Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 19

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.

Dora to CMS; Friday 2.2.'17.

My Darling,

Just after I had finished my letter to you on Monday at 5 pm. the Sister came in and said convoy of 37 coming in at 9 pm. ? so H and I had to buckle to and help with things - beds ready etc. and they began to arrive at 9.30 and we didn't get to bed till 12.45 - in the wards at 7 am. and only one hour off duty all Tuesday - 1 1/2 hrs. off Wed. and y'day we went out to get a little air - so you see I've been awfully busy - no VERY bad cases - two of my twenty patients had operations Wed. and one needs continual attention so I never have a moment to spare from am to pm. Still it is awfully interesting and I'm glad we have got some fresh ones - one kid - he is up and about now - was here before I came - a L cp. Rule of the 1st Herts - is awfully decent - helps me with beds - and runs round with things for the dressings and helps me a lot - he's 21 but like a kid of 18 - got a girl called Rose who comes and sees him occasionally - Hartley and I are going on night duty on Sunday night 9.0 pm. - we shall like it I'm sure - as we shall have all the day to ourselves then - from 8 am. so we think we shall be able to go to London in the am. and sleep in the afternoon or vice-versa and do a matinée.

I had a letter from Ma Hovey y'day - I will enclose it next time - quite a nice one - typically schoolmistressy though - have you had any more letters? Old Pa Todd died on Monday - I haven't written to Mrs. Todd yet - I know I ought to but I haven't written a single letter since Monday except a line to Ma on Tuesday - both Hartley and I have felt too tired to do anything but roll into bed. How are you getting on my love - I do wish the blessed war was over and I could be with you - I am awfully glad Harold is so much better - Mother called to see him on Wed. and said he was looking wonderfully well - I had a nice letter from your Mother yesterday but hadn't time to reply yet. I believe I've got a blinking cold coming - Hartley fell down in the ward the other day with a bowl of water on top of her - poor old bird - rather an awkward moment for her - Tootle-pip old sport and write soon - I haven't had a letter since Monday.

Yours with love

Dodo.

CMS to Dora; 2.2.17.

My Darling Dora,

I am feeling quite warm for the first time for about six weeks. I have deserted my own billet and come across to see Norman Ingleby. He's got a much cosier place than I have, and I am sitting by his fire now. I think I told you I was going to do Adjutant's work. I'm in full swing now, and I like it. I don't know yet whether it's permanent or not because I don't know what the Adjutant himself is going to do. It's a job that generally has a good billet attached, and is fairly safe in the line.

I'm sorry about Pa. Todd, but I should think it will be a relief, in a way, when he does go. The last letter from home is very cheerful about Harold, and I think it will be alright now. I felt very down about the little kid at one time.

I'm awfully glad you're able to get to the theatre now and again, after your strenuous week. If I ever get leave again before the war's over we might be able to work in a few London theatres together. But most of all I want you to be sitting by my side where there is some beautiful music. I've always wanted you when I hear music, and now I shall be able to have you. Of course I want you always, but music brings one's feelings out more. You know the kind of music I mean.

I'm afraid this is a very short letter today, my sweetheart, but news is scarce at the time, and I am moreover very sleepy through sitting by this fire, so goodnight: I shall be off to bed in a few minutes thinking of you as I go to sleep.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; 4.45 pm; Tuesday 6.2.'17.

My darling,

I expect you will be surprised to see where I am writing this letter - but I am on my way back to Silkstone. I heard from Ma last week to say she was not up to the mark and this mg. I had a long letter from Pater written on Sunday saying that Mother was not so well and if she got any worse he would wire for me to come back and must come at once if I did get one. At 12.15 a wire did come and I left by the 1.39. I do hope Ma isn't very bad - shan't get in till 9.30 to-night but I will send you a line to-morrow to let you know how she is.

Do you know I haven't heard from you since a week yesterday and I am really awfully anxious to know what has happened to my love - the last letter I received was dated the 25th. so it is almost a whole fortnight since I have heard about you. I thought once that letters were stopped owing to a push or something but Hartley got one this mg. from her brother.

What has happened to you? I do hope you are not ill.

Hartley and I were changed on to night duty on Sunday night - we came off duty at 9 pm. on Sat. and had all Sunday off - had a really topping day - we slept on in bed until 9 am. - got up and lit our fire - had coffee and toast and then turned into the Abbey for service at 11 o'clock - the first time we had had the chance of going to church since we have been there. Went a walk after lunch and then rolled into bed again at 4 pm. and got up in time for duty at 9 pm. We had quite a busy night running round the whole time and came off at 8 am. There is heaps to do in the night altho' you wouldn't think so - breakfast has to be prepared - bread and butter for 50 cut - our own cooking to do and I had three dressings to do at 10 pm. - 2 am. and 6 am. and get odd drinks for my 20 patients - then at 5 am. - I begin to wash the beggars and make all their beds and help with breakfast and all to be finished up by 7.30. Hartley of course has the same number of patients on her side - just the two of us on all night and a trained sister. All dressings have to be cut and the drums containing them to be sterilized and sterile water to be done and lotions to be made up so it all keeps us busy.

Hartley and I had got into bed by 9.30 this mg. and they brought the wire up at 12.15 so it took me all my time to get dressed and pack a handbag and come away. The Q.M. or acting matron who was so crabby to begin with was awfully sweet and said I was to try and go back if I possibly could in ten days or a week - Father in the wire told me to bring my luggage but I hadn't time so I shall leave it for a while and see if I can get back again.

The Q.M. over the men - he is the acting matron's husband was awfully nice and said I had done excellently for them and quite exceeded their expectations and ANY TIME they would be glad if I would go for two months to help them out - you will think I am an awfully conceited little pig to tell you this but I feel so glad I have been able to be some good to them.

You've no idea - Cecil - how sorry I am to leave the work now - especially Hartley - I feel fearfully miserable about it all 'cause it really is too satiatingly stodgy for words in Silkstone and absolutely no work going on. It really seems as if every blinking thing I start in this world has to be cut short - it gives me absolutely no chance to get on in life with any thing - it really is feeding - it is always I who have to go to look after them at home - I don't know why they couldn't ring Flossie instead - you see just when the Waltham people are giving me more responsibility and I'm getting on I have to leave and I shall have to start again in another hospital and shan't have Hartley either and we wanted to stick together if we could. Father said in the end of his letter that once he got me home he would want to keep me always so I don't know what I'm in for. It is rotten and I do feel fed about it all. I know I'm a beastly pig to talk like this and you'll think I am one to - but I can't help it - and it's rotten of me to talk like this when Ma is ill and wants me to look after her.

I really feel awfully tired now - have only had 1 ½ hrs sleep since 3 pm. yesterday.

It really is awfully cold here - still freezing - the coldest winter since 1881 so they say - Hartley and I went out for a walk y'day evening about 7 pm. and the frost and snow was lovely and the moonlight on it too - just like the old fashioned pictures - I do wish you had been there - we had a jolly good slide along the roads too - to get warm. It was horribly cold in the ward kitchen last night - there is no fire only gas cooking ovens and rings - so no heating and the kitchen itself is a separate building built over a running stream so you can imagine how starved we were - then at 2 am. the gas failed and we had a fearful performance getting the breakfast ready - porridge cooked - water boiled etc.

Goodbye my love - I feel horribly fed and I know it is selfish of me to feel like that.

Yours with love

Dora.

Dora to CMS; Friday 9.2.'17.

My Darling,

I feel so happy today because I have had three letters from you - one the 30th - 2nd and 4th - Hartley forwarded them on to me here - It is joyful to hear from you again my love, I really did feel so anxious about you and last night absolutely miserable - in fact I wrote to your Ma to ask if she had heard from you lately - but to-day I feel ever so chirpy and I just felt as if you were talking to me and I was by your side when I read your letters this morning. I am glad for some things that you have gone back to the battalion - you will like being with your friends again but I do hope you won't have to go up to the line again - there's the huge danger of it all and besides that the wretched discomfort of it all which must be simply awful. I do hope the war will be over soon so that I can be with you - do you really think it will be very long or will it hang on for years - I sometimes think that it will. I should be quite an experienced nurse by then, shouldn't I?

I was going to write to you on Wednes. and then y'day - but kept expecting a letter from you then I was busy looking after Ma and doing special cooking for her too. She was not so well y'day but a little better again to-day - the Dr. says she must keep quite flat on her back in bed for another two or three days till she gets stronger - we have got another doctor - not the old village beast who was so surly and rotten - but the Camp Dr. - a man about 45 and jolly good and awfully nice too which means a great deal.

I'm awfully sorry I wrote you such a grousy letter in the train on Tuesday - I know it was beastly rotten of me but I felt and still feel so disappointed at having to leave my work when I had got so interested in it all - altho' I know I shouldn't like to have felt that I was working there and knew all the while that Mother was ill and wanted me here. I am sure you must have thought your old girl was rather a selfish kid in that last letter - but I do try not to be and it is the naughty spirit in me that keeps spurting out at times. The Matron is expecting me back in a week or ten days - that is on Tuesday or towards the end of next week - but I don't know whether I shall manage to get off by then - I had a letter y'day from the matron she wanted to know when I was going back again. I know Ma and Pa want me to give it up altogether and to stodge along here - but I should be driven potty I am sure.

The latest news for you - Emma is engaged!!!! I got a letter y'day and was fearfully astounded - Jimmy Raffan - physician and surgeon - has evidently helped her to discover the same thing that someone else helped me to discover. I really am awfully glad about it - because the last time I was over there in November I really thought she was getting quite sniffy about such things - so evidently Jim has brought her to her own true senses. I am enclosing the letter and you will see the old sport is quite happy about it - you might return it will you please. She thought I was at Waltham Abbey and I replied y'day and she 'phoned me up this mg. and wants me to go over for the night but I can't leave Ma but think I might manage two or three hours to get over to H'field, either Mon. or Tues.

Well, I am sending the photographs at last - they only came y'day - I am sending you a sepia one of myself and I have got a sepia one of you for myself but I like you in the black ones best - and the one I've sent you too.

I am awfully glad Harold has come on so well - I can picture him now - the way he walked into the room looking so spruce about the upper regions. It must have been a great strain on them all at home. Father has gone over to-day for the board meeting but will be back again to-night - so I shall hear how Harold is.

I had a letter from Stanley Storey y'day - am enclosing Ma Hovey's and please send it back too - haven't answered it yet - she sounds very experienced in the matter doesn't she!

Goodbye, my sweetheart - I had been thinking you were having a rotten time in this new push but feel quite happy about you now - I do want to see you again.

Your love

Dora.

Waltham Abbey hospital is only for Tommies and I'm afraid I couldn't smuggle you in with your little Blighty. Try for any hospital in London then I would manage to get pushed on to night duty - then I could come over each afternoon and see you. Get a nice bronchitis or something like that - that is easy and comfy.

WHS to CMS; Feb. 11, 1917.

My dear Cecil,

Harold was very pleased to receive your letter - He is much as he was a week ago, and though he has not gained ground he has not lost any - His pulse and temperature vary considerably, and the leg movements do not respond to the "tests" as they should, indicating there is still some brain irritation, but there is every reason to hope for a full return of health in the course of time - He is very lively and in excellent spirits, and eats as if he were a full grown man -

Mother received a letter from Dora this morning, from which we gather you are acting adjutant, a more interesting job than your last I suppose -

Leslie Slack and his friend were here last night - The whole Squadron had been under C.B. discipline for a month, owing to some tampering with aeroplanes which the guilty party or parties would not confess to - The first fatality at the Beverley aerodrome occurred last Friday, through a nose dive -

A batch of Hun submarine men were landed in Hull a day or two ago - It is to be hoped the U boats are being caught, for losses to our ships have been very serious this month -

I enclose an interesting letter from Uncle Brown - He is a very "live" man, considering his 80 years -

With love

Your affec. Father,

W.H.Slack.

CMS to Dora; 10.2.17.

My Darling Dora,

I'm sorry this letter is such a long time after the last one, but I've been moving about a lot the last two days, and have finally settled down in the trenches with the French. A few of us are taking a short course of instruction with the French infantry. It's very amusing and I'm having a ripping time. They are awfully polite, and very generous. They do themselves very well in the matter of food and drink. The dishes are beautifully cooked, and the wine is rich. The entente cordiale is very high after dinner. One is always shaking hands and saying au revoir.

My servant, one Bush, a funny old man, is having a wonderful time. He shakes hands with colonels, and has coffee brought to him in the morning.

I haven't been able to write for the last two days as I've had a frightful lot of work to do. I've only had 3 hours sleep in the last 48. There is one thing to be thankful for though, and that is the trenches are fairly quiet. I was near a few bombs yesterday morning, but only one man was hit. The French replied with 75's and some of their aerial torpedoes. These torpedoes are just like the Bosche minuewerfer, about 3 ft. long.

I'm awfully sorry you've been having such long hours in the wards. I'm glad you're on night work now though. I expect it's easier work and besides it's rather decent having the whole day to oneself.

The musketry camp has not started again yet. If it does I hope I get the job again. This is a very smudgy letter I'm afraid, but I had to come off in a hurry, and forgot my writing pad. Moreover my hands WONT keep clean.

I'm getting horribly fed with being away from you for so long - it's two months now. To say that I'm LONGING to see you once more is not the word. But you know the feeling, don't you.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Sunday 11.2.17; 11 pm.

My love,

I felt I must begin a letter to you tonight altho' it is too late to finish it or write much to you - just because it is the 11th. and two months since I promised to be your wife - someday - I often wonder how long that "someday" is off from us - it will be such a huge change in both our lives - won't it - I only hope that neither of us will ever live to regret it - it is the biggest thing in both our lives really isn't it? I really do seem to be waxing very pippy and verging onto pessimism - when I know we both love each other as much as we can. I have been thinking about the week in my mind - and I do long to be with you so much - only you can know how much. Goodnight, my darling, I must go to bed now - I believe you are thinking of me now as I am thinking of you.

Monday 6.15 pm. I had a letter from your Mother today and she says that Dr. Eve is not quite so pleased with some of Harold's symptoms - I'm afraid it is going to be a very slow job for them all but that doesn't matter as long as he gets quite alright in the end - poor little kid - I can see him now the way he came into the room looking so spruce.

Mother is getting better but very slowly - still in bed - but sitting up in bed to-day - she often says she would like to have a talk with you - Mother and Father are awfully fond of you - it makes me gurgle with joy sometimes to think things have run so smoothly for us - 'cause some people have such rotten times.

I really haven't any news to tell my love - it's just nine weeks and one hour since I gave you my promise - and that isn't news either so I'm afraid this letter will be very stale - haven't been out at all since I came last Tuesday except to go to post - I really haven't been able to leave Ma at all - have got a cold in my throat, nose and neck swollen a bit with leaving my blinking stiff collar off - stiff collars really are appalling inventions.

I'm so glad you've been made adjutant - it's a move up! should think isn't it? I'm glad too that you've got a cosy fire to warm yourself as well - when I'm sitting over the fire alone I often try to imagine you are sitting by my side and I've got my head on your shoulder - do you ever?

It is just post time so tootle-pip and bye-bye - do look after yourself and take care - won't you-

Yours with love,

Dora.

CMS to WHS and WS. Field Post Card. Franked 13 Feb. 17

I have received your letter.

Letter follows at first opportunity

Signed Cecil.

Date 12.2.17

Dora to CMS; 15.2.'17.

My Darling Cecil,

Mother is still just about the same - in bed since a week last Tuesday - the camp Dr. - Dr. Kemp - is awfully nice and comes every day to see Ma - but Ma has got awfully nervy and depressed and wants Dr. Baine to come over and see her as she hates new Drs. - but Dr. Baine's time is so precious now-a days that I don't know whether he could come or not. Still everyday I hope she will be a little better but she keeps about the same - though I think perhaps she is a wee bit better to-day. Its frightfully disheartening at times because Ma worries so and gets nervy about herself that it tends to make her worse. It makes me awfully miserable about it all at times - I believe I could have a big howl sometimes - but I have been with Ma night and day since a week last Tues. and have never been able to get out yet - so expect I am rather tired but Ma doesn't like me to leave her. I really am trying awfully hard with her to get her better. Ma says I am to tell you how much she would like to see you and how much I should like to see you - I am writing this in Ma's bedroom and had just mentioned I had no news to tell you - so she said I had to put this.

Father's orderly comes in here in a morning to get coal in etc. clean lamps etc. so it is a great help and he has an awfully decent kid too. Was Col Newell's servant out at the front and was with Reggie a good deal. I heard from your Mother y'day - Harold is a little better I am glad to say - I think I told you I sent her three photograghs to choose from - and they like the one like your sepia only in black and white - they say it is more cheerful but I didn't notice it before.

Do you think you will be getting leave soon, my love, I do want you so badly - always - it is two months ago now and I was thinking you might get some in a month's time. Have had another letter from the Matron at Waltham Abbey wanting me to go back and stay indefinitely - don't know when I shall be going - not for another week at the least - I expect if Dr. Baine comes over he will say I am not to go back at all.

All my love to you from your

Dodo.

Please excuse scratchy writing but it is just about dark.

Dora to CMS; Sat. 17.2.'17.

My love,

I hope the cakes won't be biffed at all - have packed them carefully round with straw so they ought not to - Ma says they may taste of straw so beware! The orange cake and the chocolate-all-over one sat down in the oven but the other choc one is fairly respec. I think - hadn't been making any for sometime so that is why the first two suffered from collapse, perhaps.

Mother was a little better y'day and a little better again to-day so I hope things will go on improving. I went to Barnsley yesterday for shopping - quite an excitement for me after staying in for so long.

Fearful fog here to-day - simply wicked - Haven't heard from you for more than a week so I am expecting a little budget from you anyday now - it is a nuisance having such a long wait in between isn't it - I'd much sooner get one every two or three days.

Heaps of love for you,

Dora.

I do hope you are not having a very rotten time just now - but I'm afraid you are, arn't you.

CMS to Dora; 16.2.17.

My Darling,

I am very sorry your Mother has not been well lately, and that you have had to come back in such a hurry. I hope it's not serious. Your last letter says you haven't had a letter from me for a week, and there's another one from home saying they haven't had one for a fortnight, so I'm afraid another post has gone west, because I'm quite sure I've written oftener than that. I'm awfully glad the people at the hospital are so bucked with you. I don't think you're conceited atall to talk about it, and you know I don't. It's very nice to know that people are pleased with one. I'm sorry you're feeling so fed up about having to go back to Silkstone. I can easily understand how you feel about it in a quiet little place like that, but never mind old girl it can't be helped, and I'm sure they miss you badly at home. I hope for your sake, and of course for your Mother's that she will soon be well again and you will be free to get back.

I've had a very strenuous time in the trenches for the last 3 days and nights - 3 hours sleep out of the 24, and no time to write or wash. Until this afternoon I had not washed or shaved since I last wrote to you, 3 days ago. I am in a topping little dugout now, with a fireplace, two tables, and 4 bunks. It's been a lot warmer lately, perfect weather really, and the rising of the sun has been glorious. The Bosche is about 100 yards in front of us, on a hill, and as the sun comes up slowly behind his lines I have been watching, and waiting for a shot. It's pretty awful, isn't it, waiting to kill a fellow man on a beautiful clear pure morning such as one does get when there's not a cloud in the sky, and everything is still. The guns are very often still here, and at times one could hear a pin drop.

Are the photographs ready yet? I had to have mine taken with a couple of French officers in the trench the other day. I will send you a copy when I get one. I shall look a pretty untidy sight with my tin helmet on, and a pair of boots 3 sizes too large, and a dirty torn coat.

Have you got the bill yet for the photographs? If you have and have not already paid it please send it on to me. If you have paid it please let me know what it was, and I will send you a cheque.

I shaved off my little moustache today, and my face looks just the same. Shall I grow another, or would you like my old face to be clean shaven?

Yours with love,

Cecil.

CMS to WHS and WS; 17.2.17.

My Dear Father and Mother,

I'm afraid it's about a fortnight since I last wrote, partly because we've been in the trenches and partly because I've been living with the French for a few days.

I had a very interesting time with the French and was very comfortable in a good deep dugout with a stove. They fed me very well on five course dinners and wines.

We have had a very quiet time in the line, but there has been a lot of work to do, and I have only had 3 hours sleep out of 24 for the last five days. It has been much warmer, and altogether it is about the best time I have had in trenches, which is not saying much, however. There have been some beautiful sunrises. The Bosche is on a hill in front of us, about 100 yds. away. The other morning I was watching the sun come up behind his lines. It was rather a wonderful morning, not a sound of any kind, not a cloud in the sky, just a few stars, and the air as clear as on a spring morning in the country, and there was I, waiting and watching for a shot at a man. It struck me at the time, not as being awful, but just strange. Fancy 3 years ago waiting like this to kill a man just for the sake of it, and for the delightful thrill of having got a good shot home.

I had no luck that morning.

The man who told Mr. Ferens I was always killing Germans is rather romantic. I only know for certain of 4 whom I have killed, and 2 wounded. There are two or three other doubtful cases, but I don't count them.

Of course I am delighted to hear of Harold's improvement. I did not expect at one time that I should see him again.

2/Lt. Burton, Nurse Baker's nephew, was in the same company as I was up in the Ypres salient. He was sniped through the head,

Decorations are being given by the King to officers when they are on leave. They don't get any extra days for it, but just call there when passing through London. This arrangement came into force when I was on leave, but our people here did not let me know, as they rightly thought that I would not want two days slicing out of my leave. I shall probably apply next time I am on leave.

Perhaps you know that Mrs. Willatt has not been well lately. Dora has had to go back hurriedly to Silkstone to look after her. Dora has enjoyed her time at the hospital, although the hours are very long. I hope Mrs. Willatt is better soon, for her own sake, and for Dora's, who gets very tired of being in Silkstone.

Thank you very much for the parcel I received a short time ago. I fully understand that Mother will have had very little, if any spare time during the recent illnesses.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

Grandma Watkin to CMS; Feb. 19th. 1917.

My very dear Cecil,

I have just written a few lines to Miss Dora Willatt and now I must write you a letter congratulating you upon the very happy event which has come into your life. We are all very pleased you have made such a wise choice and we trust dear boy that you will have a happy engagement and followed by a very happy, and long married life. May God bless you richly and spare you from harm of every kind, whilst, you have to be on the battlefield and in time bring you safely home and may your future be one of great usefulness, and consecration to God. We have been very anxious lately about Uncle Arthur who is in the Hosp. where he has undergone an operation for Gall stones, and the Drs. took out four. Of course he is very weak, but is going on all right for which we are very thankful.

We have read your letters from the trenches with great interest, we always remember you in our prayers, and trust that you will be kept safely and spared to return home in peace and safety. We are quite dreading to think what the next few months will disclose but we pray that God will give the victory to Britain . Now I must stop as I have to write to your Mother for the mail tomorrow.

With very much and united love, and wishing you every blessing and power and courage to endure all you have to go through in the trenches. Aunt Mary, as well as Aunt Bertha join in all the good wishes on your behalf.

With much love my dear Cecil

Your ever loving

Grandma

C.B.Watkin.

Aunt Bertha to CMS; Feb 19. 17.

My dear Cecil,

Very many happy years to you and your sweetheart, I am so glad to hear of your engagement to such a nice young lady. I knew Dora as a girl, and remember thinking what bonnie girls she and her sister were. I wish you very much happiness dear boy, and trust God will spare your life and bring you back to a useful happy life with the one you love. I have written Dora a few lines. It is hard to think of you as grown up Cecil, it is eleven years since I said goodbye to you all at Rothumay. Some day I hope we shall see both you and Dora, you will be thinking of David Copperfield and his Dora, only you won't want to wear tight boots like he did.

What terrible times you are having in France Cecil, and what wonderful escapes. The mud and cold must be dreadful and we pray God to keep you safe to the end, we ever remember you in our prayers, and trust you will be spared to come safely through this great spring offensive.

Very much love dear boy, and very many happy years with your sweetheart,

Ever, Your loving

Aunt Bertha.

Auntie Mary to CMS; 19th. Feb., 1917.

My dear Cecil,

News has just come to hand from your Mother that you have got a dear little Sweetheart all to yourself. I am so glad to hear it, dear Cecil, and I trust you and Dora will have a very happy period of engagement, to be followed later on by a very happy union

My heart goes out to you both and I trust and pray you may come safely through this dreadful War and be spared to your dear Dora for many happy years of usefulness and blessing.

It seems only the other day I saw you last as a little baby and now you are a brave soldier and a hero, and contemplating marriage. How the years pass by! I still hope some day I shall have the pleasure of seeing you and yours again, and of knowing your fiancée and loving her too. Her name is quite familiar, and I hope some day we shall have a photo of her.

We are so thankful dear Cecil, you have been kept safe so far amid all the dangers of the Battlefield, and we pray you may be kept to the end and bye and bye return in peace and safety to all your loved ones.

Your letters sent out by your Father are always very interesting, but you've had many narrow escapes. Now I've no time for more, dear Cecil, but please accept once again the love and hearty congratulations for you and Dora from

Your loving

Aunty Mary.

CMS to Dora; 20.2.17.

My love,

This is a very wobbly train in which I am writing, and the light is only one small candle power. I'm going for a short holiday. About 100 of our men are going on a short musketry course and I am going with them. I shan't have to instruct or do anything at all except be there. It's not the same as my last job, where I had quite a lot of work to do. As a matter of fact I've been quite ill for the last two days but am all right now. I think it must have been bad water or some tinned food that's done it.

I got the photographs two nights ago, and am frightfully bucked with them. I think the sepia one of you is simply ripping.

The M.O. can't understand how it is that you have promised to have me for a husband.

I'm very glad to hear that your Mother is a little better, and able to sit up in bed. I am very interested to hear about Emma. Please give her my congratulations.

I have your letter of the 11th. by my side as I write. I was thinking of you too on that day, and wondering how long it will be before the war is over and we can be together again.

I am very very glad your Father and Mother are "fond of me", and that things have gone so easily for us, when they might have been quite different. I know they are awfully fond of you, and it naturally means a lot to them as to whom you marry. By promising me to be my wife you have made me happy for all my life, and I shall make you happy in return. Love is a wonderful thing. I'm just aching for you.

By the way, I haven't been made Adjutant, I was only doing the work for a few days. You see the Adjutant has not been well for a long time and might go off sick any time, and the Colonel wants to have someone ready to take on his work at once.

I'm sorry you've got a cold after leaving your "blinking" collar off. They must be rotten things to wear. How are the old chilblains?

I was very interested to read Ma Hovey's letter. I'm returning it in my next letter, also Emma's. They are packed up in my Kit at present, which is in the guard's van.

I've been on the move for quite a long time now - left the line at about 8.0 pm. last night, getting through the mud to billets, and what dinner I could eat, at about 10.0 pm. - up again at 4.30 this morning for a cup of tea, and then a weary march with weary, spiritless men, through the rain to the station, and now a very, very slow journey. It's 8.30 pm. now and I expect we shall reach our journey's end about midnight.

I have had nothing to eat for 2 days except some turkish delight and some chocolate which I had after being sick, and a little meat and soup. I have a box of chocolate biscuits by my side, and a bottle of beer, which I bought at a canteen at the last station. I am however feeling remarkably fit, but a little cold, as one of the windows of our carriage isn't there.

But there is a very good billet in a real house to look forward to at the other end, so I'm not grousing. I'm going to finish my pipe now and then doze for a bit, as I had only 4 hours sleep last night, and none the night before, so cheeroh my sweetheart,

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Wed. 21.2.'17.

My darling Cecil,

I am so glad you are enjoying being with the French - you are lucky to get the experience and you will be parleying hard the next time I see you. I wonder how long you will be with them. Did anyone else come with you from the battalion? I expect you will be an endless source of knowledge on rifles after all this - bless you. Yes, I do know what you mean when you say LONGING isn't the word - to see you again - it will just be like a continuation of the week we had I should think and we shan't think we have been apart so long. I feel much more chirpy to-day - s'pect it is because I have just been out for a trot - only the second time in a fortnight - haven't been able to get off before - housekeeping does feed me to the marrow absolutely - it really is a rottenly monotonous existence - would much sooner scratch for my living outside anyday - But I will housekeep when I get married because I love you - do you think it will seem different to me then when there are just our two selves?

I am just in the middle of reading "The Valley of the Moon" it is an awfully pretty tale - isn't it - I have just got as far as when Saxon and Billy set off on the walking tour from Oakland.

We have had a very pretty photograph of Baby Dora - Queenie sent us it yesterday - her fluffy hair looks quite white against a dark background.

Mother has been a little better since Sunday but still in bed - can sit up now - the Dr. thought y'day I should be able to get back to Waltham Abbey next Tuesday but I don't think it will be as soon as that. I really can't think of any news to tell you as nothing happens in this woebegone spot.

Have you had any interesting letters lately?

Goodbye my love, so I'm a bit stale to-day - I want to see your nice cheery face.

Yours, with love,

Dora

CMS to Dora; 23.2.17.

My Darling Dora,

This billet is the best I have had in France. I have a ripping four poster bed in a bedroom all to myself in an old chateau belonging to a count person. One of your photographs is on the mantlepiece and the other on the wall by the side of my bed. I love the sepia one, and want to kiss it every time I look at it. The one of me reminds me of a little baby rabbit just peeping out of it's hole.

I am returning Ma Hovey's letter, and Emma's herewith. Everyone seems to be getting engaged nowadays don't they. I remember being at Beech Croft when Emma and Jessie Hallitt were there, and I think Marjorie Barker was there too. They're all engaged now, or married. Jessie Hallitt's married isn't she?

It is lovely country round here, all hills and woods, rather like the beginning of the Highlands of Scotland, where we are going to have a holiday sometime, perhaps with a little two seater.

I have had three holidays in the Highlands, and have had a simply glorious time. I often used to wish too that you could be with me then, for I loved you then you know.

Tom Slack and I used to train up into Scotland with just a skeleton route of where we should go, and then set off from place to place on our bicycles with our luggage on behind. We generally had our lunch by some mountain stream.

Those happy days will come again after the war, but I shall have you with me then, and everything will be doubly glorious.

How is your Mother? I do hope she is better, and able to get about again. I got the wind up horribly a few days ago. I thought I had lost your last letter with those of Ma and Emma. My pack had been lost and thought the letters were in it, but I found them in my map-case after looking in it three times. The same day that I got Ma Hovey's letter, I got one from the Editor of the Rydal Magazine asking for something for the old boys' column. Rather a strange coincidence wasn't it.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

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