Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 26

The body of each letter is as transcribed by Lady Joan Slack. In each case the name or initial of the writer is followed by the recipient, the date (where known) and the address from which the letter was sent. For convenience, these have been presented in a common format. CMS is, of course, Cecil Moorhouse Slack.

CMS to Dora; 13.9.17

Darling,

I've got an empty feeling which makes me in a way feel sick. It's not sea-sickness or anything like it, it's just a sadness. I'm horribly miserable about leaving you again my sweetheart, leaving you in body that is, you yourself are here now looking over my shoulder as I write; I can feel you there. I want to put out my arms, and hug you, and kiss you again, and it's partly the knowledge that I can't that makes me feel sick.

I expect you're feeling pretty much the same old girl.

God knows how I long that all this War were over, and that you and I were together for always. Perhaps it is for our good though, I expect it must be. It certainly helps to show how much we love and want each other.

I left Folkestone about 12.30 and arrived at the above address about 2.45. My train does not go until 11.0am. tomorrow, so I shall get a good rest tonight.

I have struck a very nice room, with a writing table and a little arm chair. I am, sitting at the table now. My window looks out across the Channel. A gale is coming in from the sea, and it has begun to rain. I think I must have affected the weather. Attached to my room is a very nice bath etc. Tonight I shall have a hot bath soon after dinner, and shall then read in bed till 10.30. I shall always remember 10.30 to 11.0 each night, as our own particular time, and I know you'll remember it too.

I have been dozing on my bed a little, as I was very tired. I expect you've been feeling tired too, dear.

Please have your sleep out, or you'll be ill. You haven't had much the last fortnight you know.

Your sweetheart,

Cecil.

CMS to Dora; 14.9.17

My Darling,

I rejoined the battalion, which came out of the line yesterday, at about 6.30 this evening. I had a good rest last night although I didn't sleep very well.

My letter explaining why I hadn't turned up hasn't arrived yet, but they haven't been worrying about me

I'm still horribly fed, and shall do for a long time to come, until I see you again. It may come sooner than I think though.

You'll let me have the wedding snapshots as soon as you can, won't you. The photos and snaps I have of you at present are not quite what you really are as I knew you this leave. I am quite sure we have come nearer together. I thought we knew and understood each other as much as was possible the first time, and although I loved you with all my heart then my love seems even greater and stronger now.

I don't know what I should do if we hadn't fixed to think of each other at the same time each night. It does help a little, darling, to know for certain that you are thinking of me then, and trying to talk to me.

It did hurt today coming up in the train; the country was so beautiful, and there were such ripping little cottages about, and little houses, and I had to look at it by myself.

I know that you feel the same; but all will be well in the end.

Goodnight my sweetheart,

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Friday aft. 14.9.'17

My Darling,

I was glad to get your wire when I arrived home last night and I am hoping to hear you have arrived safely on the other side - in a day or two. After we left you - we had breakfast and then looked at all the shops and caught the 1.30 train - only just - I snoozed in the train I felt so dead - missed the connection at Selby and arrived in Hull about 8 pm.

I never seemed to realise that you had really and truly gone back again until last night when I was by myself - but I don't think it will be so long again before I see you again - 'tho' I felt rotten last night and missed you so much - I had a tremendous splash under the bedclothes too. I have all the different times I was with you to think about - when I feel lonely - and I am always thinking about you, my sweetheart. I am sure we have got to know each other more this time - it isn't that I love you more, Cecil, because I couldn't but our love is deeper and stronger than it was, I'm sure.

I really hadn't time at the last to thank you and tell you how happy I had been with you and how I had enjoyed all the times you had taken me out - but I was not alone with you after we left Hull and the time went so quickly in London. I am awfully glad I have been with you in London now - after all it is an event of a lifetime and I know now I should have been wishing I had been with you if I hadn't gone.

DIDN'T I feel proud of My Boy when he went into the Palace and came out again! I felt I was a lucky girl to have a boy like you. I know if it hadn't been for you talking to your Father I should never have been able to go too altho' at the bottom of it all I wanted to go badly but never thought it could be arranged.

I'm awfully glad you have seen "Romance" at last and that I was with you too - I liked it and understood it more the second time than the first. Perhaps after all I think we should have liked a revue better for your last night - it would have been jollier - still I enjoyed it very much anyway.

Here's some news! Wilfred Todd came over y'day afternoon (Wednesday I mean) to see his Ma but she was at Beverley - so he telephoned her to tell her he was getting married the next day Thursday (yesterday mg. 9.30) - Rather a bomb for her I think. Ma Todd wouldn't go over for the wedding but I believe her Pa and Ma were there but am not sure as they have not heard anything about the wedding yet. I think it's a frightfully risky step to take when they haven't known each other long - still it's their own look out. Bill seems rather upset about it by his letter as he says he feels more or less responsible for Wilfred now his Father is not alive.

I keep wondering whether you are back at the battalion or not by now - I have never felt surer that you will come back again safely to me and I know you will take care of yourself. I was thinking of you my love, hard last night - until I went to sleep - from 10.30 - but it was a long time before I could get off to sleep because of you.

I am in Beverley for the day to-day looking after Flossie's house - I believe they are coming back Tuesday or Wed. but am not sure which.

Hilda and Mabel are coming over on Monday to have a look at it. It has improved since you and I were here last - their bedroom suite is in - some of the living room furniture and other things too - they have got a lovely comfy setee in there now - it is simply delightful to curl up in. I'm thinking of our little nest to-day - I like Flossie's very much but I shall like ours better - because it will be just ours, I think, that's why.

The wedding proofs came this morning and they are awfully nice on the whole. The one with you, me and Wilfred in is very good - its awfully nice of you and pas mal of me either - I do wish you could see them. I will send you one of each of my snaps as soon as they come.

Goodbye now, my sweetheart - you have all my love,

from your own little girl

Dora.

P.S. Is that TOO sappy - but I feel it just now.

P.P.S. Please go to the dentist - AT ONCE CECIL

Dora to CMS; Sunday afternoon 16.9.'17

My Darling,

I thought I should get a letter from you this morning and I did - I'm glad you have got across the water safely and got a comfy little room - you must have been awfully tired and I do hope you feel rested now. As we left London, I noticed it started t'rain - I kept dozing in the train and dreaming about you, my love - so you see I was quite near you when you were writing to me.

I have come up into my room and am sitting at my desk under the window writing to you - I feel AWFULLY lonely without my sweetheart - I keep thinking of the two Sunday afternoons I have spent with you and when you wanted me on your knee and I put my head on your shoulder - I always feel wonderfully happy when I am in your arms Cecil, and when you kiss me - I feel I have your love which means everything in the world to me now - and you have mine just the same, my sweetheart. I miss you horribly now that I have settled down at home once more - I keep expecting you to come in and see me - like you did - but yet I know it will be a long time before you do come.

The time seems to go so slowly - it seems ages since I have seen you already yet it is only two days. I shall be awfully glad when the beginning of November comes, when I can get away nursing - it will make the time go twice as quickly when I shall be working hard all day. In a letter I got from the V.A.D. H.Qs. on Thurs. they say you can be drafted abroad after so many months service in a hospital in England. Would you like me to be sent to France?

I caught the 8.12 am. train to Beverley yesterday morning to let the painters into the house - they have finished all they have to do now and Mother and Mrs. Todd go on Tuesday to make up beds etc. and have stair carpets put down. I believe Flossie and Bill are coming back on Thurs. but am not certain.

I came home at noon yesterday and had a good sleep in the afternoon and felt heaps better for it. I am thinking about you at 10.30 to 11 every night and as soon as I wake up in the morning - I always have your identification wristlet on at nights - I like to feel it - it reminds me of you a bit more too. Everyone likes the little badge brooch you have given me - I always wear it - first - because my love has given it to me and because I like it as well.

Good-bye for the present my sweetheart - I'm just going to scratch a line to Bill and Flossie - I haven't written since you sent that p.c. from Scarboro'.

Your own little girl,

Dora.

WHS to CMS; Sept. 16 1917

My dear Cecil,

The contrast between the past fortnight, and the life you are now living will be very marked - We were more than pleased that you had such a good time, and needless to say you well deserved it.

You will not be surprised to hear that the more we see of Dora, the more we like her, and how glad we are that you have chosen a girl and have been accepted by one who will brighten your life and mean so much to you in years to come - I was very pleased it was possible for her and for Mother to get the London trip and thus make your return more pleasant than it otherwise would have been - if you had returned on the Sunday evening it would scarcely have been possible.

Captain Willatt called at the Office yesterday - I told him I had some money to return to him, but he would not listen to me, and said I was not to offend him by referring further to the matter as he was very pleased Dora had had such a good time -

I received the enclosed from Rev. W.H. Hemp re Synod resolution, which I have suitably acknowledged.

You will be amused with the photo snap shot which will reach you shortly - Mother looks happy and decidedly rakish - Dora comes out well with a smiling face. You are fast asleep so far as your eyes are concerned but your mouth full of laughter shows you are very wide awake - As for me, I am as serious as a man about to be hanged -

Bob was in for a short time to-day. He had varied experiences with his motor bike, and almost turned it inside out before he returned -

It was fine to have you all home again under one roof. We shall feel lonely next week after the scholars return to school -

Quite by chance to-day I came across a photograph, which I had forgotten I had taken from the shore, as the “Britannia” left Melbourne, when we left Australia about 23 years ago - You appear as a little lad of less than 2, in my arms, with Mother at my side - You will be interested in seeing it some day - Many things have happened since then, and if anyone had suggested you would become an Army Officer, engaged in world warfare, I should have said impossible, for at that time most of us thought that big wars belonged to the past, and that arbitration would settle all disputes - What blind fools we were.

Leslie is to be married on Oct. 20th. - He has just been made Corporal.

The clocks are to be put back an hour to night, so that there will not be any more long light evenings this year.

Harold reported one of his cockerels missing a night or two ago, and though diligent search was made it could not be found - next morning whilst we were at breakfast he came into the dining room with it under his arm - "Oh Mother, it is wet through what shall I do to it" It had spent the night under the food bowl, which evidently it had upset whilst standing on the edge and had not been able to liberate itself -

He ran in quite excited last night with a weird story about a rat which had bitten his heel whilst attending the fowls!

With love

Your affectionate Father

W.H. Slack

Dora to CMS; Tuesday 18.9.'17

My Dearest,

It was a lovely surprise to get another letter from you this morning - I didn't think one would manage to get through so quickly once you had joined the battalion again. I'm very glad you are not in the line and hope you'll be out for a good long time yet.

It's just a month ago to-day since we went to London - it seems ages ago in one way - yet in another it only seems like yesterday. Yes, my sweetheart. I still feel horribly sad inside me, because I am wanting and missing you so badly - but I think about all the beautiful days we had together - just the two of us - and it comforts me a wee bit when I think about the times I have had with you - then I think about you, and just you at 10.30 - sitting on your knee with my head on your shoulder - with your arms round me - and I try to believe and imagine its real - but its awfully hard, Cecil my sweetheart. But yet it does help to think that you are just thinking of me and of nothing else during that special little half hour of the day. Then there are the thoughts of what is in store for us both when all this is over - and the thought of that happiness all helps just now when we cannot be together. I wonder if it will be a greater happiness than what we have had during your leave. I feel I couldn't be happier than I was then. We put our clocks back an hour early on Monday morning - so I wonder if you have done the same out there yet.

Frank sent some photographs this mg. there is quite a nice little one of you and me together - I have sent them all for your Mother to look at but I will send them to you on Thursday. Hilda rang up y'day mg. and said would we join them at the theatre for “Daddy Longlegs” so we all went last night - and enjoyed it thoroughly only I was wishing you could have been there too. It is awfully sweet on the stage and I shall take you to see it sometime - I know you would like it. Hilda and Mabel asked me to help them to choose the silver wedding present so I have been this morning. We went practically into every jeweller's shop in town - Barnby and Rust's had nothing suitable - so eventually found one at Elven's in Savile St. - Norman was there too and seems to like the choice - It is a silver vase affair after the style of ours - only four little vases jutting out instead of three and a slightly different pattern.

Two names are to be inscribed on each side of the bottom of the main stand. Then on the upper part of the middle vase is to be inscribed 1917-W.H.S. - 1892 - W.S. one on each of its four sides - the initials to be in monograms - I feel sure you will like it - anyway it was the best thing we could do in Hull - £6.10.0 and the engraving will be about 7/6 - they have got £6.17.6 - so that is just right isn't it. Felt very honoured when they asked me to help them.

I have washed my wig this afternoon and am just drying it by my bedroom gasfire now - so I feel more or less like an owl in a bush of fuzz! It seems quite like winter to me now that you have gone - and the weather has changed a bit too.

Goodbye my darling,

Your little girl

Dora.

Dora to CMS; Thursday 20.9.'17

My Darling,

You seem to have had some narrow escapes with horses and football etc. since you went back! Flossie and Bill arrive back again to-day at 4 pm. - they went to York yesterday - spent the night there and were leaving at noon today. Mother and Mrs. Todd went off at 8.am. this morning to get everything ready for them. I expect Bill and Flossie will begin to feel sappy when they are by themselves in their own little nest - it must be lovely to come home to one's OWN home - I feel awfully envious of them today. I have felt much more cheerful and settled the last day or two - until today - and now I miss you horribly again - I simply can't settle down to do anything because I want you so badly, my sweetheart. Two big splashes have just dropped on the paper - I know you'll think to yourself I'm an awfully weak and silly kid - but I can't help it a bit to-day - Cecil - I've had several other little splashes to myself to-day as well. I think I shall feel better when I can get away nursing - then I shall have plenty of hard work and not much time to myself to get silly and miserable in. Don't think I'm too silly - if I could just sit on your knee and put my head on your shoulder now - it would soon take the horrible lump away that keeps coming into my throat. I'm glad you are feeling more cheerful and settling down now - I think it must be a bit easier when you are amongst a lot of young people and not by yourself much. Well, I won't say any more about it all - but I felt I must tell you 'cause I wouldn't dream of letting anyone know how I feel sometimes.

Hilda and Mabel and I had quite a jolly day yesterday - I forgot to take the door key of Flossie's house so had to get a ladder and climb into her bedroom - only to find her bedroom door locked! However we went round to a locksmith and borrowed a tray full of keys and managed to find one to fit out of them - I must have been a bit potty to forget the key! They liked the house very much but none of us like the stair carpets - they are fawn - the same colour as the walls - and with everything fawn except the dark brown paint - it makes things look awfully cold and monotonous and a wee bit gloomy. We must have something a bit more cheery anyway but yet I like soft colours. I have sent a parcel off to you to-day - choc. cake - flash light - Bystander and Tatler and the wooly affair that Aunt Yetta made you. Would you mind scratching a little note to her - she would be awfully pleased - her address is Mrs. Yetta Willatt, 1, Bridgeford Rd, West Bridgeford, Nottingham. She is my great aunt and lives with Frank Willatt's mother and knows all about the wedding etc. as she will have seen Queenie and Frank since they got back.

Hilda rang me up to-day to go for tennis on Saturday and stay the evening - I s'pose Norman went back to-day so the family is gradually dwindling down again. We called for the silver wedding present yesterday and it is awfully nice - the names look quite nice and the dates too - I'm sure you will like it when you see it. I am sending you four photographs of the wedding today that Frieda took - those that Queenie took - I sent for your Mother to see on Tuesday and the girls brought them back yesterday and I put them in my bag but they are not there now - I can't imagine what has happened to them - I wanted you to have them too - there was such a happy one of you and me together that I wanted you to see. If I can't find them - altho' I have hunted all over the house I will ask Queenie to send me the films so that I can print some more - I'm awfully sorry - I think perhaps I might have dropped them and I tried to be so careful with them because I wanted you to have them. Here is a little slip that was in last night's Hull Mail - I know you will be interested but will probably have heard already.

Goodbye my dearest.

Yours with love

Dora.

Cutting from Hull Mail pinned to this letter.

The engagement is announced of Lieut.-Col. W.T.Wilkinson, D.S.O., K.O.S.B., younger son of the late Colonel Wilkinson and Mrs. Wilkinson, Weston Lodge, Malton, and Evelyn Sibyl, younger daughter of the Rev. H. and Mrs. Ward, of the Vicarage, Amotherby, near Malton.

CMS to Dora; 21.9.17

My Darling,

We go up the line this afternoon, and shall probably be in support by the time you get this letter. It's a quiet part of the line. I got your letter on Thursday, and another one yesterday. I have read them several times and have ached to be with you.

It's rather sudden about Wilfred Todd, isn't it? It's hardly playing the game.

It's all rot about thanking me for giving you a decent time when I was home, because I was quite as happy as you, and have never enjoyed a fortnight more. It's up to me to thank you. But we both understand each other, so what's it matter.

I am not putting my big photograph of you on my “dressing table” but have got out the one which Harry Quant enlarged from a picnic one. You are giving my Auntie's dog a piece of sugar. I think it's a nicer photograph, and looks more like you. I have it in my pocket book, now that I'm going into the line.

I'm not very keen on your V.A.Ding in France unless you really want to, because we should probably miss each other when we got leave, and that would about out me. You can do useful work in England. I shall be glad for your sake when you start again, it will take your mind off waiting and aching a bit.

You don't stop thinking of me at 11.0 at night just because it is 11.0, do you? Because I go on till I fall off to sleep. I was thinking for hours last night.

I had a cold bath this morning in the open: it's beginning to get rather nippy for that sort of thing, and I don't suppose I shall have many more.

Yours with love,

Cecil

Dora to CMS; Sat. 22.9.'17

My Darling,

I have only just time for a scrappy note - have been out in town this mg. - and met Hilda and Mabel so took them to coffee - so it made me later home than I expected. I am just going to change for tennis as they expect me down at Wilton House about 3 pm. and it is after 2 now.

I feel heaps more cheerful to-day - and the war news looks more cheerful too. I am sending the photographs after all - Nurse Waddington found them on the floor at the Infirmary so I must have dropped them somehow. Keep which ones you like and swish back the others. My photos won't be ready till the middle of next week - it is a swiz as I'm dying to see them. Had a note from Marjorie Barker to-day and she is in Grimsby for a week and wants us to go over - she's no idea Flossie is married yet - however I am going to telephone her and see if she can come for a night or two to Beverley and I will go over too.

MUST go now, my sweetheart, so Goodbye - life seems far more worth living to me to-day altho' I wish I could find you at Wilton House when I get there this afternoon.

Heaps of love from

Your little girl

Dora.

xx.

Dora to CMS; Tuesday night. 25.9.'17

My Darling,

I was so glad to get a letter from you again this afternoon - it seemed ages since last Thursday when I got the last one. It was rather nice when I got this one this afternoon - we had a Zepp raid last night so I felt so dead that I laid down in my room and went fast asleep - I was having a simply lovely dream about you - you had taken hold of my hand and arm and we were laughing and talking and you seemed so real and loveable - then Mother came into the room and woke me up and gave me your letter - so it wasn't so bad waking up and leaving you after all when I had your letter to read. When ever I get into bed I always begin thinking of you, my sweetheart, till I go to sleep - whatever time it is - and it is often late that I lie awake thinking of you - and what you are doing - I think of you puffing your old pipe and thinking of me and I like to think I am sitting beside you sometimes.

It's rotten to think you are in the line again but I suppose it has to be - still I know you will be kept safely through it all. We had quite a lively time last night. The buzzers went at 11 pm. when I had been in bed about 3/4 hour - Ma made me get up and we all dozed downstairs and a bomb woke us up at 2.45 am. - there were one or two explosions but the search lights never caught it - they were on until 5 am. and the relief went at 5.30 am. but we got rather fed and went to bed at 4 am. that's why I was so sleepy to-day. They have been very near the Naval Hospital and an aerial torpedo went into its garden and broke some windows and the Matron and Fleet Surgeon nearly got a brick against their heads! I am sending you my snapshots I took and you took as well - I think the one of you and your Mother is AWFULLY nice - it is just like you both - I like the one of you winking at me in the bath chair too. Those I took at your house the first Sat. aren't very good as the light was so bad. I haven't had developed those of the last Sat. at Wilton House yet. - I don't do them myself now as I haven't had time lately so I take them to Doughty's.

It is a huge joke about that letter that you got about taking hold of a girl's arm on a station platform - nobody would know your name on Vic. Station in London so it couldn't have been then - also how did they know your name in Hull if they didn't speak to you? I wonder if it is a rag really by somebody - I have thought once if it would be Col. Rob. Hall who was there when we saw Flossie off - he lives next door to us and rather enjoys a joke - what do you think? I roared with laughter about it when your Ma told me - they evidently wanted something to do!

Have seen several E. Yorks Tommies and an officer with a yellow patch on leave in town - he looked a bit like Douglas Clarke so I wonder who he was.

I saw Tom Ferens in the London Joint Stock this mg. and he was teasing me about getting you into trouble taking your arm or something! I like the photograph of Pa taking your shoulder and the others there too!

Your Mother said on the telephone to-night that she was awfully glad to get a letter from you on their wedding day - I knew you would be thinking a lot about them on Sunday - they said they had a very happy day and only wished you all could be there. They like the silver vase awfully and all the names. Flossie and I saw Hilda and Mabel off to Penrh^s again this mg. - it reminded me of the times when I used to go back - still I would sooner have my life now with you to love than those days altho' I loved those times - Ma Hovey used to say that our school days would be the happiest days of our life but I don't think so now and we might have still happier days when we have our nest mightn't we? We had a very jolly day yesterday - Marjorie came from G'by by the early boat and we went out to Beverley for lunch - she likes the house very much and I think things are looking a little more habitable -

Marjorie Richardson - swish - looks awfully well - much better than I have seen her look for sometime - she is awfully happy too - she sees her husband for seven days - he comes up to her about 4 pm. and goes at 7.30 the next mg. - then he is out in his submarine in the Atlantic for 12 days - but Marjorie says the time soon passes and she has one or two of the other officers wives to be with. She is over in Grimsby for a week and goes back on Thursday. We met Frieda, Enid and Miss Walley in town for tea - for them to see her - so it was quite jolly - except that Enid wanted a pin sticking into her to make her a little less glum! I don't think I shall get a chance of being sent to France now - as one has to serve about six months in a home hospital once and I hope the war will be over by then - do you think it will? - I simply couldn't be in France and know you were on leave in England - still the only thing is I'd like to have the experience - still if you don't want me to - I don't mind. It's beginning to get a bit nippy here in the mgs. now but I'm going to try and keep on with the cold dips as long as I can but of course it is not so bad as you - I haven't to bang outside into the cold. It is 9.15 now and I'm going off to bed to get my Zepp night sleep out - I do hope you'll like the photos. I'm going upstairs to think of you now, so goodnight my dearest,

Yours with love

Dora

CMS to Dora; Wednesday 26.9.17

My Darling,

I haven't been able to write for the last four days as I have been in the front line and have had a lot to do. We had a good deal of strafing this time and were lucky in having only two men hit in the company. The trench was knocked in in several places by minnenwerfers and shells. I nearly got pipped by a sniper yesterday morning. I was out in no-man's-land in the morning mist, and his bullet cracked past my left ear. The Bosche had been making rather a noise issuing his rations, so I went out and with a rifle grenadier sent a couple of grenades across, which quietened him. We came into reserve last night, and are very comfortable. I was able to get into pyjamas last night. We go in again soon but my company doesn't go into the front line this time. After that we are going to have a rest.

It's awfully good of you to help Hilda etc. to choose the silver wedding present. It sounds a very nice one.

Your letter containing the snaps of Frieda's was waiting for me when I got in last night, also the parcel. Thanks so much for the cake, lamp etc. We are having the cake for tea in a few minutes.

I'm awfully sorry you're feeling so fed up, sweetheart. I know JUST how you feel. Here's some news to buck you up a bit. The Colonel brought it third hand from Lloyd George:- “Peace negotiations will be well on the way before Christmas”.

Quite apart from this I think the war will end this year.

I will write to your Aunt Yetta, thanking her for the helmet. I used it last night, as my dugout, which is above ground, has no door.'

I like the snap shots very much. I'm sorry the others have been lost, but I shall see more prints later on.

We saw the announcement of the Colonel's engagement in the Times. It's very interesting, and we're frightfully bucked about it. Do you know, he was at Scarborough the day we were there. I'm awfully sorry we missed seeing him.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Friday evening, 28.9.'17

My Ownest Sweetest Darlingest Ducksey-Wucksey, !!!!

I came here on Thursday to help Flossie to get her house a bit straighter - she is frightfully curious about how I begin my letters to you so I have written the above for her benefit! Hope it will soak in - and probably she won't be so curious in the future!!! The house is much more finished than the last time you saw it - the sitting room is much more liveable than before - huge comfy settee and big arm chair (I think you must have a big arm chair) and Bill bought a bureau to-day that Flossie was rather keen on. The spare room is quite comfy to sleep in too and I like the house very much indeed. Some dining room chairs came yesterday and various oddments from London - I think we must have a look round the shops there before we go and do the deed. Flossie and I are going in town in the morning and then I am going home again at noon.

I have just been talking to your little Ma on the telephone - no special news but sends her love to you. The girls arrived safely in Colwyn Bay and Harold is getting on well with his new governess and has also found a double yolked egg to-day - I expect you will be getting another thriller from him soon.

I sent you a nice cake off yesterday - it really looked quite nice and “shoppy” when it came out of the oven so I hope it isn't biffed much when it arrives and that it tastes all right. I am writing this in front of the fire so hence the scrawl. I hope I shall be getting a letter from you to-morrow - write as often as you can, sweetheart.

I'm quite cheery now again - and sprightly - Bill has had to go back to Hull again to-night for his R.E. Volunteers - he will be in again in a few minutes so I shall be hopping off to bed again soon before I feel too much de trop!

I hope you haven't had a very rough time in the trenches this time. How do you like the photos outside Buckingham Palace - we all look rather killing I think - I could roar at the whole picture - they have made your little 'tache a bit too big I think! - By the way, Bill is growing a 'tache, or rather trying to - which is more to the point - 'cause Flossie thinks it would improve his face a bit I think.

Goodnight now till 10.30 -

Yours with love

Dora

FWT. adds:

for once I WASN'T curious! had forgotten all about it. She usually writes the WHOLE letter and puts in the "Ducky Wucky" after!! Your devoted soeur

Florence W. Todd

DW. adds:

Don't believe it - its all rot.

D.W.

Dora to CMS; Monday 1.10.'17

My Darling,

The weather is keeping simply gorgeous - it is just like that day we had in Filey - not a bit cold yet except in the early morning. I came back from Beverley on Sat. morning and went down to Wilton House in the afternoon for tennis - it was a gorgeous day - Mr. and Mrs. Harvey played and Tommy Dodds - I quite enjoyed it - it was lovely to have another game - and I think my play was a slight improvement on the frantic and futile efforts I displayed the last Saturday you were at home!

It was rather a pity we didn't run into the C.O. the day we were in Scarboro' - I should loved to see what he is like when I've heard so much about him.

Pater is expecting his majority in the gazette anyday now - he has had a notice from the War Office about it. He has got it through length of service in a field coy. Nice and cheery news that sounds about old Lloyd George - I think it will be over next year anyway and of course I shan't object if it winds up this year - but it will have to be pretty quick if it is going to be over so soon.

I hope by now you will have got all the photos also the London ones your Ma sent - I think they are killingly funny.

I am in a terrible hurry to-day - I met Pa this mg. and we bought some piano records at Holders - they had a sale on and we picked up some ripping ones at 1/-, 2/- and 4/- each - good classical stuff too! Now, I am just going to take my bridesmaid's frock to have the collar made right and see what can be done about the tea stain - I have never touched it since you left. Also I have met Miss Stewart who is coming to stay with us a few days - she is Rev. C.C. Stewart's sister - she is rather a nib in the brain line - but not very beautiful to look at - she got her B.A. without ever going to school or college - just being taught by her father.

I feel quite cheery now-a-days - sweetheart - but I always like the time when I go to bed and think of you. Goodbye now, my love, I must go -

Yours with love

Dora

CMS to Dora; 2.10.17

Darling,

Thanks so much for the snapshots taken by you and Queenie. I got yours last night and I think some of the wedding day ones are perfect. I particularly like the one of you and Mother together, and Mother and me, and you by yourself standing up. I think the one of Flossie and Bill, standing on the mat is very nice. The photos from your camera which I like best are the four I've just mentioned and the ones of you and me in the deck chairs. It's very difficult to say which of these six I like best, but I think it's the one of you in the deck chair. It's so delightfully real, and reminds me so much of our first Sunday afternoon.

That little affair about being told I was seen arm in arm with a girl on the station rather seems to have attracted my people's attention. Of course it wasn't a strafe really. I got the letter from Norman Ingleby, and he said he didn't blame me a bit and would most certainly have done the same if he was home on a short 10 days' leave after nine months out here. In fact, he said, he would have hugged and mauled his girl. He was awfully pleased with the bowl. The colonel saw it when he was at Hornsea, and he liked it very much too.

Mother is awfully bucked about the gravy boat your Pa and Ma gave them for their silver wedding. She says she has wanted one like that for a long time, and I know she's very pleased indeed about it.

I'm glad you and Flossie saw Hilda off to Penrhos. My schooldays at Rydal too were my happiest until I became engaged to you, but of course I loved you then in my schoolboy way, and used to look forward to Sundays, when I should see you in Chapel. You know how I used to wonder, as I have told you before, if it would ever come to what it has. It all seems very great and beautiful to me. I wonder if it COULD be possible to be happier than we were a few weeks ago. If so it must be very wonderful.

You tell me to keep from Queenie's snapshots the ones I like and to let you have back the others. I like 'em all, but if this means that you wont have any prints I'll send some back.

I am in the reserve trenches at present, but by the time this reaches you we shall be well out, and shall probably stay out for some time.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

x x

WS to Aunt Florrie; Oct. 3rd. 1917

My dear Florrie,

It is more than time that I wrote to you, but when you know that when we returned from Filey, we were all home, (Cecil and Bob included) and a school friend of the girls and Dora for the week-end and ONE maid of 16yrs old, you will understand what a busy time it has been. Dora was with us for both week ends when Cecil was here. After Cecil returned to France there was much to be done to get the children ready for school. We had a rush, and were not able to make blouses at home this time. It is just a week since Hilda and Mabel returned to Colwyn and I have been straightening up ever since. I have a second maid now, a girl of 19, never been out before, good education, very willing, obliging and anxious to please, but rather simple. Asks the errand boys to wait in the hall! and rather inclined to ask them into the dining room to sit down! A third maid (between) of 18, comes in on Friday. Nellie (who was between maid) 16 yrs is anxious to be in the kitchen, I am cook and she helps, and is keen on learning cooking.

To-morrow night she starts at regular cooking classes, for which I am paying. She will make a good cook in time. She cooks the Sunday dinner quite nicely, and to-night cooked a chicken, bread sauce etc. to perfection. It is infinitely nicer to have a young girl like this, who is keen on learning, than an old one who does not wish to do much, and will sit down and watch others work. Nellie can do most of the dishing up now, and makes gravy and sauces quite nicely.

No more about domestics to-night. Now about Filey and Cecil. We had a very nice time at the sea side, and all feel the benefit of the change since coming home. Cecil arrived the day after we returned. He looked very well, but tired and thinner than when he was home before. He and Dora were about a good deal together and had a good time. On the Saty previous to his returning to London, he received a telegram extending his leave for three days in order to attend the Investiture at B. Palace on Wednesday. Hurriedly it was decided that Will, Dora and I went to London with him. We went on Tuesday night and accompanied Cecil to B. Palace gates on Wednesday morning. Beyond that, we were not allowed to go, so we waited and watched for 1½ hrs until he came out again, when we joined him, and on leaving were "snapped" by some of the many photographers about. Enclosed is one, which will interest you. After lunch we went to see “Romance” at one of the Theatres , and in the evening were dissipating again.

Next morning Cecil had to report at Victoria Station at 10 to 7, and Dora and I went with him. We felt rather miserable after he had gone, but went and had some breakfast, then set off and had a few hours looking round London. After an early lunch we caught the 1.30 train from King,s Cross and missed the connection at Selby by about 3 minutes, so had 1 ½ hrs to wait on the Station, as it was too wet to go outside. We reached Paragon at 8.15 instead of 6.15 pm. feeling tired and dejected. But we had had a good time in London. Hilda and Norman were left in charge at home and everything was all right.

Harold started school lessons with his Governess a week ago, and is slowly settling to steady work again. He finds it a little irksome, but that is not to be wondered at, after the free life he has been leading. Miss Yates is not young but experienced and patient. She is teaching little Kitty music, and Kitty is happy and pleased with her work.

Leslie was in last week. He looks well. I cannot go to the wedding, Will is uncertain at present. They are going to live in rooms at Beverley. Renee will find it lonely during the day when Leslie is at work.

Bob came in for tea last night. His name comes third on the list for the next draft to go to France. I hope it will not be for a long time. We had a Zep. visit the night before the girls returned to school. London residents must be absolutely nerve-racked. It is awful.

Please thank Mater for her long and interesting letter, which I will try and answer the first opportunity. My correspondence is much behindhand. I am glad Mater has been able to get away for a change it will do her good. Mrs. Melling stopped me in Filey one day and introduced herself. She was quite pleased.

Very much love from your affectionate sister

Winnie

Except where otherwise stated, the copyright in all of the archives and letters on this site is held by Sir William Willatt Slack and the Slack family. Copyright in teaching resources and materials on this site belongs to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Please acknowledge intellectual property rights by giving the URL of any pages you use, and/or include the © copyright symbol. Suggestions for improvement are welcome. Thank you.