Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 1b

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.

DW to CMS; Mon. 27.12.15

Dear Cecil,

It was a tremendous surprise for us on Christmas morning when we got your parcel. It really is awfully good of you to send us the chocolates and they are just the kind I love. Thank you ever so much for them.

We have quite settled down in our new abode and like it much better than we thought we should altho' it is awfully quiet. The country is really quite nice and very hilly and heaps of walks in all directions'much better than Newland Park with Cottingham Rd. for our only route march. We are only about half a mile from the camp and Pater is able to live with us , speaking of the camp, it really is the limit. We went there on Xmas Day to see the E.R. men before they had their dinner and the mud neally went up to our ankles, fearful splodgy mess. The camp is on the top of a hill, decidedly breezy, and it may interest you to know that eight men died of pneumonia and one committed suicide there last winter so you see quite pleasant memories are attached to the place. There is no one very exciting or interesting here except Dorothy, the landlady's only daughter who lives with her Mother and aunt on the other side of the road.

We asked her to do a route march with us the other day but her Ma said she couldn't possibly manage five miles. We had a great time in the house the first day we were here. One simply couldn't breathe for atrocious ornaments and those paper ball fly catcher arrangements and curtains etc. We have stored them all away and told the dear landlady we are frightened of breaking them. We are fearfully wealthy in silver candlesticks automatic silver biscuit box affairs and uncomfortable sugar basins some of the things are too funny for words.

On Christmas night we had the only two officers of Pater's Co. not on leave into dinner Stedham and Alderidge I don't know whether you know them. Stedham is a cousin of Col. George Easton's and Alderidge is the son of the vicar of Newport he says he remembers a Slack at Hymers who used to play heaps of tricks and he was sure it was you!

I had a letter from Ma Hovey this morning she and Betsey are up beyond the Pwylly. woods spending Christmas in their new cottage. To quote her own words she says "H and M. Slack are very nice children and have had a very good term," so you see what good sisters you have got they will both be head prefects and heaps of other things if they keep on like this. Mother and I were in Hull last week we were so busy and had so much shopping to do that we hadn't time to see anybody. I rang up Hilda one night and she seems to quite enjoy P.C. and likes Miss Clayton very much new girls cannot generally bear her she is fearfully squashy with them.

It was ages before Flossie and I got to like her. We have heard that there are about six men from Dalton Camp in the Naval Hosp. suffering from pneumonia I hope you look after them when they get colds and keep them out of draughts etc. Florence says in her letter that I have described our Xmas night officers minutely Aldridge is very nice and quite jolly but Stedham LOOKS quite like Easton but a very abouttown manner which aggravates us intensely. Florence and I are fearfully amicable considering we are together all day walk together etc. it is positively miraculous I don't know what is coming to us.

Reggie Gaskill is still having quite a lively time in France we had a piece of shell from him the other day. If you look in the Xmas no. of the Tatler you will see towards the end of the book a drawing which he has done called "If tomorrow came". They are trying to get leave in turn but the Col. asked them why they wanted leave!

It was awfully lucky for you to get home for Xmas it must be jolly being such a big family when I've squabbled with Florence I have noone to go to and you have six others!

I hope you will have a bright New Year and good luck when you do go to the front

with love from the family and very many thanks

Dora

P.S. I'm afraid it will be awfully late when you get this letter but the posts have been like Sunday no posts ever since Xmas mg. You've no idea what a desolate spot it is but still its quite jolly we miss the buzzers awfully they were exciting and relieved monotony anyway!

FW (Florence Willatt) to CMS; Dec. 27th '15

Dear Cecil,

Army Service Corps of Thanks for the awfully nice chocolates. It was absolutely topping of you to think of it, and our Christmas here has been considerably brightened!

I've spent a delightful afternoon sitting by the fire with my box of the dear sweet things.

Dora and I were contemplating walking into Barnsley directly after lunch, but it was so rainy and stormy we had to stay in.

Christmas day wasn't so bad, we went to the camp in the morning to see Father's company gathered round their dinner table, in the evening the only two officers father had left came in, I believe Dora is describing them minutely, so I won't, except that I didn't like Stedham a bit. I think he's a relation of the Eastons. We have had two very jolly visits from Emma Blamires and her family. Willie Hallitt, Jessies brother, drove them over.

We are going over to Huddersfield one day this week. The Saturday before Christmas Dora and I had a long day in Sheffield. We stayed till it was dark and then lost ourselves hopelessly trying to find a cake shop we'd seen earlier in the day. We arrived safely back in Silkstone however. This house is quite cosy, though the fires smoke most terrifically, we're generally in a state of partial asphyxiation.

Mother and I are coming to Hull on Monday for one or two nights, we're not quite sure which yet. Dora was over with Mother in Christmas week, they had a frightfully busy time but seemed to enjoy it. Dora and I see a fearful lot of each other here, more than we have done for years! We've been fairly amiable so far.

With love in which Mother joins and many thanks,

Flossie

CMS to DW (Dora Willatt); 5.1.16

Dear Dora,

Just a line to say "Goodbye".

I said goodbye to your Mother and Flossie yesterday in town, where we talked scandal over the teacakes and muffins.

I am under orders for the front again, and am now on leave, awaiting a telegram to report to Southampton. There are four of us going, namely, young Robson, the son of Pistol Peter, one of the Rollitts, Jack Outred and myself. I am both glad and sorry to go.

I'm glad you liked the chocolates sorry I couldn't get a prettier box.

Did you know that Willie Westrope had been mentioned in despatches, together with Cyril Easton and Holtby? It may mean a D.S.O., or a Military Cross!

I had quite an exciting experience on Sunday night, when the wind was blowing at 90 miles an hour. I was going along the Cottingham Beverly Road with the wind behind me, at about 30 m.p.h. when I went smack into a pile of telegraph wires, It took me 5 minutes to get off my bike, and another 10 to get the bike clear, and then about 20 minutes to clear the road.

Having religiously done this I found more wires, and a great tree, whereat I was much annoyed. I had to go round another way, leaving my lamp shining on the tree. I told the Beverley police station all about the tree and wires, and then went on to camp and got to bed at 2.0 a.m. very fed up with life. The next night the bike was fed up and wouldn't go and I had to shove it for over 2 miles.

Would you like a German helmet? I'll send you one if I can manage to get hold of it. I've promised to send the first one home. I believe they're rather scarce now. They make rather neat little coal scuttles, or plant pots.

Please come and see me again when I am wounded.

I shall look out for Reggie Gaskell out there, as I believe he is somewhere near St. Eloi, where we are at present.

Kind regards to your Pa.

Yours sincerely,

Cecil M Slack

ORDERS to Lieut C.M. Slack, Dalton Holme, 6th. January 1916

You will report personally to the Embarkation Commandant, Southampton, on Saturday, 8th January 1916.

Acknowledge, please.

A Morrills

Captain and Adjt., for O.C. 3/4 East Yorks Regt.

WS. to CMS; Jan. 7th, 1916

My dear Cecil,

I am forwarding your marching orders, which you may require. Hilda and Norman have gone out for the evening, and we now seem a very small party, and comparatively quiet.

Just at present you will probably be enjoying your dinner on the train, and we are thinking of you. I hope you all have a good journey, a good night and safe transport to your destination. May God be with you and keep you safely amidst all dangers. It is hard for mothers to bid farewell, but we must try and be brave. It is much harder for wives to part with their husbands.

I most earnestly pray that you will receive all necessary strength and wisdom, and in all things serve your God and your parents' God faithfully and well.

Good night my dear boy, good luck and God bless you. Much love from

Your affec. Mother

W. Slack

CMS to WS and WHS; Sunday, 9.1.16

My dear Father and Mother,

We left Southampton at 7.30 this morning, having slept on board. We have had a good crossing. It has been like a Spring Day; there are no signs of winter. We stay here until we go to the front, which may be tomorrow , or next week, or next month. It has been a tiring journey, and I shall sleep well tonight.

I met an officer on the boat who was in the same squad as me at Strensall. I also met an old Rydalian with whom I was at school. He is in the K.O.Y.L.I. His name is G.M. Smith; I think he would have left before Norman went.

I did not see Mr. Saunders in London. We left the Hotel about 10.45, and left our kit at Waterloo, having lunch in the city. I got hold of a good revolver at Southampton. You will no doubt have got the pistol I returned.

I visited Cox and Co. on Saturday, and find that the three cheques have been put to my credit. I have also been credited with 3 months Field Allowance, value about £11.

My address will be as above, until further notice, (put in my Regiment and Battalion)

There has been no trouble about weight of kit , as yet.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil

P.S. It is tomorrow, so my address will be 4th East Yorks, 150th Brigade, 50th Division, B.E.F., France.

CMS. to WHS and WS; Thursday, Jan. 13th. 1916

My Dear Father and Mother,

Just after writing from Havre I received news that we were going to the line the following day, as I mentioned in the postcript. About 40 of us together with our packs, etc, were squashed into two motor vans, and were driven to the train. The train started about 2 am., and we were on the move for 5 hours. We spent the middle part of the day at Rouen, leaving about 5 pm.. We arrived at the rest camp here, about 7.30 last night. We slept well on a hard stone floor, being very tired. The three of us, Robson, Hall and myself are going to the trenches in about half an hour.

The Battalion went into the trenches a few hours before we arrived. Four days in the trenches, 4 days in the reserve dugouts, 4 days in the trenches, and then 4 days here, which amounts to 8 days in and 8 days out.

The weather is excellent except for a slight chilliness. It is very muddy.

The Colonel's wound was only slight and he is still here. Quibell is returning to England, with a wound in the jaw. Everyone seems quite cheerful.

Love to all,

Your affec. son

Cecil

CMS to Bob; Thursday, Jan. 13th. 1916

Dear Bob,

I have had a very interesting journey up to here, about 8 miles from the firing line. The French tramway system is most amusing. After we had reported at Havre, we were told to go to the Base camp, which we could reach by tram. When the tram came everyone rushed for it. It seemed that as many as can hang on are allowed to do so; you can crowd round the driver until he can hardly move his arms. A party of us managed to crush on at the end of the tram, whilst the conductor was inside. He was unable to get out, but took it as a matter of course, and only those near him had to pay. Later on a soldier and a civilian jumped on to the foot board, and as the conductor happened to be looking he demanded a fare. They both refused to pay. There was a great quarrel for about five minutes which resulted in the soldier paying. The civilian absolutely refused to pay. The conductor then stopped the tram and refused to start until he was payed. The civilian ignored him. In the end somebody leaned, which meant that all the others leaned. The civilian was unable to bear the strain, and was forced to alight, having had a long ride for nothing. The trains are also quite a joke. I woke up one morning after an uncomfortable sleep in the carriage, feeling cold and fed up. It was a bright brisk morning, so I got out and had a run for two or three hundred yards.

This morning I went to the latrine of the farm where we are living, and on opening the door found la mere. She was not at all embarrassed; on the contrary, she begged my pardon for being there.

This latrine is a deep hole, and it is necessary to take a long breath of fresh air before going there. The family pump is a few yards away.

Your affec. brother

Cecil

CMS to WHS and WS; Friday, Jan 14th. 1916

My Dear Father and Mother,

We arrived safely in the trenches about 4.30 on Thursday afternoon. The CO. was quite fit, and said he was very glad to have me back. I am with my old company, but have a different platoon, as my company commander thinks it is better to have new men. There are from 15 to 20 of the old ones left. They seemed very glad to see me again. Last night I went the round of the trenches with my captain. Our trenches are rather good considering the conditions. Waders are issued out on entering the trenches. They are needed. Every morning every officer and man has to take off his boots and wet socks (wet with sweat) and rub his feet. It is rather cold at nighttime.

We had an excellent breakfast of bacon and eggs this morning. At the present moment our artillery are strafing their trenches, and occasionally the Huns retaliate. We leave the trenches on Sunday night, for a short rest.

It appears that the war will be over in 3 months at the outside (This is not official) !!!! Matters are the reverse of 8 months ago. !!

Do you think you could get me a pair of oiled silk waders to go over my socks, and inside the boot; just long enough to come over the top of the kneeboots and turn down. The Asbestos shop in King Edward Street would probably be able to get them. Could you also send a flash lamp (small) with the lamp so shaded as to shine on the ground only

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil

CMS to Flossie and Dora; 15.1.'16

Dear Flossie and Dora,

I arrived here safely on Thursday evening. "Here" is 40 yds. from the Huns. There are about 15 of my old platoon left. We were very glad to see each other again. The enemy were very quiet the first night, probably having heard of my return, and feeling a bit awed thereat.

Yesterday our guns had a strafe for about 30 minutes, the Germans replying in a very meek and mild fashion. It is very muddy and wet, and quite cold at nights. Rats swarm, they come and give one the glad eye when resting in a dugout, and run across one at nighttime. They feed on bacon scraps and dead men.

We have spells of 4 days in the trenches, 4 days in the reserve, 4 days in the trenches again, and then 4 days rest. There is nothing to do except keep the trenches tidy, and inspect rifles and gas helmets. Every morning everyone has to remove his gum boots and socks and rub his feet, otherwise "trench foot" is contracted, and the toes and feet drop off.

I had a couple of shots this morning at what I thought was a German. I don't know whether I killed anything, but I tried hard. We are not allowed to speak to the people across the way, but they have recently informed us that the war will be over in one month's time.

Yesterday we had bacon and eggs for breakfast, a luxury which I had not expected. We have roast beef for dinner. The joint is passed round and each cuts a chunk off. The same knife is used for butter, meat, jam, bread and cheese, and for stirring the tea !

Our tea is made from water pumped from the ground. You know it is tea, because of the tealeaves. Shaving water comes from the same source, and you know it isn't tea because there are no tea-leaves.

I met an old schoolfellow on the boat from Southampton. G.N.Smith is his name. I think he had a sister at Penrhos. A piece of shell from one of our guns fell within 3 yards of me yesterday, and quite startled me for the moment. There is a rumour here today that 3 divisions of Huns have been cut off by the French. An unexploded shell has this moment dropped outside our dugout. We are feeling quite pleased.

Kindest regards to your Father and Mother,

Yours sincerely,

Cecil

CMS to WHS and WS; 17.1.16

My Dear Father and Mother,

We are now out of the trenches and are living in a railway embankment. We are having a 4 day nominal rest. The main thing about the rest is that one gets a good night's sleep. Nothing goes on but inspections of rifles etc. and digging.

I am 2nd. in command of my old company. The captain is Wilson-Barkworth, and I am very glad to be with him. Rollett and Oughtred came up yesterday.

Robson and Hall have been ill, and have done no work since they came.

18.1.19. I went out after lunch yesterday to do some reconnoittring of the places we have to occupy in case of an alarm when we are resting. I got back very tired at 5.0 pm. to find a note informing me that I was detailed to take out a party of 50 men at 6.0 pm. We had to go to the trenches and dig etc. There are always a few stray bullets about on these occasions and sometimes a machine gun. We had no casualties, and got back to the dugouts at midnight. I slept well on the floor underneath a couple of blankets.

Will you please send my other fleece-lining. Will you also please send a weekly parcel of one pair of socks, 4 candles, and 2 boxes of matches, and anything in the eating line, such as sardines or cake.

I will try to get hold of a few souvenirs. I shall not be able to get many, if any, of the ornamental kind that Bert had. The common or garden infantry man has no time to make such things. When he is not working he is trying to get a little wellearned sleep. I daresay I shall find perhaps a nosecap or two, or other suitable things for paperweights etc. The only thing I have at present is a piece of one of our own shells which dropped 3 yds from me.

I have just conducted a military funeral. A "dud", or unexploded shell, fell near us, and had to be most carefully buried, and a tombstone erected. Will you please send my Onoto pen, with steel case, and ink.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil

CMS to WHS and WS; 22.1.16

My dear Father and Mother,

I am writing this from a very short distance away from where we were billeted 8 months ago at the time we were called up for our first fight. It is a Snipers' School for Officers and men of the 2nd Army. There are nine officers. I represent the 50th Division. The course will last until next Friday, which is a week from yesterday. I think it, and the consequences will be very interesting. The other night, when on duty in the trench I got the sentries on duty to mark the direction of the Huns' gunflashes, by means of a couple of bullets in line, stuck into the parapet. The next morning I took the various bearings which these bullets indicated, and sent them to the Orderly Room, putting of course the place on the map from where they were taken. This is not original, and had been suggested to me by my Captain. A day or two later the Daily "Brigade Trench paper" or "Comic Cuts" as it is better known as stated that "excellent work has been done by bearings on gun flashes". The C.O. spoke to me the following evening when he met me in the trench, and said words to the same effect, and that it was a very good thing and should be continued.

There is still very little doing in the way of fighting. An occasional strafe, and a few odd shots are the only things that happen. Sometimes a man gets wounded, and now and again one is killed. But there is always work to be done, repairing and draining trenches, digging and sandbagging. I left the trench last night after only 24 hours in. Tonight I shall get undressed, and sleep in pyjamas, in a bed, and BE WARM. Lord Nunburnholme and party paid us a visit on Thursday. During his tour his Lordship was arrested and locked up at Ypres for "masquerading as a Lord Lieutenant". He was later released.

I am enjoying life immensely and am as happy as a sandboy. I would not miss the experiences, through which I am going, for anything. Last nights ride, for instance, from the trenches back to the rest huts, on the springless transport wagons, over awful roads, dotted with half filled shell holes, and with the knowledge that any minute a machine gun might open fire on you, or a "crump" wipe you out.

Harold would have the time of his life paddling about in the mud. Mud of all kinds, thick and thin, sweet and stinking. At nights there are firework displays, usually of white lights only, but occasionally the Huns vary the entertainment by sending up colours.

They put about 50 shells over part of the trench about 150 yards from us a night or two ago, just about dusk. It was all over in ten minutes. Major Quibell has returned, his wound being only slight.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil

DW to CMS; Thursday 27.1.'16

Dear Cecil,

Thanks so much for your letters I was sorry I missed seeing you before you went off to Fritzy and Hans by the way you might send over a nice little German Hate to them when you get this letter and send my zeppy remembrances. You soon seem to have got into the firing line I'm sure a glad eye from a rat would send me flying over the parapet or something (I'm not afraid of mice all the same!)

I have just been spending a week with Mrs. Elwell in Beverley her husband is an artist, Fred Elwell we got to know them in the summer and they are simply a delightful couple. They live at the Bar House near St. Mary's Church the back of the house looks onto the Westwood and the garden runs along that wee bit of York Rd. just before you enter the Westwood Gates I expect you will remember the house they have the use of the rooms over the Bar and it looks awfully nice from there down towards the Minster. Mrs Elwell has done a sketch of it and it looks exactly like Quality St. The house is Georgian and was rebuilt in that period but before that King Charles I had slept and stayed in the place.

Mr. Elwell is quite mad on gardening in fact a little more potty than I on rock plants etc. etc. so we had great discussions on it. I went to the Hull Art School Fancy Dress Ball with them last Friday they were receiving the guests so they took me along with them. I really enjoyed it tremendously it was nearly two years since I had been to one I don't think there were more than a dozen Hull men there all the rest were subs. I was introduced to one or two and seemed quite nice except one who really was a fearful ass said he was being lectured to by Gilbert Cooke so I think I shall ask the Filbert what his opinion is of him. One little sub. called Jameson was at South Dalton and said he remembered you but had never spoken to you. It made me have rather a conscience going to a dance in wartime when everybody is fighting.

A Mr. Commidge came in one evening he is the organist at Beverley Minster and rather a pot in the musical world his parent and grandparent etc. have been organists at York Minster but he couldn't get it because he never bothered to get a degree. I believe his father or grandpa was a pupil of Mendelssohn. He really was just like an actor in his ways very nice and possesses a tremendous personality he carried on a very learned and booky conversation with Freddie and Mrs. Elwell but was awfully interesting I felt an awful ignoramus. Mother has just called for me to pop off to bed so I must adjourn till tomorrow.

Friday 6 pm. We have had Col. Newell over today for lunch and tea he has the 1/1st Field Co. East Riding Engineers in France and came home on leave last Wednesday for a week so came over here to have a look at Pater and his men. We were awfully glad to see him again he is so very nice he was telling us about the new gas methods I think it is simply awful but I won't talk about it to you as I expect you get quite enough of it. I believe Reggie Gaskell is coming over on leave about the end of next week. He and G.P.Huntley (another R.E. man) have managed to get into the Flying Corps and will be joining any time now but he hopes to be home before that otherwise it will be three months before he can get any leave. I shall laugh if he gets sent to a slow place on the East Coast or some outoftheway place where he will have to chase Zepps. off about once a month. Have you heard anything more about the Flying Corps yet?

I had a long letter from Betty Sowerbutts just after Christmas she and Billy are going to be married at Easter he has attested under Lord Derby at last and if Derby calls him up before then they will be married earlier. Mrs. Williams had been in Manchester with Geoffrey trying another special treatment for him as a last resourse but I don't think it has been very effectual. Billy is an O.T.C. officer at Sedbergh and the H.M. thinks he will be kept on as that instead of being called up.

Florence and I have been a route march the other day but we only did 10 miles this time we intend doing a stunt one day and seeing how much we can do. I believe "stunt" is a bit of the latest trench slang or perhaps we are fearfully old fashioned and haven't heard it before.

Sydney Alderidge has brought his wife here and got rooms in the next village. She seems years older than he is and rather prim and proper she immediately gives you the feeling that you want to shock her! We think she has been a school mistress by her manner. Flossie and I have just been sending off a subscription to Penrh^s for this Motor Ambulance affair for Miss Hovey's 21st Anniversary of her Principalship. I wrote a note to Miss Jolly and asked her who was going to drive the Ambulance when it was bought and suggested an old P.C. girl driving it I expect she will think I am out of work and want a job. I sent our sweet remembrances to Miss Clayton and Miss Jackson. I hope you send your dear sweet remembrances to Miss Clayton when you write to Hilda and Mabel.

Mother and I are going to Hull on Monday for a few days to air the house etc. I have had a delightful swollen face so I shall have to spend a few hours in S. Story's torture chamber. Father seems to have got about 15 officers now we call them the "Fleet" there are so many of them. The majority are fearfully decrepit looking old buffers they annoy Mother intensely because they can't stand to attention decently when they play the National Anthem in church. Pater has to teach the poor little things to ride and one old buffer he wasn't really old altho' his name was Amos couldn't get his leg high enough to get it into the stirrup!

I am enclosing a booklet of tricks for when you are feeling rather fed up with Fritzy.

Col. Newell says only one officer of his Co. has been wounded and 42 men wounded and sick all that is since the middle of Sept. and there are 240 of them he thinks it is marvellous not to have had one killed they have had nothing but luck all the time. By the way do they ever give you coffee instead of tea but would you know the difference. The family send their love to you and hope you are well,

Dora

I should be very pleased with a German helmet but please don't get a bullet in the effort. Mother is sending you the chocs. or you can have it as cocoa.

CMS to WHS and WS; 28.1.16

My dear Father and Mother

I have just returned from the Snipers'School, and have found a budget of letters awaiting me. I am glad you have been able to get away to Colwyn Bay, Mother, and hope the change has benefited you. I am sorry I missed Jackson. I should have liked very much to have seen him again. We were very friendly at school. I have just read a letter from him. At the Snipers' School I have discovered among other things that I am an excellent shot, and can hit a two inch bull at 100 yards 4 times out of 6.

The course is the most interesting and useful that I have ever attended. I am very keen to get to work on the battalion snipers and to show them how they can best use their skill.

I find that in my absence I have been transferred to "C" company, which contains some very tough nuts, and is the most undiciplined company in the battalion, owing to its late commander ruling them by his own personality rather than dicipline as understood in the army. It works well as long as the same man is in command. He is now badly wounded, and the company has been given to Norman Ingleby, with me as 2nd in command. I was surprised, but felt rather honoured about it. I am very glad it will be Ingleby. I shall have my hands full with the organization of the sniping and the work of a second in command. I am glad, and hope I shall be able to manage both. If I find I cannot do the two jobs properly I shall stick to the snipers, if the C.O. will let me.

The lamp and oiled silk socks have arrived and are quite satisfactory, thanks very much. I have also received ½ lb tin of tobacco from James, for which many thanks. Will you please send my leather motoring helmet, and my green cardigan jacket. The helmet is for use when sniping. This sniping is a glorified form of big game stalking and hunting. It is REALLY safer than ordinary trench life. Among my letters I have discovered an epistle written in code. It comes from Harold and has caused me much pleasure in deciphering. I am glad he is happy at school. I will be writing to him shortly, also to Ralph and Kitty. Will you let me have the addresses of Grandma and Aunties Mary and Bertha.

I asked Mr. Harris if he could send me 80 Francs to the Snipers' School, as I had run out and could not get a cheque cashed. He evidently has not got my letter in time.

I am still feeling very bucked with life.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil

P.S. Will you send me a couple of note books 6"x4", also a pad of writing paper and envelopes?

CMS to WHS and WS; 1/2/16

My dear Father and Mother,

Thank you very much for the parcels of clothing and grub, and for getting the cheque for field allowance made good.

I have sent the letter to Cox and Co. Things have gone very quiet lately, and the rainy season seems to be ending. We had a few rifle grenades over yesterday. As usual, noone was hurt. Yesterday afternoon I went with a newly joined officer to reconnoitre some new dugouts in a wood. We were shrapneled continuously for about 30 minutes. Once a nosecap, or big splinter, buried itself at my feet. It had come without warning between us with a horrible swish past my head. We tried to get it out, but could not find it. There were several other occurrences like this, but with smaller pieces. The other fellow is now ill and under the doctor. It was only his second day in the trenches and this little affair together with the cold at night time have temporarily upset him. He will be alright in a day or two.

I am collecting bits of shell etc. and will bring home a parcel when I get my first leave, which will not be this side of 2 months.

Quibell was badly wounded by a rifle bullet across the chest and stomach. The odds are on his recovery.

Grindell was not wounded, but his nerve went again. He was sitting in his dugout with another officer, when a nosecap came through the door and buried itself in the wall. It worried both the occupants, and they both had to go to the rest huts.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil

CMS to DW; 9/2/16

Dear Dora,

I was awfully glad to get your letter the other day. I had just come in from a long route march from the trenches, and was feeling thoroughly fed up with life. Thanks also for the book of tricks and the cocoa tablets from your Mother.

I am second in command of a company, with Norman Ingleby as commander. We are both lieutenants, but seniority does not count out here, and 2 captains have been passed over. I am feeling frightfully bucked about it. This is the company that Quibell had. You will possibly have heard that he has died of wounds.

It is horribly cold here at night time and one wakes up shivering, three or four times at least, and the only thing to do is to lie awake and think how cold it is, or get up and walk about. Day time is not so bad, as the sun is beginning to wake up a bit. At present we are living in dugouts in a little wood about 400 yards behind the firing line. It will look beautiful in about four weeks time. The shell holes are full of water, and the sides are covered with young ferns etc. There are several little streams in it, and hundreds of birds, who stay on in spite of the strafings.

We were strafed a bit on Monday. Ingleby and I were walking about with the C.O. when the Huns suddenly whizzbanged us. The C.O. was hit on the arm but luckily it was a glancing shot and did no harm. We scuttled like rabbits. A whizzbang is a kind of shrapnel which gives no warning that it is coming.

One of our company was killed by a stray bullet a night or two ago. I had to read the burial service. The corpse is wrapped in a blanket and lowered into the grave. An officer stands at the head and reads a short prayer, and all is over. Stray bullets are whizzing about and it is very dangerous to shine a light on the Prayer Book. It is rather impressive to see it for the first time.

I have been away for a week to a School for Snipers. It was great fun, and very useful. We were taught how to disguise ourselves as a blade of grass etc, and how to make cunning loopholes. One of our jobs is to go out to Nomansland in the night and dig a hole in which to spend the next day, observing the Hun, and occasionally sniping. It is like a glorious game of hide and seek. I am to take charge of the Battalion snipers shortly. I am looking forward to it: we shall have a ripping time, especially when it gets warmer.

No, I haven't heard anything more about the Flying Corps, and I'm not going to bother, as I'm quite happy where I am. German helmets are only to be obtained about ten miles behind the firing line, when the Hun is resting. But I shall try to bag a cap or two and anything else of interest. The time to collect helmets will be when our "big push in the Spring" comes off. I have a few nosecaps and pieces of shell which I shall bring home when I get my leave. I will send you a few relics then if you like, as I can't get them through the post from here.

I note with much interest that Betty Sowerbutts and Billy Keeble are to be married at Easter. I should like to be at the wedding. Will Miss Hovey's Anniversary Motor Ambulance come out here do you think, and will it have its history painted on it. I think it would be awfully nice if you got the job of chauffeuse (feminine for chauffeur). I should get wounded on purpose and tip the orderly to put me in your car.

You tell me that Col. Newell has not lost a man. I can quite understand it. The Infantry do all the work near the firing line. When we are "resting" we have to supply fatigue parties to R.E. at the trenches at night. Of course there are a lot of stray bullets about away from the line, and a number of shells.

No, I don't think we get coffee instead of tea sometimes. Of course it might be. It would be quite as correct to call it coffee as tea. Sometimes it is light brown, sometimes black: last night it was green. The taste is always the same, dead men. This is horrid, but true.

This morning two of our officers were feeling sick and fed up, and didn't want much breakfast. Consequently I got 3 eggs and a double ration of bacon. We also had porridge, It is like being at home.

Best wishes to the family,

Yours sincerely,

Cecil

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