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Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

Describes the musical life in camp with men performing on the piano, banjo and singing.

The was even less to do on a wet day than a fine one. He had written bravely to Geoffrey [Young] who’s address he got from his father who said he was ‘going on well’.

Had received bad news from his mother about Avie’s John [i.e. his brother in law] who had had three heart attacks recently and was thin and weak. Avie’s former doctor had joined up and was stationed there although not in their mess. He was going o go round and see him and believed he was a charming man.

His train had been delayed on the journey back the previous night. It had started raining heavily as he got on his bike, and the lamp blew out. As he was taking the short corner into camp too, too fast because his brakes were inadequate, a violent gust took him and in almost pitch darkness he suffered a severe side slide.

Had received a letter from Geoffrey Keynes with a postscript from his wife Margaret who sent Ruth her congratulations. She was expecting a baby too. He wouldn’t be able to see them as they had settled in Sussex rather than Hampshire.

Had been thinking of getting Jelli for a concert at Charterhouse.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

He had only just received letters from Mildred and learnt that she had been ill. It was horrible to think that she had been ill and he hadn’t known. She should be careful and recover.

He had received a letter from David in which he said that a mutal friend had told him that after observing her behaviour he believed Jelly was in love with him [David] and he wonders if he should try and fall in love with her. Wasn’t sure if this was correct or what to think about it but hoped they could pull it off.

Paris leave was open now but he didn’t think he would put in for it.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

He had just been writing to Rendall who was a goose. He enclosed Rendall’s letter which had made him angry. Why had he engaged Jelli to play without fixing terms first? Thought Rendall ought to offer her 10 guineas without bringing him into it. Wishes she could come with him to hear the performance. It looked a lovely programme.

Thanks her for crediting him with a gift of a woolly coat for the baby. He was ashamed to say the gift he referred to, which now seemed commonplace and even vulgar by comparison, was a box of chocolates for his wife.

Hoped to be with her as early as possible on Saturday.

Duncan had written making three impossible suggestions but he did want to see him and it may be his only chance. It wasn’t highly convenient and she might say no.

He was going to Winton tonight to dine with the Irving’s.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Was interested in her visit to the Montessori school and wanted to hear all the details. It was a splendid enterprise of hers. Was delighted to think of her getting in touch with the Montessori movement and working out practical ways for it to work in Godalming.

She must have been very busy on her visit to London. He was glad Trafford was so bright. Had no idea Doris had been dangerously ill. Hoped to hear more on her visit to Will and Ka. It was a pity she hadn’t managed to see Jelly.

He had been made quite anxious by all the talk of influenza [Spanish flu] and hoped she wouln’t get it. The number of deaths seemed most alarming. The wife of one of the men there had died of flu.

Had spent a very quiet day. The Major [Gwilym Lloyd George] and Wilson had gone to Calais on a pure joy ride. He had studied French in the morning and gone to a neighbouring wood in the afternoon to collect Autumn leaves and berries. He had received two parcels from her, one with ginger, macaroni and flour and the other with an excellent cake from J & M. Also had two Manchester Guardians by post which were particularly welcome as they couldn’t get yesterday’s paper.

The Major [Gwilym Lloyd George] had received orders to proceed to Versailles for several days. He was lucky and he wished his father was Prime Minister.

Was greatly amused by Aunt Eleanor’s envelopes. Asks Ruth to note the correct spelling of ‘probably’. Also the words ‘apparatus’ and ‘jealous’ [Ruth was dyslexic].

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Magdalen Camp Hospital, Winchester. No date

[Letter is written in pencil and is very faint so full transcript is provided]

Full Transcript

My dearest Ruth,

I’ve no chance of seeing you this weekend – it’s very sad but there it is & we must make the best of it. Kenway very kindly wired yesterday offering to call for me on Saturday morning.

Well, you’ll see by this address that my situation has changed. It all came of the silliest little row between my batman & the mess servants – they kept him waiting ¾ hr for my dinner & he objected, & they told the mess secretary that I was complaining – I being the most humble innocent of mortals among my books & papers, and the mess secretary who presumably had a point of injured innocence to make at a mess meeting must need speak of an officer in his quarters, which meant me, making complaints against the overworked staff of which there came a hint to the doctor, instigated by the Colonel who knew nothing but what he had heard at the mess meeting dear man & that it was time I went to hospital. And so here I am & I don’t know that it’s a change for the worse only I hate the way it came about.

The ward is a dreary enough great room & at this moment I’m alone – the one officer who shares it with me having gone out for the afternoon. It has been perishingly cold till just now – there was a theory (not very far wide of the truth) that the stove smoked so much that it was not worth while lighting it. But ultimately an attempt has been made & though the room was full of smoke for ½ hr while the fire burnt up I could do with a lot more than that for the sake of the warmth we have now.

I had a letter from Jelli this morning. It’s annoying in a way that Tressler, as it appears, seems to have got in first & Jelli has engaged herself to perform at one of his Chamber Concerts on Oct 28 – that by the bye is the date which suits her; & you’ve fixed it with Marjorie Waterhouse [old school friend, they attended Prior's Field School] too haven’t you? Will you make the other necessary arrangements about escorting Jelli & hiring the Church Padre?

I also heard from Mary this morning & she says Ralph is very keen to get me into his battery & is moving all he can. I think I ought to get that fixed up through Col. Dawson; anyway I shall try. And my dear one, I’m bound to say I feel its high time I should go out again; the present events in France just put that into my blood. I expect I had better go & see Col. Dawson as soon as I am passed fit for GS at the end of this month & get him to send me out as a reinforcement to Ralph as soon as a batch is going - & that’ll perhaps give me a fortnight more.

The Hoennis seem greatly to have enjoyed their visit to you as I gather by a note from Hoenni this morning.
I suppose the post has again failed us as you say you have no letter from me. I hope you will get this one all right tomorrow morning.

About the O’Malleys, I really feel I don’t know – wouldn’t it be worth while asking what is their address in any case – you have the Denton one on a letter from Ursula. I must be writing to Mary Ann some time. I will send back the Golden Bowl to the L.L.
Dear love it’s very hard not to see you this weekend & although such a stupid little accident, it’s a wonderful pleasure to see you so happy & so lovely & now just when you will be more free I can’t come. Mrs Munns I suppose leaves you tomorrow – give her my kind regards & say I believe I have a a hanky of hers she used for my thumb last Sunday & if it is hers I’ll have it washed and sent on.

Farewell to you sweet love,
Your loving George

Asks him if she should write to the Headmaster to speed his discharge up. Tells him where and when she is staying in London and who she has arranged to meet. Updates him on Mary Anne's moving arrangements. Describes how the electric engine is not working and the weather. Informs him she is expecting the new cook to visit. Reflects on what their life might look like once he is home.

Acknowledges his letter telling her about his flight in an aeroplane. Tells him about a conversation with Mrs Irvine about the Ministry of Labour being slow bringing men back from France. Informs him that Marjorie Waterhouse is coming to stay. Updates him on the progress of hiring the cook. Discusses how to answer a letter from the Heanies. Is glad to hear that he was welcomed back by his battery. Updates him on news from Mr and Mrs Irvine concerning the process of applications between the War Office, the Labour Bureau and the Headmaster.

Gives him the news that he will be sent home through the normal demobilisation process rather than through the scheme to get schoolmasters back first. Expresses her heartache over this disappointment. Informs him she has engaged the new cook and discusses wages for the staff. Tells him her plans for visits in London. Describes a visit from Marjorie Waterhouse. Reflects on the fact the Fletcher's did not inform her of the demobilisation decision. Tells him about the parcel she has sent him for Christmas. Sends him her love.

Updates him on her health. Expresses her impatience to have him home. Tells him she has heard from David and updates him on his news and news on Jelly. Informs him of a meeting she wants to attend called the Young Wives Association but can't because she is still too ill. Discusses financial matters surrounding the Montessori classes. Tells him of the local poor population that have died with the flu and the books she has been reading. Expresses her anxiety that Violet might leave.

Acknowledges his last letter. Updates him on her health. Tells him she has heard from Jelly and updates him on her news. Describes reading about the fight against the submarine warfare of the Germans. Updates him on Berry's progress. Tells him about the seriousness of the flu in Guildford and the deaths they have had there. Discusses the mutiny of the German navy.

Describes her previous evening's activities. Describes in detail David Pye's arrival and the troubles he encountered getting there. Updates him on David's news. Informs him that Jelly is coming to play at Charterhouse and expresses her wish to go. Updates him on Clare and Berry's progress. Discusses asking the O'Malley's to move out of the Holt in early January.

Expresses her opinions in detail about the nature of David Pye and Jelly's relationship, their respective characters and whether they would make a compatible marriage. Reflects on her love for him and how she has acted around him at different times. Apologises for distressing him by being ill and updates him on her health. Tells him that Avie has had a boy and expresses her feelings of envy. Describes her intended activities with the children.

Discusses the possibility of peace and the progress of the war. Tells him about her trip to the London Library. Updates him on the progress of his curtain. Describes tea with Bridget, Persis and Miranda. Tells him Jelly might have influenza.

Discusses the progress of the peace negotiations. Tells him about a meeting with Mrs Trew being cancelled. Describes Clare's progress with the Montessori apparatus. Updates him on the visitors they are expecting for the weekend. Reassures him she is recovered from influenza and that the children are free of it. Tells him she has not heard from Jelly who has been ill with influenza. Asks him if he intends to see Trafford straight after the war. Describes her father's feelings about her Montessori classes and discusses continuing them at the Holt.

Tells him she has not received any letters for the last three days and the children have colds. Informs him that she has sent him Mr Rendalls Christmas book of Winchester photographs. Describes the weather. Expresses her feeling that writing is difficult because she hopes he will come home instead. Updates him on news from David and Jelly. Expresses her opinion on finding passages from the Bible. Apologises for the uninteresting letters and puts it down to not reading. Tells him about singing around the piano with Aunt Polly.