Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 25

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; Wednes. 25.7.'17

My Darling,

Many happy returns for the 30th. - old boy - perhaps you will be here for your next birthday - I hope so anyway - 24 sounds heaps older than 23 I think - I wonder if you are older this time than at Christmas. I hope you won't think I've grown into an old hen yet. I am longing to get the next letter from you when you will have arrived at the battalion again - and then I shall know about leave - Cheerioh! I'm sure it will simply have to come soon. If it is during August, come straight up to our house Mother says, before we go on to Filey. I believe I saw a 4th. E.Y. tommy on leave on Tuesday on the Cottingham Rd. - he had the E-YORKS on his shoulder strap and at the top of his sleeve "IV" in red braid so I wonder if he is one of yours. He was with his wife and family or else I believe I would have asked him if he was a 4th. E. Yks.

I have sent you some soap off to-day and the nearest approach I can make to a birthday cake now-a-days. I made the red currant jelly yesterday too - you may think it's a wash-out because it hasn't set properly - but its not supposed to when it's made that way. I do hope the jar won't be smashed in the post - Mother says she's sure it will be.

Our dug-out's an awfully slimy mess inside nowadays - the pump is out of it so consequently it's full of stagnant water - and as there are no Zepps to relieve the peaceful monotony of these days it really isn't much good except as a relic of Zeppy times. I put a fearful spurt on on Monday night and wrote to Hilda - I owed her a letter so I have managed to squeeze it in before the holidays - I expect she is quaking in her shoes about the results of the matric which come out this week. I am enclosing a slip about Norman Ingleby's wedding yesterday - in last night's Mail - I expect they will be enjoying their honeymoon now - and it's simply gorgeous weather too.

Miss Jones came down yesterday to say "goodbye" - she is leaving Reckitts on Tuesday.

Yours with love

Dora.

When is your captaincy coming off?

Cutting from "Mail"; Wedding at Kirkella; Miss Kathleen Clarke and Captain N.W. Ingleby

The wedding took place this afternoon at Kirkella Church of Miss Kathleen Clarke, daughter of Colonel G.H. Clarke J.P., of Kirkella House, and Captain Norman W. Ingleby, East Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr. Ernest W. Ingleby, of Melton Hill, Brough. The wedding was a quiet war-time one. There was only one bridesmaid, Miss Joyce Ingleby. The officiating clergimen were Canon J. Foord (Rural Dean) and the Rev J. Wynyard Capron (brother-in-law of the bride).

CMS. to Dora; 27.7.17

My Darling,

I got two nice fat letters from you yesterday. One had followed me to Le Touquet and back. No, I've heard nothing more about the Staff job and I think it's off.

Capt. Seed got hit a few nights ago when our camp was shelled. His leg was badly broken. He is now in hospital minus a foot, but very cheery. I rather envy him. He'll have a good time for the next few months and will probably never come out here again whilst the war is on. He will have a cork foot, which I believe are very perfect nowadays, and are not much drawback. He has been out over two years and has not been touched until now, when he gets it walking about on a football field behind the lines. I will make enquiries about Mrs. Ward's husband and will let you know what I hear. There are millions of earwigs here. They get into one's bed, one's clothes, into everything. If one puts a hat down for half an hour one has to shake about half a dozen out.

We moved camp to-day, and shall be out of the line for a short time.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Friday 27.7.'17

My Darling,

It seems too good to be true that your first blinking officer has gone on leave - and if you are now second or third on the list you ought to be coming about 11th. or 25th. - that's how I've worked it - if you come about the 25th. - you might just be here for the wedding on the 6th. - that's when it is fixed for - still I really don't mind when you come, my sweet-heart, as long as you come before very long - I am aching to be with you again so much.

Mr. Rawles has just been in to tea - we knew he was wounded but didn't expect him back at his depôt at Patrington so soon - Mrs. Rawles wrote and told Mother that he was coming back before long. It was awfully jolly seeing him again - I hope you'll be able to meet him when you're on leave.

Flossie and William seem to be progressing with their house - painters, plumbers and joiners etc. are monopolising the place at present. I think they are having a fortnight for the honeymoon and going to the Lake District I think - Grange first then Grasmere - most probably.

I am quite looking forward to our hens - when we get them. I'm sure it will be a saving too if we do it in a practical way and think it out.

I had quite a long dream about you last night - but I seemed to know it was a dream all the time - we were at Filey - I think it was because I was so excited after getting your letter about leave in the morning.

We are going to Scarboro' on Friday next for the Bank Holiday weekend and will be returning Tuesday evening I should think. I do wish you could be with us too - there are some lovely walks along the cliffs and on the sands towards Cayton Bay - but perhaps you've been there and know them. If you do happen to come the address is Red Lea Boarding House - Scarboro' but I believe I told you in my last letter but one.

Ian Hay is about to bring another book out - "Carry On" - I believe - I wonder if it will be as good as "The First Hundred Thousand" - I think you told me about "Hush House" that he had been writing about once, and you went to the place just after he had left.

Heaps of love till I see you,

Your own Dora.

CMS to Dora; 30.7.17

My Darling,

Many thanks for the birthday wishes and the cake. I got the cake yesterday and the letter today. The cake is awfully good.

I have got a company again. I expect it will be for "keeps" this time, unless anything happens to the Adjutant, in which case I have to take on his job again. I have to go into the line again very soon, and I should think we shall be in for about 14 days. When we come out I really think the Colonel might let me have leave. I shall in any case drop a hint about it. It's 8 months now since I last came on it. I should rather like to get it while my people are at Filey. It would be awfully nice if as you say in your letter, I could come up to your house first and then go on to Filey with you. Then later on we could nip across to Beverley to see Flossie's house.

It would be a 4th. battalion man you saw with "IV" on his shoulder. We wear a little yellow square. There ought to be quite a number of them in Hull just now.

Thanks so much for the soap. The red currant jelly jar wasn't smashed, and the jelly seems quite pleased with itself. The salad dressing and the chocolate cake turned up today, having followed me to Le Touquet and back.

I don't know when the pukka captaincy comes off, but an acting one should come in about a month's time now.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Tuesday 31.7.'17

My Darling,

It seems awfully bad luck for Capt Seed after two yrs. at the front still on the other hand I think he is jolly lucky to be out of it all - false limbs - they say - are a marvel nowadays - I saw a man at Skegness last year playing golf and one would never have known he hadn't a foot. The man who makes THE BEST false limbs, by the way - is a German - naturalised Englishman and he has all the orders for Roehampton - where the Tommies who want limbs go - he has sons fighting for the English - but it sounds rather odd.

The earwigs sound awful - they are about the most repulsive looking little insects there are I think - DO sleep with cotton wool in your ears - I don't think you will do for a minute all the same! I'm glad you're out of the line again for a short time at any rate. Do you know I've a fixed idea in my head, only the last two or three days - that you've got another awful trench raid to do, or another push coming on by your lot - it is a horrible thought and I try to squash it every time it crops up. I can't imagine why I think it because they'd surely never want you to do a second one.

I am sending you three more photographs of Emma's wedding that she sent me the other day but you might return these please as I haven't got any more. The two bridesmaids are Helen and Mary, her sisters. Emma seems frightfully bucked about being married - in her letter - and she says she's never been so happy in her life before etc. etc..... absolutely different from the Emma of yesterday! She says I'm to urge Flossie to get married so I think I'll write and tell her she is about to take her tip. Hugh Farrell got married on Saturday to the younger Van den Bergh girl - refugees from Antwerp.

I'm glad Hilda has passed her matric - she will be a fearful nib at Penrhos next term - head prefect or something I should think. They come home to-day and are coming to have tea with us to-morrow - it seems ages since I've seen them and I expect they will have grown up a good deal - but then it is still longer since I have seen you, my love. Kathleen Runton's boy is over this week from France - I am QUITE green with envy Cecil. I have dreamt of you two nights together and you seemed so real to me the second time.

Yours with love

Dora.

CMS. to Dora; 3.8.17

My Darling,

I expect to be seeing you again about the 20th. of this month. I go into the line with my company tomorrow, and I have heard on good unofficial authority that I get leave when we come out again. Major Jackson and another officer go off tomorrow, and the Transport Officer on the 15th., and I on the 19th. So we shall be able to go on to Filey. I hope there's a band there. I think we shall have good weather because it's so bad now, and appears to have set in for a week, so it must be fine by the 20th. I have heard that poor old Seed has had his foot taken off. It won't matter much because he'll get a cork one almost as good, and may even be able to play tennis. I may ask the War Office if there is likely to be an investiture whilst I am on leave and if so I shall apply to have my Cross presented and then we might get a couple of days in London and go to see "Romance".

We have had a concert tonight in our mess marquee and as the piano is still here there is a lot of noise so I must stop this very short letter, as I can't think. Anyhow you'll be bucked about leave. I'm just aching for you.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

CMS. to Dora; FIELD POST CARD; Post marked 8 Aug 1917

I am well.

Letter follows at first opportunity

Signed Cecil.

Date 7.8.17.

Dora to CMS; Sat. 4.8.'17

My Darling,

I'm glad you've got a company again - but still I think the adjutant's job is a safer thing. - I wonder how long the "temp capt" will be before it comes out in the gazette - I remember you were waiting for it to come out when you were on your last leave. I'm jolly glad you have decided to drop a hint about your leave at last - if I had been in your place I think I should have done it long ago - but you don't possess such a cheeky nature as I do I expect!

A fortnight in the trenches sounds a longer time than usual for you to be there - I should think you will be going in about now. It does seem a shame to think you are going into the beastly blinking trenches when I am here at Scarboro'. Father and I have come out into Holbeck Gardens this afternoon and it's simply delightful - I can see right across the bay from where I am sitting. Mother, Mrs. Todd, Flossie and I came yesterday morning - in the same train as your Mother and five of the kids - had a very jolly time - talked and teased each other mainly - both Hilda and Mabel have grown up a bit more I think - they were frightfully excited about coming away - I felt quite excited about getting away for the weekend even - it is delightful to get a breath of sea air again.

This morning we all went prowling round the old curiosity shops there are here - I'm frightfully keen on antique furniture altho' I don't know much about it - Pater knows more than I do by a long way. Flossie and William are gathering odd bits of antiques. William comes over this afternoon so Flossie has gone to meet him - she asked me to go too but I should have been bored with them and I expect they would be with me too so I'm improving the shining hour by writing to you. I'm so glad the red currant jelly wasn't smashed and Ma was sure it would be! I do hope the salad dressing wasn't bad after all that time and I'm quite sure that the cake would be as hard as a bullet! I've got the address of your people at Filey as well as the address for the Wilton House key and your Mother gave me them yesterday so it won't matter if you forget it. I do hope you will just manage to squeeze Filey in. Flossie will love you to go over and critisise her house at Beverley - I tell them both that you and I will learn by their mistakes.

Yours with love

Dora.

Dora to CMS; Wed. 8.8.'17

My Darling,

Your letter this morning about the 20th. sounds frightfully exciting - I do hope it really will come off this time - it is only about ten days now - DO be careful in the trenches this time and DON'T whatever you do get pipped just when you don't want it.

We came back from Scarboro' last night - had delightful weather and I hope it will be the same when you come over - it will be delightful at Filey - I believe there's a small band but not sure. There was a good one at Scarboro' but it would play nothing but "popular" stuff, which gets horribly boring after a little of it.

On Monday we went to Cayton Bay - between Filey and Scarboro' - it was simply gorgeous and a delightful little spot. Altogether we enjoyed ourselves very much and feel heaps better for the change - Bill Todd came from the Sat. and we had Ma Todd - who is frightfully proper - however we managed to survive it. The Crowe girls came over to see us yesterday from Reighton and I am to take you over one afternoon to have tea with them - we could easily walk along the sands - they are awfully jolly girls - I'm sure you'd like them.

Emma has just written to me in desperation - wanting a maid - she is only managing with one at present - she has begun her domestic troubles very early in life!

DON'T catch measles before you come or you WILL annoy me Cecil!

I am quite void of any news except that you're coming home soon - so goodbye.

Yours with love

Dora.

CMS. to Dora; 9.8.17

My Darling,

I haven't been able to write for the last few days as I have been in the front line, very busy. The Bosche tried to collar one of our forward posts one night, and landed a few bombs right in. Two of our rifles were broken but we were very fortunate in having noone hit. The colonel and I were there when the affair happened. The garrison of the post drove the Bosche back with bombs and rifle shots. Three of my men tried to run away and I had to stop them with my revolver. The following night one of my officers went out with a small party and retaliated on a Bosche post. A Bosche bomb burst a couple of yards in front of him, but did not touch him. We had a fairly quiet time in the front line and posts, and only got a few "fishtail" bombs and small minnenwerfers. A splinter of fishtail hit me on my helmet once.

We are having a short rest now in the support trenches before going up again. My servant has just been attending to my shirt, and has killed 17, red, white and black.

I am returning the photographs of Emma. I think they're awfully good. But they'll be better of you when you're taken like that.

I'm living in quite a comfortable cubby hole just now, with 3 beds and a table, and a little cookhouse near by.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

CMS to Dora; FIELD POST CARD; Post marked 17 Aug 1917

I am well

Letter follows at first opportunity

Signed Cecil.

Date 16.8.17.

Dora to CMS; 12.8.'17, Sunday aft.

My Darling,

I haven't heard from you since Wed. except a field p.c. y'day so I'm hoping the leave isn't altered from the 19th. - its only a week to-day - but it will seem a frightfully long unending week when I'm just longing to be with you again. I expect if you leave on 19th it will be the 20th. Monday that you will be here. Give me the train from London and I will meet you - turn up here any hour of the day or night as long as you come.

I was glad to get the field p.c. - by the papers it seems to have been rather warm all around.

I'm awfully glad we are going to get Filey in after all - it will be heaps nicer than staying in Hull I think. I suppose you couldn't possibly manage to waggle another day or two's leave until the 6th. for the wedding on Thursday - though I expect we should be awfully busy that week - but I do wish you could be here for it - by the way I am to be the bridesmaid after all.

There's a frightful thunderstorm going on so I do hope it will finish all it's raining this week before you come. I cycled to Beverley and back with the Runton girls and Enid Todd yesterday afternoon and picnicked for tea - I felt a frightfully wobbly novice - I haven't cycled for two years since we were at Reighton.

I believe I've got a rottenly putrid cold coming but I'm not absolutely certain yet - I jolly well hope not - I haven't had one for months and months - Flossie is revelling in one so I expect I've caught it from her.

Bye-bye for another week only,

Yours with love

Dora

CMS to Dora; 16.8.17

My Darling,

I am settling down and being cheerful and making the best of things and I hope you're doing the same. I have been to Arras today, and had lunch at the Officers' Club there. It's a nice place with a beautiful garden, in which there is a mountain ash rather like the one we're going to have.

I nearly came over my horse's head coming back. We were galloping across some open country, when we came to a partly filled hidden shell hole. My horse went right in and I slid up it's neck and looked over it's head. We just managed to right ourselves, so my first fall has still to come.

This evening I have been playing football for the company, and have managed to get both my feet badly kicked, and can't get my boots on now.

The parcels which were sent off to me last Tuesday arrived today, so I'm afraid unless I'm lucky, I shan't be getting a letter from you for a couple of days - it seems ages to wait. I suppose Flossie and Bill will have come back by now, feeling very sappy. I think they're very lucky in being able to be married just now and to have each other all the time. But when everthing's over I shan't be sorry you and I have gone through the pain of being separated for a long time, although it does hurt hard now.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Aunt Bertha to CMS; August 16th 1917

My dear Cecil,

How are you getting on all this time? It is such a long time since we heard anything of you, it is some time since we heard from Mother, some of the letters have gone to the bottom of the sea I am afraid. In all this terrible fighting where are you Cecil? Did we tell you we had very nice letters from your Dora, and we think her photo is beautiful, she looks very sweet and nice; I will write to her again soon. Mervyn now is engaged to a very nice young lady, she came to see us not long ago. I hope you two boys will be spared to enjoy much happiness with your two dear Sweethearts.

Auntie Mary and I want to wish you dear boy a happy Xmas, as happy as it can be during this awful war, please accept the hdks. with our love dear. We don't send socks etc. as we suppose you have plenty sent you from your home folk, so we usually make for the boys going from here or for the War Chest which distributes to all the boys alike. The hdks. are just a little token of our love dear. God bless and keep you dear boy amid all the dangers you are exposed to and bring you safe home again, if it is His will.

Grandma and Uncle Arthur send their love to you, Grandma is pretty well for her, and wishes she could see her big nephews and nieces sometimes. I wonder if Bob will have to go this year, dear old Bob. I wish the war was over, and he had not to go, though of course I know he is brave and wants to do his bit, but it is hard work for us who must stay at home to let all you dear boys go through such terrible experiences. Yet we know honour would not let you do otherwise.

Goodbye Cecil dear. Much love and many prayers from us all,

I am ever

Your loving

Auntie Bertha

Your name is on our intercession list and read out every Wednesday and you with all the other names on the list are prayed for..

Dora to CMS; Friday 17.8.'17

My Darling,

I think you have been having rather a rotten time in the trenches this turn but you must have done well to manage without losing any men.

I'm wondering after all if you are starting for home on the 19th. or not, as you never mentioned leave in your last letter - still I shall probably hear in the morning - I feel I can't get frightfully excited yet because I'm so afraid it will all be a wash-out again. I have had a frantic cold and have a horrible squeaky voice even now but I shall have got over it by the time you come.

Pater and I have been to see "Intolerance" to-day it is a film lasting 3hrs. and cost 1/2 million £s. - 6,700 performers and 5yrs. to make it - and it's AWFULLY miserable and a bit "high" too - people seem to be talking a lot about it so that's why we went - it isn't frightfully artistic either.

It's awfully wintry here to-day - I do hope the weather is going to pick up a bit for next week. Did I tell you I was going to be Flossie's bridesmaid after all? The pattern I am sending you is the colour. The stiff silk underneath is the lining and the flimsy mauve is the dress itself and the blue is let in under the mauve here and there as I have pinned it - I haven't had a really nice new frock for two years so this is quite exciting - I'm getting it done in good time so that you can see it and tell me how you like me in it when you come. I've been cutting hedges in our front garden this week and it's getting to look a little more respectable now.

I've been in town all day to-day shopping as well with Mother and Flossie - but it is nice to get home again. I often think of the little home we shall have someday and I don't mind how tiny it is as long as it is just to our two selves and I shall be there waiting for you when you get home after being in town all day. I always feel I want you now, in the evenings more than any other time - but I shall be seeing you soon.

Goodbye now, I must catch the post

Yours with love

Dora.

CMS to Dora; 18.8.17

My Darling,

It will be after the 20th. by the time you get this so I expect you'll be a wee bit disappointed that I haven't turned up. The dates have been altered a bit, but I have now been told officially that I get my leave on the 29th. of this month, so I hope to see you again on the evening of that day. It'll be nearly nine months since we said goodbye at Sheffield. I'm sorry it's so late because I should have loved to have gone on to Filey with you. I am hoping that we shall still be able to go there. I don't know what day my people come back. Anyhow I shall be home for Flossie's wedding.

We came out of the front line yesterday afternoon and are support for a few days before going into reserve, so I shan't go in the line again before leave. I'm getting quite excited about it.

We've been having some simply glorious sunrises here the last week. We all have to be up an hour before dawn waiting for the Bosche to come over, and it's well worth it for the sunrises. The trenches have been frightfully muddy and I could have grown potatoes on my feet when I took my boots off yesterday. This is my thirteenth day with my clothes on so you can guess I'm feeling a bit itchy. I killed eleven yesterday, and two big ones and a baby one today. Last time I came on leave Mother said I brought a few with me on my shirt, but I shall have been able to have had a good bath in my bucket before the 29th., so your Ma needn't be afraid of letting me into the house.

I expect you'll all be busy making Flossie's arrangements when I come, but I'll try not to get in the way.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Clifford Streat to CMS; Tuesday 21/8/17

Dear Cec.

Just seen two fellows from your Bn. so thought I would send a line.

How are you blowing? Sweating on leave? Congratulations by the way - haven't had an opportunity before. Saw Tom Slack the other day - I believe he is applying for a Commission.

Are you "fed up" with this business yet? We are on V.R. at present - shall be at M. St. Eloi by the end of the week.

Cec Niven and Shep send their kind regards

Yours

Clifford Streat. 10 EYR.

I am still a Bn. Runner, over 18 mos. on the job.

Dora to CMS; Tuesday 21.8.'17

My Darling,

I was frightfully disappointed when I got your letter this morning - I was quite expecting you to-day - still I'm getting over it altho' I should have loved to have gone to Filey and WAS looking forward to it - still we might get over yet - it depends how long your people stay there. Your Mother telephoned this morning to know if I had heard from you - but I was out with Ma and Flossie so I have written to her this afternoon to tell her you are not coming yet. I had an invitation to walk over with you to tea at the Crowes at Reighton and also at Miss Varley's at Hunmanby - the fiancée of a friend of Pa's who died. Anyway I'm glad you are coming for the wedding as Queenie and Frank are coming so it will be jolly with them too. I'm going to get all my work done before you come so I shan't have anything to do when you come - so you mustn't think you'll be in the way - I know Ma will be only too glad to have you. You needn't bother about being frightfully clean either - we can easily sterilise you and carbolise you.

The sunrises must have been lovely - we have had some gorgeous skies here lately and the weather has been better too so I do hope it will keep alright.

Pater and I were gardening on Sat. afternoon and we both felt a tingle of electricity with one flash that was awfully near. T'was quite exciting really.

Send a wire from London what time you arrive in Hull and I will meet you unless it is frightfully late at night then come straight down here in that case. We shall have to arrange about going to Filey when you've got here.

I'm awfully glad you haven't to go into the front line any more before leave. It will be nearly nine months since we were engaged when you go back again - I never thought then that it would be so long before I should see you again - anyway its only a week now - pip-pip - yet I can't imagine I shall see you so soon - it seems too good to be true.

Yours with love

Dora.

CMS to Dora; 23.8.17

Darling,

I'm sorry you've had such a rotten cold, but perhaps it's just as well because now you'll be sure of not having one for the wedding and for when we see each other again in a day or two. It's quite certain now that I come on the 29th. unless anything unforeseen occurs to stop it.

I'm awfully bucked about the sample of bridesmaid's dress which I got to-day. You'll look simply wonderful in it. I'm awfully glad I shall be able to see you in it, and at the wedding too. It's ripping to think I haven't to go into the line again before seeing you, and when I come back it's quite likely the Division will be coming out for a rest, and I expect the war'll end soon too. I expect you'll get this letter about the 28th or perhaps the morning of the 29th., so you can be expecting a telegram letting you know I've landed in England. A terrific thunder shower has just happened, with the above result. It's coming right through the tent. I'm having a very cushy time at present. I have eight officers in my company, six of whom are here, and I let them do the work, whilst I do the foreman stunt.

Well goodbye for a day or two. I saw you meeting me on Paragon Station in my dreams once, as I told you, and I wondered why my Mother wasn't there too. I didn't know then that my people would be at Filey. Rather strange isn't it?

Yours with love,

Cecil.

CMS. to Dora; TELEGRAM from Kings Cross; Dated 31, Aug. 1917.

Cheerioh Due Hull 6.13 Cecil.

CMS to Dora; TELEGRAM from Selby; Dated 31, Aug. 1917

Missed connection shant be in till about 8.0. Cecil.

Lord Chamberlain to CMS; TELEGRAM from Buckingham Palace; Dated 10 Sept. 1917

Your attendance is required at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday next the 12th. inst. at ten thirty o'clock am. Service dress. Regret that no one except those to be invested can be admitted to the Palace.

Kindly telegraph acknowledgment

Lord Chamberlain.

London.

WHW to WHS; 11 Sep. 1917

Dear Mr. Slack,

It is very kind indeed of you to allow my Dora to go with you to London on this occasion of a lifetime. As my wife told Mrs. Slack our condition is that we pay for her. I enclose cheque for £10. We hope you and Mrs. Slack will have a pleasant time.

With all kind regards

Yours faithfully

W.H.Willatt.

I was unable to get to Paragon Station until 5.7 pm. as my train into Hull was 17 minutes late so I regret I could not say goodbye to Cecil. Please wish him good luck which I feel sure he will have and come back safely. WHW.

War Office to CMS; TELEGRAM from War Office London; Date obscured

Your leave is extended to 13th. to attend investiture 12th.

You will receive further instructions from the Lord Chamberlain.

War Office.

CMS to Dora; TELEGRAM from Folkestone.; Dated 13, Sept 1917.

Goodbye for a short time.

Love from Cecil.

Copy of letter from Company Sergeant Major Percy Carr to Brunswick Methodist Chapel Minister; August 31st. 1917

Dear Sir,

You will be surprised to hear from me, and also tremendously surprised to hear of me being a prisoner.

I was wounded on 27th June through my right arm. I am pleased to say I am nearly better, and will soon be sent to a British Camp at Nurnberg.

How is dear old Brunswick? Please remember me to the young people at the Institute, and if any of them care to write will you please give them my address. You cannot realize what news from home really is to a prisoner. Also I would dearly like a line now and again from Mr. and Lieut. Slack. I hope he is a Captain by now. Would you be kind enough to put the Care Committee of the East Yorkshire Regiment in touch with me to send out food parcels. I should be very pleased if you would kindly do that for me. It is of utmost importance to us. We shall have to rely on the home people for warm clothing during the winter, which has already set in.

Please remember me to Mr. Rea, Mr. Blashill, the Misses Gibson, Mr. Simpson, Mrs. Halley, and all my friends at Brunswick.

Yours sincerely,

(sd) Percy Carr.

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