Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 41

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; October 14 1918, apparently censored Oct 25, post marked Dec 4

Sweetheart,

We have been four days in winter quarters - a comfortable barracks. There are six others in my room. We have an iron bedstead each, there is a stove for which fuel is supplied. Our journey was much more comfortable than previous ones

I got your 16th. and 14th. letters yesterday and today. The 13th, 15th, 17th, 18th and 20th and the photographs are still missing. Your last letters are from Filey. The cottage sounds very nice. Perhaps it won't be be very long before you and I are taking it. I'm glad you are brave enough to put your head under the water. I never knew you daren't. I know you didn't when we were in the pool at Scarborough, but I thought it was because you didn't want to wet your hair. By the way, please don't peroxide your hair. I shouldn't like it a bit. We no longer do our own cooking, everything is done for us by orderlies. Still, I have learnt enough for when you and I spend a holiday in a little cottage. I am glad about the fluffy omlette you made. I am very fond of omlettes. Tomorrow morning I am going out for a walk. Twenty five may go at a time. Our turn comes once a week.

Some more officers are due here shortly. I should love to see Laverack or old Jacko again. You tell me that Wilkie and his lot have parted. Does that mean one from the other, or that the whole has dissolved? I have been able to get hold of a Shorthand book, and can fill in a good deal of time. A hockey tournament has been organised. We have a fairly large parade ground but no playing field. Our letters should reach each other more regularly and quickly now, as there is a censoring officer here. We are allowed to send 4 post cards, and 2 letters instead of 3 letter cards. I'm sorry you have been having such a feeding time looking after sick relatives, but never mind little girl, worse accidents happen at sea. It won't be long before your time will be occupied in keeping me in order, I hope. We are allowed newspapers. Bill Robert's crush have been here.

Goodbye my darling,

Love from Cecil x x.

SLIP ENCLOSED: POSTAL CENSORSHIP

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

CMS to WS and WHS; October 15 1918

My Dear Mother and Father,

We are much better off in our new quarters than at Hesepe. I am in a room with six others. Coal and light are supplied; we have tables and chairs. There are no small messes now, and we are messing as a body. All foodstuffs common in parcels are pooled. Specialities and dainties we keep ourselves. Cooking arrangements necessitate this, and I think it will work smoothly. I have had several letters already at this place. I hear that Norman Ingleby is officially announced as killed. I am very sorry. My books have not arrived, but I have got hold of a Pitman's Shorthand and am enjoying myself. I was on the first walking party out this morning. This is a splendid town. Is it true that Wilkinson's party have broken up?

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil

CMS to WS and WHS; October 25 1918, received November 17 1918

My address is now Offizier-Gefangenenlager KOLN. Cecil.

Dora to CMS; October 16 1918, 34th Letter

My Sweetheart,

I have been wanting to write to you every night but have been too tired at bedtime to do anything - then we have been awfully worried about Gladys Runton - she went to bed a week ago with influenza and it has turned into pneumonia - she has had a temperature of 107°F for the last three days! She is terribly ill - in fact to-night is touch and go with her - the Dr. is staying all night. She has caught it at the hospital with nursing influenza and pneumonia cases and this is the result - it's awfully sad and we feel quite upset about it - especially living next door - we are doing what we can for them. I only stayed at the hospital three days - I was nursing the 'flu' cases too - on Monday my throat began to feel groggy - so I knocked off - I thought, after Gladys' dose, it was no good going on with it till I was quite ill like she did.

I have been doctoring myself since Monday and I think I am warding an attack off. Do look after yourself carefully and keep as fit as you can and be careful not to catch cold - I hope you get your woollens safely. I get awfully worried about you sometimes when I think that all the news I get from you is six weeks old. Flossie and Bill have gone home to-day - I went over to Beverley to get their house in order. I must say Good-night now my sweetheart - Father thinks Flossie will be having her sister and fiancé to stay with them in January, but I don't think they will be able to come until April so she will be busy getting ready.

Goodnight, x x

Always your little girl

Dora

Dora to CMS; October 19 1918, Saturday 9.30 p.m., 37th Letter

My Sweetheart,

Thursday was a beautiful day in one way for me and not in another. I got your letter of 7th. Sept. and your photograph - you can't imagine how I loved getting it - but you have never looked at me so sternly as you look in the photograph. You look older about the eyes but you are certainly wearing a ragtime outfit! I simply long to turn out your pockets again, they are getting awfully bulgy! A very sad thing happened on Thursday evening - Gladys Runton died about 7.30 - we had really been expecting it all day - but it came as a shock - she had a military funeral to-day - patients and nurses from the hospital went in the procession - but it seems very sad - she had contracted the 'flu and pneumonia whilst nursing the same cases. Yesterday morning I started with a temperature and cough so naturally Mother was very nervous and Dr. Baine came to see me yesterday - he says I've got bronchial catarrh and laryngitis and have to stop in bed a few days and he'll make me stay in bed a day or two extra as I'm especially precious to someone! I felt rather rotten yesterday but I am feeling better in myself to-day and my temperature is better.

I was awfully interested in the sports and am awfully glad my old boy did so well but I wish you wouldn't land on the back of your neck when jumping - I think it's too dangerous. I know just how you feel, my darling, about being where you are when things are moving elsewhere - but do try and bear it and not dwell on it too much - you've had your innings you know - altho' I know it's very hard for you all the same, sweetheart - but the best has happened for both of us I'm sure.

No more space allowed so I will finish anon - always your little girl with all her love,

Dora.

I have wanted you the last few days, sweetheart.

Dora to CMS; October 21 1918, Monday 10 p.m., 38th Letter

My Darling,

I'm still in bed and Dr. Baine says I have to stay here yet - when he came yesterday he said I want a thorough rest - I can't imagine what's made me go flop all at once - apart from my cold which is nearly better. I'm getting very tired of bed altho' I've only had four days of it - I expect you got very tired of it when you had a bad knee - it's just a year ago since you were in hoppy I think. It seems awfully odd to me to be waited on in bed, when I've trotted miles and miles round wards looking after Tommies and seeing that they drink their medicine and don't pour it down the sink when you're not looking! etc! One has to have all one's buttons on in hospital or they pull your leg if they get half a chance! I'm quite an old soldier in that respect now though!

I can't go to stay with Marjorie Barker at Yarmouth now for a while. Dr. Baine went to the matinée of Yes Uncle on Sat. and said to me yesterday “Oh Dora, it was naughty! It was splashing!!” Ma and I had intended going on Friday but it had to be off worse luck.

We shall have a lot to make up for after the war, shan't we? We may not have many pennies at first but “Love in a Cottage” will give us just as happy a time, won't it?

Good-night, my sweetheart,

Love fron your little girl

Dora. x x.

Dora to CMS; October 23 1918, Wednesday 9.45 p.m., 39th Letter

My Sweetheart,

I'm still in bed but have been sitting up in my room for about an hour to-day and Dr. Baine says I shall probably go downstairs on Saturday - I didn't think it would be such a long business - I don't like too much bed - I'd much sooner be buzzing about. Your Mother came to see me this afternoon after she had been to Peel House and brought me a pot of honey - I was awfully glad to see her again. I've got absolutely no news to-night - Pater has taught me to play “bezique” - it's quite a good game for two. Dr. Baine came to see me again to-day - bless him - he hasn't told me to get married lately! I expect he thinks it's no good talking now! I'm hoping for another letter from you in 3 or 4 days time now.

I've gone so awfully sleepy I simply must turn over and pop off - I've slept an awful lot the last two days - making it all up I should think.

Good-night, my darling, I hope you are getting your parcels still - let us know always. I haven't dreamt of you lately,

Yours with love,

Dora

Dora to CMS; October 25 1918, Friday 9.45 p.m., 40th Letter

My Darling,

I've been up and fully dressed to-day - but not downstairs - I'm going to-morrow though. Mother and Father have been out for the day so I've been by myself except for Anna to look after me. I felt awfully weak, sweetheart, while I was getting up - I had to keep sitting down and then doing a little more - but I think I shall be a little stronger to-morrow and so on. I don't know when I have ever felt so weak really. I do hope you will be careful if you get 'flu cases into your camp - if you don't feel at all well - go to bed and stay there until you are better - the Drs. say it is the only and the best thing to do - and just have hot drinks. But if you keep very fit you'll be alright.

My writing is getting truly awful with writing to you in this large type - but I expect it makes life easier for your censor. Pater and Ma brought me a most beautiful bunch of grapes - they are simply luscious - I would love to have you here to share them with you. I am reading a jolly little book called Bealby by H.G.Wells also The Broad Highway by Jeffrey Farmol - what books have you been reading lately? I slept for 2½ hrs. this afternoon after the exertion of getting dressed this a.m.! I might as well be an infant in arms at present!

Goodnight, my darling,

Love from your little girl,

Dora

Dora to CMS; October 29 1918, Tuesday 8.45 p.m., 42nd Letter

My Sweetheart,

I had a letter from you yesterday afternoon so I wasn't kept waiting long after your Ma and Pa's postcard after all. I had felt so tired after the morning that I slept solidly for two hours in the afternoon - to be woken up with your letter! It really was nice and I had just been dreaming about you too - that you were in Hull again and coming down to see me.

I have been to Peel House to-day and sent a parcel off for you - I'm sorry I haven't made any shortbreads this time but I haven't felt well enough. I also chose your weekly Reckitts parcel - but I'm awfully sorry I forgot to put any smokes in - I didn't remember until afterwards - please don't be too cross with me - it was silly of me to forget.

Ma and I went on to Beverley for the day to see Flossie. I've quite decided I don't want to live in Beverley - it's too cramped and stuffy - I wouldn't live in St. Margarets for anything - altho' I like the rooms very much - but it's rather dismal with so little garden and no fields near. I should be awfully lonely and miserable if I were Flossie I think - but she doesn't seem to be - altho' she doesn't like Bev. so much as she did.

My space is up now - so goodnight - my darling -

Love from your little girl

Dora

Dora to CMS; November 1 1918, Friday 8.15 p.m., 43rd Letter

My Sweetheart,

I had another letter from you y'day dated Sept 27th. I'm glad you've got one photograph - I suppose it is the postcard group you received - I posted four snapshots taken with my camera of our fruit-picking as well - so you ought to get them soon after you received that. Please do grow a moustache again before you come back to England - in fact you MUST - and take the side whiskers off too please - so don't forget young man! So I s'pose I've got to live on that photo you sent me until I see you again - I don't know how I'm going to do it. I'm glad you are putting food by for the winter months - I was hoping you would do. I shall have to look up my French when you get back or I shall be out in the cold when we have our trip to Paris.

I couldn't write yesterday as I was busy with Mother - she had a slight temperature so I put her to bed - she has rather a bad throat but will be better in a day or two. Your Mother has had a temperature and a throat and is in bed - but your Father rang up last night and she was better but still in bed.

I'm glad you think of me when you go to bed - I always think of you too - sweetheart.

Good-night - x x love from your little girl

Dora

Dora to CMS; November 5 1918, Tuesday 9 p.m., 44th Letter

My Darling,

I have had Ma ill since I last wrote but it's a cold and touch of the 'flu and bad throat - but she is practically better now. I'm very sorry your Mother has had such a very bad throat and the Dr. says she has only just escaped something worse so he is taking special care - you needn't worry because she is practically alright now but not out of her bedroom yet - I want to go down to see her to-morrow afternoon if I can. I have been to Peel House this afternoon to send your parcel off for your Mother and also to choose Reckitts parcel for you. I have remembered the smokes this time - also some soap. They have asked me to go and work at Peel House - pack up parcels - so I think I might go until Xmas - I can't leave Mother for a week yet and then I want to go to Emma's for a week - I have been going there for weeks. I have been playing the piano to-night and I hadn't touched it for weeks - it was simply lovely to go over old pieces again.

I must go and put Ma to bed now and then I have to see that Pa gets a scalding hot bath - hot milk and aspirins - as HE'S got a bad cold too! - so I'm BUSY, old boy.

Goodnight darling x x.

Love from your little girl

Dora

CMS to Dora; November 16 1918, Saturday 8.45 p.m.

Darling,

Last night I had a glorious dream about you. I had just got out of the train at some funny little wayside station, and you were waiting to meet me. Bill was with you. I gave you two kisses, I can feel my lips on your cheek now, but when I began to speak I woke up.

I haven't written this month because we had all expected to be home by now. Perhaps I shall still come before this letter but I want to talk to you now, and if it does come afterwards we can read it together in front of a cosy fire.

We don't know when we shall leave this place, it may be any day up to the termination of the armistice. I am almost crying to be with you again now that it is so near. Letters are coming through now uncensored at this end. Your 24th, 26th and 27th arrived a few days ago. I also got a very old one from home. We are allowed to go out in the town as we like between the hours 9.30 a.m. - 6.30 p.m. on parole, but may not visit music halls, cinemas, cafés etc. with the exception of one very nice café. I believe one can get pop etc. there but not much else at present. I and another fellow were the first out in the town, and without giving our parole. We were looked at with interest, some timidity, and in a sort of fed up way. I was delighted to get a letter from the Colonel a day or two ago. Thompson got a parcel today, and Hatfield got one yesterday, the first since we left Hesepe, we have been in low water again about grub, but I think all's well now. We got a little bit of wind up during the revolution stunt, but not much. A few of our sentries joined the mob, but the council people kept good order. We had to take the armistice news very quietly though.

Goodnight my darling,

my own little girl x x.

Love from Cecil.

CMS to WHS and WS; November 24 1918, Sunday 10.30 p.m.

with the British Prisoners of War Interned in Holland.

My Dear Father and Mother,

We arrived at Rotterdam today and sail for Hull tomorrow. The journey will be about 50 or 60 hours. From Hull we all go to Ripon for explanations, identifications etc., and then home for leave.

I expect I shall be able to get home before going to Ripon. We came down the Rhine from Coln, and have had excellent treatment in Holland.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

CMS to Dora; November 24 1918, Sunday 10.30 p.m.

with the British Prisoners of War Interned in Holland.

Darling,

I expect to be home a few minutes after this letter. We arrived at Rotterdam today and sail for Hull tomorrow. From Hull we have to go to Ripon to tell people all about our being made prisoner etc, after which I BELIEVE we get a month's leave. If I can break the journey at the little city of Hull, you bet your sweet life I'm doing it. I think our journey across takes two days and one night. I'm feeling very happy; are you?

Love from your sweetheart,

Cecil. x x

P.S. I got your first letter (to Limburg) just before leaving.

POST OFFICE TELEGRAPHS

To SLACK. Great Northern Hotel, Peterborough. dated 28.11.1918.

Cecil arrived. Well. Met by Mrs. Slack and Dora. Is reporting at Scarboro' for two days.

Willatt.

POST OFFICE TELEGRAPHS

Office of origin Scarborough. Handed in at 10.10 am November 29th. 1918.

Received at Hull 10 30 am.

To SLACK. Wilton House, Holderness Road, Hull.

Arrive 1.28 today.

Cecil.

CITATIONS for MILITARY CROSS and BAR

AWARD of MILITARY CROSS.

Extract from the LONDON GAZETTE dated July ?15. 1916.

His Majesty, the King, has been gracious to approve of the following awards (amongst others):

Military Cross - Second Lieut (Temporary Lieutenant) Cecil Moorhouse Slack, 1st. 4th. Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment (TF) for conspicuous gallantry when leading a raiding party against the enemy trenches. He entered their trench alone, accounting for two of the enemy, and withdrew safely after 15 minutes.

The local newspaper reads: “I think it will be conceded when the facts can be made known that he has in every way upheld, not only the credit of his battalion, but also that of the old city by the Humber. I may also hint this, however, that the award of the Cross has already been announced in field orders, and military men will appreciate what that means.”

AWARD of BAR to MILITARY CROSS.

Extract from the LONDON GAZETTE dated DECEMBER 3rd. 1918. relating to Captain C.M. Slack, M.C. for services rendered in the defensive retreat when the Germans tried to break through, between St. Quentin and Amiens in March last :-

“For conspicuous gallantry and initiative when his Battalion was ordered to retire. He went back during heavy fighting to extricate two Platoons who had not received the order. Later, when troops on the flank fell back, he went forward from Battalion headquarters and formed a defensive flank with the flank Company and some machine guns which he collected, under very heavy fire. Throughout he showed fine courage and leadership.”

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