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Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

Describes a fall he had suffered on his motor bike which resulted in an injured left hand and strained thumb. The whole camp had attended a lecture on venereal disease given by the Chaplain. Had spent the evening talking to Avie's doctor who was the medical officer in the battery next to his. Describes a "morbid and terrible" dream in which Ruth had died and his emotional reaction. Refers to Uncle Hawes and Aunt Jessie's plans to live in Canada.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

Was sorry that she had caught a chill. Was also sorry the weather had broken as it was the worse thing for the war.

They performed their gun drill this morning and spent the last 1 ½ hours in the lecture room. It was quite interesting learning the ways of a new gun. The lectures were somewhat childish but he officers weren’t very learned from a mathematical point of view.

Had been in to Winchester to have a new pipe put in the carburettor of the bike but the expert said it couldn’t be better than it was and he couldn’t think of a way to reduce petrol consumption. He had called on the Courtneys and been congratulated on his 2nd pips [being made a Lieutenant].

Thought he might go into Winton and see Rendall but might not go out in this weather.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester. No date except 'Monday'

Describes an accident he had on his motor bike when returning to camp from visiting her for the weekend. The result of which was a crushed right foot which he was unable to walk on.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester. No date except 'Tuesday'

Describes the injury to his foot and that the pain had ceased. Was doubtful he would be up and walking enough by the weekend to visit her but might be able to by train. Avie had suggested November 16th for a visit and he would write and ask her to come to Westbrook. He had been visited by Avie's former doctor who spent a long time talking to him. Geoffrey was one of the best friend's in the world and he liked to plan things for others.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester. No date except 'Wednesday'.

Thanks Ruth for sending Catriona. Describes the wound in his foot which wasn't painful but was tender and he couldn't walk on it. The chances for him seeing her at the weekend weren't rosy. He wasn't distressed by being bedridden as it gave him time to read and think and he had a little work to do. His bed was hard but he had had a fire all day. His consumption of cigarettes increased in proportion to the pressure on his backside but they tasted of chloroform so that helped reduce consumption. Had been reading whatever newspapers he could. Wishes they could go on making a push every five days as the Germans must be feeling tired.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester. No date except 'Thursday'

A Carthusian came in, not Lampard, and they talked so much it was almost time for the post and he hadn't written to her. His wound was better but it was slow and the surface skin was dead but he had no pain. Had been busy with gunnery problems and finished reading a work by a Frenchman about England. Since lunch he had been reading Catriona.

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

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Magdalen Camp Hospital, Winchester.

Thanks her for her letter, the book, and the letter from David. Had been feeling demoralised and spent his time reading a book by Galsworthy which was 'poor stuff'. He likes the design of her new dress and asks about the colour suggesting dark green. Was glad his kit had turned up at last and asks if his field glasses came alright. Comments on the state of the war in France and the area around Passchendaele and the state of support for different parties within Germany. His foot is still the same as yesterday.

Along the margin of the second page he writes 'David tells me he is going to leave Will because Muirhead Bone according to a previous unfulfilled arrangement is going to live with him. Bad luck isn't it - he'll be sorry. Great love to you dearest. Your loving Ruth'

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Magdalen Hospital, Winchester.

Thought there would be some delay so that 28 October wouldn't be their last weekend together. Had been hoping to leave hospital on Tuesday but his foot was still too weak. Had been reading The Loom of Youth which David had sent him. Comments on Sherbourne school and the idea of boarding schools.

Wishes he had been with her as it had been lonely. He had been sitting reading in another ward where the stove burns without smoking and he could see the hills beyond Winchester. Was pleased with reports in the newspapers and thought the Germans couldn't have been feeling very cheerful if they hadn't launched a counter attack. Von Capell's resignation was a good thing and Tripitz had climbed down in his estimation of the prospects of submarines.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Magdalen Hospital, Winchester.

Gives his opinion about what colour and type of fur she should buy and the colour she should chose for her new winter dress. Was happy about how well his foot was healing. Had been enjoying the past few days reading by a warm stove looking out at a pretty view. Inspired by Loom of Youth he had started writing a series of articles about education. He intended to send the first to the Daily Telegraph when it was finished. He rejoiced in the fine weather even though he couldn't walk on the Downs as it meant everything for the men in Flanders and our chances.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

Had been released from hospital and returned to camp although he still couldn't walk very far. He would attend the lectures in camp but not the physical drills. He expected to be detailed for church parade at the weekend so wouldn't be able to visit her. Reminds her to let him know about the condition of his field glasses and was interested to know what else had come back in his pack.

Had only just finished his first article which was longer than expected and more suited for The Educational Supplement than the daily press. Was writing it more for the intelligent parent than the professional educationalist.

Writes about Raymond who had been killed in action.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

The adjunct said he wouldn't be on church parade for the next two weekends but the course he was taking was due to go to a remote place called Lavington in Wiltshire. The Colonel had mentioned Friday 26th but he feared they would keep them there all weekend. After completing the course he would get 48 hours leave and then could put in for six days overseas leave before going out.

The canvas part of his bed had not come with his kit. Asks if it had come back to her and if so could she send it by parcel post.

Interesting lecture on gas shells. The Germans had great difficulty getting gas masks due to the shortage of rubber.

Hoping to get to Winton after tea to get the clutch adjusted on his motorbike.

[Continues later] - it was raining so couldn't face going to Winchester. Still doubtful if he would be home after the trip to Lavington but he didn't think it worth postponing the christening.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester. No date except 'Tuesday'

Their written exam would be on Wednesday afternoon and there was a good deal to look up before then and he had only just managed to get hold of a handbook of the gun. This morning they had passed through the gas chamber. They had to go in and change their masks. He didn’t realise the chamber would be full of gas when they entered as it was usual to let the gas off once they were inside. He mistook the practice change for the real test. He had some difficulty with his helmet. The tube which was supposed to go in his mouth seemed to be going into his eye so he took it off to get it right and had a whiff of gas. The gas must have been very light as he felt no ill effects except a slight headache.

Was going to dine with the Irving’s that evening. They would be outdoors doing map work during the afternoon.

The exams would finish on Thursday so he might come home straight after. The motor bike had blown off its exhaust so he was getting one of the fitters in the camp to mend it.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester. No date except 'Wednesday'

Had just finished the exam. The examiner had been just plain nasty but he should get 75%. On his last weekly paper he had got full marks.

He had his medical board this morning. They said he would be unfit for a month and gave his two weeks light duties and two weeks Home Service.

He had a letter from Mrs Benson to say A. C. Benson had had a nervous breakdown but was getting on quite well. This was better than he had expected.

Had put in for leave for Friday to Tuesday but didn’t know if he would get that.

Had to get off and prepare or the practical exam tomorrow.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

Describes his journey back to camp. Despite his enquiries of her and his servant he was amazed and delighted to find his glasses and revolver there. Was a good thing he hadn’t already written to the battery.

No duties had presented themselves so he would go into Winton and see the Courtneys and Irving’s and make some arrangement for tomorrow to see the fifteens.

Would send a parcel of books to her as he was preparing for a move.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Southgate Corner, Winchester

Had lunched in one of the houses at Winchester College [his former school] and watched fifteens afterwards. Sat besides Robinson, a young master. Had been for a walk with Rendall and for tea with the Irvings. Then was due to have dinner with Williams, a second master in College. Planned to do some more of his won writing.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

Was awaiting his movement orders so his plans for the weekend were uncertain. Recounts more about his time at Winchester College the day before. Had received a letter from Hoenni telling him that he had proposed a duet with Jelli who wasn't in her class as a fiddler. The boots had arrived from Anderson's.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester. Undated except 'Saturday'

Had received an order last night stopping all leave. No sign of a movement order yet and he was getting impatient. He had finished 'Hope' but if he were to send it to Jelli as she asked he would need to make a copy first. Was working on his Alpine article again.

Had been to Winton and called on the Maitlands and went to the booksellers to get a Christmas present for Robin Garbut but was unsuccessful. He only bought books for himself - the last two Henry James's and two Thomas Hardy's.

Last night he had dined with Dr Browne in his mess. Was much excited by the possibilities on the Italian Front.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester. Undated except 'Sunday'

Could understand Ruth's feelings but didn't think she should come down to see him as it wouldn't be for very long and then she would get distressed at leaving him. He was seeing Mrs Garbutt that afternoon and would ask is she knew of any rooms.

Had spent the morning in his room working on his Alpine article. Would sent it to Herbert Reade for approval. Would try and get Winton to go for a walk with him or if not he would go on his own.

Had watched a thrilling football match at Winchester College the day before which brought back a host of recollections. Then went to evensong at the cathedral before walking back.