Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 40

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 WHS and WS; August 27 1918, received October 6 1918

My dear Father and Mother,

Life is just the same here as it was a month ago - nothing new.

Will you please send my football boots, shorts, and a white cotton shirt - we haven't got a playground yet, but we may have someday, either here or at another camp. The razor you sent me is a dud, so will you please send some “7 o'clock” blades, toute suite, and will you also please send my tunic from my valise which should have arrived by now. My sleeping bag too would be useful if I am here for the winter. Winter here will be pretty awful but I hope my books will have arrived by then. The war news seems pretty good; we are allowed to have German news-papers. I take the “Frankfurter Zeitung”* , and occasionally endeavour to increase my vocabulary.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

* Written as “Yestung” - it is possible that Cecil misread the Gothic script.

CMS to Dora; August 27 1918, 3.30 p.m., received October 6 1918

My Darling,

Your letters are arriving regularly now. The 6th. came a few days ago and I learn that you are earning some honest pennies at the cost of an aching back. I've got something aching too, little girl, right inside me, and when that photo of you in uniform comes, it will probably ache more - but it's a nice kind of ache so don't be afraid of sending more photos. I expect your heart aches a bit at times, sweetheart. I wonder if you've got my photograph yet. I don't look quite so fed up now, because for one thing I am more fed up. You ask me what work to take up. I'm awfully glad the Camberley Matron gave you such a decent report, but I'm sure you earned it. Perhaps you've taken up the work again by now, if you haven't gone on the massage stunt. Is massage good for rheumatism? Because I bet I'll get it hot before long, after mud baths etc. in France and Flanders. Life has been somewhat enlivened during the last two days

- -your fruit picking cottage rather appeals to me. Don't I just wish I were there now. I could do the washing up, I'm awfully good at it, and in cold water too. Perhaps it won't be long before we're doing it on some weekend holiday. You ask if there's anything I want. I don't think there is, other than what I'm getting now. Little things such as brushes, toothpaste etc. but not soap, can be bought at the canteen.

Yours with love,

Cecil

SLIP ENCLOSED: POSTAL CENSORSHIP

The British Censorship is not responsible for the mutilation of this letter.

Tom Ferens to CMS; August 28, 1918

My dear Cecil,

How delighted we all are to know that after weary waiting parcels of food have reached you. I write believing that noone can really understand what it meant to you who has not undergone weeks of hunger.

I frequently hear from Percy Carr and he almost always refers to you in quite “affectionate” terms.

Last Sunday after the morning service I was walking with your Mother and your young people and a man came up to me and said that a Tommy had told him the day before that Cecil Slack had saved his life. I said “Do you know who this lady is?” and he said “No” and I told him that it was your Mother. I can imagine how proud and thankful she would feel. Since then the saved man has been at your house, no doubt they will have given you more details than I know -

I hope that it is the beginning of the end and that before long peace may be declared and we shall have you amongst us once more.

Business is very difficult and everything is frightfully dear - raw materials are scarce and costly owing to shipping restrictions. It is surprising how well we have done in spite of the obstacles we have had to encounter.

With kindest regards in which Mrs. Ferens joins,

I am

very sincerely

Thomas Ferens.

P.S. Since writing the foregoing Mrs. Ferens and I have been to Paragon to see Mrs. Harvey off, leaving the circuit. Your Mother, Hilda, Mabel, Kitty, Harold, and Ralph were there too, all looking in the pink. Kitty was dressed in trousers and looked like a little man and she was using a boy's name. She presented Mrs. Harvey with some nice carnations. Mrs. Harvey has been a brick, we shall sorely miss her.

Harry Quant to CMS; August 29 1918

Dear Cecil,

I was very pleased to receive your postcard of July 10th. and to know that the parcels of food stuffs and tobacco were arriving.

I have shown your card to several Directors and will pass it round at the next Board Meeting. You can be quite certain that we are all delighted to know that you were safe and well, and we are looking forward to the time when we can welcome you back to Hull.

There is plenty I should like to write about, but under the circumstances it is not wise. With kind regards and the best of good wishes,

Yours sincerely,

H.E. Quant

Dora to CMS; August 30 1918, Friday 3.30 p.m., 21st Letter

My Sweetheart,

I had a letter from you last Tuesday dated 20th July and saying you had just got my first letter. You have been nearly 3½ months without a line from me. I am sorry I have already sent you a box of paints off, but perhaps someone else may like them who is fond of sketching. I'm glad you can get a block from the canteen because we are not allowed to send them here. I haven't had a moment to spare since I last wrote on Sunday. On Tuesday I came over here to look after Flossie - she's not at all well - we want her to come over to Filey but she is absolutely cussèd and WON'T come that I am sick of it all. I ALWAYS get the pip here and feel horribly miserable. I miss you when I'm with Bill and Flossie more than at any other time. At present I feel I'd like to dig a hole and bury myself in it until you come home.

However I'm leaving her for Bill to look after this weekend and going to Filey and I don't think I shall come back on Monday - her Ma -in -law must come over or she must pull up her socks and look after herself - Cecil, I'm so UTTERLY sick of looking after poorly relations - I get Ma better and someone else begins. I shall have to look after Ma again until Xmas to see that she doesn't catch cold, etc. but after that I shall get away again - be a W.A.A.C. or something - then they can't call me home - I shall be fixed till the end of the war. I'm sorry it's such a pippy letter but I can't help it. Could you write a note to Mrs Norman Ingleby c/o Col. Clarke, Kirk Ella, Nr. Hull. - she would be so awfully glad to hear from one of her husband's friends I know. I hear she has been a splendid brick and worked at Peel House until the day she heard he was killed.

Good bye my dear one,

Your little girl

Dora

WHS to CMS; August 31 1918 (This letter is incomplete)

My dear Cecil,

I have just been reading a letter from Padre Harvey written in a Y.M.C.A. Officers rest hut which he says reminds him of your tribute to the Association's work - Since I wrote you from Filey I have had a week's golfing with Mr. Brealy in Sale - You can imagine the difficulties mainly due to longish grass, when I state that we lost about a dozen balls the first day - Roy is at home having just got his commission - Quite a lot of cards have arrived advising the receipt of food by you - This is very good news -

You will be sorry to hear that it is now officially reported Norman Ingleby was killed towards the end of May - Your fear about Pollock is only too correct - The newspapers report “The Captain's servant who is an exchange prisoner from Germany states that the Captain while carrying him on his back across an open stretch of country which was being swept by machine gun fire, collapsed and died - The servant after lying by him for four hours was captured”.

You will remember Ivan Hutchinson - - - - - - - - - - -

NEWSPAPER CUTTING

CAPT. CHARLES POLLOCK, East Yorkshire Regiment, only son of Sir E.M. Pollock, K.C. M.P., previously posted as missing, is now reported killed in action. The captain's servant, who is an exchanged prisoner from Germany, states that the captain, while carrying him on his back across an open stretch of country which was being swept by machine -gun fire, collapsed and died. The servant, after lying by him for four hours, was captured. Capt Pollock and he were the last to leave an evacuated British trench.

Dora to CMS; September 3 1918, Tuesday 10.10 p.m., 22nd Letter

Darling,

Do you remember just a year ago to -day - we came over to Filey for the day - and the weather was simply perfect and after seeing Miss Varley we took the Saxon to Reighton and had tea with the Crowe's - well, Ma and I have been there for tea to -day - funny it is the same day exactly a year hence! It has been simply another perfect day like we had, I remember every minute of the time you were on leave just as if it happened yesterday - I wonder if you have been thinking about it. Anyway it means a lot to me now, to have the memory of your "leaves" to think about. The one a year last December seems a very long way off. It is nearly six months since I saw you too - I wonder how many six months we shall have to wait for another leave. I am sorry my last letter to you was so pippy - I feel better again now but I can't help getting the dumps occasionally. Flossie is better than she was - I 'phoned her on Monday mg. - she wants me to go back to her but I'm not going - I hate it so.

The Crowe girls asked about you - a great friend of May's, called Mrs. Binnington - farmers at Dalton Holme - knew the Ingleby boys quite well, and May wondered if you had ever been to her house with them. Reighton Manor has been sold over their heads so they are giving up the farm and going to live in a smaller house in Reighton - next March. They are awfully fed up about it. I have just finished reading a ripping book called Sonia by Stephen McKenna - I would send it to you but I can't as it relates to the war - but you must read it sometime. How do you like your mess -mates - are they decent fellows? I don't remember hearing you mention them when you have been over.

Goodnight my sweetheart x x

Your little girl

Dora

CMS to Dora; September 7 1918, Saturday, 9.30 p.m., received October 17 1918

My Sweetheart,

No letters have come for me for the last 10 days, but for all that I've actually got some news to write about - not very exciting certainly, but something you don't know: we've had 4 events in the Sports! High jump, long jump, throwing the cricket ball, and a relay race between teams from England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa and America. I ran the quarter mile for the English team, which won. Any apprehension you may have, my dear, as to my becoming fat you may do away with, because I won the high jump, clearing 5 ft. I was fourth in the long jump and the cricket ball, both of which followed the relay race which had about outed me. The war news is pretty useful, but it makes me feel mad to be here, sitting on the place where I always sit, and out of everything. I know I oughtn't to feel like it, darling, for some reasons that you and I know of, but I can't help it. Tomorrow finishes my week of cooking which we each take in turn now. I haven't had such a bad week of it, and the other people ate quite a lot of what I did. Next week I shall be orderly man and will wash up, set the table, and draw the tinned stuff, and the following week I become a gentleman of leisure. I got some pyjamas in a clothes parcel a few days ago. I wore them once - the first time for 5 months - and felt awfully stuffy, I couldn't sleep. I shan't put them on again till the cold weather comes. Our piano has livened us up a good deal. There is one Sowerbutts who is very hot stuff on it. He is no relation to our Miss Sowerbutts that was. Please give my love to your Pa and Ma, Flossie and Bill, and heaps yourself from an aching heart,

Cecil x x.

WS to CMS; September 8 1918

My dear Cecil,

Your letter dated Aug. 5th. arrived this morning. We look forward eagerly to your cards and letters, which seem to take from 4 to 5 weeks to come. It is strange that Thompson's parcels are not arriving. I will enquire at Peel House when I go to choose your parcel this week. Our letters must be delayed somewhere, as we write regularly every week. Hilda has got her hair up and looks quite the young lady, though she is still a schoolgirl in ways. Dora and Mrs. Willatt return from Filey this week. Mrs W. is feeling much better for the change. On their return home, Flossie and her husband are going to spend a few weeks at Beech Croft. You will be interested to know that Flossie expects to be a mother in April next. There will be great rejoicings. Bob has been home for a night. He has had several days in M'chester with Roy, who was home on leave. Our new ministers welcome meeting took place last week. Some of the children have been here to play with ours and had good times.

Much love from all,

Your affec. Mother.

Winnie Slack

Dora to CMS; September 8 1918, Sunday 3 p.m., 23rd Letter

Darling,

I have enjoyed the last two days tremendously - on Friday I went for a horse ride with old Mr. Burr - about five of us went again yesterday morning and he let another girl and me go off on our own along the sands and we had a ripping canter - it's lovely on the sands - though the last time I rode on them was at C.Bay and Francis got the wind up (and I did too) because my animal bolted with me towards the huge boulders just below Capesthorne. I haven't been on a horse since I was with Pa at Pocklington in Dec: 1915 or Nov. and you were at Dalton. I saw in the paper yesterday that Grummit of Hornsea has been wounded by shrapnel in the shoulder and is now in a London hospital - he's soon finished his six months in England - I remember a year ago to -day we were sitting in your conservatory and you were reading Hiawatha.

Harold Jarman and Enid Grey are getting married on Wednesday next at Holy Trinity - I know Enid Grey - she's not bad at all - very nice - but rather too elaborately dressed always. I do my hair a different way now - no parting at all and just a bun at the back - I hope you will like it. Bill has got the 'flu and been very poorly with it.

Yours with love x x

Dora.

CMS to WHS and WS; September 10 1918

My Dear Father and Mother,

I am very glad to receive my two clothes parcels, including my tunic and a pair of shoes. I am glad my Kit has arrived, as there was a chance of it being captured. I believe the Student in Arms is one which the Colonel lent me. Will you please send the breeches and a pair of boots. The war news is excellent, but it makes me chafe to be here, stirring porridge. It's very easy to say so, but I am becoming very tired of being a prisoner and doing nothing except increasing my balance at Cox's. I believe I owe Thirkell and Robertson for my last uniform. Will you please settle the bill for me against my return. We have had four events in the Sports. I won the high jump, clearing five feet head first, and landing on the back of my neck. This week I am washer -up, table setter, and general cook's help. Next week I am nothing, and then I take on cooking again. I am hoping my text books will turn up soon, although study will not be easy in this crowded place.

Love to all,

Your affec. Son,

Cecil

Dora to WHS and WS; September 10 1918, Tuesday

My dear Mr. and Mrs. Slack,

I had a letter from Cecil this morning which Father had posted from home - but probably you will have had news from him at the same time. It was written on July 31st. and he says - “This is my last letter of the month's allowance. I've kept it back in case anything turned up for me. I thought I'd got one yesterday for a birthday present, but when it was handed to me I found it was for someone else not in the camp. We are advised not to write too small and to ask our people to do the same, to save delay in the censoring. I am sending you a photo of Hatfield and myself, under another cover. The Rastatt ones arrived last night and I shall be sending you one in a few days' time if it is allowed. News is pretty scarce as you can imagine - just sleeping, walking, cooking and eating. I find I can get hold of books for the exam for which I was working before the war, by means of a special P.O.W. method, and it is possible for the study I do here to be taken into account on return to England. In some camps official exams have been held. This will save time in swotting after the war, as the work will help a lot, even though my exam: cannot be here. I am a regular nib at cooking now, though most of it is only a form of 'heating up'. I make excellent porridge, and am dead nuts on bacon. We feel secure in the parcel line now, but have to be careful, as Thompson's stuff isn't coming as it should”

I believe Cecil mentioned in a previous letter that Thompson had received a parcel from Peel House, so probably they would know something about it. I am looking forward to seeing the photograph and hope it manages to come through safely.

With love to all,

Yours affectionately

Dora

WHS to CMS; September 11 1918

My dear Cecil,

Your last letter dated Aug. 5, reached us on Sep. 8 th. in which you refer to Laverack and Ingleby - You will know by this time the latter has been reported to be killed, in the next encounter after you were taken prisoner.

To night's paper refers to Ruthven having been awarded the Military Cross - though I am afraid he will never know anything about it -

Herbert Fellowes had a great time when he was before the Doctors recently. He asked if it would be a pantomime or a medical examination - The story goes that the Doctors ran out of measuring tapes, and that it took 2 or 3 of them to hold him up when he tried to bend forward to touch the ground with his hands - He seems to grow stouter every year -

If you have not written direct to Mr. Philip Reckitt, I think it would be well to do so in reference to the parcels which you are receiving from the Company every week -

Bertie and Tom are still on active service and in good form.

I met a Private Bean recently who said you saved his life and that of his pals when they were in a wood in March and would not have got away but for your calling them out!

Your affec. Father

W.H. Slack

Dora to CMS; September 10 1918, Tuesday, 5.30 p.m., 24th Letter

Darling,

I had a letter from you this morning dated 31st. July - I'm sorry you didn't get a letter for your birthday - but I wrote one for it - about five weeks beforehand. I am looking forward to the photograph - I only hope they'll let it through - you ought to be getting the photos I sent about now. I have been riding again yesterday and to -day; and tomorrow will be my last before we go home on Thursday. It's just a year ago to -morrow since we were in London - you remember. We had an awfully nice day in Flamborough last week - the rocks are gorgeous - it was about 12 years since I had been - I think we must have a little weekend holiday there sometime. I do hope you will be able to get your exam: over, if possible, before you come back to England - you wouldn't feel so tied down in the evenings afterwards then, and it would give you a fresher start in the business life.

I have had a note from Marjorie this morning and she wants me to go over to Yarmouth this week or soon, but I can't possibly as Flossie and Bill are coming to stay with us at Beech Croft next week for a time. I forgot to tell you I bought a live lobster from Flamboro' with us - it crawled over the train carriage floor - one girl asked if it was a fowl!! She must have been mad I'm sure! It was wriggling the next morning when I tried to put it into the pan - so I funked it and called Ma to do it!

I'm finishing this at 10 pm. before I hop into bed - have just been sitting in front of a cosy and comfy fire thinking of you.

Goodnight, Sweetheart,

Your little girl

Dora

War Office (Postal Censor) to Dora; September 11 1918

quote: - D 15193 m.i.q.d.

Madam,

I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th. September and to forward for your information a list of some of those agents who are at present in posession of the necessary permit.

I am, Madam

Your obedient Servant.

(signature illegible)

for Chief Postal Censor.

WHS to CMS; September 15 1918

My dear Cecil,

It is Sunday morning and all are at Brunswick except myself and the dog - The latter has been whining and crying, as if he were a human being. He becomes quite moody when the children are away -

Yesterday I reached another birthday. My “score” is becoming quite a formidable one - We were to have had a tennis party, but the day was so wet and cold that it was necessary for the first time for many weeks to have a fire in the sitting room -

I wish it were allowable to write something about the world's events though I suppose you get some news of interest as you refer to Red Cross lists being in the camp - We may hope that recent events have brought the end nearer and that the day is not very distant when all the Nations will be at peace with one another -

Harvey sent me a card a day or two ago - His successor Mattinson preached himself in last Sunday - He is a good sort - His four youngsters have been here to play in the garden several times - They are lively nippers.

Uncle Ted is a Grandfather, and in a few months time Beech Croft will have a Grandchild if all goes well - It is rather a long way off so it may be well for you not to refer to it at present -

With love from all

Your affectionate Father

W.H.Slack

Harold to CMS; September 16 1918, addressed to Hesepe, readdressed to Köln

My Dear Cecil,

I hope you are getting on all right. The hens are laying very badly, last month they laid 6 eggs from 20 hens. The dog is ill, he has had to be sent to the vet. We have not had any grapes this year, we have had a great number of Crab Apples and peaches.

From Your Affec.

Brother Harold.

Dora to CMS; September 19 1918, Thursday, 26th. Letter

Sweetheart,

Mrs. Clement Waite - she was Vera Clarke - until last February - well, she telephoned me last night to know if you were getting your parcels and how you were. Waite never received any until Aug. 14th. and he was taken on the 12th. April. He is on the Baltic coast and Jacko is with him. I have asked her down to tea one day next week so we shall have a lot to talk about. She has been doing a few weeks motoring in London and doesn't know whether to sign on for a year or not - I think it's too long a time for her to be booked for.

I brought Flossie from Beverley on Tues. - We had an awful time with the dog - it refused to get into the cab or the train and had to be lifted - and it's a big animal to carry about! He has already succeeded in eating a 2oz. pat of butter - he can eat things off dishes on shelves and tables but never breaks a pot! Did I tell you Cedric Earle was killed - the beginning of the month - you will remember when he was wounded and he was in London when you were “missing”. We saw Mrs. Earle - his Ma - in town and I thought how lucky she was then - but I don't now. I made some shortbread for you yesterday and took it to Peel House, also a Pheasant Paté which they are enclosing in a Reckitts parcel as it isn't allowed in the one I sent.

I'm fed up with Flossie - I always do get fed up with her after two or three days. I want to try and go in for massage after Xmas - in London - I do hate housekeeping - it's such a loathsome job.

Goodbye - sweetheart,

Yours with love

Dora

CMS to WHS and WS; September 21 1918, received October 26 1918

My Dear Father and Mother,

We have been given a young playing-field. So far we have only played hockey, with walking sticks and a cricket ball but we hope soon to have footballs etc. from a Red Cross Society. Our family was increased by two a few days ago; two officers who were caught in an attempt to escape from another camp. I am glad to hear that Laverack has been officially reported a prisoner; I wish I could hear the same of Ingleby. I am very glad that you have sent me a couple of my books. They should arrive soon. I have written direct for others. There is a slight possibility of our going to another camp for the winter. If we do not this is to be improved. I am glad to hear that the Orphan Childrens' Sale was such a success.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil

Dora to CMS; September 25 1918, Monday, 6p.m.

Sweetheart,

I have been neglecting you horribly during the last five days - we came home on Thursday and I have been most fearfully busy ever since - I had never tidied up my belongings since I went to Camberley last December and also I had a lot of letters to weed out - however I've just finished and Flossie and Bill and Boy -(the Airdale dog) come and stay with us tomorrow - also their maid - so we shall be a big family once more.

I have been enjoying life - or rather living in the past - by reading some of your old letters and it struck me at once how they have altered since April 10th. - you are so matter of fact these days - it was refreshing to read one of your old ones. I know it's rotten to think one's letters have to be scrutinised by several people before they get to each other - still it's much better than no letters at all.

I went down to Wilton House on Saturday afternoon - it was pouring with rain so no tennis, so we all played “sardines” all over the house - it was ripping - Norman is getting quite talkative these days and of course Harold never stops - which is rather different from your theory about the men -folk of the Slack family not having much to say! It is exactly six months ago since we saw each other - we ought to be enjoying another leave really - anyhow six months of your life behind the barbed wire is over - thank goodness.

Goodbye darling, I'm going to make you some more shortbread to send off on Wednesday.

Your little girl,

Dora

CMS to Dora; September 22 1918

Sweetheart,

Thank you very much for the paints, pencils and shaving soap which I received a few days ago. I have taken off my moustache, but it has grown again quickly and I am attempting a pair of side -whiskers. I shan't be able to send you a picture of them because it is now verboten to send photographs of ourselves. Your photograph has not arrived yet, neither have any letters for some time, but I expect I shall get a bunch of them next week. I am sorry to hear your Mother has not been well, and trust she is better by now. A sports committee has been formed, of which I am a member. We hope to get footballs, boxing gloves etc. soon. I have had a game of hockey today, with walking sticks. I received a large welt on the nose, and a split thumb -nail. There is not much room on our pitch. We have been given an old wheat field to play on. At present we may use it on alternate days. Needless to say that we are thankful for it.

I see that Cecil Ingleby has been married. I knew Miss Winkley slightly, but I don't think she will remember me. She was one of a concert party which came to us twice at South Dalton. The Ingleby's have had rotten luck in the war - Cecil badly wounded, poor old Norman missing, and their sister's fiancée killed. I am awfully sorry about Norman - I wish I could hear he were safe. I am glad you are seeing to what is put into my parcels at Peel House. We are living quite well at present, but are trying to get a little store for the bad winter weeks when the roads may be snowed up. If it snows as much as it rains that will easily happen. It is too cold to sit outside nowadays, and I am glad my underclothes have arrived. I am asking Mother to send me the jersey you gave me.

Goodbye, little girl,

x x . Love from Cecil.

Dora to CMS; September 29 1918, Wednesday 10.30 p.m., 28th Letter

My Darling,

It's a joyful day to -day, 'cause I had a letter from you this morning, dated 15 August. I have been writing to you more often since the beginning of August but I'm going to keep you going with a letter every other day about, from now - I want to help to make life as easy as it is possible for you at present. I know what is in all your letters, I've read them so much, that it is one reason why I go back to the old ones as well - to -day's is the tenth I have received since April. I do wish that photo would come - there's absolutely no sign of it at all. I'm simply longing for it to come. I'm having cold baths in the mornings and then I do one or two exercises to try to keep my tummy down too! So you see you are not the only one who thought of keeping your tummy fit! I do hope you get that sports field - it will make it tons nicer for you all. Why don't you learn to play the piano now you have got one - we could have lovely times playing duets in years to come. I have been down to see your Mother this afternoon - she is in bed with a touch of her old trouble - she has really been doing far too much again - she's so very unselfish - she was taking Hilda to Harpenden to -morrow on her way to College, but they are going on Friday instead - if she is well enough - she has looked so very tired the last week. A note on Capt C.M.S. has been found in the pocket case of Ruthven's returned kit - about the March affair - it makes me realise more and more what you have done.

Love from your little girl

Dora

COPY OF THE NOTE MENTIONED ABOVE

Found in the late Captain J. Ruthven's pocket case - in his kit returned to England after the battle of St. Quentin.

Capt C.M.Slack M.C.

Throughout the time the battalion was in action he displayed great courage and determination, especially in leading counter-attacks, and organizing withdrawals; and by his coolness and ceaseless energy he set a fine example to all those under him....On several occasions he held on to positions to the last possible moment, and himself shot down many of the advancing enemy.

CMS to Dora; September 27 1918, 5.30 p.m., received October 31 1918

Darling,

I got the snapshot of the fruit pickers the day before yesterday. Need I tell you I was delighted to see your picture again? I've got some here of course, but this is newer. You look awfully well, and Father and Mother say the same in their letters. I'm glad my p.c. to your Ma got through. We are allowed to write 4 post cards and 3 letter cards a month. The p.cs. go home and you get the letter cards so that the postman can't see things meant for one pair of eyes only. I wonder if the censor was ever in love! I had an awful nightmare the other night - I dreamt I was married to someone else. It was horrible. I was just making a plan to murder the person, when I woke up. What made the dream worse was that you were there, and were as fed up as I was. My relief on waking up was immense. I have been playing hockey this afternoon with a real live hockey stick. Father tells me that the Colonel has got a bar to his D.S.O. If you should be writing to him again, please send him my congratulations, and tell him I'm awfully glad about it. I shall write again to him when I have a buckshee card. Our time has been altered. I don't know how it compares with yours, but I always think only of you every night when I go to bed, and often dream of you. I have found a book of History Notes and find them much more interesting now than when I was at school. Do you remember William the Conqueror? We learnt about him at Miss Keer's from the same book, 17 years ago. I have joined our French class.

Goodbye, little girl,

x x. Love from your sweetheart, Cecil

WHS to CMS; September 29 1918

My dear Cecil,

We were pleased to receive a post card from you yesterday - It is 3 weeks since the previous one came to hand - I am sorry you have not been getting all the tobacco you need; this will be remedied in the future -

Mrs. Ruthven sent Mother a few days ago a copy of a note she found in her son's pocket case in his Kit which only reached her quite recently - It is evident it refers to your work following on March 21st. and has nothing to do with the April battle as Ruthven was missing on the day you were captured. It reads as follows:

“Captain C.M.Slack M.C. - Throughout the time the Battn. was [in] action he displayed great courage and determination especially in leading counter -attacks, and organizing withdrawals; and by his coolness and ceaseless energy he set a fine example to all those under him - On several occasions he held on to a position to the last possible moment, and himself .....”

The words omitted need not be inserted, but they refer to something you told us in your letter of April 6th. It is clear Ruthven had not an opportunity to send the report in - However you rejoice in your life whereas poor Ruthven has not been heard of - I have just been talking to Dora over the telephone - She hopes you will not run any risk with your weak knee when playing football -

Waite has written for his golf clubs and fishing tackle - He must be in a fine place - Your friend the Major is at Stralsund -

With love from all

Your affectionate Father

W.H.Slack

Dora to CMS; September 29 1918, Sunday 10.15 p.m., 30th Letter

My Darling,

We put our clocks back to -night so it's really only 9.15 now - I've come to bed and am writing in bed - with a hot water bottle - it's turned so cold - don't be disgusted with me because I have one - I simply MUST - I know you scorn them. We have had Mrs. Rollett in to see us this evening - she is staying with the Todd's - her husband is the man you went on the musketry course with at Strensall in 1915. She says the Rollett you know is married and is at Hornsea at present.

Flossie is lonely now Bill has gone away, but I tell her she has not had anything to worry about this wartime. Your Pater rang up to -night and I had a talk with him - he goes to London in the morning on business and to meet your Mother and Hilda.

Your Father thinks the biscuits will be better for you than if the bread is mouldy when it arrives - so I'm afraid the flour won't keep good until it arrives. I do hope you warm up the shortbreads I send you - or they won't be a bit nice - they want putting into a very hot oven for about five minutes. I wish I could send you a plum cake every time - but shortbread is the only thing I can manage at present.

I have had a burst to -day, and written to two of your Australian relations - I ought to have answered their letters before really. I'm awfully glad you may be getting a sports field - but DO be careful with your left knee - DO please remember what I say, Cecil, 'cause you'll have nobody to remedy it if it goes wrong again - and once a knee has gone, it is very likely to go again - so take the advice of an old maid! I dreamt that I saw you last night - I came over for the day to have a look at you - but I wasn't allowed to speak!

Goodnight - Yours with love

Dora

Dora to CMS; October 9 1918, Wednesday 9.45 p.m., 34th Letter

My Darling,

I was thinking about you last night as usual but I quite forgot to write! I can't think how I forgot when you were in my mind because I have dreamt about you the last three nights - we have been at Filey each time - it seemed so real and I hated waking up again. Time seems so short when I think I have only been with you for five weeks since we were engaged nearly two years ago now - we shall have a lot to make up for when we see each other again. I often have a huge heartache for you, my sweetheart - but yet I think that everything is happening for the best and together we can make up for it all after the war, can't we?

Your Mother and Mrs. Brealy came down for tea this afternoon and I showed them our willow pattern tea -cloth, which they admired very much so I'm sure you will like it.

Mrs. Brealy put an idea into my head as to the reason of your swollen face on the journey from Rastatt - it wasn't a pleasant thought at all. Little thoughts often make my heart ache for you more than anything - when I know I can do nothing for you - but there is an end to all things.

This is not meant to be a miserable letter, sweetheart, it is only because I feel for you to such a tremendous extent.

Goodnight x from your little girl,

Dora

Dora to CMS; October 11 1918, Friday 10.15 p.m., 35th Letter

In bed.

My Darling,

Several of the nurses have got 'flu at the V.A.D. hospital on Cottingham Rd. - so the Matron rang me up to -day - simply beseeching me to go as they wanted help so badly with these nine nurses being off - so I have to be there at 8 in the mg. and have to go into the 'flu and pneumonia ward, so I hope I don't catch either. I shall only be there for two or three days I expect - to help them out. I have been in town to -day with Ma and have been to have a new navy coat and skirt fitted - it's a plain tailor made one, with swishy little pockets, and I have got a lovely mauve muffler - woollen - all fluffy - rather like a teddy -bear - and then I shall wear a black hat and that will be all - I can't send you little patterns like I used to!

It's nothing fluffy for me to -morrow though - starched cuffs and stiff apron etc. and a severe look - so I must pull up my socks in the morning!

It was just midnight when I hopped into bed last night so I must pop off a little earlier to -night. Good -night, my sweetheart, look after your knee.

Love from your little girl,

Dora

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