Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 32

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; Monday 4.2.18, 9.45 p.m.

Darling,

I haven't written for a long time, but get not the wind up, for I still love you and ache for you. I am getting very restless and have a “longing” feeling , now that my leave is so near. I expect to be home about the beginning of March. It would be ripping if we could be chaperoned to Colwyn Bay. Father wrote some days ago and said he expected to be going over to visit Penrhos about March 9th. when there is some sort of play on, and suggested that I should go too if leave permitted, but I don't want to go much without you. If your Ma and mine came as well it would be rather nice. We MUST get there together though.

I've been very busy lately and that's why I haven't written. We've been moving about every two or three days. I had time to write two or three days ago but had a rotten sort of headache due to a lot of work with only 3 hours sleep out of the 24. I am living in a stuffy little pill-box now, and though not by any means comfortable, have been in many worse places. We ought to be in a much better pill-box really, but the colonel who should have been here is such a very fat man that he couldn't get in and out without being very ill, so we had to change houses with him, and gave up a very good place.

I knew about Harry Quant, but said nothing, as Father told me as a secret. I think I know the girl by sight, and if she's the one I think, she's rather nice. The C.O. was married on the 31st. but we haven't seen anything about it in the paper yet. I think the girl he has married is about 30. We are having a very quiet time in the line and not very dangerous.

I am hoping to get my month's leave about August or September if leave continues at it's present rate, which I think it will. It'll be quite nice if we could be together at Filey or somewhere like that, wouldn't it!

I'm going to lie down for a bit now and talk to you. I've got to get up again at midnight, and possibly more times if the telephone buzzes.

By the way, I expect to be a pukka captain soon - it may appear in the gazette any day now. It'll mean two bob a day more.

Goodnight sweetheart for a few minutes, whilst I look through a few papers and make my bunk tidy.

x x

Yours with love,

Cecil

Dora to CMS; Monday 3.45 p.m. 4.2.'18

My Darling,

I've got the full fortnight's leave - pip-pip - and am quite wild with excitement! I asked Commandant for it this noon and she never hesitated - have agreed to stay on for six months here - but its worth it. I do hope it isn't all off now and leave is a washout.

Can't write any more, old boy - I'm too excited - We have got a concert on to-night and the Sandhurst orchestra coming so it ought to be good.

Heaps of love and x x x.

Dora

Hartley goes up to town for two days leave to-morrow - her people are coming up.

CMS to Dora; Saturday 9.2.18, 11.30 p.m.

Darling,

I got your letter today saying you've got a fortnight's leave. I can't say on paper how glad I am but I'll let you know when I see you. Please don't say that it's a fixed date because I'm not at all certain of coming before the end of the month - Major Jackson's such a silly old fool for one thing and I daren't leave him. It's definite though that I come NOT LATER than the 1st. week of March. I'll let you know the exact date as soon as I can, and then when I do push off I'll send you a wire from the boat. If I come via Boulougne and Folkestone, I think I get to Victoria at about 1.30 p.m. and if I come via Calais and Dover I think I still arrive at Victoria and at about the same time - 1.30 p.m.

I will push off across to Waterloo and having found out what time to expect a train from Ascot direction will wend my way to the 1st. class waiting room and wait. I will first of all though see if there is a telegram for me at the R.T.O's. office at VICTORIA AND ALSO at his office at WATERLOO. You are a very businesslike young person to think of this! It is a splendid idea of yours. If, by chance you can't get up that afternoon let me know by wire, and I will spend the night in town and meet you the next day. The Colonel's marriage has come off, and we got a piece of the cake today. His wife was pulled up for driving a car, without a light fine and costs only as a wedding present. We collected, from past and present, over £80 to get a present for the C.O. He is awfully pleased about it. It's midnight now, and I must to bed, but I'll still think of you although it is after 10.30, and try to talk with you in my dreams.

Goodnight my love, and heaps of these-x x, (they'll be pukka ones soon, won't they!)

Your sweetheart,

Cecil

Mabel to CMS; February 9th, 1918

Dear Cecil,

I thought I would be a dutiful sister for once and write to you, as it is such a long time since I did the deed.

We are having a merit holiday next week which is a new invention this term, there are only 27 girls who haven't got it - so you see what a good school we are at. It only lasts from 2.30 to 5.30 but I expect we shall have a decent time, as we are going on a paper chase.

A girl has run away this week, poor weak thing - I think she went because she had quarrelled with her friends, and therefore felt her troubles too heavy to bear, but perhaps she will recover now she is at home.

The Catterall Quartet is coming here - so I hope it will be nice - they are all stringed instruments so I hope it won't be boring.

We had hockey on the sands in the pouring rain yesterday, and we could [not?] play awfully well as we had great long rain-coats hanging round our legs, two Rydal boys seemed to be very interested - were you ever smitten so?

I have to go to a measly dinner now.

Very much love from

Your affec. sister

Mabel.

P.S. SOME long letter.

Dora to CMS; Saturday 9.2.'18, 8.30 p.m.

My Darling,

I've just got your letter of the fourth, I've been simply dying for a letter from you as I hadn't had one for a whole week, (it was a whole week last time too) except for a p.c. this morning - still I'm happy now - I HAVE longed for you and ached for you all this week - it must be because your leave is getting near now, but I was expecting you about the 16th. - but you have evidently postponed it a fortnight - all the same it will be better so that the 9th will be whilst you are in England. I shan't want to leave you while you are over, Cecil, so if you go to C.Bay DO take me with you sweetheart. It's probably rather selfish of me to want to be with you all the time when you see so little of your Pater. The Commandant expects my going away in a week's time but I will tell her it is later, but if you CAN tell me about the date it will be, it would be better as she has to get someone ready to call in to do my work.

What a rotten little pill-box you are in and you must have been tired with only 3 hours sleep out of 24 - I'm like a worn-out-rag if I miss my sleep. I have been awfully tired all this week as I've done Hartley's work, as well as my own, whilst she's been in town. I've signed on 'till the end of June to get this fortnight's leave - but it's worth it - I haven't told Mother I'm staying on 'till then yet.

Sunday 1 p.m.

Hartley and I had promised to fetch Sister Sheppard from “Durley” at 9 p.m. and I felt tired and rolled into a s'nice hot bath (arn't you envious) and rolled off to sleep afterwards - thinking about you, my darling. I do wish this war were over, I'm so tired of it Cecil, and we could be always together and have our little home. Have just been to church - I wonder if we shall have been to C. Bay chapel this time a month today.

Hartley and I and Nicholson went to the pictures y'day afternoon for a wheeze and they weren't half bad, then we went on to the Nicholson's for tea - she's only 19 but a very jolly girl and works here. In the evening the Aldershot bus drivers and conductresses came here and gave the men a concert - an awful wash-out of a concert and "high" too!

I took a cadet from Sandhurst out to tea on Wednes.! Don't get the wind up, old boy, we were staying with the Cartwright's in Oswestry just as war broke out - Mrs. C. and Mother write to each other every Xmas and she asked Ma if I would look up Jack who is at Sandhurst - a kid of 18. Mother told me to look him up the end of Dec. but never bothered until I heard from his sister Cicely the other day so I've done my duty at last. On Wed. night Nicholson, Cook Stanford and I went to quite a good concert got up by one of our nurses - a Curzon girl - relation to the Earl Curzon-. It was very good except for Lady Irene Curzon who sang - simply TERRIBLY - and everyone encored her for pure cussedness - frightfully affected and flat. The other turns were very good - they had got people down from the Alhambra.

I'd love to go to Filey, if we can manage it, during your month's holiday in the summer-pip-pip. It isn't very long to that even now. I don't know how I managed to fill through nine whole months last year without you.

I'm enclosing two snaps I've taken - I've written on the back what they are. Mrs. Earle - the quartermaster is awfully nice and been very good to us. I've taken some more - printed them but not fixed them yet so I will put them in my next epistle. The latter are better than these really. It isn't a good one of Sister Sheppard - she has an awfully nice smile really - she goes for good to-morrow and the REAL Matron comes back. Hartley and I are heartbroken. The real Matron is WORSE than this Stinking Sister Smith so Hartley and I have decided to pass away quietly during the night if she runs us too much.

It's a gorgeous day - Hartley, Stanford and Willatt are going for a trot after lunch with Stanford's dog - a Dalmation - jolly decent one. Goodbyee - don't cryee!

I do love you - I'd love to give you a hug and x.

Dora

Cutting enclosed with letter from Dora to CMS; dated 9.2.1918

At the Norton (Malton) Police Court on Saturday, Mrs. Evelyn Sybil Wilkinson, wife of Lieut Colonel W.T.Wilkinson, D.S.O. (they were married last week at Amotherby), was summoned for driving a motor-car without a licence, and with a breach of the Petrol Restrictions Order. Mr Sandford who appeared for the defendant, suggested the Bench should dismiss the case as a wedding present to defendant (laughter), - The Bench fined defendant for not having a licence, and dismissed the other case on payment of costs.

Note from Dora: I heard that the C.O. had got married - the above is the result !!!

CMS to Dora; Tuesday 12.2.18, 3.15 p.m.

Darling,

I am sitting in a pill-box which a nice kind German made for me. It is entered by a small hole at each end and is divided into four compartments. There are three little bunks in it - two on the floor and one on top. I repose on the top one and shake dirt down into the Major's eyes, and when he snores I give an extra shake and fill his mouth, and he stops.

I keep getting little thrills every time I realize that I shall be seeing you again. I get very fed up with life until it darts across my mind that in a few minutes or so I shall be on my way to England, and I feel as though I want to bite things and get up and shout.

I caught 3 chats today, one large size, and 2 small. Today I have written to my tailor person to have a nice new British warm and a new uniform ready for me to try on when I get home. I have got the jersey you sent me up here. I sleep in it without my tunic on and am very cosy.

The bed is a little bit awkward as it's made of sandbags stretched across from two poles, and in some parts it's tight and in some it isn't, and I have to place myself carefully to correspond with the curves. The weather is really wonderful for winter. It's the mildest winter we've had out here, and Tablitz, our little American M.O. wonders what all the talk about winter hardships means.

M.O. stands for Medical Officer.

Tablitz is a very funny little bird, and wears glasses and a billycock hat with two tassels on it

We like Tablitz very much. He chews gum of course, and “guesses” things.

Yours with love, x x

Cecil, x x

WS to CMS; Feb. 15th, 1918

My dear Cecil,

Father and I have been thinking and talking about you. Evidently you are feeling fairly well done up, and we think it would do you much more good to have a month's leave now, instead of waiting till Aug. or Sept., when you may not be able to get it. In all probability there is a busy and strenuous time before you, and you will be better fitted for your work if you have a good rest now. You are scarcely likely to have leave again in five month's time. Cannot you apply for a month now, and get the full benefit of your leave? Do try I am sure it is the wisest plan to follow. Bob is still at Hornsea and says things are "feeding". He has heard nothing further about the R.F.C. so intends going to London to apply personally.

Mrs. Willatt and I both seem to be recovering from severe colds. My head has been awful and I think Influenza has been trying to take hold of me. There is a cold wind to-day, but it is healthier than the mildness of the last few days.

I have been busy in the garden, pruning all the roses. Broxham would have a fit, if he saw how I have cut them back, but they will be all the better for it. Next thing, I mean to cut back all the ferns and re-pot many of them. Everything looks dead at present, but new fronds will spring. My spare time is fairly well occupied with odd jobs of gardening, supervising Harold and the poultry, and a little visiting. The fowls are laying well, and I intend pickling some of our own eggs shortly.

Now, do try for a month's leave this time. Much love from

Your affec. Mother

Winnie Slack

WHS to CMS; 15.2.1918

My dear Cecil,

We were very pleased to receive your letter of the 9th.

You are the best judge of your own needs, but after reading your letter I could not help thinking you might do worse than get your month's leave whilst it is obtainable.

The general impression seems to be that heavy fighting will take place soon, and how long it will last the Fates alone know - I suppose it will mean all leave stopped for some time, and instead of getting home in Aug. or Sept. it may be Nov. or Dec. -

I guess after your long spell you must be somewhat fagged, and unless you get a good break in the near future you may find the coming months when you ought to be at your best, very exhausting.

Another possibility is that the war may be over sooner than some folk think will be the case - and you will miss the month you might have had -

It is a matter entirely for your own judgment, and I have no wish to influence you against your own inclinations.

I hope to-morrow to get my first game of golf since the summer holidays -

With love

Your affec Father

W.H.Slack

Dora to CMS; Friday, 9.15 p.m., 15.2.'18

My Sweetheart,

It's only about a fortnight now 'till we see each other again - I AM looking forward to it - more than I've done before I think. I've had a letter from your Mother tonight and they DO WANT you to have your month's leave now instead of the autumn as you need a long rest before the summer work comes on and then are you sure of getting your month before the summer is over? I know you've been having a strenuous time and a rotten one too and I'm wondering now if you are feeling quite fit and well, are you? When I think of it like this it makes me feel awfully worried about you because I do want you to do the right thing for yourself - if you feel you want a long holiday - take it now while you know you are sure of it. I know it would be nicer having it in the better weather but I'm thinking a long holiday now would help you to pull through the summer better - I do HATE this war and I do wish it were all over and we had our little home and I could look after you myself.

If you had your month now I would have whichever fortnight you preferred - the first half or the second - I should think the second half would be better after you had rested more. I couldn't get a month off now - altho' I haven't asked - when I've only done just over two months' work - still don't think of me in the LEAST - do whichever you think would be better for yourself, my love.

We have been busy to-day - had General Sir Archibald Murray (late of Egypt) round the hospital - he is in command at Aldershot at present - also Surg. General Bourke and Lord Cranbourne the A.D.C. who looked an awful weed. Gen Murray seemed an awfully nice old bird and talked to us in a fatherly manner!

Hartley and I had an invitation for a dance to-morrow night and had accepted - was got up by a general's daughter who works here and asked us - but since then we had heard from other sources that there would be decidedly "high" people there so we have made an excuse not to go. Rather a swiz - when I had sent home for a frock too.

I've had my bath now and am just going to brush my hair and hop into my bunk. I received this p.c. yesterday - am awfully glad about it and must write to-morrow some-time to congratulate them - I suppose one does - altho' I'm not used to writing such letters!

Goodnight my dearest - and DO take the month now if you feel you need it - don't bother about me because for one thing you would rest far better if I wasn't there to torment you.

Heaps of x x sweetheart,

Dora

CMS to Dora; Saturday 16.2.18, 11.30 p.m.

Darling,

Just a short note tonight, to tell you I still remember you. Philip came back from leave to-day, so I shall get a bit of help with the piles of work I've got. I've only one more short tour in the line before I see you again. I expect to get leave via Calais, and may wangle an afternoon boat on the day prior to my leave, arriving in London about 9.30 p.m. I could then meet you in the morning and we could have some lunch, and we could go down by the midday or afternoon train. I'm afraid 9.30 p.m.'s too late for the theatre, and I suppose convention doesn't allow it either. I'm awfully fond of the snaps you sent me.

Yours with love,

Cecil x x .

Dora to CMS; Sunday 5.15 p.m., 17.2.'18

My darling,

I roared about the American M.O. - he must be a scream - and the little sketch too! By the way, do you think that I have been a V.A.D. since the beginning of the war and don't know what "M.O." means yet!!! OUR M.O. is a jolly nice old bird and we're awfully fond of him - a real old country practitioner.

Am going to kirk in a few minutes - Nicholson and I went a gorgeous walk yesterday afternoon right on to Barossa moors and on to Bagshot where there is a huge holly hedge 40 ft. high - supposed to be the highest in England. It was a gorgeous day too - I do hope you'll get decent weather for your leave. Mother has got a very bad cold so I've written and told her she really ought to have a change of air and go to C. Bay - so I hope it turns out alright! It might be NEXT WEEK that I see you sgain - it sounds awfully near when one thinks of it like that doesn't it! If by any chance it is a Sunday that you arrive and you can't get a wire through - or if its late at night that you arrive and too late to wire - the telephone number is 128 Camberley. I believe we're on the Aldershot exchange but I'm not quite sure.

I suppose in the raid last night only one bomb was dropped on London - and that was on the officer's house in Chelsea barracks - a Capt Ludlow - he was killed and his wife - 3 kiddies and maids - and the whole house gone absolutely. Lady Knowles has been in to tea and told us. Camberley people seem awfully irate about Sir William Robertson being chucked out - his daughters go to school here - the same that Nicholson went to. It's frantically cold to-day and I'm nearly nipped to the core. I'll look through your shirt when you come back and kill your chats for you! I killed a shirt that was in great form not long ago! Mrs. Earle's future daughter-in-law is coming to do my work for me while I'm away I think. I think you'll look awfully nice in a British Warm - I haven't seen you in one yet.

Heaps of love and x x .....x x - I wonder what you are doing about your holiday - whether it will be a month or not - s'pect I shall hear soon -

Goodbye my love,

Dora

Hilda to CMS; Feb. 19th 1918

My dear Cecil,

Seeing that you don't condescend to write to me, I pocket my pride and write to you again - with one object, i.e. to beseech you to get your leave so that you can come over here with Father on March 8th. - if you don't come over we shan't see you; and you ought to come over then because it's the Shakespeare week-end. And besides your own charming sisters , you would see all the other charming girls - it will all be very thrilling I'm sure - Now, look here, if you don't come I shall be annoyed, and when I'm annoyed I'm not a bit nice.

It's been raining continuellement now for two or three months - but we ignore it and play hockey on the sands in macks - the ball often goes into the sea and then we swim out to get it - once it went as far out as the end of Rhos pier so Miss Clayton went out in a rowing boat to look for it and after two or three minutes she managed to rescue it by the aid of her boot laces and hat pins - (I always say that which is strictly true).

We went to a meeting for W.A.A.Cs. the other night - I've decided to be a cook - if anybody will have me - I walked back with Miss Clayton and she told me a story of a Chinese nephew of hers who fell out of a train going 30 m.p.h. - he landed on a grass bank calling out, “De train have left me” - Now THAT is really true.

We had a merit holiday the other day; there were paper chases on from 2.30 - 5.30. I was a hare with some others and we ran miles - first of all I had a violent stitch in my left side; then a violent pain in my appendix; then my breath gave out - then I got some thorns through my sand-shoes and into my feet - I was very surprised to see I was alive at the end.

Did you know I was going to Bedford College in Regent Park in October to take my B.Sc? Hum-ha - then after that I'm going to take my M.D. - B.S. - M.B. - B.G.H. - M.G.H. and F.R.C.S. - L.R.C.P. and a few others - By the end of everything I shall be about sixty; then I think I'll get married if there's nothing else to do - My career is going to be unique.

We have a new science mistress this term and she is always trying to give me little sermons - I told her I thought Physics was extremely boring and she said well it was something like research work in its being slow, but she said of course these people who go in for research work have the greater light behind them to help them on - She then informed me she thought my greater light behind hadn't appeared yet - She's done some research work, but I don't know whether she had a greater light or not. Did you have it when you did Physics? If you did, please tell me how you got it.

Well, brother, goodbye - and don't forget what I've told you to do.

Love from,

Hilda

Dora to CMS; Wednesday 6.15 p.m., 20.2.'18

My Darling,

I'm living in fear and trembling that leave will be stopped anyday because of German pushes one hears about and what they've got and what they're going to do - it gives me the pip absolutely - still I'm hoping it isn't in your part of the line. I've been quite gay since Sunday when I last wrote - on Monday night Sister Sheppard - Nicholson and I push-biked to Aldershot and back to the theatre and arrived home about 10.45 - it was a gorgeous moonlight night and frosty too - “A Pair of Spectacles” was what we saw - rather funny and quite good but preceded by an AWFUL curtain-raiser. Yesterday, Hartley wanted a new hat so we tore off to Blackwater to catch the 1.47 to Reading and came back by the 4.10 and just got in in time for duty at 5.30 - Reading is quite a nice place and the Thames is quite near to it for boating, I believe - so it will be rather nice in the summer. That is the last little razzle I'm going to have before your leave and I hope that won't be long now. I get dreadfully excited when I go to bed at night-time. There's only another week in February now - perhaps in your next letter you will be able to tell me the date! Pip - Pip!

I'm sure you're wanting a holiday awfully badly and I'm going to look after you a tremendous lot while you are in my clutches. We've had a huge frost for the last two days but to-day is milder - I'm terribly frightened of getting measles as there is so much about in the camps and we often get accidents in from them. I've got a pink chilblain on my nose and on both ears - the latter are as big as frying pans - so be prepared - you may get an awful fright when you see me -

I'm just going to write to your Mammy - so good night my sweetheart - it will soon be a real live one - x x -

Your own sweetheart

Dora

Dora to CMS; Friday 22.2.'18

Darling,

I got your little note of the 16th. yesterday morning and hope the last turn in the line is over by now - it's nearly a week ago. It will be gorgeous if you could catch that afternoon boat and arrive in the evening - but try and TELEPHONE through in the evening - 'cause if you wired they wouldn't deliver it till morning about 9 am. and it would be after midday when I arrived in London - trains are awfully awkward here. There wouldn't be time for a theatre - I think - what a nuisance convention is! Telephone no. is 128 Camberley - on the Aldershot centre I believe but I'm not sure - I believe I told you this before but I forget. I'm simply LONGING to see my sweetheart again - it doesn't really seem long since September though - incidently - on a side issue I'm looking forward to a holiday as well. You were in the Gazette yesterday and are still only acting capt. as long as you are adjt. and only Lieut's pay - it is a swiz after 3½ yrs. of war.

I nearly set myself on fire the other day - I was warming a long roll of cotton wool over the gas fire when it caught fire and was blazing in a second and burnt a bit of the chair too - it was quite exciting really.

It's most awfully mild again now - I've been out a walk by myself after tea at dusk to-day. By the way, I MUST tell you I'm learning to play bridge! I haven't done auction yet but the other night when I was playing with Cookie and Sister and Hartley - I made a little slam with “no trumps” - playing with dummy! I felt an awful nib!

I'm awfully sleepy and must roll into bed and dream of you and leave - I dreamt about you for ages the night before last., it will soon be a real dream now - only about another week now.

Goodnight my love - x x

Your little girl

Dora

CMS to Dora; Saturday 24.2.18, 9.30 p.m.

Darling,

I shall be coming along in the next leave allotment in four or five days' time. I feel pleased about it. I expect you've been wondering why I haven't written sooner. We've had a rather more strenuous time than usual in the line, and for the first 40 hours I only got 1 hour's sleep. I've got a ripping room here, - the best billet in the battalion - in fact I'm so comfortable that I don't want to come home a bit! I'm not putting in for a month, because I'm not tired as my people think I am, only fed now and again. You see Philip's been away, and I've had to do extra work as well, because old Jacko's such a silly old fool and has had very little experience of commanding a battalion, and would have made some awful blumers if it wasn't for your humble, though it's me as says it. We're resting now, and Philip's back, so things are a bit more easy, and I shall have time to get my hair cut, and have a bath.

I'm awfully interested about the young Keeble person. Give them my congratulations too, if you haven't written already.

I shall probably let you know today or tomorrow on what day I'm coming.

Yours with love,

Cecil

TRAIN TICKET 1st. class. Return Journey.

Note attached: Your train leaves London (Victoria Station) 6.50 am. 15-3-18

Leave Granted 1/3/18 to 15/3/18.

Regimental No. 150th. (Y and D) Infantry Brigade

Rank and Name Capt. Slack M.C.

Unit 4th. East Yorks Regt.

Division 50th.

CMS. to Dora; 15.3.1918. TELEGRAM handed in at Victoria 7.50 am. Received Camberley 15.3.18

To Miss Willatt, Firlands, Military Hospital, Camberley.

Leaving 8.30 will write tonight. Goodbye little girl.

Cecil

Lt. Col. W.T. Wilkinson to CMS (“Simon”); 7.3.1918, 10 p.m.

My dear Simon,

It's ripping of you to write at all - I know how busy you must have been out here because there's always such a lot doing these days. As a matter of fact I think your little letter is early rather than late as I have no brevet rank to my knowledge and don't suppose I ever shall - but it's nice of you to think such a thing is possible and simple people DO believe things easily I know.! The ceremony was a very complete success thanks to my very nearly having completed the contract with you - What a simply lovely present you all gave me, Simon, and I do appreciate it much more than I can ever say - such things as these happening to one give a new lease of life and buck one up so that "Honours Lists" and things don't matter at all.

Follow my example as soon as you can - you will never regret it - nor do I think will your Lady. Honeymoons are very expensive but well worth it.

Jacko has gone off on a month's leave after presenting me with the “K for C.O.” file two feet thick and having sent Watson on a 5 week's course knowing Young was bound to go home - which he IS - on the 15th. Isn't this a tremendously soft pencil? Rees is commanding the Brigade and he's very nice.

I believe we go east on the 18th. - I don't particularly mind if we do! I hope you are having a really splendid time with arguments and everything else you so much enjoy. How's your kid brother?

Yours ever

W.T.Wilkinson

Flossie to Dora and CMS; March 10th. '18

My dear Dora and Cec:

Thanks for the pretty p.c. which adorned our breakfast table. I should have liked being at C.Bay and showing Bill all round, it is rather an unctious spot. I can't imagine Hilda head prefect amongst 210 and playing Ophelia! Give them my love and 1 kiss. How are the Ma's? Having some good old gossips!!

We have just had a lovely day in the garden, quite HOT and sunny - simply delish! I've clipped all the way and Bill has gone a good way with the unfinished cabbage patch, our contribution to the food supply will really be something useful. I've had Enid over, she departed y'day af'noon, quite bright but so awfully matter of fact - Airyplanes nearly burst themselves all day in the sunshine, rolled and wriggled round the sky. Let me know what train you arrive back and I might be at the station, DON'T FORGET. We've got our food cards, they said “What is WILLIAM'S age?” and “What does William do?” I said I didn't know of course.

Much love to the tout ensemble

Yours

Florence

CMS to Dora; 15.3.18, 8.10 p.m.

My Dear Little Girl,

I rang you up at about 12.0 p.m. today from Dover, but you were out, so I rang up again at 3.30 p.m. but could not get through in time. I only just caught my boat at 4.30 p.m. and nearly got landed for a day's DUTY at Dover. I am spending the night here, as my train does not leave till 3 p.m. tomorrow.

I had a little weep in the train after I said goodbye to you at Farnborough - I was VERY fed - and I think you were too, little girl. It's horrid being parted from one another like this, but grousing can't help matters. I shall do my best to get that 6 months, and it's quite possible that I shall manage it.

I have come to this hotel with a fellow who has just got engaged this leave, and he simply hates coming back, but he doesn't hate it any more than I do. Everytime I leave you I hate it more and I do love you so much, darling. I shall think of you every night at 10.30, specially, and I know you'll do the same. I feel very weepy, sweetheart, tonight, but I can't help it.

Your sweetheart,

Cecil.x x x

Dora to CMS; Friday - 15.3.18 - 6.20 p.m.

My Darling,

I was AWFULLY disappointed to be out when you phoned this afternoon but Hartley and I are always out between 2 and 3 everyday. I have been expecting another call from you but think it must be too late now and you will have gone across. I wish you had telephoned as soon as you arrived in Dover instead.

I got your wire this mg. about 9.30 - I was glad to hear from you, my sweetheart - I've felt awfully lonely and miserable without you - and missed you terribly - I have felt such a blank emptiness without you near me. I dreamt of you last night and I thought it was quite true until I woke up and found where I was - I was thinking of you at 10.30 till about 11.15 when I fell asleep. I expect you will be at Calais to-night and writing to me - I hope you were comfortable last night in the little hut - how did you get on after I left you at the station at Farnboro'. I hated leaving you and felt rotten when your train had gone - I had to wait 20 minutes outside the station for a bus to come and I also sent a wire home. I got back about 8.30 and Hartley raked me some supper out and I picnicked in the surgery as the staff dinner was done.

It has been wretched taking up work again to-day but I have thought of you the whole of the day and just living for a letter from you. I feel sure you have been thinking of your little girl to-day too.

I am still awfully tired altho' I was in bed by 10 p.m. last night - but I'm going to bed about 8.30 to-night to try and sleep it off. When I had left you I remembered that I don't think I gave you a special "thank you" kiss for those pink beads you bought me. I do like them and so did Mother when I showed them to her. This is the special kiss for them, sweetheart xXx.

I must write to Ma and Pa now and tell them what I did yesterday. I bought some flowers this afternoon for the hospital - but I do feel cross you gave me the money for my ticket Cecil - it really wasn't right of you to do so.

If that blinking C.O. of yours doesn't send you on six months' light duty soon - I shall write him a jolly severe chit. Goodnight my sweetheart - I shall think of the goodnights we had on C.Bay promenade - at 10.30 to-night

x x X and love for you from

Your little girl

Dora

CMS to Dora; 17.3.18, 10.0 a.m.

Sweetheart,

I have arrived at Etables again, and am searching for the battalion. I came at about 10.0 p.m. last night and expect to move again tomorrow.

Summer time is in force here, and I am an hour in advance of you. Let me know when your time in England alters.

Today I think I shall go to Le Touquet and Paris-Plage for a small walk, although I shall feel pretty fed up without you there. It is beautiful country there, and should be looking rather nice just now.

Did you see in the paper that General Smuts has had a “secret” meeting in Switzerland with the late Austrian ambassador for London? Vague rumours are about, but I put nothing by them.

Goodbye, darling.

Yours with love,

Cecil x x

CMS to Dora; Monday 18.3.18, 10.30 a.m.

Sweetheart,

There is again no train going towards the battalion today, and I need not report again until 5.0 p.m. when it is quite likely that I shall again be told to report in the morning. One of our officers turned up this morning, from a course. We are going to Le Touquet shortly for a round of golf. I walked to Le Touquet and Paris-Plage by myself yesterday afternoon, and had a short walk along the shore. It brought back the Colwyn Bay of a few days ago, and made me ache, oh, so badly.

The weather is beautiful, and I don't mind staying here for a few days a bit. Don't address any letters here, as I don't expect to stop longer than tomorrow. I have got a little bed at the club, and am very comfortable.

Your loving sweetheart,

Cecil. x x

Dora to CMS; Monday 10 p.m., 18.3.'18

My Sweetheart,

I only got your letter card to-night by the post - I'm awfully sorry about the telephone on Friday - it was Sister Smith who spoke to you - the stinking sister who turned out to be quite decent and sporting.

I still miss you, darling, but I'm feeling a bit more chirpy now than I was - it's awfully hard to settle down again but I'm counting on your month's leave and on the six months. I have had a brilliant idea to-day - to keep rabbits in a hen-house we have here - grow little bunnies and sell them for food - there is a lot of it in the papers now-a-days. I've ordered a book on rabbits and we are going to get permission to have them and we (the staff) are going to look after them. I love rabbits too - they are so fluffy and loveable. I've just had my bath and I'm writing this in pyjamas in my bedroom - then I'm going to hop into bed for 10.30 p.m. I'm glad you found someone to spend the night with in Calais - did you do anything at night - I've been most frightfully sleepy ever since I came back - simply can't get enough sleep - are you awfully sleepy? How did you like the officers' hut - and Maskelyne and Devants? Cecil, DO tell me everything, I like to know all details - you never go into details enough for me - you didn't mention anything about London in your letter - you see I love you and like to know all your doings so do please remember.

We have had an Irish concert here to-night - Hartley sang - she has a lovely, rich, contralto voice - also we had the R.M.C. band - quite a good concert altogether.

I walked to Frimley Church y'day mg. with the stinking sister and was on duty for the rest of the day. On Sat. Hartley and I went a gorgeous walk thro' Sandhurst village and thro' Wellington College grounds (the boys' school) - its a simply huge school and absolutely gorgeous - have never seen such a lovely school for boys - "The Leys" isn't in it at all - two of the Matron's boys go there. We had tea at a very nice hotel there and trained back for my duty at 5.30 - it was Hartley's half-day.

I must roll into my nest now - I'm so sleepy - I shall be thinking of you darling and DO get that 6 months.

Your little girl

Dora x

Goodnight xxx x

CMS to Dora; 20.3.18, Wednesday 10.0 p.m.

Little Girl,

I joined the battalion again yesterday at a comfortable time, after a comfortable journey. I left the base at about 7.0 am. and got here in time for lunch. I have got the most comfortable billet I have had out here - a large room with a nice big comfortable bed, two tables, a bedroom sofa, carpet on the floor, and a little dressing-washing-room attached. Your first letter arrived today. I was just dying to get it. You ask what I did when I got back to London - I'd forgotten to tell you - I hated things so much. I got a decent meal at the station, and then went to Maskeleyn and Devant's where I met Father and Norman. I said goodbye to them when the show was over, went to my hut, had a cup of cocoa, and then to bed. I'm sorry you had to wait so long after I'd gone, because it was a rotten sort of a night in the matter of weather as well as saying goodbye. Thanks very much for the special kiss, sweetheart, for the bead thing. God knows how I long for the day when it will be a real one, and there will be no thoughts of war to bother us.

Goodnight darling, I can't write or say how I love you - I am bottled up and bubbling over with it

Yours for ever and ever,

Cecil x x x

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