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Letter to Ruth Turner, written from Charterhouse School [Ruth was in Ireland with her family]

He had spent a very lazy morning talking with Lytton [Lytton Strachey, a friend of Mallory’s who was staying with him at Charterhouse], reading poetry, particularly The Menage of the March Wind by William Morris. He was visited by Alan Goodfellow who had been ill and stayed to talk during Chapel [he had climbed with Mallory in the Lakes the previous year]. Breakfast and lunch were trying as Lytton didn't like boys. He was very shy because he talked in a falsetto voice. In this sort of company he would say very little and yet look very striking. He was a man you couldn't ignore.

Ruth’s life didn't sound all joy and he hoped the fishermen appreciated how good she was [Ruth and her sisters Marjorie and Mildred spent much of the time rowing the men in the party including their Uncles Lawrence and Hawes out onto the Lochs to fish]. She had a dangerously unselfish disposition but she wouldn't spend her life doing little jobs for him.

Time was a rude limitation on their existence and they would have to find more of it by being more organised. It was only a week and a half until they would see each other.

Postscript - asks if they can make a new vocabulary of love words.

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

Full Transcript
This mere note to precede a very long letter I am in the course of writing in reply to two beautiful letters from you. We are depressed on this bit of the front. Nevertheless a fair number of prisoners drift by. We have been very busy. I am rather tired but very well. Great love to you dearest from your loving George.

Dispatch rider just off. A few moments more. I am sitting on the roadside other officers gazing at prisoners 100 yards off through glasses. ‘A damned seedy looking lot those!’ says Glen. The air is full of jars. Not much doing this evening. We are disgusted at not being allowed to fire more rds [rounds]. I hope the show has gone well elsewhere. The din this morning was terrific. I’m feeling tremendously excited – but I fear we shan’t go forward as soon as we hoped. The weather is v. fine which ought to help matters. It is extraordinary how little shelling the enemy has done here. All the damage to our men on this bit of front done by machine guns. Here goes my love again. Congratulate Mildred and Robert from me.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Castlestead, Pately Bridge

Asks her to send a nightshirt to Magdalene College as he was planning on going there on Friday and also the coat and waistcoat from his wedding suit to Mr Barnet Beales, Sidney Street, Cambridge. He had received three letters from her which was a great joy. It was great news about Mildred’s engagement. She wouldn’t have consented if she hadn’t been sure herself that he was the man for her and he was a very good man [Ruth’s sister Mildred married Robert Morgan].

[He starts to write an account of the previous day but the letter ends abruptly mid sentence and there is no sign off].

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on 'Jan 11 1916' [7 is written over the 6 correcting the date from 1916 and making it 1917]

He intended keeping up with the different observation posts. He and some men had to dig out a hole full of water at one observation post but the mud was so sticky it stuck tot he shovel, bucket and then the men up to their calves and they had to abandon it. They kept late hours as the orders didn't come in before midnight but as compensation they didn't get up until 9am.

He liked the Colonel very much but his deafness made conversation difficult. He wasn't a very good Orderly Officer yet as he hadn't got into the habit of offering people drinks not even the Colonel and of letting the fire burn out.

Comments on Ursula and how Mildred could be difficult sometimes.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Sends his Christmas wishes for her and describes the new room he has moved into a short distance from the mess. He would be able to spend a great deal of time there except for occasional duties as orderly officer and a French class he was going to start for a few of the men.

Morning - the bed was comfortable. He was busy writing Xmas letters and would write to Mary and Mary Ann. He was annoyed they had rushed them out of the Holt but it wasn’t their fault. He thought it was Fletcher’s fault as he should have found out that demobilisation would be taken out of the hands of the War Office as soon as the armistace was signed and so applied for his release before the armistace and then let him refuse if the war had continued. He should have let them know at once that the arrangements had fallen through.

Was glad she was getting on well about servants. £35 sounded a lot for wages but supposed paying extra was worth it for good servants. Hadn’t heard if he had secured the purchase of the painting in Paris. What would she do about labour for the garden at the Holt? It might take 9 months to get demobilised but might not take that long.

Had two photos of her and Clare on his mantlepiece. Sends his love to her father, Mildred and Marjorie, the Lawrence Turners and the Haves Turners.

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 France on 'April 3 and April 4 1917'

They had been very busy preparing the roads for their advance.
Had got very wet the previous evening as had the signallers who didn't have their coats and the storm was so bad it was impossible to carry out any observation.

4th April - had been unable to finish the letter the previous evening as he had been busy. Didn't like the way Lithgow discussed battery business all through meals but he was very good at his job and he was always in agreement with his schemes and was very willing to serve under him. He liked the strenuous life.

The right half were under canvas and he had expected to leave their comfortable billets before now but the advance had been held up. When hey did move it would be tents and cellars which was fine in good weather but miserable in the current weather. It was now snowing.

He had sent two parcels of books back to her. The Ages of Man was very good but the others wouldn't interest her as she didn't read French. He would send back The New Europe as far as he had read. It was very well done and full of interesting things. He would arrange for it to be sent to her so she could read it before sending it on to him.

He was sending back a parcel of her letters, his drawers (which had been burnt by his servant when drying them near the fire) and the oil silk cape. The pockets were in a ridiculous place and he had torn it when getting out of a car wearing it and asks that if it could be mended to return it to him.

Discusses the reasons for the lack of leave, who had been out longest, and who should be prioritised.

Asks questions about Clare - how her walking was progressing and whether she was talking yet. Thought her disposition might be taciturn considering how reserved her parents were.

Disagrees with her comments about tanks.

Thanks her for parcel of sausages and dates which were excellent and they would try the cream tonight.

Wonders how Bob and Mildred would like Ogwen Cottage and supposes they would fish

[last page is missing]

Monday 1 Jan. evening - Expresses her wish to be pregnant with a boy. Discusses a conversation she had with Mary Anne about her Aunt and her children.

Tuesday 2 Jan morning - Describes in detail her hopes that she might be pregnant. Tells him about Bob's journey on the boat. Discusses the writings of Boswell.

Describes the weather. Tells him about the situation regarding the visitors and German Measles. Compares baby Barbara with Clare and describes how they get jealous of each other. Updates him on Clare's progress. Updates him on everyone's news. Expresses her love for him. Describes the mothers at Baby Welfare group.

Discusses the timing of the post. Tells him that her father and Mildred arrived late and explains why. Informs him that she is not attending church and will go for a walk in Eashing instead. Hopes that Ursula is getting on well with the climb. Mentions that photographs of her father's garden has appeared in Country Life. Asks for Mr Pye's address.

Reminisces about their time in Italy and about how she is looking forward to Spring. Tells him that David has sent him a letter and discusses going up in an aeroplane. Describes the garden and ordering seeds. Tells him that she has the book on Fountains Abbey and about Mr Britlins's book called The War and After. Tells him about a small fire that started in the nursery. Discusses the progress of the war. Updates him on her father's health.

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.

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 a failed trip to get some bunnies for Clare. Discusses the progress of the war. Tells him that Nancy and Robert cannot visit. Tells him that she cannot find his field service pocket book. Discusses how she would like to raise Clare. Reflects on her father's beliefs in religion. Asks him to tell her when his gun has arrived.

Sunday 10 Dec. evening - Describes in detail a visit by Johnstone, John Graves and Raymond. Expresses her wish for him to be home.

Monday 11 Dec. morning - Describes a visit to the Brocks to meet Allan's school master Mr Nastor. Expresses her opinion on the character of Mr Nastor in detail. Acknowledges his letter and asks if he is feeling better and how he feels about his comrades moving away. Tells him about the items she is sending him.

Describes the weather and the garden flowers. Tells him about the shopping items that have arrived from London. Informs him she has sent him a parcel. Asks him if he would like a book of Robert Graves' poetry. Describes how Marjorie Waterhouse has nightmares from her shifts at the hospital. Describes playing with Clare. Informs him that Mr Green has paid the rent and has apologised for spilling ink on the table. Reflects on their time together in Italy and expresses her wish to live with him.

Describes playing scramble. Describes the weather and tells him of her intention to go to a military service. Tells him about her expedition in a car to visit local churches and describes them in detail. Describes the scenery on their tour. Tells him how she has sourced some cardboard boxes from a local business. Informs that she may not write to him the next day. Discusses the attack on Thiepval and tells him his last letter was opened by the censor.

Monday 11 Dec. evening - Hopes she will hear from him soon and describes the mother's meeting she attended. Tells him about the farmhouse children that came round for tea. Informs him that she has heard from Robert Graves and Mary Anne and that she will give Mary Anne his letter discussing religious education to read.

Tuesday 12 Dec. morning - Tells him about her dream. Updates him on the health of Constance Mussen's baby and Mildred's blisters. Discusses the Christmas visitors they have invited. Describes the contents of the parcel she has sent to him. Adds a postscript describing the outfit he was wearing in her dream.

Hopes he had a nice time at Great Whernside. Describes her morning activities: china painting, letter writing, sewing, and walking to Eashing. She has received the National Register forms. Discusses the forthcoming landing at Gallipoli and hopes it will be successful. Mildred and Major Morgan have left to by an engagement ring. She expects a visit from Marjorie Waterhouse [old school friend, they attended Prior's Field School]. Tells him how much she misses him. Encloses a letter he received from Cottie, which she had read.

Updates him on Clare's progress. Discusses Russian prisoners in the course of the war. Describes a visit to Millmead cottage in Guildford where Bob and Mildred may live. Tells him about not wanting to wake Clare up. Hopes that he will not be changed by the war and hopes he is happy in France. Intends to send him a cake.

Describes the living arrangements of Mary Anne and Owen. Tells him that German measles is spreading through Prior Fields and Doris is keeping her job. Describes a letter from his mother. Expresses her views on religion.

Describes a visit to Mr and Mrs Wimberly. Asks him if he has received his new underwear and rug. Discusses financial matters concerning investing £130. Discusses Boswell’s Life of Johnson. She intends to take Helen from Prior Fields out to tea. Discusses in detail her opinions on the immorality of extravagance in war time and requests that they sort through their investments. Tells him that they should subscribe to the Guildford Hospital.

Describes her difficulties arriving at Liverpool Street in finding a cab and her journey to Uncle Hawes' house. Discusses the Lickfold's upcoming trip to Trinidad. Describes their welcome home by Mildred. Updates him on Clare's progress.

Describes the weather. Discusses their future trips to the Alps and how many children she would like. Discusses his lust for adventure. Informs him she has had Clare photographed at Adrian Harding and updates him on her progress. Describes the progress of her bowl. Expresses her wish for the war to be over and for them to be together at The Holt. Hopes that he will get leave soon and describes the photographs she has of him in frames. Intends to go on holiday by the 26 August. Asks him what he intends to do on leave. Discusses the living arrangements between her father, Marjorie and Mildred after the war. Discusses the cost of the post.

Describes the weather and the garden in Godalming. Discusses the latest article from the Round Table. Updates him on Clare’s teeth. Informs him she has received his letters and discusses their contents. Discusses sending him cushions for his dug out. Asks him about Mr Bell. Tells him the Leggett’s son has been captured and is a prisoner in Germany. Describes the conversation she had with Mrs Brock and her children on the train.

Describes the weather and tells him about the German measles going round. Expresses her feelings about being sure she is pregnant. Discusses Kipling's Jutland in detail and expresses her thanks that he is not in the navy. Informs him she attending another baby welfare meeting. Expresses her thoughts about living together after the war. Updates him on Clare's progress.

Tells him about the uninspiring church service she attended. Expresses her views on religion and politics in detail. Describes the town during polling day. Acknowledges his letter telling her he has moved to Calais. Discusses the coal and wood situation at the Holt. Is sad to hear his headaches are back and asks him if he received his parcel of apples. Tells him about the books she is sending him. Describes a conversation with Owen O'Malley about his return and leaving the Holt. Informs him of Bob's new address in Dunkirk.

Discusses the progress of the war and an article she read in The Round Table. Tells him about a visit to Abbots Hospital in Guildford on an errand for her father. Discusses when the war might end.

Describes Clare playing in the garden and Mildred planting flowers. Describes her morning activities and discusses sending parcels to Harry. Expresses her wish for the war to end and have him home. Gives her opinions on how modern certain countries are compare to Britain. Discusses the impact of what the Russian Revolution might have on the war. Tells him about an invitation from Mrs Marsden Smedly. Expresses her love for him.

Tells him that the man killed was not Harold Porter as she thought. Describes a dinner party she attended at Priors Field. Describes her morning activities. Expresses her wish for him to keep warm. Describes an intended concert by Ursula to raise money for the Red Cross. Updates him on Clare’s progress. Discusses the possibility of reading a book called Raymond by Oliver Lodge. Discusses the progress of the war and expresses her wish to have him home.