Cecil Slack's letters: Volume 9

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.

Dora to CMS; Wednesday 11.30 am. 19.7.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I WAS disappointed not to get a letter from you this morning - one was due to arrive yesterday - I had worked out the posts - but it s'never came - but it will be sure to come to-morrow I expect.

How are you and your nice little M.C. getting on? Flossie went off on Monday mg. with William to Hull in his sidecar and is staying at Grandpa's down Holderness Rd. , and supposed to be going out to Elwell's at Beverley every day to get her portrait finished. We had a long letter this mg. and it poured with rain all the time they were going to Hull and Flossie got soaked, all her throat and shoulders (she had a slight sore throat before) and she is now in bed with a chill and had to have Dr. Baine in, so Ma and Pa thought I had better come over to Hull and see how she is etc. Here I am in the train - left Silkstone 11.8 and will arrive Hull 2. 29 - leave again 6. 12 and arrive S. 8.35 - I come back on a Sheffield as it's nearer. I seem to spend my time looking after the family now-a-days - I haven't had time for anything else at all since I came back from Skegness or Beverley. Haven't even practised or done any good reading - Mother has taken up all my time - looking after her.

Except for five times (I think) I have played tennis at the Marslands and once or twice to Barnsley for shopping. I haven't had time to go out at all - its beastly not getting any outdoor exercise. Still s'no matter for the present. On Friday night last - when Flossie was here - we borrowed the Marsland's tennis court and had a party of our own. We had Stedham (Col Easton's cousin) and Huntley - he is just back again from hospital after the 1st. Line R.E.s at the front. He had his leg smashed but it is better now but Pa doesn't think he will get out to the front again. He is only 19 - father is the vicar of Christ's Church in Hull - and he is a lively spark, but quite nice. Stedham is quite a good player but he is older - nearly 30 - he has been out to the front but is rather bronchial - he always has a kind of perpetual bronchitis on him - I believe some of it is gas - we call him Wheezer, he is just like an old woman in his ways. Mr. Rawles came too - I think I've told you about him - he's AWFULLY nice - about 35 - and manages the picric acid works here - Mrs. Rawles was over whilst we were at Skegness so I missed her but Mother says she's very nice.

Sorry the train is so bumpy - I'm really rather enjoying coming away for the day - makes a change doesn't it - Wish you were here too.

What do your Mother and Father say about the M.C. - I expect they're awfully pleased about it, aren't they? Mother came downstairs yesterday - walked down for tea - and Pater carried her up and down on Sunday. So she is getting on nicely but very slowly - the Dr. says it will be another month before she can go away at all, but the rest will do her good. Dr. Rowley, we have at Silkstone, isn't half as nice as dear Dr. Baine, not even a quarter - Dr. B. is always so cheer and makes you feel better even if you aren't. I don't think I told you that when I was in Hull about 3 weeks ago that Dr. Baine examined me - he thought it was ridiculous my wanting to leave home and go and do something when there was no necessity to work - and what did I want to go to a hospital for and so on and so on - he gave it me quite hotly I can tell you. I think his ideas must be rather old fashioned about girls - however you see I have had to decide to stop at home after all for the present and if I tell him he'll think he's scored a point ! He thought it was mad Flossie going on a farm too - well, I do think that has been rather too much for her and probably it has helped her to catch this chill. Anyway I shall have to ring Dr. B. when I get to Hull and ask how F. is.

My marrow bed is coming on delightfully - I have got a marrow coming ! Joy ! Lettuces are going strong too but the weather is simply beastly - to-day is the first fine warm day we have had for weeks. We have Nurse Waddington coming to stay with us on Friday for about a week - it is her holidays. Will your four days leave mean that you will only get two days in England - T'is a short time, isn't it?

Later.

We are just going thro' Brough will be in Hull soon - the country looks so lovely to-day - I should just love to walk with My Cecil now - Goodbye - my dear and take care of your little self -

From your love

Dora.

They are leading the hay all along the country - swish ! It does look hot.

Dora to CMS; Thursday 11pm, 20.7.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I am just going to turn out my lamp but I thought I would just like to write a little bit to you before I go off to sleep, I got your letter this morning - fancy a whole week in coming - never been so long before. I AM sorry you are in such rotten trenches - Pater says its very handy being fairly small when you have to stoop. It does seem a shame you can't have a good night's rest - I think it is wicked the way men are having to suffer just now - I don't wonder you felt sleepy and tired out with only three hours the night before - poor old soul - it was nice of you to begin a letter to me before you turned in for the night. You would look funny trying to put your blue and white patch on - I hope it's nicely put on - you ought to have had me there to do it for you - I'm quite a nib at sewing - tush - Lloyd George once gave me a prize for General Progress in form and sewing at Penrhos - more tush! So you see I MIGHT be considered capable of sewing on that nice little bit of ribbon that I shall be so proud of when I see it - but I am a LOT prouder of the wearer. Do you know I have often thought like you do about Heaven being on earth sometimes - I think that all of us and everything is part of Heaven if we like to make it so and a positive hell if we like to do otherwise and I think it rests a good deal with ourselves.

I am so sleepy now so goodnight my dear - love from me.

Friday 6.15pm.

I was just going to finish my epistle when Mr. and Mrs. Allderidge came in - however I have slipped away and have just a minute or two before post.

We are expecting Nurse Waddington by the 6.47 - been pouring all day until just now - I managed to gather nearly a basinful of rasberries from our canes this mg. in the pouring rain and roses galore after the fine day y'day. I found Flossie just about alright when I went to Hull on Wednes. and I really needn't have gone - still I enjoyed the change. I saw Kathleen Watt in town and had a talk with her but I couldn't stay long as I had so little time. I rang up Dr. Baine to ask how Flossie was, but Mrs. Baine said he was at the Slacks' so I didn't trouble him. Auntie Alice Batty (Ferriby) asked me if I knew about your M.C. - she said it was a Military Medal but I said it wasn't - what is the M.M.- Y'day I was quite busy - went to beastly Barnsley in the a.m. for shopping - then had to go down to the village to see the schoolmistress about a Red Cross tea Ma is giving in the Church Schoolroom on Monday next - a kind of sewing meeting affair and I have to preside - tush - because Ma won't be well enough - fancy me presiding over about 30 old women and old maids - you would laugh if you saw me but 'tis as well you won't - shall have to feel so ancient talking with them all about their ailments and troubles and family history, etc! - still some of them are very interesting.

After that I went out to tennis, only for two sets to the Marslands then I went to have tea with Capt. Bawmer's wife - she has rooms only a minute away - took some snaps of her kiddies - Stanley is nearly 4 and Baby just a year - positive angels (to look at) and very nice kids too - saw them tubbed and then came home - then Cephas came in to see how Ma was and was talking to us all for ages - till I began to feel blinky - he is a gasbag - still he's quite amusing.

Do you know, I think when I see you I shall be able to tell heaps more how much I love you and what my feelings are towards you - it will make me realise the kind of love you have for me too, I think - don't you think so? Don't think by that that I don't love you much now - because I DO - very much - I have never loved any man before except Father and that is a fatherly love that grows up with one I think. I dreamt about you last night - I haven't dreamt about you since I have seen you last and you were rather disappointed about something and said you couldn't go on any longer but must fix something up one way or the other - but you were very nice and I saw you quit clearly - it must have been 'cause I was thinking about you just as I dropped off to sleep - still I nearly always think about you last thing now.

Good-bye - Cecil dear,

Your love

Dodo.

Dora to CMS; Monday 24.7'16.

My dear Cecil,

I am sitting on the grass patch just about where we had those photographs taken when you were over - if you remember the spot - well, the roses are out now - delightful ones - and its quite summerlike. Pater and I went for a NEW walk last night through fields and woods and things - its heaps nicer than keeping on to the roads. We came back thro' the fields from Hoylandswaine - the same way as I was going to bring you but we turned back - sounds rather rummy but do you remember the way now? I will take you when you come and see me if you like.

It does seem a shame that the men didn't follow you into the trench - still probably if they had you might have been wounded and things might have turned out differently from what you expected - but you are safe so nothing matters much does it! I know some of your bridge pals by name but not otherwise - Of course I don't think you are an inveterate gambler and a "bad lad " - silly old thing! I know you are a true good sort, and I know I could always trust and believe in you.

We have managed to get a trap for Ma at last - I went down to the village on Sat. mg. to have a look at it - it belongs to Ziah Clegg of the Fox and Hounds and he hasn't had the heart to drive it since his wife died a year last Dec. so it has done practically no work since then so you can imagine it will be rather on the frisky side for a few days. Pater is taking it out to-day with an engineer-driver and I am going in it to-morrow and then on Wednes. I am taking Ma out for a drive in it. I expect we shall look rather killing going about in this affair - still s'no matter - it seats two comfortably or three as well. I wish there was a horse round here that I could get to go riding with Pa - but there isn't such a thing. When we were at Pocklington before Xmas Pa had six horses for his company so I could easily go out with him so I had some lovely times - I improved too - at least I could hang on better! I haven't been thrown yet - they say it does one good to be thrown but I don't feel fearfully keen about it - I ride astride and haven't even sat on the animal's neck yet!

I expect when we see each other, that the time will be so short, and we shall have such a lot to talk about, that we shan't know what to begin with - at least that's what I feel like when I haven't seen people for a long time.

Nurse Waddington and I are going to Leeds for the day tomorrow - I haven't been there since I left school - YEARS ago!! I feel horribly ancient at times and at other times I feel a positive kid - oh, my first marrow is this size.....................(sketch) t'isn't bad for my growing is it! Lettuces are about the size of this sheet of paper. I am just going to change to preside over the sewing meeting tea - have asked for it to be outside - those "dos" always get so fuggy and thick indoors - Pater is taking me in the trap tonight after all - I expect it will dance about the road so it won't be so monotonous - hope you don't get bored with my telling you all my doings 'cause I'm afraid there's no fearful excitement in them.

Love from

Dora.

CMS to Bob; 24.7.16.

Dear Bob,

I am writing this at 2.0am. I have to stay up every night until 3.0 in order to telephone through to the Brigade how the night has gone, and it's a monotonous job. I get a good sleep afterwards though. Tonight is my twelfth or thirteenth in the trenches and the snipers and I are ready for a rest. I am itching all over, not with chats, but with keeping my clothes on, not having worn pyjamas for over 3 weeks.

There are two of us living together, the bombing officer being the other one. We have quite a cosy little dugout but are both very "fed up". One bright "spot" is porridge and fresh cream for breakfast. There is a big farm half an hour's walk away.

In places the trenches are black with flies, great ugly looking bluebottles. We always have a few pet ones in for meals. I note Gyp's exploits with much interest. I suppose she will be onto cats next, gradually working up to errand boys and trams.

I think it's quite a good idea joining a University O.T.C. I don't know whether the war will last long enough for you to see any of it. I hope it won't, it's not much sport.

I'm going to send my report in now and turn in, as it's 3 o'clock.

Your affec. brother,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS; Card; 26. July 1916.

Cecil.

For your Birthday, with my love, and may you
be kept safely until we meet again.

Dodo.

Dora to CMS; Wednesday 26.7.'16.

My dear Cecil,

I did not think or even dream a few weeks ago that I should be writing to you, in this way, to wish you many happy returns for your birthday - I hope you will have as jolly a day as possible - still you must look forward to your birthdays to come after the war and I hope you will live till you are a nice old man - I wonder what you'll look like then - I expect you'll look rather nice.

I shall be thinking about you on Saturday and wishing you many happy returns so don't forget to think of me, will you? I wish it could be a real, live, talk with you instead.

I have sent a little parcel off to you this morning - the pocket case I got when I was in Leeds y'day - I don't know whether you have one or not - I got one that would take up the least space in your tunic. I'm sorry it is suede inside as it doesn't wear so well as smooth leather - still as it's inside it wont get so much wear as the outside of it. I found one or two "ancients" the other day which I have put inside - Mr. Quant enlarged it from the film of which you have a print - and gave it to me. The two stamps I had taken a year last December - I don't look quite so ancient as I do in the ones I had done recently - but I was rather tired at the time I remember. I hope you will like the chocolate cake I have sent - it is only the second attempt at it so I am sorry it isn't much to look at but hope it will taste better - it is an officer's wife's recipe, here, and I knew you liked choc. cake.

Pater is just here with our new trap so MUST go - love and a happy day

from

Dodo.

CMS. to Dora; 26.7.16.

My Dear Dora,

We are out of the trenches at last after 13 days. We are now living in a field, near a hedge, just like a big picnic party: it will be all right until it rains. I am writing this on a log table out in the sun: I am smoking Claud, one of my pipes, and am feeling very contented and peaceful. There is a pile of letters of congratulation in front of me waiting to be answered. It's going to be an awful sweat. Several of us went to a village last night where there is a convent which supplies dinners for officers. Everyone got rather merry and at about 10.15 pm. there were very few left besides our little party of four. When we set off on our three mile journey back I was the only one who could walk straight, but I didn't know the way home, only the direction. One man who was less tight than the others said he knew the way, so we followed him, but we soon got lost, and I had to take charge.

We eventually got home about 12.30 pm. My companions were covered with mud from the various ditches they had fallen into. They were not blind drunk but just very merry. I have never laughed so much since I have been out here. At one spot in the road where the hedges made it very dark I had to go ahead and shine a cigarette which they would make for. However I saw them all safely in bed.

I have had a lot of letters from people who have heard about my M.C. I expect I shall have a few more when it gets in the papers. One Mrs. Lyndon whom I knew at Newcastle, and at whose house I had tea with Betty Sowerbutts, wrote to Mother saying she would like to have introduced me to the charming daughters of a gentleman whom Father knows there. Father says in his letter, "How some ladies like match-making". But I don't think I need anyone to do that for me, and shall tell Father so.

I'm sorry Flossie has been ill. It must have been rotten at the farm with the beastly fellow in command. I am glad the marrow is going well, the raspberries too.

The Military Medal is what corresponds to the Military Cross in the ranks, but it is given rather more freely.

Whilst we have been in the trenches the Hun has paid us no less than three visits. He hasn't got into our trench but has thrown a number of hand grenades. Both sides are feeling very fed up with one another.

Yes, Dodo, I'm sure you'll be able to tell much better how you feel when we've seen each other again. Writing's a poor substitute for the real thing. However, I expect the war will soon be over and I shall be able to see you a good deal, and we'll know.

I had my first hot bath for a month yesterday afternoon, and then it was only half a bucketful in a tin bath. But it was glorious, and what a delightful scratch! We can't get into pyjamas where we are, so it will be over six weeks by the time that we are able to get undressed and go to bed. Several of the officers and nearly all the men are lousy. I have managed to keep clear this time.

It's nearly dinner time now and I've got a lot of small letters to write, so goodbye for today, or rather for a few minutes, for I'm always thinking about you, and I often lie awake in bed and imagine I'm talking with you, and I shall again tonight.

Love from

Cecil.

CMS to WHS and WS; 26.7.16.

My dear Father and Mother,

Before I start giving you news I just want to thank Father for his gift to me in recognition of my little honour. It is awfully good of you. No, the medal won't be sent out here. Special leave is granted, or an extension of ordinary leave given, to see the King himself.

When the C.O. told me about the award he was awfully nice and besides saying that it was one of the best earned that he knew of, he said that if only the rest of the party had followed me it might have been something better. But I'm quite content. I have received a number of letters from various people. Messrs. Dodds, Hardy, Cleminson, Arthur Reckitt, Mervyn Fletcher, and two or three officers at home. I don't know whether anything official has appeared in the papers yet, but if when it does the paragraph about it is the same as was read out on parade it might satisfy you not to destroy it yet.

We have just finished 13 days in the trenches and are now living near a hedge in a field. It is very nice so long as the rain keeps off. A number of officers and most of the men are lousy. I have kept clear this time.

28.7.16.

I got a note yesterday from Rev. Bateson about the M.C. and a red book of hymns and prayers. I have just received his note to Father, which I am returning herewith. I had a letter from Uncle Percy yesterday, and one from Mr. Platt today. It's going to be an awful sweat answering them all.

I can't say I'm sorry Dring has been wounded; when a chap gets hit nowadays we just say "Lucky beggar", unless of course it's serious!

We are going down to the Somme, we are going to Egypt, we are going to India, we are going to stay here, we are going to the salient, we are going over the bags, are some of the rumours flying about.

Bob says ammunition cannot be sent out, but I will try to get hold of some, so send the pistol just the same. I have got another Service Revolver from Ordnance. My spectacles came from Franks today.

Love to all,

Your affec. son,

Cecil.

Dora to CMS Thursday 27.7.16.

My dear Cecil,

I am awfully sorry you are having such a wretched time in the trenches - it is rotten for you and I do feel sorry about it - it seems a bit thick for YOU to have to show all the new officers round No Mans Land I expect some of them are rather blokes at that - why can't someone else do the dirty work for a change? Anyway cheerioh - by the time you get this letter you may be having a rest. I expect you feel as if you never want to see another trench but there must be hundreds like you and I am sure there will be a brighter time coming for every-body before long.

I hadn't time to write much in your letter y'day 'cause Father came with the trap earlier than I anticipated so I had to hurry up as I knew the post would be gone probably by the time we got back. I think I told you we could hire a pony and trap from the village - from Ziah Clegg of the Fox and Hounds. It hadn't been out for 18 months so Pa and I took it out on Mon. and it didn't do half badly - quite normal except that it runs all over the road - can't keep straight - still it manages to go so no matter - we had a lovely drive y'day - Pa went on horseback and I took Ma and Nurse in the trap - it's rather a low affair and we sit three in a row - it looks rather as if we were going for a joy-ride in a costermonger's cart! We went to Langsett - about 20 miles altogether - awfully hilly and gorgeous country - I wish I could have shown it to you - and it was a perfect day too.

I drove Ma into Barnsley and back this morning and have bought a fly-catcher for you - you merely flap the flies with it and it stuns them and there you are - it might keep you a wee-bit to get rid of the beasts so I am posting it on to you to-day so you will know what it is when it comes. Have you ever tried petrol for mosquito bites - Dr. Baine says it is the best thing - try and get hold of a small bottle full.

Have you heard any more about leave yet - I do hope you get it before the fine weather goes - and do you think you will know long beforehand? It is frightfully hot here today so it must be heaps worse with you - have you got a cotton tunic on? Perhaps you may get this on Sunday, your birthday - so many happy returns again if you do. T'was nice of you to take compassion on the poor Tommie who writes to his girl - it is rather rotten for him really, isn't it? I expect you come across some awfully funny things and when they are serious - I think they make you laugh sometimes too.

Do you feel 23 or older or younger?

Goodbye, my dear. I do love you,

Dodo.

I have just missed the post - postman just gone past so I shall post it before 10 in the mg. S'pect you will think it silly of me to send you a fly smasher - still, no matter - it might cause you a little amusement.

CMS to Dora; 2.8.16.

My Dear Dodo,

Thanks awfully for the fly smasher; it came just at the right moment, when I was fast losing my temper with a bluebottle who had taken a fancy to our dugout. We have had great sport with it and I have killed many flies. I'ts great fun trying to get them on the wing.

I haven't been able to write sooner, as we are in the trenches again, and I've had a busy time - I ought to be working now-. The last two days have been the quietest I have known in the trenches. It may be because the Hun has a new division in front of us, or because it is too hot for him to load his minnenwerfers. Today he got fed up with the occasional shell which our gunners sent over and he got going with his trench mortars. We replied with ours and then the heavier guns of both sides joined in and fired at each other's trenches for about three quarters of an hour. It is very annoying for the infantry to have all this fuss made about them. The heat is terrific, 250 in the shade of the dugout, more or less.

I have heard nothing more about leave yet. It has been stopped since the push began and I don't suppose it will start again until the push stops, when I expect we shall start emptying sandbags and filling in trenches.

There is a rumour about today that Austria is fed up and has chucked it. I wish it were true. I lost a bet on Tuesday, 15 francs. When we were in rest about 10 weeks ago I took on a bet of 10 to 1, odds against me, that the war would be over by the end of July. I think if I had said July 1917 I should have been nearer the mark.

I feel just about 23, if anything, a day or two older. I have grown a lot older since the war. I was really only about 17 when I was 20, probably through growing up with brothers and sisters so much younger.

Que pensez-vous, ma cherie, am I older or younger than I am?

By the way, what am I to call the fly-flapper? I think Diana is a suitable name.

One of my snipers has just shot a poor little water hen which was swimming about in a minnenwerfer hole, a couple of hundred yards behind the front line. Fancy a water hen up here!

I don't know whether my tunic is cotton or not. I rather believe my tailor said it was serge or Bedford tweed, with suede trimmings to the knees. Whatever it is it's frightfully warm, and the C.O. won't let me wear football breeks. I could carry on quite well with a bathing costume, or a fig-leaf.

Wouldn't I just love to be bathing now, say at Colwyn Bay with some of my old school pals! What glorious days those were. As soon as school was over we used to run down through the village to bag a van, hot and sticky, and then a long swim out beyond the jelly-fish. I could never spot you on these occasions although I always tried to. And then again there was Betty Sowerbutts teaching girls how to jump out of the boat into water at least 3ft deep. I expect she had an eye on Billy taking our names as we came in, to see that we weren't drowned. I got my bathing stopped (officially) in the end for going out too far, although it was bad luck, because I hadn't had time that particular day; but it was a case of a dog with a bad name. Of course we got our bathing, Sykes was one of the others who was stopped. We used to go after dinner. It was risky, as we were prefects then. We were nearly caught one day.

Goodbye for the present,

I must do some work now.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

WS to CMS; July 30th. 1916

My dear Cecil,

Twenty three years ago to-day, and we were rejoicing over your arrival in our little house in Sydney. What a different kind of day this Anniversary is to what we should have wished!

May you have many happy returns in the years to come, filled with good works, and influence in the right direction. We all have much to be thankful for that you are alive and safe and well at present. The more I think of what you have passed through recently, the more I feel how God has been with you and preserved you through all. Without Him we cannot live. All our and your friends are very pleased about the honour conferred upon you. Have you received the tunic with the ribbon sewn on? Thirkell and Robertson instructed me as to position it should be in. I hope you understood from Bob's letter, that we cannot send the pistol and ammunition. I do not like your being without the pistol for your own preservation, and would like to hear from you as to what we can do. How you will rejoice when you are able to change your clothing and have a bath. It must be awful in this weather not to be able to change your clothes and must interfere with good health. Surely you will have been granted a little rest ere this reaches you. How horrible the flies are! The wonder to me is that there is so little sickness. This is the hottest day we have had, and I should not be surprised if we have a thunder-storm soon. Hilda, Mabel and Norman came home yesterday. They all look well and have grown. Bob goes off to Camp on Tuesday.

Colonel Easton sent you a letter of congratulation from Lord Nunburnholme yesterday. Father intends sending you a copy of it, then you can reply. Broxham has been home for the week-end. He looks remarkably well.

Auntie Ken looks better for the change and rest here. She hopes to get some Red Cross work soon. There is no knowing when Mervyn will get his leave. The Annual Tea and Meeting of S.S. Teachers was held at Holderness House yesterday Afternoon. I had gone to Leeds to meet the girls and did not arrive home 'till nearly four o'clock when we had dinner, Father went to the Prize giving at Hymers, then to tea at Holderness House a little late. I did not go. There was plenty to do at home to straighten up for Sunday.

Last week, I sent you a parcel containing two rice cakes, chocolate, turkish delight, tin of something and candles, which I hope you have safely received. In future I will letter the parcels thus A. B. etc. and if you acknowledge the letters, then I shall know you receive them in order. Just say parcel A. rec. or B. as the case may be. Father is sitting in his shirt sleeves in the Conservatory. We had an Air alarm on Friday night and were up 'till 4.a.m.

Very much love from

Your affec. Mother

W. Slack

Kitty to CMS (undated)

Dear Cecil,

I hope you will beat (the) Germans soon. Please could you send me a post card. I hope you will come home again soon. I'm sorry I made the paper inky but I couldn't help it.

With love from

Kitty.

Harold to CMS (undated; spelling unchanged from original)

Dear Cecil.

We are going away to Fily in two days time. I am looking after the Hens and Chickens now but sombody els is wihile I am away. Once we got an egg without any shell. The Boy next door to us is going to Fily today, he is a friend of mine so we expect to meet each other at Fily. We are going out spying in eaves. I lost 2, 4 ounes in weight last week so I have to take Malt and godliveroil and liy down for a hour and a half after dinner worse luck. We have got a Cock which has being crowing for a month now it is only 3 month old now. Mother had two teeth out with gas the other day. I am going to have swote next term.

From Your

Affectshonate Brother

Harold.

P.S. I hope you get lave while we are at Fily.

CMS to Dora; 30.7.16.

My Dear Dodo,

It is awfully sweet of you to send me such a ripping little parcel for my birthday. Thanks very much indeed for it and the wishes. There is something about the pocket case that reminded me at once of you; it's the colour: I'm sure you wore a dress of exactly that shade. I'm not quite sure when and where, but I'm sure you did sometime, and not very long ago.

I like the enlargement of Mr. Quant's print: it's a topping photo of you. I tried to draw it once from my copy but couldn't do it. I don't like the other two so much as the others I have. You say you were tired in the first ones you sent me - you don't look it a bit, you're simply lovely.

I don't think I shall use the soap you sent. I shall keep it as it is, it smells so beautifully cool and sweet.

What does it mean when my left ear is cold - Is it just a cold head?

I expect you're thinking of me now, you said you would today. I'm thinking of you now, hard. It's a most glorious day, just the kind of day to be sitting on the side of a Scottish loch with a lassie by one's side. I just think of it for a moment and then remember with a most horribly fed up feeling that we go back to the trenches today. If this letter takes six days to reach you we shall just be coming out again.

What a ripping chocolate cake. But the thing I like best in your parcel is the little note inside the pocket case, which says it is sent with your love. It is a birthday present I shall always treasure.

It will be rather nice for you now you have a trap to take your Ma out in. You'll be able to get some rather pretty drives I should think.

Sorry you don't get the chance of a ride on a gee. I am getting quite a lot of confidence on them. I haven't been thrown yet either, but that will come soon. I can generally get the horse to stop, but can't make it go the rate I want it to. It never gallops except when I'm not expecting it.

I didn't get up 'till 11.0 this morning as I was up in the front line till dawn. I have to set off again for the trenches in about an hour's time.

I had my last bath for a week, this morning in a canvas bucket out in the sunshine. It was glorious, but a week's a terribly long time to wait for another.

Yours with love,

Cecil.

P.S. When addressing letters only put the regiment and B.E.F. France,

This is a new Army order.

My best respects to the marrow.

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