Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 36

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.

The Australian Aunt (probably “Aunt Ken” Mother of Mervyn Fletcher) to Dora; 5.5.18

My dear Dora,

I've been wanting to write to you all the week and tell you how I rejoice with you in the good news; but after all I came away from Hull without your address and could only remember Camberley Surrey which seemed too vague to be of any use, so I had to wait until a letter came from Hull this morning.

I am so delighted to know Cecil is safe and well, being well he'll be able to withstand the discomforts of Captivity - I do hope you will not have to wait long before you hear direct from him, but you will miss his frequent letters Dearie, still you can bear that - now you know he's safe. - Having got the good news, you and your Mother would have such a happy week together you will not like letting her go to-morrow - I do hope to see something of you: you know I've had so much loneliness in my own life, I've a deep sympathy for others, and though just now the relief is so great you can feel nothing but glad, later on you will be longing for frequent letters, if I can do anything for you at any time, or you feel lonely come to me when you have a day to spare or we might arrange to meet and in the absence of your own loved ones I'll “Mother” you up a bit, you know I do love young people, Boys and Girls.

With love from

“The Aus. Aunt”

Emma Raffan to Dora; May 7, 1918

My dear Dodo,

I was most awfully glad to get your letter to hear Cecil is all right. I had been wondering very much about you both. I hope you still have good news, but the suspense between letters must be just awful. I know I find it pretty bad from Salonika and Jim isn't actually fighting. He's gone out with 80th. General Base Hospital, which is at present constructing itself, so the poor man has absolutely nothing to do but mug round and watch Tommies erect sheds and tents. He's the sort of man who can't stand inactivity and I'm afraid the time will very much hang on his hands. But I am very thankful he isn't in the front line, as he was last time he was out. I am awfully glad you are coming home in June. Will you come and stay with me a week or two? I should be most awfully pleased if you would. Only you must come in July, as in July I'm expecting another visitor - a young Raffan! Isn't it ripping? Needless to say both Jim and I are delighted, and Mother and Father are nearly off their heads! If it is a boy (as I'm praying it will be) Father will be quite overcome with joy. The only sad thing is Jim's being such a long way away, as I know he'll be most horribly anxious and will nearly worry himself to death. So will you come and keep me company for a few days? I'm afraid you'd have a very dull time, as I can't go out much and shall be able to do so still less then, but if you aren't afraid of being too bored I shall be delighted to see you. And if you come be sure and bring your ration cards!

If you come you will then see this house for yourself. It isn't particularly beautiful, as all our furniture is at the Oakes, but there is one comfortable room, and that is the sitting room. Mother and I are here during the week and we both spend the weekends at Bradley. Father doesn't seem anxious to sleep here and prefers living in lonely state at Bradley. We have the two maids here - a cook aged 41 and housemaid 21 and they both seem to be settling, we leave them alone at the weekends. They seem all right and are most willing and obliging.

Jessie is leaving Peterboro' this summer and wants a job nearer home. Willie is very well and still down South near Nancy. Jessie is coming home for the weekend at Whitsuntide. Well I must go and take my afternoon siesta. I really do feel to be doing something for my King and Country at last!

Do let me know how Cecil is - what an awful time he has been thro', poor man. This recent fighting seems to have been just hell. Helen is here and sends her love.

Much for yourself,

Yours ever, Emma

Sergt. J.F.W. Westoby to Mr. Elvin (Father of 2nd. Lieut S.J.Elvin, killed 11.4.18); 7 May 1918

Dear Mr. Elvin,

It is with deepest sorrow that I read this news that you have sent me of your son's death. I am sorry that I cannot give you any fuller information, as I was wounded on the morning of the 11th. April. The last time that I saw and spoke to your son was about 3 am. on that day. I went forward with him and what few men we had left to dig in nearer to the Bosche, to dispute with him every bit of ground. Your son and myself were very intimately connected. He was O/C. “C” Company and I had the honour to be his A/C.S.M. in fact, up to me being wounded I was his shadow. On the 9th. April we went into the line to support the Portugese troops who were falling back. We had some hairbreadth escapes together. The Bosche was putting up a terrible barrage of heavy shells - it looked as if nothing could live in it. We laid close together, the shells burst all round, but never one hurt us. We moved further towards the River Lys, and we had not moved two minutes when a shell dropped on the place, which would certainly have finished us with the Coy. Head Qts. As we went forward, the poor Portugese were coming through us in a panic from shell-shock, which was very trying to the young lads we had in our Company. We had been reinforced after the Cambrai affair with about 60 youngsters. This was of course a very big responsibility for your son, as none of them had ever been under fire. But thanks to his example they behaved splendidly. We took up a position to dispute the crossing of the Lys.

It was your son's duty to go forward into the Village on the other side of the River to reconnoitre the position. I accompanied him on that, and we were satisfied that Jerry could not move us in a week of Sundays. Coming back we met Captn. Slack, and told him what we had done, and that the enemy was at the other side of the Village. We saw the bridge demolished, and Captn. Slack was also highly pleased with the position. Well Sir, we held him up through that day and night up to 5 0'clock on the 10th. when the flanks on either side of us gave way and we were surrounded. Well, all those hours your son directed operations from the bit of cover we had knocked up. We had a trying time. He gave us everything from 5.9 to Minenwerfers, but luckily he could never get a direct hit on us, although one of his Airmen flew over our position in one of our planes with our markings on. I remarked to your son, that every time that 'plane of ours came over, we got a salve from the enemy, but bless your life, it never made the least difference to Mr Elvin.

“That was close” he said to me when a nose-cap buried itself just between your son's and my feet. I honestly believe we had charmed lives. Well Sir, we were surrounded on three sides and nearly a fourth, but we managed to wriggle through with Captn. Barr, Lieut Brown and your son, and about 50 to 80 of our Battn. It was at that time that Captn. Slack was taken. He could not help it - never had a chance at all, as Head Qts. was surrounded.

Well, we got through a perfect hail of Machine gun bullets and Whizz-bangs. How we got through I don't know - we simply did - I shall never forget it. Then your son took up the organization of the relics of the 150th. Brigade. What a few! What had happened to the remainder we never knew. We dug in on the place where we re-formed and held on till dark, suffering a few more casualties from stray bullets and Shell-fire. I was with your son the whole of the time. He worked very hard for the comfort and safety of our few men. After dusk we got rations up, and your son supervised the issue to see that every man got his rations. Then we took spells to snatch a bit of sleep - you may depend we were pretty well used up. I know myself, I could see people in the dark who were not there, and I know your son was just the same. It would be about 12 midnight when we finished rations. I laid down - it only seemed a few minutes when your son woke me up, as we were going forward to dig in alongside of Captn. Barr's Machine gunners.

Your son was leading with Lieut. Brown, and I brought up the rear. We got to the line and commenced to make it as secure as we could, and worked on until about an hour before dawn, but I had not seen your son since we moved up. I should say he would be wounded during the fight for Merville. It makes me wish I had tied up my arm and carried on with him, because I am sure I had a charmed life and might have protected him, I wish I could. But our Doctor sent me to the rear, and eventually, after being in three Hospitals in France I was sent over to England. I was in the 58th. when your son would be in the 39th. I wish I could have seen him.

Well Sir, you may take to your heart the fact that your son was a hero, and he made the supreme sacrifice which will not be in vain. I say this with the deepest feeling. I was in a position to know. He went into the line as cool as a cucumber and fought his Company splendidly.

Please accept my deepest sympathy in your great loss, which is also a loss to the Nation, as we have too few Officers left. I thought you would perhaps like to know all you possibly could. I hope

you will be able to understand this somewhat disjointed note.

Believe me to be Dear Sir,

Yours faithfully

J.F.W.Westoby, Sergt.

C. Coy. 1/4th. East Yorks. Regt.

P.S. I am pleased to say I am progressing well. I have nearly got the use of my left hand.

No 1. Infantry Record Office to WHS; 7th. May 1918

Sir,

With reference to your letter of the 30th ult, I should be obliged if you would kindly forward to this Office, the original correspondence you refer to as having received from the Frankfort Red Cross, regarding your son, Capt. C.M.Slack M.C. 4th. Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment.

Yours faithfully,

H.I.Scott Capt.

Colonel i/c No. 1. Infantry Records.

WHS to The Col i/c No.1. Inf Recds; May 8th 1918

Sir,

In reply to your letter No. 0124 of the 7th. inst, I beg to enclose telegram reading -

“Cecil Slack Yorkshire Prisoner well wiring camp when known - Prisoners Kensington”

also one from the Right Hon. Thos. R. Ferens, M.P. reading

“Thank God all's right. Seen Record information taken from postcard written by Cecil himself and wired from Frankfort Red Cross - (Signed Ferens)”

Following on the receipt of the two telegrams Mr. Ferens wrote me as follows -

“I went this morning to the C.P.O.W.C. 3, Thurloe Place, Brompton Road, London S.W.7. and saw the card entered. It was quite clear. The young lady said the cable had come from a postcard written by Cecil himself and addressed to you so it must be right. The telegram was from Frankfort. They have no idea where Cecil will be cooped up ”.

I also attach the confirmatory letter from the British Red Cross and Order of St. John, from which it would appear that the telegram forwarded on the 29th. was a result of information received from Copenhagen.

I shall be glad if you will return to me the telegrams after you have noted the contents.

Yours faithfully

W.H. Slack

POST OFFICE TELEGRAPHS Handed in May 7th

Infantry records York to WHS.

O661 Capt. C.M.Slack. 4 East Yorks Regt. is now reported prisoner of war in good health camp unknown.

WS to CMS; May 8th. /18; Post Card

My very dear Cecil,

We are very thankful to know you are alive and well and are anxiously looking forward to receiving your first letter. All are well at home. Hilda, Norman and Mabel returned to school. Mr. and Mrs. Brealy spending this week with us. Dora came home for a week, and then her Mother returned to Surrey with her. She was relieved at knowing you are well. Very much love from all.

Your affec Mother

Winnie Slack

WS to Dora; May 8th. 1918

My dear Dora,

Only a few lines to-night. Through Lieut. Waite I have heard that some relatives have risked sending p. cards or letters to their prisoner relatives in Germany, before knowing the camp. He told me of an Officer whom he knows who was badly wounded and a prisoner in Germany, (but now in England) who received letters and parcels from his friends in England before they learned of the camp where he was interned. Mrs Waite has written to her husband, and the War Office censored the letter, then wrote to her saying the letter would be forwarded but advised her another time not to write so much. A post card or two pages is sufficient. I am risking a card inside an envelope. Mrs. Waite has also risked a parcel of food, but I think it better to wait more certainly first. The address as given to me by Mrs. Waite this afternoon is on the enclosed envelope. I thought you might risk a card also. If only Cecil gets it, he will be relieved to know that we know he is all right, and also to know that all is well at home. In course of time we shall know the camp. The official War telegram stating he was a prisoner and well came yesterday afternoon. No time for more now, Goodnight my dear,

Much love

Yours affectionately

Winnie Slack

Dora to CMS; 10 May 1918. POST CARD.

We are all well - am leaving here 26th. June - We received wire that you were “missing” on 22nd. April and that you were “prisoner” and well in unknown camp" on 29th. April. We are all very thankful it has happened.

Love and ALWAYS yours,

Dora.

WHS to CMS; 11 May 1918, received November 11 1918

My dear Cecil,

What a joy to be able to write you again, though as we are not sure of your address, it is by no means certain that you will get this letter. When we are officially informed of the Camp you are in we will commence sending parcels -

It was on the 22nd April we received the War Office telegram that you were “missing” - and you can imagine with what joy on the 29th. we received another reading Cecil Slack Yorkshires. Prisoner well, wiring camp when known - and confirmed a day or two later by the British Red Cross -

We have had a fine lot of letters about you including a delightful tribute from the Colonel - I wish you could read them - Sergeant Westoby who is in Hospital has told me of the last 2 or 3 days he was with you, so that I know something of what passed.

I must not write a long letter on this occasion but you are ever in our thoughts.

We are all well and send our love

Your affectionate Father

W.H. Slack

Cliffe is home and has called to see us.

Notes sent by Dora, presumably to WHS; not dated but see letter May 13, 1918

I have asked Sgt. Bateman of the 4th. Yks. if the records in the “Telegraph” relate to the 4th. E. Yorks. - and he feels practically certain that the E. Yorks. mentioned there are Cecil's lot. By the 11th. the Brigade had retired as far as Neuf Berquin but the 4th. E. Yorks were not with them so he thinks that will account for their being cut off on the 10th.

The 4th. Yks. were between Sailly and Estaires - and the 4th. E. Yorks between them and Estaires (the morning of the 10th.) The trouble was (Sgt Bateman says) that the British could not manage to destroy the bridges across the Lys - and the 4 E. Yks. would be captured on the British side of the river.

He thinks Lt. Cliffe's conversation with Cecil would take place on the morning of the 10th when the 4th. Yks and the 4th. E. Yks were next to each other holding the line - as on the 11 th. Cliffe was made Adjutant of his battalion and remained at Bn. HQs.

Bateman remembers the D.L.I. and the N.F. fighting near them - as mentioned in the “Telegraph” - which also helps to confirm that “East Yorkshires” were Cecil's lot.

WHS to Dora; May 13 1918

My dear Dora,

I was very pleased to receive your letter with further notes from Sgt. Bateman. When I have time I intend to put together the story of the 9th. 10th and 11th April from the information from various sources - as some of it not now known to Cecil will be interesting for him to read some day.

I am enclosing a few letters in which there are references to Cecil which you will I think be pleased to read, and to take extracts from - There is no need to return them until you have finished with them. It is fortunate that Cecil has not to face the winter months in Germany and I have no doubt until he commences to receive parcels his Brother Officers will share some of their good things with him - I have had quite a lot of anxious wives and mothers to see me about their loved ones, soldiers in the 4th. E.Y. - I wish they could get the good news we have received. Immediately we hear from Cecil we will send you a telegram.

Yours affectionately

W.H.Slack.

Sgt. J.F.W.Westoby to WHS; 15/5/18

Dear Sir,

In answer to your letter of the 14th. inst. I am very sorry I cannot give you any definite information of Capt. Pollock. I did hear about him being missing and if I remember rightly Capt. Pollock and your son Capt. Slack fought one of our Lewis Guns until the Bosche was within 50 yds or so of them. Your son got away on that occasion but Capt. Pollock went to the assistance of his servant and whether he was taken or gave his life in doing this Noble act no one seemed to know. I will make enquiry and see if I can get anything definite.

I am yours very faithfully

J.F.W.Westoby Sgt.

Note from The East Yorkshire Regiment in the Great World War by Everard Wyrall, Pub. Harrison and Sons Ltd.

Ch XX . p. 301. The Battle of Estaires; 9th to 11th April 1918.

...Then occurred what must have been one of the most gallant exploits of that day of gallant deeds: two Lewis-gun sections were placed on the Trou Bayard-Croix du Bac road, in order to cover the withdrawal of the remnants of “C” and “D” Companies.

With splendid bravery, these Lewis gunners held on. One by one they fell dead, until at last only one man remained, then he too dropped to the ground: the two sections had been killed outright, but they had done their duty - grandly, nobly. They had held off the enemy, enabling their comrades of “C” and “D” Companies to withdraw.

Of Battalion H.Q., the Diary records: “Battalion H.Q., consisting of Major Jackson (C.O.), Captain Slack (Adjutant), 2nd Lieutenant Thompson (Intelligence Officer), the R.S.M. and orderly room corporal had been at their headquarters (a shell hole about point 5.L.92.74) all the 9th. and 10th, until about 3 pm. when the enemy had appeared about 50 yards to their front, from which time there was no information concerning them, and they are missing...”

“The Diary” refers to The Battalion Diary of the 1/4 East Yorkshires.

“C” and “D” Companies were under the command of Capt. Barr.

WS to Dora; May 18th 1918

My dear Dora,

Just a few lines to wish you many happy returns of the 20th., and before your next birthday arrives may we all be rejoicing in the return of dear Cecil. I fear, my gift will be a little late, but you will forgive when you know how exceptionally busy I have been. We are sending you a volume of R.L.Stevenson's poems. If you already have them the volume can be exchanged for any which you have not got, if you will kindly let us know which particular one you would like.

Cecil will be thinking very much about you just now, and wishing he could be permitted to send you something. How lovely if you happen to receive a letter or card in time. Major Jackson's people heard from him yesterday and he is at Rastadt (halfway between Carlsruer [Karlsrühe] and Baden).

He asks for clothing to be sent. A letter which he wrote on April 13th. has not yet arrived.

Evidently Cecil is not at the same camp as we have not yet heard anything. Did you risk a letter to the address I sent you? Mr. Slack has sent one this week.

I have been doing a little gardening this afternoon, by way of recreation, and am very tired. Goodnight my dear.

Much love and a happy day from

Yours affectionately

Winnie Slack

WHS to Dora; May 19, 1918

My dear Dora,

May I wish you very many happy returns of your Birthday, and that before the next comes round our Prisoner boy will be back in dear old England.

You will be interested in the following replies to some questions I sent to a Brunswick boy who is in France and who was in the fighting on the Lys!

1. Q. What was the date when Cecil was last seen.

    A. Last seen well as near as I can say was the 12th. April

2. Q. Who was with him in the shell-hole

    A. Major Jackson - Sgt. Major, one signaller on duty and one L/Corp. I was about 25 yds away in another hole and when I saw it was “all up” I ran and THANK GOD I got through.

3. Q. Were the enemy then at the back of them.

    A. Not QUITE ALL round.

4. Q. Was the shell-hole near the River Lys, and had they retired back some distance.

    A. We had not retired - Whether the Captain tried to leave the shell-hole or not I cannot say but I was very pleased to hear that he was safe - You see I was right - I thought he would be, but one thing troubled me, whether he would be taken or not.

5. Q. As Major Jackson has been reported a wounded prisoner was Cecil with him or near to him - Was Major Jackson wounded early on.

    A. The first answers that. The Major was with him the last time I saw him.

The foregoing proves that the Battn. held to its original position on the western bank of the Lys just north of Estaires.

I had an interesting chat with Lieut Cliffe who is on leave and fairly well - He told me that when he got back to France the 4th. E.Y. was at Essars just to the East of Bethune - He went to the billet where Cecil was and found him chatting with Major Jackson about the St. Quentin retreat - The Major had just retd. to duty - They invited him to mess dinner the next or the following day, but the “attack” made that impossible.

I wrote to Sgt. Westoby about Captain Pollock and he has replied that Cap. P. and Cecil held on to a Lewis Gun until the Bosche were within 50 yds. or so of them - Cap. P. went to the assistance of his servant and adds the Sgt. “Whether he was taken or gave his life in doing this noble act noone seemed to know -”

I am,

Yours affectionately

W.H. Slack

Oswald Philip to WHS; 19.5.1918

Sir,

I should like to express my pleasure that your son is reported a P.of W. although I know he will hate it and also we miss him immensely especially myself as I have been associated with him so long.

I happen to be Mess President and it falls to me to square up messing a.cs. so I am forwarding his to you and should be glad if you would let me have a cheque for it as I cannot send it to him from this country.

I trust you will be able to do this as there are a lot of a/cs. outstanding against “missing” officers and I am anxious to get matters squared before it gets into a hopeless muddle.

Thanking you

Yours truly

Oswald Philips

4th. East Yorkshire R.

Note from WHS. Sent Chq. on French Bank Credit Lyonnaise

Wrote also on June 2nd.

Capt C.M. Slack M.C.; 19/5/18; Messing

28 days in Febry.

at 9.90 per day: 278.00

8 days in March

at 11.65 per day: 93.20

* April 27.00

Frs 398.20

* This was period from March 24th. until the day reported missing.

Previously I wasn't present during this period and this figure is the Chaplain's who was Mess President for that time.

Comité International de la Croix-Rouge, Genève. to WHS; 20.5.18

Dear Sir,

In reply to your enquiry concerning Capt. Cecil M. Slack East Yorkshire Regt. we herewith beg to inform you that his name has not yet appeared on the Lists of Prisoners, received from Germany.

When it does so we shall let you know as soon as possible.

As we find that many enquirers forward us photographs of their missing relatives or friends, we would mention that these are of no use to us in our investigations.

There are no charges in connection with your enquiry.

Hoping that news will be forthcoming before long, we are.

Yours faithfully

Comité International de la Croix-Rouge, Genève, Agence Internationale des Prisonniers de Guerre, British Section.

Emma Raffan to Dora; Whit Monday (20 May) 1918

My dear Dodo,

Many happy returns of the day.

I only heard yesterday about Cecil. You poor old thing - I am so sorry it is just terribly hard luck on you. But what a comfort it must be to know he is alive and well. I believe prisoners are treated pretty well now, so I do hope you will not be worrying unduly, tho' I know you won't be able to help worrying a bit. Cheer yoursef up with the thought that he is at any rate out of the fighting and therefore stands a much better chance of coming back safely. And after all, the bally war's going to get over sometime. I expect the Central Prisoners of War Committee, or some such organisation will send out parcels regularly to him. And I was reading in the paper only yesterday that the Germans haven't much use for officer prisoners and are only too thankful to get them transferred to neutral countries, so “nil desperandum” Dodo dear.

Jessie is home for a week and she and Auntie were down Yesterday. It was she who told me about Cecil. She had seen Ken in Peterborough and Ken had told her. Ken was just passing thro' Peterboro' on the way to Yarmouth, where are her headquarters for the present. Poor girl, she has an unsettled life.

I wonder if you are back at your hospital. I expect you are as you will find work the best means to prevent you thinking too much. I just can't tell you how sorry I am about it - it is doubly hard lines after he has had such miraculous escapes so far. Poor Rosamund Woodcock lost her younger brother Geoffrey, on April 6th. These bereavements are just terrible.

Jim writes very cheerfully from Salonika - he says he is keeping very well indeed, which I hope is true. Do you know, the incidence of malaria out there is 80%. Isn't it terrible? Their hospital is the 80th. General and is a few miles from the town and 1500 feet up, so I suppose it will be about as healthy a site as possible. He is hoping to meet Brian out there. It is funny to think their first meeting should be in an outlandish place like that.

It will be a sad birthday for you, poor old thing, but I know you will be awfully brave.

The best of luck to you old girl.

I am, always your affectionate friend

Emma Raffan.

3 hours later

Since writing the first sheet I have got your letter written last Friday. We have been at Bradley for Whitsuntide, maids and all and Mother went up to Clevelands this am. and brought your letter down with her - also one from Jim. You poor old thing - what a terrible time you have had. It was nice of you to write and tell me all about it and I know well how awful you must have been feeling. But perhaps everything is for the best. Tho' Cecil will be feeling pretty miserable. I hope you hear soon. Do let me know. How tremendously proud you must be of him. He has got a splendid record - who knows, the war may be over sooner than we think and then what joy in the reunion. I expect it will be the same with you as with me - I dare hardly think of the time when I shall see him again. I go clean dotty with excitement at the very thought.

You are a dear to say such nice things about our child. I am awfully sorry you can't come over before the event but you certainly must come after. I don't want to have a nurse after the first month, until Jim comes back, that is, if I can help it, so your knowledge and help would be much appreciated! seriously tho', it would be just ripping if you could come, so will you let me know when you are at liberty and I will let you know when I am “able for” visitors, as the Scotch say.

Well goodbye, old friend, and old friends are best, aren't they?

Emma

MJW to Dora. POST OFFICE TELEGRAPH; dated May 25 1918 (clear post mark, but seems unlikely)

To Willatt Firlands, Military Hospital, Camberley, Surrey.

Wilton House postcard Cecil found and well.

Mother.

Tom. R. Slack to WHS (his brother); 22/5/18

My dear Willie,

I was very sorry and surprised to hear the other day that Cecil was a prisoner of war. My letters have been following me round France and I only heard definite news the other day. I will try and find out any details I can and let you know them but his division was very badly smashed and are now down somewhere in the Champagne district I believe. They refused to retire in the fighting round this district and consequently lost very heavily.

We have just completed a twelve day tour in the line so I have been unable to write before but anything I can find out I will pass on to you.

Our division has had a very hot time and we are now going out for a rest and retraining.

Your affect brother

Tom R. Slack

CMS to WS and WHS; (undated); received May 28th 1918

CHANGE of ADDRESS.

Offizier - Gefangenenlager

Hesepe (Kreis Bersenbruck)

War Office to WHS; May 24th 1918

The enclosed post-card, which has this day been received from the P/W Censorship, is transmitted with the compliments of the Military Secretary.

W.H. Slack Esq,
Wilton House,
Holderness Road,
Hull.

CMS to Dora; Sunday May 26 1918, received July 4 1918

Sweetheart,

It is a month since I wrote to you, but this is my first chance, bar a solitary change of address which I sent to my people, and which I expect they forwarded to you. The above is the address of the permanent camp where I am now. It has not been used as an officers' camp before. I arrived about a fortnight ago with a large batch of other officers. We spent 2 days and 2 nights on the journey. The whole time my face and jaws were swollen, and I could hardly eat my scanty supply of food. Owing to moving I was unable to see a doctor for 8 days, by which time I was getting better. I am better now and quite able to eat every grain of food I can get hold of. No parcels have arrived yet, but an officer got a letter from England a few days ago. The weather has been most gloriously warm except for an odd day or two. Yesterday I signed a parole card, which will enable me on occasions to go out for a walk, on parole. The country seems quite nice, not very hilly, but plenty of small woods. I hope to have a few walks when I can get something to walk in. My boots have gone phut. I shall be able to write home in a few days, but would you please write to my Mother toute suite and ask her to get me some leather for boot repairs sent out from time to time - about 2 sq. feet to begin with.

Accommodation is not very grand. We all XXXXX [censored]. There is a dining hut, at one end of which a quite respectable canteen has been built. We sit 14 to a table, and have broken up into numerous small messes in anticipation of that wonderful day when parcels will be a reality. My mess consists of 4, - 2 other men from my battalion, myself and an old schoolfellow of one of the others - I believe our Government still allow me my pay, and on the strength of this I have written to a London firm with whom I have an account, asking them to send me out parcels of food, drawing payment from Cox and Co. I have only ordered one large one a month at present as I do not know what arrangements have been made at home.

Bridge and chess tournaments are on, both of which I am in. Debates are to take place, lectures are given, concerts etc. There is no room for outdoor games such as football, and tennis. I suppose you will be going home again soon. I think you said you had signed on until the end of June. I think it was your birthday 5 days ago. I'm sorry I couldn't send you a little present. You will find me a very easy person to look after in later years. Plenty of bread and dripping for breakfast, bread and meat at midday, and a good hefty plain meal at night will suffice. Luxuries such as hole-less socks and clean clothes I have become indifferent to. Just feed me and love me and all will be well. I am allowed no more space, so goodbye little girl. Heaps of love, Cecil.

WHS to Dora; 26.5.1918

My dear Dora,

My letters are very poor substitutes for Cecil's, but I think you will be interested in hearing that I met this morning Private Morley of the 4th. E.Y. He has a month's special leave after being in France for a long time. He wears the three blue chevrons and went through the St. Quentin and the River Lys attacks -

For the latter they started about 850 strong, mostly as he put it “Young Kids” just out from England - and finished up with about 60 - This will probably be the lot Sgt. Westoby referred to.

He says he was at one time one of Cecil's snipers, and would have gone anywhere with him as would all the men - and he added they would do anything for him - He says the new Officers they are getting are very different from the old ones, and he is not at all happy about it.

He told me that the last thing he knew of Cecil was that he heard him say he was going to stand by the “old” Major and that he would not leave him - This rather suggests that if Cecil had been in command he might have done as he did in the latter days on the Somme, worked his way out - Probably he preferred to stick it out with the Major who may then have been wounded and face what may have seemed to be almost certain death rather than seek his own safety. It seems however as if it had been all for the best as possibly if he had got away with a number of men they might have been killed or badly wounded.

I gather that the Battn. and probably the Brigade, has gone down South again into a very quiet part, I think in the neighbourhood of Verdun.

Colonel Clarke told me yesterday that his son-in-law, Norman Ingleby is now Adjutant and that he had written to say there is only ONE Officer in the Battn. whom he had known previously - When Colonel Wilkinson returns he will miss his well-tried Officers and N.C.Os.

Yours affectionately

W.H.Slack

WHS to CMS; May 26 1918

My dear Cecil,

We were very pleased to receive yesterday morning the postcard you signed on the 12th April stating you were a Prisoner of War and unwounded - Circumstances prevent writing about many things, but it is a matter for joy that your life has been spared, and that we can look forward to seeing you home again some day - If you are allowed to refer to soldiers who were with you, can you state what happened to Captain Ruthven, Sgt. Maj. Foster, Capt Pollock and Lieut Wilson.

Cliffe called on me a few days ago - He got a dose of gas shortly after seeing you on the 10th. Private Larter refers to having seen you on the morning of the 12th about 25 yards from a shell-hole in which he was. I met Private Morley in the Street this morning. He says that about the last thing he heard of you was that you said you were going to stand by the Major and that you would not leave him - We have had a spell of lovely weather for several weeks - Directly we hear in what camp you are parcels of food and of clothing will be sent.

With love from all.

Your affectionate Father

W.H.Slack

WS to CMS; May 28th 1918

My dear Cecil,

We were delighted to see your handwriting again last Saturday, and again to-day on a post card with I suppose your present address. To-day a parcel of food has been sent to you from Peel House on our behalf and to-morrow I am taking some clothing to be sent from Hull also, as I feel sure you must be needing some, I am sending underpants, undervest, socks, shirt and collars, and as soon as we get a letter from you we will send anything you ask for. I have given your address to Mrs. Willatt and she has sent it to Dora. Bob expects to be home tomorrow for a couple of days and we are all well and very busy finishing the spring cleaning. The weather is perfect at present. We hope it will not be too long before you are home again. Dora leaves the Hospital next month, and then is going fruit picking with three other nurses for a month. She will miss looking after the “Tommies” Very much love

Your affectionate Mother

Winnie Slack

Note: The foodparcel mentioned in this letter arrived at P.O.W.Camp on June 16th 1918.

Dora to CMS; Tuesday 28.5.'18, 10.30 p.m., returned

My Dearest,

On Sat: your Father received your post card dated the 12th. April - I cannot tell you the joy and how thankful I was to see your dear hand-writing again. What you went through and what you must have suffered during your last few weeks in France is more than we can imagine - but we have heard a lot from different sources and people, and I am more proud of my darling than I have ever been before - We have had letters from the Colonel and he feels he has never thanked you for your loyalty and he could never trust anyone further than you. Although the thought of where you are is far from pleasant and worse still for you, still, compared with other great sadnesses one hears of just recently - I am lucky to have my boy alive and well. I know what your feelings would be exactly, when you were captured - and I KNOW you are not the man who would have given in had there been any alternative but certain death. We had one week when we knew nothing except that you were missing - I went home for it - I cannot even give you an idea of the agony and suspense I went through - I knew that life was not worth living without you - but that is over now - but I feel that my love for you now is even stronger than it was before and that it has brought us still more closely to one another. I do not think we shall be separated many more months then when we meet think what a happy time is in store for us - there will be no need to wait. I am always thinking about you and praying for you - and when you come home you will find your little girl waiting for you exactly the same, and just as true to you as when you left her. The meaning in this letter is a thousand times deeper than I have written it - but the space is limited for writing.

ALWAYS your own little girl

Dora

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