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Letter to Ruth Mallory written from 14 Royal Terrace, Weymouth

He had not a moment to write to her in breaks during the day. Had spent 3 ½ hours on gun drill. About 6 men stand around the breech of an old gun and load and fire it. When giving the order you had to shout to be heard over the noise of imaginary guns going off all round in the drill hall. The loads weighed 100lbs and he had been concerned for his back but it had survived so far. He listened to explanations without comment as it was part of his present mood not to do so. He was still of the opinion that it was a good Christian job. The lectures that day had been elementary.

She wasn’t to worry about the towels if they were hard to get at but he did want her to send the calling cards as he had to pay calls to a general, colonel and the mess.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from 14 Royal Terrace, Weymouth

Thanks her for sending the mittens, towels and calling cards.

After working hours they had a long meal in the evening for which they made a rule for sociability. He liked his companions very well.

Yesterday an old acquaintance turned up – his first tutor in college at Winchester. They were all to be examined at the end and he would be happy to come half way down. Most of the tests so far had been physical and despite his weak right side he had done fairly well. Today they had loaded against time. He was one of two that had to lift the shells and put them in the breech. It wasn’t easy to load quickly and neatly with a 100lb weight. They had also had lectures in the drill hall and there was a certain amount of standing around which the men found trying.

He had written to Miss Whittaker to make arrangements for her [Ruth] to pay 30s a week and have a trial week or fortnight.
He had learned by heart a list of what the nine at the gun and 4 others have to carry as hand props. It was an incredible number with such words to describe the equipment.

Sends his love to all at Westbrook.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from the Grand Hotel, Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent

He had left Weymouth and been allocated quarters in Lydd which was an empty house and he was kitless. He had finally got permission to travel on to Littlestone-on-Sea and he was glad of dinner at 9pm when he arrived.

It was only a 3 week course and Friday morning leave was a myth. He wouldn't finish until 12.30pm on Saturdays and would probably have evening work 5-6pm. He had to be at Lydd that morning. He would try New Romney for rooms which was 1 1/2 miles away. He would send her an address if he could but if she didn't hear from him she was to bike along and enquire.

He had been trying to find rooms for them and had talked to different landladies but he hadn't finalised anything yet. Wonders what Clare's weight was that week.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from No. 1 General Base Depot, B.E. F. France

Once he began his next move he might not be able to write for a day or two. He had no news of that kind yet. He didn’t like waiting. They had been sent to see various works going on in the training ground and were supposed to censor letters in the mornings. He liked his days full and planned out so was not enjoying the waiting.

Had revolver practice and would be able to shoot a German 20 yards away if he stayed still and gave him plenty of time to aim. The Colonel talked to them all and presented them with a reprint of an article from The Times on the ‘Soldier’s Character’ which he and Ruth had read on the train from Weymouth. They were then shown the gas helmet and how to put it on and how to train a detachment to use it. It was unpleasant to use and one was generally sick with the smell of it. He took it as part of the beastliness of war.

That afternoon was fine and fresh after the rain and he walked alone in the lovely country. The camp was on a hillside overlooking Harfleur [he has drawn a diagram showing the position of the camp and the route of this walk]. The countryside was brilliant with fresh greens, beeches and poplars. He amused himself in Montvilliers until the children all crowed around demanding souvenirs and he had given them her return train ticket and two pencils. The Church was very good. A service was going on in memory of dead soldiers. There was a list in the porch of 75 men from Montvilliers who had been killed. As the town was the size of Godalming that number didn’t seem that great and if you used that as a basis French losses would total about 300,000. This was quite enough in all conscience and he knew the losses were far higher.

Was going to enclose a cutting from the French papers about the British training. Think Uncle Hawes would enjoy it and asks her to pass it on to Clutton-Brock.

The bravest thing she could do is be cheerful. Hoped to receive a letter from her tomorrow.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Apart from washing and dinner he had spent the last 28 hours on a train. They were very long with passenger coaches and trucks mixed up and so were very slow. The coaches reserved for Officers weren’t crowded so the snails crawl of progress wasn’t unpleasant. There was no onward train so he would spend the night in an hotel. He hadn’t yet reported at his Headquarters so didn’t know his Unit. He had a good companion for dinner. He was on leave after 8 bad months in the trenches. To think what these men had endured, he honored the Infantry. His mind had been full thinking of the beauty of Spring, the blossom and the beautiful buildings and war which was inconceivable and monstrous. He had been weighing his own personal courage and how she entered into his thoughts.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

He had a new job acting as foreman in construction work using bricks and mortar a mile from the German line. This was because the previous foreman was taking the place of a young lieutenant at Brigade Headquarters who was on leave for the next 10 days. He couldn’t tell her how dangerous it would be as he didn’t know but he didn’t think she should be too anxious. He was being frank with her as he said he would. He thought he would like the work and that it would be an adventure.

[Postscript] – he was glad H. V. R. approved of his pamphlet and asks her to collect any news about that.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

It had rained during his night shift and he was lucky to only have fallen once in the mud. Would have to brief new N.C.O.s for the week ahead. Cake she sent was excellent. Stationary balloons had appeared some miles away and there was shooting in progress. Had spoken with Lithgow. Pay Sergeant was coming down. His part in the project was chiefly the demolition of a wall to recover the bricks for use in building. Wasn’t sure Ralph ought to tell her where he was but as he thought she would find out he says he is near a famous place P in Belgium but asks her to keep it secret.

Saturday – Colonel was pleased with the works and he thinks they will finish in three more weeks. Answers her questions as to why the town wasn’t systematically shelled. It was noisy but he wasn’t nervy yet as they hadn’t had much shelling. He liked the photos of her but was critical of the ones of him.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Believed they were moving that night south to the 1st Army. Orders had only just come. Had only that afternoon planted all the seedlings from Westbrook. Only half the Battery was to move. Lithgow and Bell were to go with him. No more bricks and mortar. Was sad he wouldn’t see the end of the building project. Thought they would be touring the country in motor lorries for a few days which he would enjoy but it was going to be wet. Was glad of a servant who packed for him and would upack. Was glad to think of her with Avie.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France, 'On the road'

Thinks war is moving on and it was time for them to attack. The French had lost Vaux and must be hard pressed. Was no certainty among the French up there that Verdun would be held, nor any opinions about the war just patience. He admired the attitude of French women. Had been talking to the farmer’s wife where he had been billeted. Her husband was near Verdun but she faced the facts with calm reason and took an intelligent interest in the war. They couldn’t let France or Russia bear all the losses. Was quite hoping to take part in an attack. They were travelling easily. He had been arranging for the men to have a hot bath, visiting the town mayor, and getting money from the field cashier. Was elated at the capture of 51,000 Austrians. Good for the Russians to deliver a smashing blow like that.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Had received a bundle of letters from her which had made him very happy. Comments on news about the losses in the naval battle [Jutland]. Life was uncomfortable there mainly because of the cold and the rain.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Had received another batch of her letters. Describes in more detail the layout of their previous position in relation to the Germans, trenches and guns. Unpleasantness of the prevalence of dead bodies and how you would find a corps when digging anywhere near the surface. His own dugout had been clean.

Describes their new position which was different. Their guns were due to arrive that night. Expected to be very busy. Hoped big things weren’t planned for that part of he line just yet. Warned her that she would have to wait for news because of the difficulty of communications in a battle. Tries to reassure her.

Glad to hear of Clare waving and he had a longing to see her. Glad she was seeing the Brocks and asks if he had seen his pamphlet as he was the one man he would want to approve of it. Asks if Benson and Fletcher had received a copy.

[Postscript] – had never felt anxious about the Italians. Discusses prospect of the war ending in August and the effect of the defeat of the Austrians on Germany. They were a full battery now. Bell had gone back to their previous position for one day and had now rejoined them. He saw the garden there which had been ravaged. Their Major had been promoted and they were hoping Lithgow would be promoted in his place.