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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 to the 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 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

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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

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.

Morning - Tells him about the photographs she has received and that she will send him some prints. Informs him that six copies of his pamphlet have been sent to the Brocks via Mr Bradby at Rugby and eighteen more have been ordered. Describes her morning activities. Tells him that Bob [Major Robert Morgan, Mildred's husband] is leaving for London but Mildred will stay. Asks him to let her know which of her letters he receives, so she doesn't repeat herself.

Afternoon - Describes her afternoon plans by herself. Hopes he is happy and well. Expresses her love for him.

Is writing to him from the train to London. Tells him Marjorie took Clare to the hospital to show her off. Discusses the book she is reading on psychology. Asks him to date his letters. Wonders if he has received her letters yet through the Poste Restante Honfleur. Hopes that he will get the guns he likes. Informs him that Ursula Nettleship is expected to visit. Tells him how Mildred was robbed in London. Describes fabric she intends to use to make two dresses. Informs him she intends to stay at Birkenhead for a fortnight. Tells him of the china and earthenware she bought from Wedgewood wholesale. Hopes he is getting on well and that she has sent his pillowcases.

She is busy helping his mother with the bazaar. Tells him she will be careful not to hint at his location in her letters and will not let his mother know, but will inform his father, Mildred and Marjorie. Lets him know she has sent him some tea and chocolate. Describes life at the vicarage with his mother. Hopes the war will end soon.

Describes her morning working at the hospital with Mildred. Discusses the new dress patterns she received for her birthday. Hopes he is safe and well and informs him of a letter he received from Mr Thompson. Discusses what she has read in Vanity Fair. She has heard from Mary about the location of the armies. She hopes he is not near Ypres.

Discusses his previous letters to her and her thoughts on his location and duties. Asks him about the guns he is working with and if he will be moving locations soon. Describes a visit to the Brocks' and updates him on Clare's progress. Tells him she has spoken to a chemist about the Liverpool rat virus which will be sent on to him. Informs him of a letter from Mrs Saunders concerning the death of Mrs Pennyfather.

Is tired of London and wishes to go home. Debates whether she should work at Hilders hospital if Mildred leaves to work on a farm for the war effort. Discusses the need for nurses due to women leaving to go abroad or join munitions factories. Expresses her feeling on communication in marriage. Updates him on Clare's progress and wishes he could know her better. Discusses the progress of the war. Tells him she enjoys reading Vanity Fair.

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.

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 weather and the garden. Reminisces about previous travels through England and asks him if he likes to imagine other places. Intends to plant seeds in the garden at the Holt. Informs him of Mr Cockerell’s opinion of his pamphlet. Asks him if he intends to write after the war. Discusses making a new dress. Describes her visit to tea with Constance Mussen and compares Clare to Reneé. Discusses her options of a holiday with Uncle Lawerence and informs him that her father, Mildred, and Bob are going to Scotland. She has taken responsibility for the ferrets who always escape.

Describes the weather. Expresses her anxiety over the danger he is in and discusses her thoughts on his happiness in adventure. Discusses the details of his previous letter and reassures him about his feelings towards their own troops being shelled by their own guns being his fault. Discusses the issue of men and work. Describes a trip to the river that her father and Mildred made with Clare and the Cockerell children. Describes a letter she received from Marjorie about life on the farm. Tells him her father was amused by his retort regarding potatoes.

Monday 31 July - Expresses her wish to have him home and how much she misses him. Relays a conversation she had with a girl at the depot in Guildford about volunteer work. Describes the bowl she is designing. Describes the trip she had with her father and Mildred to hire a washerwoman and discusses Mildred’s reluctance to talk to poor people.

Tuesday 1 August – Tells him she came on her period and describes her morning activities. Informs him she has sent him a parcel and took tea with Mrs Trew. Discusses her ideas for the garden at the Holt. Describes her tea with Mrs Trew. Expresses her strong opinions on the conduct of Mr Allen towards his newly pregnant wife, Elenor. Discusses Shakespeare’s Hamlet and King Lear. Discusses his answer to her opinions on Mr Clutton-Brock's book. Discusses Stanley Washerman’s account of the Russian offensive.

Is sorry to hear of the death of his companions and urges him to stay safe. Describes the contents of the parcel she has sent him. Informs him that Bridget’s daughter has mumps and will not be visiting. Discusses the design of her bowl. Describes her train journey from Guildford. Discusses Mildred and her father’s organisation. Hopes he will have leave soon. Discusses the progress of the war. Tells him that Constance Mussen’s husband is in the field artillery. Is enclosing a dividend warrant for him to sign. Apologises that her letter has not been interesting and expresses her anxiety over his safety. Intends to be her father’s caddy at the golf course.

Describes the weather and her trip to Mrs Irvine. Updates him on the progress of Mrs Irvine's baby. Describes her father, Mildred and the Greens playing with Clare in the garden. Discusses her opinions of Mr and Mrs Green. Describes the activities she has planned for the day. Tells him she has been instructed to find rooms at Felixstowe for Uncle Lawrence and themselves. Updates him on Clare's progress. Discusses Hamlet. Informs him the electric light is broken. Hopes to get his next letter quickly.

Discusses the postal service. Describes the weather. Informs him Mildred’s girl, Sylvia Turner, is staying and discusses her opinions of her character. Describes the painting for her bowl. Tells him about her dream. Expresses her feelings about having no visitors. Discusses a conversation she had with her father and Mr Williams about the government keeping information hidden about the war. Describes what she has read in the paper regarding the victory at the Suez Canal. Discusses the progress of the war. Expresses her opinions about Sylvia Turner’s lack of interest in the war. Tells him she is sending him a parcel containing soup tablets and lavender.

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.

Is glad to have received his letter and is happy to hear of his trip to Amiens cathedral. Expresses her wish to be with him. Describes her opinions of French cathedrals and her ideas of civilization. Hopes that his rest will be a long one and is glad his duties as orderly officer are not taxing. Updates him on Clare's progress. Encourages him not to write everyday of his rest days. Tells him how Mildred expects Bob home on leave. Describes her thoughts on his description of the cathedral. Expresses her relief to have Violet back helping with Clare. Tells him about her father's lack of humour concerning his enthusiasm for golf. Informs him that Mildred and Aunt Eleanor are at the depot and expresses her opinion about Aunt Eleanor's character.

Discusses the book he has begun to write. Tells him she intends to go bathing in Aldeburgh. Updates him on Clare's teeth. Discusses Aunt Eleanor's opinions on children being photographed naked. Explains how Adrian Harding used Clare's naked photograph outside his shop at the train station. Updates him on the progress of her bowl. Describes the activities for the day with her father and Mildred. Discusses her book. Expresses her thanks he is out of danger for a time. Discusses the progress of the war.

Notes that she has not had a letter from him. Tells him that Mildred intends to write to him. Describes her previous evening's activities. Expresses her love for him. Describes the atmosphere in Aldeburgh. Discusses the recent air raids.

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.

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 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 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.

Discusses in detail their difference of opinion on Heaven and Hell. Describes a humorous article in Punch.

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.

Expresses her longing to have him home on leave. Discusses the morale of the Williams family and intends to visit them. Informs him that Violet’s mother is staying. Describes catching a goose for the Clutton-Brocks. Describes her gardening plans. Discusses the progress of the war and how and when it will end. Describes a disagreement with Violet.

Describes her activities of the previous day. Informs him that Marjorie Waterhouse, Doris, and Olive Smedley are staying for the weekend. Tells him about Hugh Wilson’s brother being wounded. Describes visiting Priors Field with Doris and Helen. Updates him on Clare’s progress. Describes Marjorie Waterhouse’s work at the hospital. Expresses her love for him.