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Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France, 'Dec 8 1916'

Yesterday he was in Amiens with Wood. He had fixed up the contract for pork and sausages for Xmas. Had dined and played Bridge with the neighbouring H.A.G. headquarters.

Dud day as far as the observation post was concerned as it was raining this morning and impossible to see more than 400 yards all day. He and four men had occupied the half way house and he had spent the time reading Rob Roy [by Walter Scott]. They chatted but weren’t a particularly interesting party. About six hours with no employment.

Had a good letter from her in response to his about the postponement of leave and she was very brave. It may come quicker than he had thought. The Romanian news was so disgusting that he reused to make any comments.

He was feeling better after his feverish cold. Asked for more details about her religious society.

[Letter continues later] - He had just been playing race demons with Lithgow and he describes the game.

Had received letters from her, Mrs Brock, Ursula, and Avie. Wishes Avie would go and stay at Westbrook. Was sorry to hear that the Headmaster [of Charterhouse] was unwell.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on 'Jan 4 1916' [it was actually written in 1917]

Bell was on his way back to join his new battery and Captain Lithgow had been awarded a Military Cross and he was dining at the battery that evening to celebrate both events.

Had spent 2 gay evenings playing poker chiefly to amuse the Colonel. It was annoying that there wasn’t much for anyone there to do but supposed it would be different when big operations were going on.

He had read more of A Shepherd’s Life and asks if she had too.

Trafford had called to ask him to meet him at a Hotel in Amiens.

Supposes she would have Ursula with her and asks Ruth to tell her the carols had arrived two days ago along with Mother’s Xmas parcel. Avie’s was still to come.

Music was at a discount and he couldn’t practice the occharina there but they did have a good gramophone.

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 'Jan 22 1917'

He had spent the evening with Cosmo Gordon who was 4 miles away. He was much nicer than he used to be and had married Frances Graham the sister of Bertie Graham who was with them in Wales when he went with the O’ Malleys and Ursula. Cosmo was a Grenadier Guard in a Stokes Mortar battery. He thought she would like him and hoped they would see them after the war. They had an son aged 8 months.

He was tired and had to start again at 8am with Lithgow.

Was glad she was thrilled with Kipling's account of the Battle of Jutland and thanks her for sending copies of the Spectator.

Describes packing for a trip to Wales. Tells him she has left his address for any forwarding letters. Describes her activities for the day, including an outing in the pony trap. She is looking forward to her trip with Ursula. Tells him she has asked the police to watch over the house while empty. Hopes he is having a nice trip.

Reminisces about their wedding day and looks forward to the birth of their baby. Tells him that Ursula, Cottie, and Mr O'Malley are expected to join him. Informs him of a statement received from Stephenson Harwood & Co where she is profiting from the sale of timber. Expresses her distaste for profiting from the war. Discusses further money issues. Asks for Mr Garrets address for Aunt Agnes. Tells him of her intention to unpack her paints and continue with her china painting. Breaks off for lunch.

Afternoon - Thanks him for his letter. Hopes that his experience of the hotel in Pen y Pass is a good one.

Tells him of the weather and her plans to start another china pattern. She has heard from Mildred about their trip. Tells him of her new routine of sleeping during the afternoon for the sake of the baby. Discusses her opinions about the diary of the Empress Dowager she has been reading. Hopes he will have a good time climbing with Ursula. Informs him that Mr Cauldicott has left for France. Discusses the potential affects Russia might have on the war. She hopes that he will be allowed to climb on Llewidd. Reminds him that she is leaving for Westbrook the next day. Encloses a letter for his mother.

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.

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.

Asks if she can have a batch of envelopes censor stamped to speed up the postal service. Describes her morning walks with Clare and Violet. Expresses her concern for the war. Tells him Ursula has visited and Mary Anne has got some new work. Describes her morning activities. Asks his opinion on her working at a hospital store to help the war effort. Is amused at his story of giving away her ticket to French children as a souvenir. Expresses her wish to go on climbing holidays with him after the war.

Morning - Informs him she is about to leave for London. Hopes that his letters have not been stopped by the censor.

Afternoon - Informs him she has arrived at Bridget's house in London. Describes her journey there. Discusses whether he has received confirmation of a £250 legacy from his Aunt. Asks him which photographs he wants to keep. Discusses the progress of the war and his position within it. Intends to make a visit to Ursula and Mary Anne. Updates him on Clare.

Morning - Intends to visit Alison and Mrs Steel. Describes the weather and its affects on her father's hay he is selling at auction.

Afternoon - Describes her activities with Bridget, Alison, Olive Smedley and Ursula. Discusses Mary Anne's intentions to holiday by the sea and suggests using the Holt as a nursery for the children; if the Greens agree. Tells him she misses him and intends to send him socks for his birthday. Wishes him happy birthday. Describes a picture of Will Arnold-Forster in Monte Fiano. Discusses her housekeeping skills and relationships with servants.

Discusses the progress of the war at Verdun. Describes her evenings with Ursula. Expresses her opinions on Bridget and Stephen's marriage and living arrangements. Asks his opinion on whether she should do more to help the war effort. Asks him to number his letters so she can keep track. Intends to take Clare on the bus to Aunt Patty's for tea. Tells him she misses him and is proud of him.

Explains that this is the second letter of the day written to him. Reiterates details from her previous letter. Intends to have Mary Anne, Owen, Diana and Ursula to visit at Westbrook. Expresses her anxieties about the war. Intends to visit Mary and Ralph while in London. Asks him again if he has received a cheque for £250 from his aunt's legacy. Advises him to write to her lawyers. She will forward his address to Birkenhead.

She has been busy looking after Clare in Violet's absence. Mary Anne, Owen and Ursula are expected to stay. Tells him she retrieved The Dowager Empress of China book from the Holt and updates him on how the Green's are looking after their house and possessions. Discusses the garden at the Holt. She is pleased the house is being looked after. Is happy that the news about the war is good.

4 July – She has received his letter requesting she write every other day instead of daily. Discusses the progress of the war. Is sorry to hear he has temporarily lost his hearing and asks him about ear protectors. Tells him about bathing in the river with Ursula. Discusses the content of her letters and expresses her wish to have more children. Tells him of a poem Mary Anne wrote about Owen entitled The Angry Man.

5 July – Discusses the progress of the war and what she has read in the paper about underground passages. Mr Raxworthy thinks the war will be over by the end of the year. Hopes that he will describe his officers to her in his next letter. Discusses his idea of shifts. Expresses her opinion of his friends.

Morning - Describes her morning activities; feeding Clare, breakfast, helping Marjorie with the Church flowers. Describes dress shopping with Marjorie.

Afternoon – Informs him that Bob has been made temporary Lieutenant Colonel, earning extra money. Describes Clare playing. Describes Constance Mussen’s visit and compares her baby to Clare. Tells him she thinks Clare will make a good climber. Discusses going on a climbing holiday to Wales with Ursula and Mary Anne. Apologises for sending the potatoes before she received his letter saying don’t send them. Describes Harry’s experience of the war. Discusses the progress of the war and the opinion of Mr Powell regarding open warfare. Discusses the use of gas and a rumour of a reviving substance. Informs him Trafford has been sent to France. Expresses her wish to have a son. Asks him about his location. Tells him she loves and misses him.

Describes her thoughts on remembering his face and character. Describes her morning activities. Reminisces about exploring Heddon's Mouth with him. Discusses the progress of the war. Describes meeting Dorothea Fox and her intention to visit Prior Fields. Tells him about a garden fete for the Red Cross Hospital. Expresses her wish to have visitors when she gets home. Tells him about Mrs Philip Fletcher's new baby.

Describes her bad dream. Describes in detail the Mission service she led and discusses her thoughts on the Parish Magazine. Asks his opinion on if she should be involved regularly. Describes the idea for a ‘Mother welcome’ group in the parish. Expresses her opinion about the involvement of the clergy in parish matters. Describes her conversation with Ursula about attending Church. Discusses the progress of the war. Is glad to hear he does not have lice. Describes her morning helping the families she met through the mission service.

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.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Pen y Pass on Monday

Cottie’s party had arrived and he quite liked her husband. They had been to Tryfaen and climbed the Central Buttress, five on the rope - Bertie Graham was stiff and slow and Owen was quite active and promising. Cottie had been the greatest encumbrance to their progress as her muscles were feeble but she had lead a bit towards the top which was better. She would soon recover herself. His boots were a great success and he was feeling fit. Ursula [Nettleship] was expected to arrive that day and Hugh would leave the following day. He had bathed in the lake above the hotel that morning for the first time. He had been reading some interesting essays by Jane Harrison, one was about the prejudices faced by women and what their position ought to be.

Letter to Ruth Mallory, written from Pen y Pass on Tuesday

He had been nailing boots (not his) for an hour and a half. Ursula arrived yesterday afternoon and was happy. She found them all playing cards around a fire in the Shack. Hugh had left that morning and had enjoyed himself. The clouds were clearing and they were planning on climbing to the Parson’s Nose. Ruth’s letter had betrayed her anxiety and it was a mild affair and he was very strong.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Pen y Pass on Wednesday

He had been for a delicious bathe in the little lake. On the previous day Owen had cut his hand and couldn’t climb so he had conducted Ursula and Bertie Graham on an easy climb. They met Cottie and Owen at the top and he and Cottie climbed on Clogwyn y Ddysgl and then walked along the ridge towards Snowdon. Then down the zig zag path and along the Pip Track which didn’t get them back until past dinner time.

Was urging people to get ready and hoped to go to the Buttress of Lliwedd. They hadn’t got their pass yet but he thought they could avoid the sentries again. He was due to leave on Friday [6 August] and sleep the night at Birkenhead and he thought Trafford would have arrived before him [he was to collect his father and then spend a week travelling with him in Yorkshire]. Asks her to send her letters to Birkenhead as he didn’t know where they would be in Yorkshire.

Letter to Ruth Mallory, written from Pen y Pass on Thursday

They planned to go to see the Cwellyn country and would get a car to take them the five miles down the hill so they would only have to walk once over Snowdon. The two men fell out yesterday about climbing so he took Cottie and Ursula up the slanting Buttress of Lliwell which had a beautiful view from the top. Cottie was unable to join the party that day which was positively sickening as she was longing to see it.
 

Letter to Ruth Mallory, written from Pen y Pass on Friday

He was leaving Pen y Pass that day to travel to meet his father and Trafford, although he still hadn’t heard where they would be. He describes the previous days climbing which included walking over Mynedd Mawr which had a wonderful view of all the Snowdon group, stopping for a cup of tea in Snowdon village before walking over the flank of Snowdon and the top of Lliwedd getting back at 8.30pm. Ursula was a good walker and showed no signs of having been unduly exhausted. Was sorry Cottie had not been able to go with them. The group had a great deal of fun and good talk. Bertie Graham was a solid good natured Scot with a real sense of humour. He liked Owen but thought he was a professional pessimist and it was a pity he was so unfit. He hadn’t been reading the papers carefully but it was a comfort that the German losses must have been very big.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Oct 1 1916'

Acknowledges receipt of wooly waistcoat.

Had been busy all day firing at the Fleurs Line which the Infantry then took. They had advanced about 200 yards. They were setting a faster pace and thought enemy was a bit demoralised.Had fine waether and things were looking brighter. Also had good news from the East.

Had received a good letter from David who was climbing in the Lake District.

She had remarked that he never mentioned the other officers. He wasn’t with them often but would describe them in another letter. Sends his love to Ursula.

Describes the ground between High Wood and Martinpuich.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Oct 7 1916'

Comments on the contents of her letters in which she referenced his remarks on ordering the Shakespeare book and his views on heaven and hell. He had received letters from Ursula, Benson, and David. Had been into Corbie to buy flour for the men.

Updates him about her father's health. Describes in detail a letter from Avie. Discusses the progress of the war. Tells him about how she is feeling lazy and unorganised. Informs him that Ursula is coming to stay.

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 how she is not going to church. Updates him on Clare's teething and her father's health. Tells him she has not heard from Mary or Doris and that Ursula is coming to stay. Describes her dreams.