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Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

Explains leave arrangements and how he could travel to her via train and bicycle. Hadn’t been give duties yet but he would need to learn to ride a horse. Had been to the station to collect his bag and mackintosh and had then been to buy a tri basin, soap and a pillow and visit Wells the booksellers where he had bought a map, several volumes and learned the news as to who was in town. Was pleased to have met Fearon, his first headmaster at school, who had invited him to tea any day. Had visited the cathedral and includes a transcript of an inscription and then been for a walk.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

Is thinking of her constantly and longs to get a telegram to hear she has safely had the baby referring to it as Edwin or Arabella.

Had been writing his Skipness Legend. Planned to go into Winchester and call on the 'Bear' [William Fearon] and possibly another master. Would probably bathe and might go and fetch the motobike.

Had seen some excellent boxing in a ring which had been put up in a field in the camp.

The Colonel’s horse had slipped his headstrap in the night and made off and had reappeared whilst they were on parade lead by a gunner. He had gone to welcome the horse who had bitten him on the arm.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

Hoped the birth would be easier for her than last time and that it would be over soon.

His main job for the day was to attend to the men’s meals. There were 14 men to a table and food was divided onto plates for them before they bagan to eat which worked to bring some dignity and restraint. Thought the Germans would be more gluttonous and the French much dirtier. The food was excellent. For beakfast they had a kipper, a large ration of bread, butter, a small ration of marmalade and a great bowl of tea. Dinner was a beefsteak pie and rice pudding and custard. Supplies were abundant particularly of vegetables. Only 2 out of 500 men complained of small helpings. Describes the system for washing up.

Had visited the ‘Bear’ [William Fearon] who was quite glad to see him. His wife was deaf so it was a difficult call but they got on well enough. Went to buy some braces as he had left his at Westbrook. Bought an expensive and very beautiful pair of gloves.

The Rusian news was absorbing his interest. The army was divided but he couldn’t believe they would get to civil war – or not more than one brief action. If they did it would be the most deliberate political suicide recorded in history.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

Makes arrangements for visiting her at the weekend. Weather the day before had been very sultry and he had slept in the afternoon, then gone for a walk, lain on a grassy bank and eaten blackberries before the thunderstorm came.

Had been doing a lot of reading including an important chapter in the League of Nations on ‘The Economies of Peace’. Recommends she read the book describing it as ‘the best war book’. Had also been reading Rupert Brooke’s American letters which had a very interesting introduction about him by Henry James.

Was sorry he wouldn’t see Ursula again but describes the ways she irritated him although she was ‘a good woman’.

Thought he would take up Fearon’s invitation to afternoon tea describing being prepared for confirmation by him and what his wife was like. They used to call him the 'Bear'. Hoped to have a pleasant detour on his bicycle on the way back and have a bathe in the river.