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Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France, 'Dec 6 1916'

It was almost lunch time and he was just up as he had a beastly cold. He had felt feverish when he played Bridge with Platnauer and then he had been out with the sergeant major in the motor lorry to get supplies which was a slow business. He went to bed early and took two vegetable laxative pills and was feeling better.

Bell went off yesterday in very high spirits. He would get a few days at home before his course began. Was surprised to hear that Ralph wasn’t coming out for a time before commanding a battery. Dunbar was staying there for his week as battery commander. Lithgow was in Amiens today.

Asks what ‘political thunderbolt’ means, that Lloyd George wants to get rid of Balfour or Asquith?

Earl was going home as his kidney weakness had been giving him a lot of trouble.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme

Had been very busy firing in a high wind which was exhilarating after the comparative idleness they had had lately. Yesterday he had been to the vegetable market in Amiens early to get potatoes.

Was now down in the mess having just finished censoring letters. Had just found a letter for her in his overcoat pocket which would mean she had to wait for a letter. Tells her not to be anxious as if he had been killed she would have heard at once.

He had heard from Trafford. He was in the next Corps to he hoped to be able to see him. Trafford was very pleased by Ruth’s visit to Doris. Was surprised that they couldn’t afford a nurse as Trafford was getting very good pay.

Two good evenings - Platnauer was quite a success and last night he had got talking to Bell till 10.30.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on '31 Dec 1916'

Didn’t enjoy his day at the observation post which had been a sloppy messy day. The last work he was doing before leaving the battery had been the construction of a little tin hut for observation, sunk in the ground and his first work on returning was to use it. There was a foot of water in the bottom. This made him think of war as a colossal futility. These were the bad results of going on leave. Was cheerful by the time he returned and had a pleasant evening playing Bridge with Platnauer, Earl, and Grant.

He was to be made an Orderly Officer at Headquarters whilst the adjutant was away. He would learn his job and it would last at least five weeks. He was told that the Colonel was a very nice man, the acting adjutant and signalling-officer were decent fellows and the doctor was a bore. He considered it a good move.

He had begun to read Raymond. He hated Oliver Lodge’s style. Thought the communication from Myers (‘Turnus’—a spirit guide?) was interesting but might be a case of thought reading. Mrs Piper was well known to all the S.P.R. folk [Society for Psychical Research]. Discusses mediums and their work.

Thanks her for the socks, stockings, and chocolate cake.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Had got things straight in his dugout with his table cloth on and the potpourri open when he was at home. The lavender bag was amongst his clothes and he could sit on the cartridge case at the table or in the arm chair next to it. Hoped Dunbar or Lithgow would be buying him a stove in Amiens that day. Had been writing to Mrs Wilson in answer to her letter and thought he might spend a night of his leave in Winchester. Had been on a voyage of discovery to a neighbouring battery to find a young master at Winchester called Platnauer who he thought would have mutual friends.

Had no duties all day as it was wet. Thought there would be more such days during the winter.

Had received a waistcoat from his mother which was a great success and he felt impervious to cold. Had received a new pair of breeches and a new coat from his tailor.

28 Oct - Had received her letter and was sorry Clare was not feeling like herself. Was shocked and grieved to hear about Persis.

The war was too disgusting to think about and the Germans were too good at the game. They ought to give up talking about a fight to the finish as the V.D.C. [Volunteer Defence Corps] folk had said all along. The French capture of Donaumont was a good knock.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France, 'Nov 27 1916'

Disappointment that his leave might not come through for two months.

The news from Romania made him feel that he could run like an ostrich and bury his head in the sand.

Lithgow was now Acting Major and Bell was acting Captain. He planned to go to Amiens to get food for the men’s Xmas. The plan for the day was 9am breakfast (an hour later than usual), porridge and sausage and mash; dinner - roast pork, plum pudding, dessert; tea - fresh butter and new bread, jam, biscuits and celery; supper - soup, bread and cheese. He had fixed it up with the Games Committee and the most surprising thing was the enthusiasm for celery for tea. He was planning a football match with Platnauer’s battery.

Asks if she was sending him an Xmas parcel. If so it had to be sent by 5 December. Thought mince pies wouldn’t last but if she sent mincemeat the cook could manage the pastry.

They had great music last night before, during, and after dinner. One of Lithgow’s Scots playing the melodeon, Bell on the flute, and one of the signallers and himself sang.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme

Had met a Carthusian called Chamier who had been a member of his old modern sixth and was a particularly nice boy.

Yesterday started in mist and rain and he had done drearily in the mud to a half way house (old German dugout) to wait on the weather.

When he got to the trench he expected it to be half full of liquid mud but the Infantry had cleared the wort of it. No shelling of them all day. Platnauer arrived just as he was turning in. They talked for a bit and then he asked him to dinner. Had celebrated Casey’s 21st birthday.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme

Describes the damage done by a deluge of rain to the dugouts and efforts to make repairs and improvements. Now had a stove which gave him hope of eventual dryness.

Last night he visited Platnauer again and stayed until midnight talking about poetry which was a great pleasure. Platnauer was a passionate admirer of Rupert Brooke and he brought away two volumes to read carefully.

Up in good time that morning and firing began at 7am. Endless difficulties because the trail buried itself in the mud after about 10 rounds and it required 40 men to pull her out. Weather was misty and warm so hope for more work as he was tired of waiting. The last three weeks had spoilt everything on this front and sown how difficult it would be to get on during the winter. Was his turn to go to the O. P. [observation post] the next day which would mean spending half a day up to his knees or thighs in mud.

Asks her to send his climbing boots which would be useful in the conditions. No news of leave.