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Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Sept 26 1916'

Liked the high position so had arranged with Dunbar that he would stay there all day and go back to the battery for dinner.
Had been a great day with Thiepval taken all the high ground south of Grandcourt. A lot of prisoners had been taken passed them and many casualties too. Describes how he thinks the battle will continue and the advantages in their favour. Thought the Germans gave themselves up more easily than before and Bell reported the prisoners he saw were quite happy. Hoped the Russians could get on again. Got the impression they were now doing what they were meant to do.

Describes the dugout where he is writing from, the two signallers at the telephone (one asleep and one keeping watch with a magazine) and the dull noise of the guns. Was using the Morning Post as a tablecloth because the table was so dirty.

Had received letters from her. Says what he doesn’t like about the National Mission. Asks her to think carefully over her attitude towards the type of parish work she describes.

Pleased to hear that Clare is crawling and asks news about her father’s fall.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on 'Jan 31 1917'

Life was very undecided. Mr Leod, the Doctor and himself were in one place and the Colonel and Robinson in another. Hopes those two will join them tomorrow. Didn’t know if they would continue to occupy their present quarters.

He had enjoyed a walk over frozen marshes. It was very cold.

Was sorry to hear such sad news about her father. He would have to dye his hair dark brown or black in order that the yellow skin may become him.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Is keen to know what she and everyone at home thinks about the German Note and wants to see the English newspapers and describes how it is being reported in the Continental press. He thinks the journalists misunderstand the German and particularly the Prussian psychology which he sets out.

He wants to know what her father thinks of it all and asks her to tell him what he [George] thinks.

Was finding G. Young's Balkans amazingly good and was studying Othello.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Was glad she was recovering [from pneumonia]. Wishes he could be home with her. The King was going to Paris on 29th which was the same day he would go if he got leave.

He had a heavy cold yesterday so hadn’t written to her as he was too tired after dinner. Looked forward to living with her and being happy in their home. She must be patient with him and they would learn to live with one another and be happy.

They had not yet moved but he expected they would that day. They had to give up most of their trucks which would be very annoying.

He was delighted her father had begun to walk again. Hopes he will be strong again.

He was reading Tess of the d’Urbevilles which had wonderful descriptions of dairy farms in the Frome Valley and she would love it although it was another tragedy.

It was still very cold but bright and he had walked into Arras to buy stuff for the mess. The car was out of action as the rear axle was broken. When it broke the wheel came off and careered down the road nearly upsetting a despatch rider.

Informs him that she has arrived at Westbrook and expects her father and Mildred later that day. Describes how she left their home. Tells him she has heard from Major Morgan and that he has asked for leave. Expresses her concern over the longevity of the war. Describes life at Westbrook so far. Tells him of her plans for the day.

Is happy to have had a letter from him on her birthday and asks if he is happy. Tells him she will send him soup tablets and a cake as requested. Describes fishing with her father. Is happy that they are both receiving letters successfully. She intends to to take tea with the Huxley's brother who is a doctor. Informs him of Mr Kendall's headmastership. Tells him she went to visit Mrs Irvine and Mrs Radcliffe and describes the conversations she had. Asks him if he is happy to receive her letters everyday. Hopes that he will receive his watch cover in the post.

Tells him she plans to make butter while Mildred goes fishing with father. Describes Mary Anne spending time with her father. Discusses in depth her thoughts and beliefs on religion. Expresses her wish to develop her own faith either separately or together with him. Sends her first letter back to him.

Expresses her anxiety over the war and hopes he is safe. Informs him that Olive's husband is being sent back to the trenches. Describes her activities that week; visit from Owen, Playing with the children in the garden, picking strawberries with Mary Anne and Marjorie and going for walks. Describes the weather and asks him about the weather in France. Tells him she misses his company. She is planning a skiing holiday with Owen and Mary Anne. Informs him they have made £50 from the sale of her father's fir trees from the common. Informs him she has received his letter.

Thursday 20 July - Describes her surroundings as she writes. Describes golfing with her father and Mr Raxworthy. Discusses Clare’s lack of musical talent, her progress and her education, including learning French at a young age.

Friday 21 July – Informs him she has sent his food parcels. Apologises for her carelessness with spelling. Informs him of the death of Mr Tompson, killed in action and wonders about the safety of Mr Willet. Asks him to inform her about how much danger he is in. Informs him about the premature birth of Mrs Irvine’s son. Expects a visit from Bridget. Discusses how the war has made them grow up. Is happy that he is keeping joyful.

Describes playing with Clare. Discusses the weather. Informs him that she will send him her Aldeburgh address when she arrives. Expresses her feelings about prayer and how the war has made her more grateful. Asks him if he would like book catalogues. Describes Clare’s appearance. Discusses her father and Mr Cockerell’s opinion of Mr Clutton-Brock’s book. Discusses the relationship between her father and Mr Clutton-Brock. Hopes to have their friends to stay after the war.

Describes making his cake. Tells him about domestic life with Violet and Clare. Describes her tea with the Huxleys. Expresses her worry over her father’s mental health. Discusses her account-keeping abilities and plans. Describes the letter she had from Polly. Informs him she has heard from Alison. Asks him about his ankle and discusses different ideas to help keep fit.

Asks him to describe the land around him. Reflects on their letters to each other. Informs him she is waiting news of Ursula’s arrival. Describes the volumes of Boswell’s books she is reading. Describes the tea she had with Mrs Evans and how Clare behaved. Describes how the Pilcher’s were treated by the police for having an unregistered Belgian woman stay with them.

Describes in detail her shopping trip to London and what her and Mildred bought. Describes how she will copy out his letters discussing Hell. Tells him about a letter from Mary describing being bombed. Expresses her concern for his safety. Discusses his previous letter about being cynical.

Describes her activities the day before with Ursula, Violet, Marjorie and her father. Tells him about making Clare laugh. Discusses financial matters. Discusses her opinions on trying to appease an angry God and discusses his opinion on parish work. Describes in detail her thoughts about helping with the National Mission. Describes Clare's bad behaviour. Relays Mrs Burton Brown's thanks to him.

Describes the weather and how it might affect the war. Discusses the progress of the war. Informs him that Raymond has been injured in the war and how Robert Graves is intending to visit. Describes tea with Mrs Kenway and the meeting about Highdons Ball. Describes her conversation with Violet about religion and expresses her own opinions about the ‘essentials’ of religion. Tells him about Owen’s thoughts about the National Mission. Expresses her wish to have another child. Asks him about his fits of depression. Updates him on Clare’s teeth.

Informs him she intends to ask how Kit is doing through Mrs Brock and discusses sending him a curtain on the train. Describes her previous afternoon’s activities; shopping, visiting Emily Bennetton, paying a visit to a girl in need and designing a cup. Discusses when he might be home on leave and the thoughts of Mr Raxworthy and Mr Porter on when the war will end. Expresses her opinions on her work for the National Mission. Tells him she has sent him a rug to use as a curtain. Discusses the progress of the war.

Discusses cutting back the ivy at the Holt. Updates him on Clare’s progress. Describes Violet’s visit to the dentist and tells him about her father’s health. Informs him of the feeling of depression sweeping through the country over the war. Discusses Mary and Ralph’s position in the war. Informs him she will not be meeting the Bishop but will be meeting Mrs Radcliffe and will gather him news of Charthouse. Discusses news on the war given to Mrs Reade by Geoffrey Young. Hopes that he will get leave soon.

Expresses her wish for him to be on leave. Describes her activities of the previous afternoon. Discusses the possibility of him learning book binding. Updates him on Clare’s progress. Describes the visit from the boy Johnstone [friend of Robert Graves] and the conversations they had. Asks him if he needs any more butter.

Discusses the weather and Boswell’s Life of Johnson. Asks him if Mr Dunbar and Captain Lithgow were friendly again. Tells him about the trouble her father is having over the contract regarding the trees. Discusses when he might get leave. Describes a visit to have tea with Constance Mussen. Discusses the relationship between Johnstone and Robert Graves and the involvement of Johnstone’s parents. Discusses the progress of the war. Reassures him that the cheque was paid in after nearly losing it. Asks him if he is second in command and talks about the amount of prisoners captured.

Tells him she misses him. Updates him on Clare's progress and discusses her future. Describes a walk to Munstead with Doris and Mildred. Reminisces about a walk they had together on the same route. She has heard from Mary and discusses Ralph going on a course. Discusses the progress of the war and arrangements for meeting him in London when on leave.

Thursday 7 Dec. evening - Discusses his previous letter in detail and lists the items she will send him in his next parcel. Expresses her unhappiness that he is feeling unhappy. Discusses the progress of the war.

Friday 8 Dec. morning - Tells him about buying Christmas presents for the servants and asks about his family. Describes her journey to London on the train and tells him she is reading The Thirty-Nine Steps. Is glad that he has new rooms and asks about them. Expresses her feelings about being miserable about the war. Discusses the progress of the war and the new government.

Wednesday 10 Jan. evening - Tells him she misses him and how her father is feeling ill. Informs him that she is on the committee for the baby welfare group. Describes her mornings activities shopping. Hopes the new baby will be a boy.

Thursday 11 Jan. morning - Tells him about spilling the ink pot in bed and dreading telling Rose about it. Updates him on her father's health. Describes the weather and tells him about an intended trip to Dorking. Discusses finances for the children's education and expresses her wish for girls to be just as educated as boys.

Acknowledges his last letter. Discusses the progress of the war and English Puritanism. Describes the items she is sending him in the post. Describes having the Fanshawe children over for tea. Tells him she now feels sure she is pregnant and discusses who to tell first. Updates him on her father's health. Expresses her wish to travel.

Tells him she is back home and updates him on her fathers health. Acknowledges his last letter and asks about the parcels she has sent. Discusses the progress of the war. Describes a letter from his mother requesting she stay at Buxton with her. Hopes she will get another letter from him soon.

Updates him on her father's health. Expresses her wish for him to be made a Second Lieutenant. Describes Violet's thoughts about the new baby. Tells him about a visit by Rachel Dixon.

Updates him on Clare's progress. Tells him she has heard from Ursula. Describes a conversation with Constance Mussen. Discusses food rationing. Expresses her opinions of Boswell's writing.

Describes the weather and the previous day's activities with Mrs Radcliffe. Describes in detail a conversation with Mrs Radcliffe about the financial costs in running Charterhouse. Updates him on her health and on Clare's progress.

Acknowledges his letter and hopes that he can keep his literary notebook up to date. Tells him that Marjorie Waterhouse is busy preparing the hospital for the spring offensive. Expresses her wish for the war to be over and her love for him. Discusses in detail her thoughts about Mr Britling's conception of God. Describes Clare playing. Informs him of the items she is sending him including his war saving certificates. Updates him on her improving health.

Describes in detail the conversation at tea with Mr and Mrs Burton Brown. Updates him on Ursula's sisters' health. Describes the weather. Expresses her opinions about the extracts from his note book. Asks him to send her more extracts. Expresses her fear for the coming Spring offensive.

Tells him that Bice has German measles and has postponed her visit. Informs him that she will stop sending him parcels until she knows where he is located. Tells him that Mary has accepted her invitation to stay when Ralph departs. Expresses how much she misses him. Discusses the progress of the war. Hopes for another letter from him soon.