.

Friday afternoon 12.1.'17.

Got a letter from you this mg. - one written on the 3rd and 4th. - I'm sorry you haven't had a letter from me lately - I feel sure I haven't missed more than two consequetive days in not writing to you - I had two letters from your Mother this mg. - I wrote to her on Wednes. - and she says you were gazetted on Jan 9th. - I haven't time to see the papers now - only VERY occasionally - I often think of the little home we shall have someday - when I sit over the fire in our bedroom at nights after work - Hartley generally gets in first - then I turn the gas out - one of the two sisters has got her fiancé over and is having him for tea in her bedroom - Hartley and I feel awfully lonely and wish we had our own ones here - still s'never mind - someday old chap,

Yours with love

Dodo

CMS to Dora; Saturday 13.1.'17; 6.40 pm.

My Darling Dora,

I had two letters yesterday and two letters and a parcel the day before from you! I am so glad mine have turned up at last, but I'm sorry there's one missing.

Thanks awfully for the parcel. The cakes were ripping, altho' the icing had slipped off one of them. I'm awfully glad that your room mate is a decent sort - it would have been rather rotten if you'd had to carry on with someone stupid.

You ask for the names of those at the little dinner I gave in honour of our engagement. I will go round the table; there was the Colonel on my right, then Capt. Jackson, 2/Lt. Oakden (who was in our company mess and whom we couldn't very well get rid of) , 2/Lt. Boyle, 2/Lt. Waite (Mess President), 2/Lt. Green, 2/Lt. Revell (vide remarks re Oakden), 2/Ft. Young (Transport Officer), mentioned in dispatches, and Capt. Ingleby on my left, making ten with myself.

Waite and I arranged the dinner, but it was chiefly done by Waite, and I am most frightfully obliged to him for it, and told him so. You'll have to thank him too, when I introduce him to you. He is an awfully nice chap. His father is the managing director of Morris, Willows and Smith. We rather got the wind up at one time about the dinner as the people from whom we had ordered the turkey, champagne, etc. let us down by saying the stuff would not turn up till 8.0 pm. on the night of the dinner. Waite and another fellow, Oakden I think, and a few orderlies set off to buy chickens only managed to buy a couple of cockbirds. But Madame of our billet, who is an English woman said she'd see it would be all right, and when those birds were eaten they were like spring chickens. One of the things she did was to cook them in white wine.

We prevailed on the Headquarters Mess President to lend us half a dozen bottles of champagne which had been got for the battalion Christmas dinner. Waite got quite a lot of dainties in the village, and concocted a ripping hors d'oeuvre, there was also soup, fish cakes, almonds and raisins, coffee, and liquers, and a milk pudding especially for the Colonel, and then port and cigars.

Everything went off splendidly, and I was greatly bucked the next day when the Colonel told me he had taken a little too much champagne. He said he didn't realize it 'till he got up to go.

I am afraid decoration leave is off. One has to let the War Office know now when one is home on leave and they arrange it for one to go to get the medal then, without an extra two days leave! I expect I'll have to wait till après la Guerre.

Right oh about 10.30. If you hop into bed about then we shall both go to sleep thinking specially about each other. I usually turn in about that time.

Yes, I think it's really for our good too to go through what we are doing, It's pretty rotten but it will soon be over, and then - !

I was very interested in the letters from Billy and Betty. The Jackson person referred to is a chap I once dropped into the sea at Colwyn Bay. We were rather pals. I shall be writing to Billy and Betty in a day or two.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

MJW to Dora; Thursday 9 am; (estimated 11.1.'17.)

My dear Dora

I am returning suit case key. Have got all photographs and will send a few now for the 2 stamps - did not intend writing this am. but a letter came from Mrs. Slack and I could not resist opening it. Thought she might want sonething - will get these photos from Yates: I mean what I ordered for you last night and ask which she likes then order her some more -

You will see what a time William had getting back and they went to Hudson's and bought some pictures etc. - and the side car was full.

Yesterday I worked all day doing Flossie's things after her going away - clearing room etc. and today I have a lot to do going through all cupboards etc. Mr. Price came in yesterday about 3.30 had tea and stayed till six. He congratulated me on the engagements, it was a nice change having somebody to talk to.

I have found another nurses apron of yours, shall I send it? In sliding partition have found Bowmers films and the one you left of Marjories young man I had stuck in your album but will see if I can get it out.

Much love in haste

Mother

What about inoculation. I should get to Devonshire House soon. I should not come back here.

Have enquired here about pyjama parcel - and they know nothing.

CMS to WHS and WS; 14.1.17.

My Dear Father and Mother,

I'm sorry Father has been down with influenza. I hope he's all right now.

Mother says she doubts whether I will appreciate the job I've got, as being too tame after what I've been used to. Anyone would appreciate any job that kept one out of the mud and cold front line. This is certainly a most monotonous job, but it is heaven to what it might have been.

Dora is in hospital at Waltham Abbey Essex. She is there for a month, filling a vacancy. I don't know whether she will stay on after that, or go to another place. I am very glad that she has got a nice room-mate, who is also there for a month.

The mess here is not up to much owing to the D.L.I. element in it, but there is a gramophone and plenty of records, which makes up for a lot.

I got the parcels of cardigan, boots etc. a few days ago. Everything, both inward and outward has been delayed owing to the Christmas rush. Our Christmas decorations came the day we were leaving.

I have had letters of congratulation from Mr. Cousins, and Mr. Cleminson.

A few days ago Mr. R.O.Baker, Edenbrough, sent me a tin of shortcake. I and many others are very disgusted with some of the New Year Honours amongst officers. In our Brigade there are 3 hopeless cases. One man gets a M.C. because he commands the Brigade French Mortar section, whilst other men junior to him in the section, and who have done far more than he, get nothing at all.

Another case is the award of the D.S.O. to a colonel in our brigade. His ONLY qualification is that he has been out nearly 2 years. But then our own Colonel who has done splendid work the whole time and who sent in reports of our recent push when no one else did, and at critical times is passed by.

I am not by any means alone in thinking like this. Everyone feels it.

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Monday 15.1.'17.

My love,

We have just come in from a long walk this afternoon - Hartley and I - we have been just as far as the outskirts of Epping Forest - it is lovely there - little cottages dotted here and there too - we have just had tea in our room and got a decent fire and I am scratching you a note before I go on duty in a minute or two. It is awfully cold and frosty to day and has been so for the last week - I have got beastly chilblains on all fingers of my hands and on my feet and two ears - expect I shall have one on my blinking nose next! How are you getting on old chap - I had two letters from your Ma the other day about your gazette - they didn't quite understand it at home and I happened not to see the gazette that day - Jan 9th - so you might tell me what it all means.

Have been here a fortnight last Sat - don't know where I shall go to at the month's end so expect you had better send letters home to Silkstone after the end of this week - until you hear where I am.

Must go now - this is just a little note to my love to let you know how things go.

Yours with love

Dora.

CMS to Dora; Tuesday 16.1.17; 10.5 pm.

My Darling,

The gramophone is playing and making me feel awfully goosey. There are some really ripping records, and it does make me want the war to end and be with you.

I think of the little home we are going to have together. Not that I don't think like this when the gramophone is not playing, but it accentuates my feelings.

"Tales of Hoffman" has just been played - I first heard it at the Grand Theatre, Hull. You and Flossie were there, a few rows in front of me.

I have given myself a holiday today, having all my men under another officer, for bombing. I have been into Amiens with a Capt Michael, of the 4th Yorks, an awfully nice fellow, and Adjutant of this camo. We had a slap up lunch, did a little shopping, and got back for mess.

Father has sent me a letter from the Gazette which promotes me to Captain whilst in command of a company and in the next lines reverts me to temporary lieutenant. It means that I have been a captain for nearly 3 months and am now a temporary lieutenant again. Of course I get captain's pay for the 3 months, which means an extra £15, which is worth having.

I was wondering whether the putting on and taking off of your ring when you come off and go on duty would be hurting your finger. Your last letter tells me that you have a lot of trouble in taking it off owing to the fingers swelling. You know of course I should like you to wear it always, my love, and you would too, but if it's going to be a trouble perhaps it would be better to have it off and wear it, say on your half days and days off duty, because it might injure your finger. Que pensez-vous?

The watch is going splendidly. It stopped once, about 10 days ago, why, I don't know, but it's quite all right now.

I take it off in the mornings for a few minutes, whilst I wash. I love to see the C and D joined together.

You will probably think that I only wash once a day, but we don't get any hot water for washing, and it's very cold nowadays. I do have a little lick though just before mess.

12 noon Wednesday. I knocked off last night as it was getting cold and late, and I had missed the post in any case.

There's no work doing today as we are covered in snow.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Wed. 17.1.'17.

My Darling,

I got two letters from you yesterday morning - it was nice - the first two I have had since you knew I was in hospital - it is heaps nicer now that I know you know where I am - it wasn't very nice at first when I thought of you in the evenings and I knew you would be thinking of me in Heath Cottage when I wasn't there. It is just a month ago to-day - 17th. - since I saw you last - it seems longer in some respects - I feel awfully lonely at times - in the evenings just when I am sitting over the fire and thinking of you after 10.30 - before I hop into bed - do you ever feel lonely then? You ought to have letters pretty often from me because I have written every other day or every two days I think - since I came here. I wrote to Ma Hovey on Sunday and told her the news - I wanted her to get the letter before Hilda and Mabel arrived on Tuesday. Your photographs came on Monday - they are awfully nice - I have got two of them out on my dressing table and a little one of you I took at Silkstone in June - standing alone, do you remember - well I have just tucked that into the side of my looking glass. Still I can always picture you in my imagination far better than any photograph - can you of me? Hartley is a real sport - rather on the plump side - but a jolly sort - packed me off to bed at 9.30 last night and I feel tons better for it today.

Mother hasn't been very well - thought they would have to wire for me - so Pa said - but I had a letter from her this mg. and she is much better so I feel relieved. What do you think - the Matron - the one who snapped me up when I came - has spoken to Hartley and me to-day and asked us to stay on another month and said we had done very well - and were very pleased with us!!

We have said we will stay on a fortnight, but not sure about a month.

Goodbye my love, I do love you

Your love

Dora. In a GREAT hurry!

Dora to CMS; Friday 19.1.'17; 10.10 pm.

My love

That's rather smudgy love isn't it - s'never mind - I am sitting over the fire "en déshabillé" and the fountain pen seems a little too eager to begin. I was going to write this afternoon but we heard of a woman who used to be a lady's maid and did shampoos so I had mine done this afternoon. I got your letter this mg. all about the dinner party - I think it sounded very good indeed and quite a success - Was the M.O. Jameson there too or was he away? Keep all your letters won't you, then I can see them sometime, and you can see mine too. I do feel sick about decoration leave - it was my one hope of seeing you soon and I expect it will be April or May before I see you now - what ages it seems - still one month is over but it has been a long month has it to you?

Did I tell you I was doing massage - I have been on it for about a fortnight now - I mean as well as the other work - the sister has taught me - I shall massage you when you get your little Blighty. I expect you are wondering when you are going to get your fawn socks - I finished one before I left Silkstone and started another but I have never had time to knit a stitch since I came here or even to read a book - it takes me all my free time to go out for a walk - write to you - write home and a few letters to other people.

Did I tell you I have got BEASTLY chilblains - simply rotten - on all my fingers and I can't get my little ring near my finger anytime - its all swollen like the others - on my ears, feet and one on the end of my nose that makes it have rather a cerise effect! Anyway they are all jolly painful and drive me nearly potty sometimes - shall have to wait for warmer weather before they get better. I don't know whether I am telling you things I have told before but I really forget what I've told you and what I haven't.

Hartley and I are going to have half a day on Sunday and it is jolly well time - have been here three weeks to-morrow and had one half day only off - nothing extra on Sundays at all and no chance for church either. Hartley is going to a friend's for tea and I am going to Flossie who is staying in St. John's Wood and learning motor driving at a school of motoring somewhere in London. Hope we shan't get lost this time we go. Shall come back 7.10 from L'pool St.

By the way did you get the tongue in the parcel with the choc. cakes - Mother boiled it and sent it as an experiment and did you like the cheese straws I made too - was the tongue fit to eat ar had it gone to a better land? I must hop into bed now - it is 10.45 and I am so sleepy - have been dawdling over this letter. I'm just going to roll in and fall asleep thinking of you. my own love.

Yours with love

Dodo.

CMS to Dora; Monday 22.1.17.

My Darling Dodo,

I got two letters from you on Saturday. They get held up on the railway somewhere I think. It's a beastly nuisance, for instead of getting one regularly every two or three days I have to wait four or five. I got a parcel from Silkstone a few days ago, sent off on Jan 2nd. It was the two chocolate cakes that hadn't set when you left. They were quite alright though, and ripping eating.

There was a letter inside from your Mother, and a note from Flossie. Flossie hopes I'll like the cakes, and says you're not a bad sort really, which is very comforting.

She says she is going to a motoring school in London. I wonder what she will be driving, a taxi or a bus, or a goods van.

Sorry about the chilblains. I haven't got 'em yet, strange to say. I've got a nasty little cold though, the result of high living in tents after the rigours of the line.

Has that letter of mine of Dec. 20th. turned up yet? Have you got Dr. Baine's letter yet? I returned it, and am wondering whether it was in the missing one.

It's been freezing here now continuously for a week and it's impossible to keep warm. Do you remember a winter about 5 or 6 years ago when we were skating on some flooded fields at Stoneferry? I had just left school, and was most horribly shy in those days.

Sorry you got lost in the dark. It's a rotten feeling isn't it. I've done it several times, and amongst shell holes and dead bodies.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Tuesday 23.1.'17.

My love,

I am afraid you will think it is too bad of me not to have written to you for so long - I wrote the last letter on Friday night - posted it on Sat mg. and I shan't be able to post this till to-morrow morning as it is 10.15 now. Hartley and I are sitting over the fire and having a cup of coffee we have just made - munching a biscuit - she is reading and I am writing to my love. Well - I really have been out or too sleepy to write - on Sunday we had our half-day and set off by tram to Finsbury Park from Waltham Cross (a mile away from here) and then tubed to Oxford Circus where I met Flossie and Hartley met a friend of hers and then I went with F. to St. John's Wood (near the Zoo) where she is in a boarding house. I think I told you that she is doing a six weeks' course of motor driving and mechanism at a school of motoring in Piccadilly I think and then says she is going to take a post somewhere - a Miss Varley - friend of ours - her fiancé (a great friend of Pa's) died 14 years ago and she has never got over it yet - is staying in the same boarding house so Flossie is more or less under her care.

I stayed there until about 6.15 and then Flossie saw me to the Metropolitan Railway and I went back that way to L'pool St Station changing at Baker's St. - hadn't been in Undergrounds by myself before and I felt awfully frightened I should go wrong or do something silly because when Hartley and I were going to Oxford Circus in the afternoon we had to change at Holborn and we got into the tube train going in the opposite direction from what we wanted to go! However I got there safely and met Hartley again at L'pool St. Station. We got in here about 8 pm. - one of the patients had made a topping fire in our room for us and then at 9 pm. Fitzroy - one of the other V.A.Ds. they have got in - like ourselves - came up for coffee. She left on Monday mg. - couldn't stand the work or something and the Matron hasn't asked her to stay on - I expect it is because she has never done any hospital work before and has no experience - I have done very little really but it is better than nothing.

H. and I settled up with the Matron on Monday that we would stay as long as she wants us to - I told you she asked us to stay another month to give her staff a longer holiday - I don't think we shall be here longer than the end of February. For a good many things we don't want to stay but if we don't, the V.A.D. Hqs. won't think much of us and it is really rather a compliment to us to do an extra month here as the Matron said we were a great help and very pleased with us! Swish!!! We have to put up with a good bit and we get fed up at times - as it is a V.A.D. place EVERYONE is voluntary except an orderly and a couple of charwomen and the voluntaries come to look after the soldiers not the nurses and Hartley and I are the only two sleeping-in and on-all-day nurses and no others "live" on the premises - so we have to get up and get our own breakfast and cook it etc. - cart all our own meals into a room etc. and generally pig it all throughout - still it will do us good and we have a decent bedroom and fire as long as we light it so it isn't so bad really.

Flossie said she saw that Norman Ingleby had been put back to Lieut - do you know why? Why didn't they let you remain Capt.? Is it because your musketry job is only a lieut's job? Will you be Capt. again when you go back to the battalion?

On Monday we went a long walk in the afternoon and in the evening I rolled into bed - so sleepy - and this afternoon I was expecting Flossie over and went to meet her but she never turned up and then we were called down to the ward early because of an operation and this is the first chance of writing to my loved one. Talking about my ring - and what you say about only wearing it on half days and wholedays off duty - in your letter I got on Monday - do you know I couldn't get it near ANY of my fingers on Sunday when I went to London - not even my little fingers - my hands are so swollen with chilblains - like an old ruffian's!! The sister said I was to show them to the Dr. but I hate messing with the Dr. and I hope they go when the frost goes. I was disappointed I couldn't wear it - I got into mufti then too - and it is the first time I have worn it since I left home.

I'm glad you think of the little home we are going to have sometime but I don't know when the war will be over - I get horribly down about it all sometimes. Oh, Cecil, I do want you so much in the evenings after I come off duty - but you understand how much I feel I want you don't you - just to put my head on your shoulder and not bother to talk but just to know I was with you, my own love.

Goodnight my darling - its 11.30 and it will be a beastly tussle to get up in the morning - I have been looking into the fire and thinking about you.

Yours with love

Dora.

Did you read about the big explosion near London - Flossie heard in town that it was here - we heard it - we've got huge places here too and its a very Zeppy spot so might be quite thrilling before we leave.

CMS to Dora; 25.1.17.

My Darling,

It is most wickedly cold here. People who have lived in these parts for 40 years say it is the hardest frost they have known. Everything is frozen hard, milk, soda water, etc., are solid. The other night we had a kind of rice pudding with custard on it, and it came in frozen hard. In the mornings my shaving brush and sponge are absolutely stiff. I don't get undressed at night, but take off my coat and boots and put on my dressing gown and crawl into my flea-bag. I have three blankets and a raincoat on top and a mackintosh sheet and a lot of brown paper underneath, and still I don't get really warm. In the morning the inside of the tent, and the top blanket are covered with frost. It must be Hell in the line.

I got a letter from Mother yesterday. She's heard from Ma Hovey, who bucks greatly about you.

I'm glad the photographs have come. I wish yours were ready; I expect they will be by the time you get this letter. I have one of those stamp photos you had taken about 6 months ago, on my "table", but, like you, I can picture you better in my imagination than from a photograph. I am awfully sorry your Mother has not been well lately, but am glad that she is a bit better now, as your last letter tells me. Glad the Matron is so bucked with you and Hartley. By the way, I have information that the war will be over inside a month.

We nearly had a nasty accident here today. Two officers and a sergeant were shooting rifle grenades when one burst prematurely at the muzzle of the rifle. It is a wonder they were not all killed. The officers only got a few scratches, and the sergeant a few slight wounds.

I wish you were here to see the country. It is all hills and valleys and woods, and looks beautiful in the frost and snow.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Thurs. 25.1.'17. 10 pm.

My darling Cecil,

I was looking forward to having a letter from you to-day as I haven't had one since Monday but no luck - but I might get one to-morrow morning. I had a letter from Auntie Alice Batty y'day and she told me how ill Ralph is (she said Harold, but I think it must be Ralph as he is the one who has had chicken pox) - I am so sorry about it - I wrote to your Mother and a little note to Ralph y'day straight away - it really is awfully sad for them to see one of their own children like that and Ralph really is rather a sweet little kiddy and I'm awfully fond of him - not only because he is your brother but for his own sake. I'm afraid you will be feeling very down about it and it is very rotten for you being away from your Father and Mother just now and you will feel it all the more out there where you have no one of your own with you. I am hoping to hear from Auntie Alice again how he is getting on because I know your Mother won't have time to write - I do hope she will take care of herself because she will be very tempted not to look after herself whilst having thoughts on little Ralph. I seem to have heard so much sadness lately - Old Pa Todd has had a stroke on top of his illness and is quite helpless now and not expected to live more than a few days or week or two. Then the Sister in my part of the ward has just had a sister die in Guy's Hospital - only 21 and her fiancé out in France so has made us rather subdued this last day or two.

However this afternoon we have had a half-day - Hartley and I - and been to London - saw Dennis Eadie and Marie Löhr in "Home on Leave" at the Royalty - matinée - and really forgot everything and enjoyed ourselves - although the play was a wee bit sad in parts and made me feel a bit throaty - but it does one good to think a bit at times - but it was very well acted and we enjoyed it immensely. After that we went to Buzards to tea and Flossie met us there and then we caught the 7.10 back here and now I am just going to hop into bed. 10.15 and I think of my love till I drop asleep.

I really feel too sleepy to write a long letter but I know you would like to have a line and you will be feeling very down about the kiddy.

Yours with love

Dora.

MJW to Dora; Saturday Jan 27th; 8 pm.; ready Sunday post.

My dear Dora.

I am sending you a cutting about chilblains - also a card I had from Mrs. Slack yesterday morning it is Harold who is ill - a letter from Alice this am. says his strenght is maintained and he has slept. I am awfully sorry for them - I thought today that I would allow you 5/- a week whilst you were not getting any salary from the V.A.D. as your Father is giving me the same money - so I am enclosing a £1 note for the month - it will come in for teas etc. - Heard from William this am. his Father is just the same - he said Kathleen Runton was 21 tomorrow Sunday so we are sending her a cheque for £1 - I could not get her anything here and there is no need for you to send her anything - am only just sending a line - and haven't time again before I go - Am going 11.8 Monday returning Wed 9.27 - The cold is awfull here not been out yet.

Just going across to Marslands and I have my bank papers to do - shall do them tomorrow going to put what I can in War loan - The new Major is a terror for work your Father has been there all this afternoon - Mr. James came in last night. Capt Ina?? could not come he fetched his wife to Dodworth sent such a nice note - Flossie has been driving in traffic - Doris Hutchinson was going to have dinner there tonight. Miss Varley knows her, I shall go to church in the morning - not been since you were here - shall wear fur coat and go to Hull - am looking forward to it as I have been out so little. Much love Mother -

Glad you can have good fires - When do you want aprons, they are ready - ironed them today -

Have you written Harold yet.

Dora to CMS; Monday 28.1.'17.

My Darling,

I had a letter from you to-day and one on Sat. but before that I hadn't had one for nearly a week so it was jolly nice to get one again - Isn't the cold awful - freezing here all the time - never stopped for about a week - I wish we were all at Silkstone and then we could skate then - I haven't skated since that time at Stoneferry that you mentioned in one of your letters - I remember it ever so well - and you were a shy little nipper then too and I was a gawky school kid - what a killing pair we must have looked - worse than now - I s'hink! I have never had your letter of the 20th. Dec. yet - have quite given it up and it is the first one I have lost of yours as far as I know - yes, I did receive Dr. Baine's letter again, thanks. Hartley has gone out alone this afternoon for the first time - but I wanted to write to you. Mother - your Ma and Mrs. Bowmer (officer's wife from Silkstone) so I said I would stay in and fraust. I have got a wicked cerise chilblain on the end of my nose and it makes it such a blinking colour! You wouldn't own your old girl!

We divide our bedroom into two cubicles - Hartley's we call the "house" and mine the "chat" and we have two big black boxes one on top of the other - with doors that open - with Capt Fisher - Royal Artillery printed on - we call them the upper and lower house and keep our pots - cake etc and hats in one and boots etc. in the other.

Do you understand all this?!!!

Quite a nice room isn't it - we have the window door open most nights but this week we have shut it as it has been so freezing. I hope your cold is better. I had a letter from your Mother on Sat. afternoon and she says Harold is a little better - I am awfully glad he is doing well - I quite thought it was Ralph that was ill - had a letter from Hilda this mg. - she said that some of the mistresses were very surprised about me! Didn't think I would go astray I should think! I wrote to Ma Hovey but have not heard from her yet. I wonder what Ma Hovey told your Ma in her letter - all my bad deeds! Going to have a half day to-morrow I think - Drury Lane panto - Swish - Puss in Boots.

Cheeroh old sport - and take a run round your tent or your flea bag to get warm.

Yours with love

Dora.

CMS to Dora; Tuesday, 30.1.17; 3.45 pm.

My Darling,

Our camp is breaking up tomorrow, when we all go back to our battalions. I expect it will start again later on, but I don't know whether it will be the same staff or not. I shall be glad to get back to the battalion again, although I've had quite a good time here.

It seems to get colder than ever here, and I see from the papers that it's about as bad in England. I am very fed again with the postal people. This is my sixth day without a letter. I expect I shall get a bunch of letters today and some parcels from home. One generally gets parcels of food the day before a move.

I am wondering what will happen to me when I get back to the battalion, whether I shall get a company or not, or whether I shall still carry on with the training of the men I have here.

Since starting this letter five letters have come in for me, three from Father, and two from you. I'm awfully sorry about the chilblains. It's rather nice having Flossie near by to call on now and again.

I have got very rotten news from home about Harold. He has got tubercular meningitis and the doctors have very little hope, although Father adds a postscript in his latest letter that the doctors have been greatly surprised at a slight improvement, but tell us not to count on it. I do hope the little kid pulls through. Do you remember when he came in with his hair nicely brushed and his face washed the night I brought you to our house from Silkstone? Father says he has no pain, which is a blessing.

I am just going to drop a line to the laddie; it may buck him up a bit if it gets there in time.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Cecil to WHS and WS; 30.1.17.

My Dear Father and Mother,

I got three letters from Father today giving news about Harold. Needless to say I am grieved that it is so serious. I do hope the little chap pulls through.

I hope the letter I have written him today is not too late, and finds him recovering.

Our camp breaks up tomorrow for a short time.

With love,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

CMS to Dora; 2.2.17.

My Darling,

I am back with the battalion again. We are resting. I got my company back for about ten minutes and then the Colonel told me he wanted me to take on the Adjutant's job. I am taking over everything the day after tomorrow. I think the Adjutant is getting a good job somewhere, with a red hat attached.

The M.O. wasn't at my dinner party as he was on leave at the time. I was sorry, because I wanted him to be there.

By the time you get this letter it will be nearly 2 months since we were in the train together just leaving Barnsley, and you promised to be my wife. The two months seems to have taken a long time to go.

No, I didn't know you were doing massage. Do they take officers at your hospital? Because if so I shall ask to get there when my "blighty" comes.

I'm sorry the Hospital is in the Zepp area. It might be exciting certainly, but excitement of that sort is a bit thick for girls I think. What a terrible explosion that was; I'd no idea you were so near it.

Norman Ingleby came in the Gazette as a Lieut. because he went to England sick, and thereby lost his company here. He is an acting captain now.

I lost my captaincy when I took up the Musketry job because I ceased to command a company. Now that I have come back to the battalion I don't expect I'll get the third pip unless I command a company, even if I'm Adjutant.

I got your letter with the photographs of the hospital today. I'm awfully glad you like your room. I expect you feel awfully bucked with yourself about being asked to stay on. I do.

I've got much better news about Harold today, and there seems to be hope now that he'll pull through.

I've got quite a cosy little billet here, and a fire. Its much warmer than a tent.

I wish though that it were the same fire as the one we sat in front of together at Silkstone.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

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