Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 22

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; Monday 30.4.'17

My Darling,

I have been expecting to hear how you are getting on but have not had a line since last Wednesday - We saw in the Hull Times we received this mg. that Capt Cyril Easton was killed and that was a week ago y'day so you must have gone into action just after you wrote or rather finished the letter to me on the Sat. - so I am wanting to hear again very badly - how you have got on - it is awfully sad about Capt. Easton - is he the senior officer who came out several weeks ago and you had to give up your company to him? You never told me he had gone out again - I thought he was still at Catterick. I do wish you would write to me more often, Cecil, - I feel very much on the strafe about it in fact - I only get a letter from you three times a fortnight and sometimes only once a week - I know you will think I haven't written to you so often lately but it isn't half so nice to write more letters than one gets back - and its rotten having to live on one letter every five, six or seven days - perhaps you don't know how I look forward to getting your letters - I look forward to them more than anything else - except the next time I shall see you - but I don't want you to write if you don't like writing very much. You know the week you were over in Dec. made a very big impression on me and you have seemed very different to me ever since and during that time - tho' it seems strange that just a week changed things so for me.

William has been over for the weekend - he was in London on business and came up here on Friday night - Pater and I went to Penistone by train - met him by the 10.10pm. train and walked back - Flossie couldn't go out as she's had a cold. Yesterday we had Major Terry - Mrs. Terry and two daughters for tea - he's the O.C. just now and his family has come over for the weekend from Newcastle - the girls seem awfully nice but the Ma is quite impossible - absolute gasbag - still we enjoyed seeing someone fresh. Flossie goes to Hull on Thursday to spend the weekend with the Todds. Do you remember me telling you about Mr. Rawles who was at the Munition's place here last year - he is awfully nice - he's in France now and Mother had a letter from him the other day - he's in the 8th. or 3rd. Leicesters, I don't know which, but if you do knock up against them - do fish him out 'cause he's awfully nice and he's heard us talk about you.

Ma wants me to do my blinking accounts - haven't had my quarters money yet - and its a month over time too but I don't think I shall have more than a cent or two as I have got into debt with Mother somehow or other - do you know I've just discovered that you'll be awfully rich with your 5/- a day extra allowance - its nearly a £100 a year - I never thought of it till the other day - you'll be an awfully wealthy little sub - is it because you are the adjutant?

Have you heard about the little Leech kiddie pegging out - spect you have - it is awfully sad and Mr. Leech away too - but the kiddie never looked really healthy - did you think so?

LATER. Have done my blinking accounts and after all my debts are paid, I'm on £5 till the 1st. of Oct - its a beastly blow - I believe Flossie is determined to be patriotic and has bought a 15/6 (=15s 6d) War Loan card and sticks 6d stamps on when she manages to save 6d.! Money is a horrible worry I think really - its heaps easier to be frightfully poor.

I'm going off to bed now - we have breakfast at 7.30am. now.

Love from

Dora.

Tues. 1.5.'17. am.

Still no letter.

D.W.

Dora to CMS; Thurs. 6.15pm. 3.5.'17

My Love,

I got your field p.c. yesterday and I am so glad to know you are quite safe. You must have had a fearful time and it must have been dreadful to see your pals wounded. I had a letter from your Mother y'day and she said that Norman Ingleby was wounded and the eldest Oughtred boy killed. Their names are in the official casualty list to-day - also Waite wounded and seven E. Yks. missing, among them Cowl - is that Cowl a Reckitt's son? There's a Lt. Jackson wounded too - is it the old rheumaticy one you told me of? I am hoping to get a letter soon from you - I expect there will be one on the way but rather a long time getting through.

There has been a good deal of excitement to-day here - at 7.5am. a huge explosion went off and simply shook our house - I was just going to get up - so it rather hastened matters - it was a boiler - at those sniffy picric works just by the station - that had gone dry and some picric in it and it bust up somehow or other - Pa said it was just like being alongside of a 6" gun when it goes off. We thought at first the whole picric works would be blown up and we should go to smithers too but they said it was alright and Pater and Flossie and I hurried up and were at the works by 7.20 and helped to bandage up a few of the wounded.

No one was killed and the worst was a girl with a broken leg and a man with a bit in his tummy and they soon got them all off to the hospital in Barnsley and we were back again here by about eight am. It was rather funny afterwards, as I suppose the alarm had been given in Barnsley and a perfect stream of motor - ambulances etc. kept coming past here till about 10 o'clock - and they only had to go back again.

Flossie went to stay with the Todds in Hull to-day - over the weekend. I sent you a parcel off y'day - I'm sorry I couldn't put chocolate icing on top of the cake but I simply can't get the right kind of sugar for it - it is illegal to sell it now so I'm afraid it won't look so nice.

Goodbye my darling - and I am so thankful you have come through all this safely - it is such a dreadful time.

Yours with love

Dora.

Dora to CMS; Sat. 5.5.'17.

My Darling,

What a terrible time the battalion has had - it has done gloriously, but what a price to pay - it is such a great pity that the flanks didn't follow up or you might have followed up still further - you explained it all so clearly that I understand exactly what happened and I have read it over heaps of times. I suppose they would never mention in the papers that nearly a whole battalion was gone - we are wondering what is going to happen to you now - whether they will send out the reserves from Catterick or whether you will get just any soldiers to fill up again. I'm sure the battalion deserves to be congratulated by the Corps Commander and I know you must have had a fearful lot of work preparing for all this. You've no idea how thankful I am that you are adjutant altho' you have had a very rough time and some lucky escapes - but I know for one thing that you are awfully quick and agile and "got your buttons on", sort of thing and that all helps I'm sure - or else you would never come through things in the miraculous way you do - "miraculous" is the only word one can use I think. Yes, Cecil, my love, I will remember what you say about taking risks - you are not the sort to take unnecessary risks as I know you are very careful; please don't think I ever dreamt of you neglecting your duty or your honour when I asked you to be careful about taking risks - I never even thought of it that way at all and never should.

Sunday afternoon - I hadn't time to finish this off yesterday as it was nearly time for post. Father was at the Board Meeting on Friday when they got your letter at home and your Father had had the part about the fighting typed out and gave it to Father to read - he says an older man couldn't possibly do what you have done - he wouldn't be so nimble and quick in thought and another tenth of a second would have told with the bullet of that beastly, blinking sniper who was at you. You know I'm awfully proud of my own soldier-boy.

A draft of 300 R.Es. went out to France last night - Durhams mainly - Father has got the 530th. Durham R.Es. now - reserves - it is three companies really and the East Riding is one of them - he is doing major's work really with three captains under him, but it is another dirty trick of the W.O. and he is still Capt. They went at 10.35pm. last night and Father wanted the canteen closing - you know what the Durhams are - but the silly O.C. wouldn't bother - the result was that 80% were drunk and they couldn't even take a roll-call - the officers who went in charge with them said they wouldn't be responsible for them so the blame will have to come back on the O.C., Major Terry here.

Pater was absolutely disgusted with the whole thing - he had warned the O.C. about it before-hand and the O.C. knew the sort of men they were but yet he wouldn't bother to take precautions so that the draft would be able to get off respectably for the sake of the few decent ones that were in it. It looks so rotten for the officers who've been training them too I think. There are hardly any men left in the camp now - I went up with Pater and some of the other ossifers - to the camp - after church this mg. - there were not enough men for a proper church parade - and all the huts are empty only about ninety men in the camp but yet literally, dozens of officers. Pater says things are at a standstill here and there seem to be no more recruits to get - so he wonders what will happen next. He thinks that the Americans ought to come over here and get their training in these camps - as they have the huts, equipment and means all waiting. I expect it might be German prisoners and then I can assure we SHALL be fed to the core. One of the boys who went out y'day was Cunningham, the orderly we have had for a long time and while Mother was ill too - he is a Hull boy and went out with the 1st. E.R. field coy. in 1915 and was gassed with Bertie Alexander - he is awfully nice and was a tremendous help to me when I was here with Mother before she went into the nursing home. He says he would like to speak to you if he happens to knock up against the 4th. E. Yks. if you wouldn't mind - so I said I was sure you would be pleased to have a word with him.

Mother is going to Brighton on Friday I think and Father is trying to get leave and take her down and stay the weekend and then Flossie will follow on during the week I expect. Mother wants me to go for a fortnight after Flossie has been but I don't feel a bit in a holiday mood - would much rather wait up here, I think, till Ma comes back and then go off nursing a week or two after - or as soon as I see I can leave Ma - she has got on really better than I thought.

Heard from Flossie yesterday - she and William have been looking at houses in Beverley but see nothing that she likes - William wants to get married in Sept - or anytime in fact - but Mother doesn't want her to till next spring - Flossie isn't a bit keen on housekeeping etc. The weather has been lovely this last week and I really believe we are going to have summer at last. I'm glad you've got a comfy billet and nice garden - the blossom will be lovely I should think.

I hope Norman Ingleby's wound wasn't very serious - but, as you say, he is going on alright , so it can't be so bad. Was Waite very badly hit? I remember you telling me something about Boyle but I can't recollect what it was - were you at Dalton with him? Did you go to the theatre that night in Hull with him - "Betty" I think it was.

I have made a green silk collar to my green coat and taken off the fur and it looks ever so nice and Mother has made some cuffs.

Goodbye, I hope you will get a long rest after the strenuous time.

Yours with love,

Dora.

Extracts from Cecil's letter of 29/4/17 shown to WHW by WHS at Reckitt's Board Meeting. Mentioned in Dora's letter of 5/5/17. The original is lost.

You will doubtless be wondering at my long interval in sending news, but I have absolutely no time to write to anyone till now.

You will no doubt have concluded from the casualty lists, and the news in the papers, that we have been "over" again, and that we have been heavily hit. When I tell you that every Officer who "went over" is a casualty you will get some idea of what happened.

Before I tell the story as well as I can without overstepping the regulations I must say that the Battalion has done brilliantly, and has greatly added to its already good name.

This is the story :- For a long time now we have been preparing for our share in the "push", and a few mornings ago, just about dawn of a glorious day, the battalion was ready in the trenches waiting for the moment when they would get out and follow the slowly creeping barrage, which was to begin just in front of them.

The Colonel and I, (as acting Adjutant), were up having a final look round and wishing good luck. Soon after we had got back to headquarters in a bank a few hundred yards behind the line, the attack began. In a few minutes wounded began to pass, reporting that all was going well. Prisoners simply poured in. Later, written reports came down saying that all was well, but these reports began to hint at trouble later on in the morning, and after a while none came at all. Then the news came that the Bosche had counter-attacked, and was regaining his original front line. Headquarters, and the troops along the bank, stood to, expecting him to come over the ridge and try to get his ground back with interest. But he was content to stay in his own line.

In the afternoon we received a report from a lance-corporal that there were seven men of our battalion back in our kick-off trench with no officer or N.C.O.

I went up with a couple of orderlies to see what was doing. It was a very exciting journey, as there was no communication trench, and the Bosche was shelling pretty heavily. When I got to the line I found a number of support troops, and ten of our own men. The enemy was back in his trench about 200 yds in front. About 50 yds to our right flank were some British troops in shell holes, but we were not in communication with them. I left my orderlies in the trench and ran very fast indeed across the open to the shell holes. I got what information they could give me of the situation, and told them what I could of the situation on the left. I then set off back but was spotted, and I was just about half-way when crack! went a bullet. I thought I could just manage the remaining 25 yds before another came, and when I got to our trench I took a low dive, and tumbled in just as another shot cracked over me. The Hun doubtless counted it as a bull's-eye. I am awfully glad I dived just at the last moment.

This is what had happened. Our battalion and another had attacked in conjunction with people on our right and left, and whereas our two battalions advanced, those on our flanks were held up. This, together with severe casualties, and lack of sufficient reinforcements enabled the enemy to counter-attack successfully on our left, with the result that our battalion was cut off, and no more news has been received yet of the "missing" although the British regained the ground in the evening.

Before being cut off the Battalion had taken over 400 prisoners and a battery of guns, referred to in the first part of my letter, It was the only unit to reach its first objective.

Amongst the killed are Cyril Easton, Harold Oughtred, killed whilst cheering on his men, and Boyle an old Hymerian, all splendid fellows. Norman Ingleby was wounded by machine gun across the chest and arms. The Colonel has heard from him and he appears safe.

We are in a village now, and are very comfortable.

CMS to Dora; 6.5.17, 10.35 pm.

My Darling,

I got your letter of the 30th. this afternoon. I really am most awfully sorry about my letters, and I'm afraid I have been rather naughty about not sending more; but really and truly Dora, I have had very little opportunity. The very day after I wrote the last we got sudden orders to move from our cosy little village, and small though we were, go up the line again. This took two days: and when we'd got to our place in reserve we only stayed one day, and were then ordered back, and now we're in the same village again after five days of travelling.

I have a lot of work to do on these occasions in making all the arrangements for the move, seeing that the Transport, the cookers, the rations, water, and lots of other little things are all attended to, and I get very tired, for everything must be done exactly to time. I haven't been quite fit either, and have just got over a dose of boils, owing to bad blood. I got a very rotten one just under my nose, but it's almost gone now.

I started a letter to you the day we were in reserve and was going to finish it the next day, but more orders came only an hour and threequarters before we had to set off and I couldn't finish it. Please, Dora, don't think I haven't written so often because I don't like writing, because you're wrong. I DO like writing to you, of course I do, I love it. But I'll buck up, and really will write more.

It's awfully rotten about Capt. Easton. He's only been out a month, the second time. No, he didn't take my place as company commander. Wilson-Barkworth was the senior officer I referred to.

I'll look out for Mr. Rawles. I don't know whether his battalion are anywhere about here. It would be ripping if I could manage to see him.

Yes, I heard about the little Leech kiddie from Mother. It's very sad, I'm rather surprised because I thought he was getting stronger.

About your training for a nurse - 3 years is a frightful long time you know, and then, the war's going to be over in about four months, if not less, and I should think the Territorials would be sent home first, especially our Division, because we've done such good fighting. The clearing up ought to be left to the Divisions who can't fight, and don't come up on flanks, and let other people down. And then, after a holiday, I shall set to work to pass my exam, and then, I think, will be about the time for us to get married, don't you? Anyway, don't bother about it just yet. If leave starts again, we shall be able to talk it over. I think I'm fourth for leave when it does start. I see no hope of it at present, but it might come.

I am very interested in the rumour about Arnold Cleminson. I wonder if there's anything in it. I'm glad you're back in the country again. I expect you're having just the same weather as we are - delightful. The only drawback is that it's so frightfully dusty and dry on the march.

Yes, I still remember 10.30. I always have done. There are times of course when I've been working, and haven't been able to. I've felt you very near to me at times. I think you're thinking or dreaming of me now. Perhaps it's a restless dream because I haven't written, but cheer up old girl, I love you just the same as when I told you so, nearly a year ago now.

We'll be seeing each other very soon

Yours with love,

Cecil.

CMS to Dora; 10/5/17

My Darling,

I am lying in a beautiful little wood just outside our village. It's the end of another perfect day, as far as weather goes. I've just come in from a ride round the rifle ranges. The country's simply lovely just now with just enough unsewn fields for a gallop now and again. I should love to be in the woods round Silkstone again.

Thanks awfully for the parcel and the chocolate cake. I have not been coming up from my orderly room for tea as a rule, but I did when your cake came.

Bush, my old servant, has made me a ripping bath in a copse in the grounds of the chateau where I am billeted, and I have a cold bath every morning amongst the wild flowers - it's glorious.

Your explosion must have been awfully exciting. I expect you thought it was the Zepps again. I'm glad no one was killed.

Yes, the Cowl from our battalion, who is missing is a son of the Cowl at Reckitt's. We know nothing about him nor about any of the others who are missing. A lot of them must be prisoners, it seems impossible that all are killed. Some of them are known to be prisoners of war because they were seen to be marched off after they had fired the last round in their Lewis gun. We have a few men who were prisoners for a few hours and afterwards got back to us. Lt. Jackson who was wounded is not the old boy who wrote to you, whose here now, as lazy and steady-going as ever,

We've got a ripping mess President just now. He lays out the dinner table himself with violets etc. and feeds us splendidly. This, together with the weather, and the billets, and the band which is very good, is making this little holiday one of our best in France.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Sat. 12.5.'17

My Love,

I'm quite happy again now that I have heard from you again - I got your letter this mg. and it has taken nearly a week to come - and you are going to try to squeeze a few more letters in to me. I am awfully sorry you have had boils and not felt well - it must be because you are run down and want a tonic or a change of air or something. Have you seen the M.O. 'cause I think you ought to. Probably it is the effect of the spring weather - changing of seasons does affect some people. Tell the M.O. you want a smell of Blighty to put you right. Father took Mother down to Brighton yesterday and comes back Tuesday night - it's the first leave he has had since last May when we all went down to London. Flossie goes on Tuesday to be with Mother after Father leaves her and she will stay there for about a fortnight and then I am going down and Flossie coming back - I didn't feel a bit keen on a holiday a few days ago but I'd like one now - I expect it will be about the 28th. - about Whitsuntide that I shall go and we shall stay till about June 8th. and then Ma wants to stay one or two days in London on our way back but I'm not sure about it. Very probably your leave may come on about then and you might come to Brighton or London while we are there - which would be lovely wouldn't it?

I won't bother about nursing just yet then until I have seen you - I had a long letter from Hartley y'day - she has left Waltham Abbey she got quite fed up with the disadvantages the place has for a hospital and they seemed to have enough nurses altho' the Matron tried to weep she said! when she left - and she is an absolute stoic generally. She is at home in Lancs. now and expecting her brothers from France on leave any time now and then wants to go nursing in July or Aug. and wants me to go with her - that would mean nursing soldiers again you know not general hospital for a trained nurse - I should love to go with her again she is such a sport and we got on so well before - you don't mean you don't want me to nurse again at all do you? I think I would rather go with Hartley really than go amongst total strangers again - into a general training hospital - that is, of course if Ma is well enough to be left by July - they are appealing for 15,000 more nurses at home and abroad.

Flossie and I are by ourselves this weekend - since Mary left we have had an awful maid - aged 50 a positive divil so we made her leave y'day when the parents went away so Flossie and I are nicpicing this weekend and quite enjoying it - Jane - the awful woman - was a fearful misery and never did her work properly - last week I seemed to spend half my time running round after her. I think it would be awfully jolly to have that cottage of mine sometime but its no use getting it now I think - with the blinking war on - and just do as we like and picnic - but it must be by the sea. I have foraged out another maid to come next week so with the orderly for coals and boots etc. we shall get on quite well. Our orderly is just waiting to be gazetted for the R.F.C. - Flossie made an awful faux pas one day when she asked him if he was going to be a mechanic!

I have been awfully busy last week getting Mother her summer things ready for going away as Pater only decided about his leave on Tuesday I think - so I had to work hard. I have taken the fur off my dark green coat and put on green silk collar and cuffs to match and it looks very nice and next week I am going to make a green skirt. You'll like my little green silk hat - you'll think I'm awfully vain I know - but I always long to show you things I have made by myself.

Bye-bye - old boy - I feel much more cheery since I got your letter this morning and I shall be happier still when I see you and have another talk with you.

Love from your

Dora.

CMS to Dora; 14.5.17

My Darling,

I got your letter of the 5th. and 6th. today telling me you'd got mine about our fight. I'm glad mine's got through all right because I was just a little bit afraid that the censor man might have got hold of it and been nasty, although I was very careful in what I said. There was one thing I forgot to tell you, and that was that I saw scores of Bosche come out of a village on out left flank, and walk across No Man'sLand with their hands up. It was awfully interesting. By the way don't think I thought you intended me to perhaps save a few risks at the expense of duty, because I know you don't

I do hope you don't get a lot of prisoners landed on you at Silkstone, it would be beastly. I'm afraid your Father's idea of getting some Americans over to train in the camps is too obvious and natural for the British Government to think of or act on.

I'll look out for Cunningham. I should be awfully pleased to see him.

The battalion is growing up again. We get men back from hospitals, who were sick and slightly wounded, and then drafts from the Base come. You wouldn't know we'd been wiped out only a week or two ago.

I'm very glad your Mother is able to get away to Brighton now. You ought to go you know as well, because you've had a pretty rough time lately.

Norman Ingleby is in England now. He got some bits of trinket into his chest and expects to be in hospital about another month. Waite wasn't badly hit at all. He got a piece of shell in the fleshy part of his arm and shoulder. I was just by when he got it. I've had a letter from him; he's in a hospital near Birmingham, and is very bucked with life, and with the nurses.

Boyle was one of the fellows I had at the dinner in honour of our engagement. The fellow I was with that night at the theatre when I came in from Dalton, is a man called Hildyard. He is "missing", and may be a prisoner of war.

I wish I could see the green silk collar and the green coat and the cuffs, and the girl who wears them. You're still remembering 10.30 pm. aren't you, because I am, hard, - very hard last night.

Goodnight my sweetheart,

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Tues. 15.5.'17

My Darling,

I'm so glad you have got such a good billet - and you seem to have every comfort from a delightfully situated bath to violets on the table! The bath sounds especially fascinating - you must have a very ingenious servant or was it your idea? It sounds rather like YOU. The country is heavenly just now, isn't it - it isn't out so much here as with you though - I was in the woods last week - I took the Major's two girls through them and followed up the stream on the stones - I simply loved doing that - Flossie and I used to do it for hours when we were on our holidays in the country when we were kids. We have had two big thunderstorms this weekend at night time and when I have gone out in the garden in the early morning - everything has smelt simply beautiful and green leaves have opened out still more with the rain and early morning sun. Our peas are coming up and they are one or two inches high - we dug a potato up on Sunday and found it was sprouting so put it back again - so the potatoes are growing too. Flossie is growing the sweet peas this year - its the first time she has done them - I could never get them to be really successful at Beech Croft because the trees round the garden caused so much shade. Flossie says there are tons of things coming up in our garden in Hull but the whole place wants attention badly. I wonder what's happening to my little rock garden with the moss between the stones - do you remember it? I took an awful lot of time making it and it was just getting to look respectable when we left.

Have you suddenly gone potty over wartime economy and given up your tea in the afternoon? or do you have it all by your lonesome in the orderly room? I hope you are quite better now - if your blood isn't quite up to concert pitch you ought to drink plenty of water and eat plenty of green vegetables and lettuce etc. bur NOT mustard and cress because one never knows in what dirty surroundings it has been grown. I'm a positive Minerva, telling you all this! By the way you aren't getting any fatter, are you?

I expect Father back to-night - he was leaving Brighton this morning so as to go and have a look at the Academy in London. Mother says that sometimes they say they can hear the guns firing in France and she says it seems so near that you ought to pop over and see us while we are there - so take the hint straight to your little blinking heart and sleep on it. I have been Oh! so busy to-day - Flossie intended getting off to Brighton via Peniston and Sheff. by the 8.38 am. but missed that and so had to go by the 11 am. via Doncaster to King's X. - it was a fearful rush to help her off and THEN I had to tidy up after her - she is an awfully untidy little beggar - I do like things kept tidy - altho' not painfully tidy so that one does not touch things - if you know what I mean - Are you an untidy little mortal, Cecil? I have made you some cakes to-day and will send them off to-morrow - tell me if you like these kinds or if you like the other better.

Had a note from Emma to-day and she wants me to go for the night sometime this week so shall have to ask Pa if I can go - she says she hopes to be married on the 2nd. June!!! Never heard of such quick work! They must have both got it all very badly to do things so quickly I think.

I've got a new maid coming to-morrow so I hope she'll be a success - she's quite young - no more old beggars - and she seems quite a nice kid too. Had a letter from your Mother this mg. and she has not heard from you since you sent the letter about the fighting and she is wondering how you are faring - you must write home to them.

They don't seem to know what to do about Harold because the Dr. says he must go into the country and your Mother doesn't want to leave your Father to take him - she says she has been house hunting in Kirkella and North Cave - or rather going to - I'm sure if they once lived out of Hull they wouldn't feel like going back to Holderness Rd. again - do you think so.

Goodbye and DO write home to them more often

Yours with love

Dora.

P.S. I will tidy up for you when we are married - if you are untidy.

Nota Bene to drink plenty of water and eat green stuff - bunny food

CMS to Dora; 18.5.17

My Darling,

We have moved again and are just outside one of the villages recently evacuated by the Bosche. It hasn't been shelled at all but there's not a house standing; the Bosche knocked absolutely everything down before he went, and cut all the fruit trees down. There's a ripping cherry tree just outside the mess, about 2ft in diameter, sawn right through.

It's your birthday on the 21st. isn't it? Many happy returns old girl. I hope I'll be able to wish 'em in person next time. I'm glad you're going to Brighton after all. I don't expect I shall be able to come and see you there, but one never knows, and now that the Americans have sent a flotilla to the North Sea we might have a few more leave boats going. It would be ripping if we could meet in London.

No I don't mean nursing soldiers that I'm not keen on, do, by all means - it was the general hospital work that I wasn't so awfully bucked about. Sorry you've had trouble with the new maid. I had a row with my domestic this morning. He didn't have a candle ready for me last night. He's got one tonight though, in a candle stick.

I'm awfully amused at Flossie's faux pas about the orderly. I can just picture Flossie saying it. What did the orderly do? Did he blush and look stupid, or did he take it all right.

I am very glad your Mother has been able to get away for a holiday and has got through everything so well.

I don't think you're very vain in talking about what you do in the way of alterations etc to your hat, coat etc. I like to read it, and I'll be seeing them in a few months. It's 11.25 pm. now, so I'm afraid you may be asleep when I get to bed and think of you.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Sat. 6.15 pm. 19. 5 '17

My Darling,

I got your letter of the 14th. y'day just before I went off to Emma's at H'field for the night and got back this mg. I enjoyed the change very much - and met Dr. Raffan, he is very nice indeed and very jolly - looks his age and is a widower! Emma is to be married on the 2nd of June and wants me to go over from the Thurs. 'till Mon. - but haven't decided yet as Ma expects me in Brighton about the 28th. - so should have to give up a week of my fortnight's holiday away. Should like to go though.

This is only a scratchy note - will write to-morrow as it is just on post time and I want you to get a line from me.

Of course I think of you at 10.30 every night, my sweetheart - unless something extraordinary happens but I always think of you last thing at night and first in the morning.

Goodbye for to-day,

Yours with love

Dora

Dora to CMS; Sunday 20.5.'17

My Love,

Major Terry has sent Pater's name in to take charge of a Field Coy. at Welbeck near Worksop - they sent from H.Q. this mg. for a senior Capt or Major - of course we don't know whether he will go or not yet or whether it's temporary, permanent or what yet. We shall get to know more to-morrow or Tuesday - he may have to go in a day or two - if he does go that is - It is all awfully exciting - if he goes this week I am going over to see him for the day on Sat to get another cottage or house or something then we would get into it ready for Mother to come straight to it from Brighton.

The Major commanding the R.E.Coy at Welbeck has just been sent to Egypt and that's why they are suddenly in need of another. Its the Dukeries round there and very pretty country (real country - no blinking mines) so Pa and I both want to go - we should only be 28 miles from Nottingham too.

On Friday mg. one of the letters I wrote to you when I was in Sheffield was returned to me - At your orderly room they had put "Hospital" - then at the base they must have opened it and put it in an envelope and addressed it "Dora" Med. and Surg. Home etc. and the Nursing Home sent it on to me here. Did you ever get the letters I sent to St. Pol?

Went to church this morning - a Rev. Parker from Hull preached on behalf of the curates' fund - and he was a misery - to look at - he was more like a moulting hen than anything else. At the Blamires they have a distant cousin staying with them - a Chaplain Captain Blaimires - Wesleyan - from New Zealand - he said they originally came from Australia and knew your Mother's people - he certainly was - what one would call - a social bore - his one topic was the front - what HE'D done etc. and possessed a most monotonous voice - and always talked as if he were holding a prayer meeting. He said his younger brother was over about three years ago and stayed with your people in Hull. I hope he was different from this man.

We hear from Mother everyday - she seems to be getting on nicely altho' slowly - I think she will feel the benefit more after the first fortnight. It still keeps rather cold in Brighton. Willie Hallitt was at the Blamires - he is going to be the best man - he's an observer - and been in St. Thomas' London - with a partial breakdown - high temperature etc. - due to nerve strain I think - he has been an observer since the end of July - He's an awfully nice boy of 19 - gone frightfully thin. He was in the same squadron as Capt Ball - I should have loved to see him bring down an aeroplane - I suppose he attacks from underneath and behind the enemy and doesn't open fire until he is within about 25 yds. of him - he does it all in a scouting machine and takes no observer as a rule.

It seems a wicked shame he is a prisoner - they say he was sent up on rather a dud machine.

I made some rather nice salad dressing last night - do you ever get salads or bunny food 'cause if you'd like some I'll send you some.

Pater is busy packing his books this afternoon and sending them home - so that if we have to leave here we shan't have to cart them away. Please don't mention to anybody in Hull about this new job of Pater's 'cause as you know, it isn't absolutely definite yet. It will be a tremendous change to poor old Pa - he is fed absolutely with this lousie spot.

Bye. bye. my sweetheart. I do love you.

Yours with love

Dora.

CMS to Dora; 22.5.17

My Darling,

We are still in our little broken-down village, having a fairly easy time, and very good weather. The're are just a few things that the Germans couldn't destroy when they left, namely, fresh young rhubarb and carrots, which we have eaten once or twice. It is rather marvellous how thoroughly they have destroyed everything, including the water.

It seems funny to see all roofs lying on the ground, the walls having been pulled away.

The bath in the woods was not original: we often dig a hole and put a waterproof sheet in it. I chose the site though.

Please don't get too excited when I tell you that leave has started again. Officers are not necessarily going to get it so often as they have been doing, so although I am near the top of the officers' roster it may not mean much.

I'm glad the potato was sprouting: I expect it was a bit fed about being dug up.

Yes, I remember your rock garden all right.

No, I'm not economising by not having tea in the afternoon; it's only because it's too much sweat to walk to it, as a rule.

I've been playing football the last few evenings, and am a bit stiff.

No, I don't think I'm getting any fatter.

Thanks very much for the cakes which came today.

I don't know whether I'm tidy or not. I seem to collect a frightful lot of rubbish though in my pockets etc.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Wed. 23. 5.'17

My Darling,

Welbeck Abbey is off now - but something else is on instead. Sir John Maxwell of the Northern Command buzzed round the camp on Sat and said that two officers would be wanted for duty on coast defence to teach the infantry how to dig trenches I suppose - that's a nasty hit for you old boy, isn't it!! - but they would be available at any time for draft - like they are here really - only I suppose a bit more so - because they are supposed to be on the staff or something here. Y'day the order came thro' for Pater and Capt. Hall (rather a silly bloke) to go on coast defence shortly. We don't know where it will be but Pa was in Sheff. to-day and saw one on the R.E. Staff and he thought Humber Defences - so we might find ourselves landed at Beech Croft again - anyway there is certain to be a move somewhere soon - Pa hopes it isn't Aldborough or any spot like that. But there is more likelihood of him going out to the front than there has been. I do hope he hasn't to go but he says he'd like to but he knows he would wish himself at home again in a month's time.

I got your letter this morning - it was the 18th. - Friday night that you wrote it and I was at the Blamires. I got into bed about 11 pm. I remember and I couldn't get to sleep till a long time after twelve and you seemed quite near to me - I knew you were thinking of me then somehow - did I seem near to you then. I think the following night I dreamt about you and it was beautifully real - I could even feel you - but I didn't like the waking up part to find it wasn't true. Thank you for your good wishes - I only hope we shall be able to be together my next birthday.

I have had another of your letters returned to me today written April 4th I think - that's the second that's come this week. They were those that arrived when you were in hoppy. I am going to Emma's wedding after all - it's on June 2nd. and I'm going on Friday 1st. - t'will mean a week knocked off my summer holiday but I'd like to see the last of old Emma - sounds like a funeral! She is the first of our school gang to get married you know. Flossie says I am to keep my eyes open and get hints and tips from the wedding - I'm not a bit well up in them - so that I can give her and William a little information on the subject. The bridegroom ought to be well up in it if he's a widower - I simply couldn't marry a widower for anything - could you - anyway, I'm not going to. I think you and I will have to elope, old boy, it will be an easy way out of everything, won't it?

If Pater is moved in about a week's time I shan't go to Brighton - Flossie will stay the whole time and then I will pack up and leave this cottage and get another one ready for Ma to go to or Beech Croft ready - one or the other - of course Pa may not go for a fortnight or more perhaps. I do hope some leave boats will be running soon - I shall really and truly expire Cecil if they don't run soon and then old Douglas Haig WOULD be sorry then. Mother hasn't been so well this last day or two - been doing too much and Flossie called the Dr. in to look at her and he says she must take life more easily. What friends have you got left now that so many are wounded - I expect you will miss them a good deal. It does seem wicked that the Huns cut all the trees down and the houses - the trees are gorgeous now - they keep a light green for so long. Bye-bye -

Yours with love

Dora.

I could tell you had written that last letter by candle light because of a bit of grease on the paper - Sherlock Holmes!

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