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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 France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Monday 25 July' [Monday was actually 24 July]

Yesterday was adventurous mending a wire and dodging shells. Was with two young fellows. Then he went to the observation post.
Comments on news that his battery had been accused of shelling their own troops in a trench. Very anxious and tried to work out if it was true as it would have been his fault. Turned out it couldn’t possibly have been their battery so all was well.

Comments on the labour shortages there would be after the war and how all moral sense was lacking in so many trade unionists.
Acknowledges receipt of three copies of the Times.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Thursday July 27'

Advises her to read Mr Brock’s letter to answer her questions about the good, beautiful and true. Would love to discuss it with her. Gives brief summary of his views.

Thanks her for Sidney Cockerell’s message and was sorry to have missed his visit to Westbrook. Explains how Cockerell was received in Cambridge.

Nothing had transpired about the aeroplane work so far. Had taken his turn in the forward party. Seen firing on the German front line and a bombing attack. Had found a very safe way to get there and back but it was rather gruesome. His nerves were unaffected but his nose wasn’t. Exclaims at the pity of it when seeing the dead lying out and feels anger when corpses are inexcusably not buried.

Had received good news but wasn’t sure how good as it would depend on fighting elsewhere. Didn’t think war would be over by Xmas. Disappointed by slow progress of the Russians. The Germans were making a wonderful fight.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Aug 18 1916'

He had arrived at the rest camp with half the battery. Describes walking in the valleys, finding the stream and being very happy. Would be even more happy if she were with him.

Lithgow was to arrive that day and he the camp Commandant of R.G.A. [the Royal Garrison Artillery] and he was to be his orderly officer. Hoped it wouldn’t affect his freedom.

[Continues later] – had been to lunch with the A.S.C. people [ammunition column] and met two Carthusians [former pupils of Charterhouse School where Mallory had been a school master]. Had received letter from her, Graves, Mr Allen, and his mother. Explains he can’t write full accounts in his letters because of the censors. He had missed Robert’s name in the casualty lists. He was disappointed in his poems and wished he hadn’t published them as it would have been better for his reputation to wait.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Amiens Cathedral, France, 'Aug 19 1916'

Describes Amiens Cathedral.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Aug 20 1916'

Has been planning to start writing a book. Lithgow had sent him for some money for men going on special leave. Had been wonderful to be at the rest camp and they hadn’t yet been told when they would have to leave fears it would affect leave to return home which wouldn’t be before November at least.

He would leave the arrangements about money for her to work out with Mr Roxworthy. He would like some apples. He had received a ginger cake and a chocolate cake. Asks if she has heard where Willett and Thomson are. Had received a good letter from David Pye.

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

Thanks her for her letters, returning his manuscript, and the wristwatch strap. Ask her to buy and send him a pocket knife.

Glad she likes the manuscript and answers her comment that it was in danger of being too educational. Explains his ideas for the book.

Had been sitting outside the map room in the sunshine. Thanks her for the apples. He was off to censor letters.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Sept 10 1916'

Had spent the morning talking with the cook whilst he warmed his bottom by the kitchen fire which was made of three tins. He was beautifully shaven and well groomed, his nails clean and his hair was tidy. He had sorted sundry papers and done the accounts and was now sitting at the writing table in the ante-room. The corner seat was a great success. Was due to go to town with the caterer who had a number of commissions.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Sept 13 1916'

Had missed a day at the observation post as he was nursing a bad ankle which was being very troublesome. Had been in the map room and on the guns. Had used a beam laid across a trench as a horizontal bar and used it for exercise and felt much fitter.

Expects she will be glad to get back to Westbrook. Hadn’t received the cakes yet and hopes they were properly packed. Had been reading Old Mortality and his respect for Walter Scott increased with acquaintance. Felt they had come a long way on since his day and there were plenty of bad passages which no recent writer would be guilty of.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Sept 20 1916'

Had received her letter with news she had been gardening at the Holt. Comments on the plants in the garden and agrees the Poplars will need to be lopped.

Quiet day in the map room. Ground must be heavy with mud after the rain and shell fire.

Austin Earl came to dinner. He was glad to see him. He wasn’t enjoying life in his battery which had to wrestle gigantic shells in a sea of mud and had almost nothing in the way of dug-outs. Earl was impressed by their comfort. Describes Earl’s character. Thought Thomson and Willett were hereabouts.

Circumstantial rumour that the Thiepval garrison of 4,000 had surrendered.

Had read an article in the Round Table of June about industrial organization which interested him. Had go the name of a book to read - The Ragged Troussered Philanthropists by one Tressall a house painter. Would be ordering the Centenary book about Shakespeare firstly for her, then him, and lastly their family although it did cost £50.

[writes along the margin on the first page] – by new arrangements observation post duty would only be one in every 10 days which was good news.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Sept 26 1916'

Liked the high position so had arranged with Dunbar that he would stay there all day and go back to the battery for dinner.
Had been a great day with Thiepval taken all the high ground south of Grandcourt. A lot of prisoners had been taken passed them and many casualties too. Describes how he thinks the battle will continue and the advantages in their favour. Thought the Germans gave themselves up more easily than before and Bell reported the prisoners he saw were quite happy. Hoped the Russians could get on again. Got the impression they were now doing what they were meant to do.

Describes the dugout where he is writing from, the two signallers at the telephone (one asleep and one keeping watch with a magazine) and the dull noise of the guns. Was using the Morning Post as a tablecloth because the table was so dirty.

Had received letters from her. Says what he doesn’t like about the National Mission. Asks her to think carefully over her attitude towards the type of parish work she describes.

Pleased to hear that Clare is crawling and asks news about her father’s fall.

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.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Oct 8 1916'

Had orders to go to the observation post at daybreak but at 4am was told it wasn’t worth it as the stunt was almost early. Thinks the infantry must have gone over very early and done well as he understood they had taken Le Sars.

Had an idle day. Wrote to Raymond as he had seen his name in the lists yesterday. Also wrote to Mr Fletcher for Cathusian news. Had a game of chess with Dunbar, been for a walk, and developed his ideas for his book. Bell had played his flute. Describes relations between other officers - Bell, Casey, Dunbar, and Lithgow.

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

The day had been so disgusting that he was quite demoralised. Cold pitiless rain and so no duties. Had read Felix Holt by George Eliot which was very good and he earnestly recommended it to her.

Didn’t want to discuss religion in a letter in case he caused her pain as their views were so far apart, especially about the New Testament which he regarded as a fallible human record of a wonderful man which he tried to understand in its historical setting. She took more literal guidance from the Gospels. He had not the slightest respect for the Church as divinely instituted. He was afraid she had a long journey of doubt and difficulty before her.

Had received two letters from her and a cake. They had been enjoying the preserved fruits and ginger. He had gone to a canteen which he had not been to before to buy provisions but it was full of people so he decided to be there at 8am when it opened.

30 Oct - weather was still atrocious. Had got stuff from canteen. Bell was at the O.P. [observation post] but could see nothing. Last time Earl had been in the trenches he and another man tried for 15 mins to pull an officer out of the mud but failed until further assistance came. It had been quite a while since he had been to the front line. If they ever pushed the Germans over the Bapaume Ridge the fighting would start again. Couldn’t think how miserable the Infantry must be.

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

Describes the damage done by a deluge of rain to the dugouts and efforts to make repairs and improvements. Now had a stove which gave him hope of eventual dryness.

Last night he visited Platnauer again and stayed until midnight talking about poetry which was a great pleasure. Platnauer was a passionate admirer of Rupert Brooke and he brought away two volumes to read carefully.

Up in good time that morning and firing began at 7am. Endless difficulties because the trail buried itself in the mud after about 10 rounds and it required 40 men to pull her out. Weather was misty and warm so hope for more work as he was tired of waiting. The last three weeks had spoilt everything on this front and sown how difficult it would be to get on during the winter. Was his turn to go to the O. P. [observation post] the next day which would mean spending half a day up to his knees or thighs in mud.

Asks her to send his climbing boots which would be useful in the conditions. No news of leave.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Nov 17 1916'

He had heard nothing more about leave. The climbing boots had arrived and he had every hope that they would keep his feet warm. Cake and buns had also arrived. They would have the buns for tea when Austin Earl was due to come. He had arrived at lunch time but had only just had his breakfast.

They were doing little considering the dry weather. He had dug with the men for an hour and then spent the rest of the time in his dugout reading M. Chéradame's Pan-Germanisme - a very interesting part about the population of southern Serbia. He had wrapped his curtain round his knees as it made all the difference to his warmth. The supply of paraffin wasn’t unlimited so he couldn’t burn his stove day and night and he preferred to use it after dark. The mess room was not a warm place.

Charmier and Sheppard came in last evening but not to dinner. He liked Shepherd who came in talking about the Dardanelles and the coast of Asia Minor. Dunbar and Wood had also been to dinner to eat a brace of pheasants which came from the Captain’s shooting.

His turn on the observation post tomorrow.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France, 'Nov 26 1916' and 'Nov 27'

Discusses the possibility of leave and the disappointment of delays.

The partition wall between the Captain’s dugout, or map room as it had come to be called, and the telephonists’ place fell in as it was waterlogged. He had to carry out his Battery Command work from the mess room which was also where the Captain and two signallers would have to sleep. Deluge again which his dugout had survived with only a mild stream down one wall making a puddle under his bed and minor damage to the staircase walls. The big new work didn’t get covered in time and was in a mess.

Was going to plan the feast and festivities for the men’s Xmas.

Discusses the news from Romania.

[Letter continues 27 Nov] - The discomforts there would be nothing like those he experienced in Weymouth the winter before. The sordid room he had shared with Hooper and general messiness of No. 14 made him shudder to think of it. Her being at Abbotsbury redeemed it all.

He was glad she found time for reading and liked Boswell. It was time for her to read his book and then the Tour in the Hebrides. Ann Veronica [by H.G. Wells] made a sensation when it came out and he shocked people when he read it in Cambridge. Thinks she might enjoy Tono Bungay more.

He had heard from Polly - a long rigmarole of trivialities and she must have bored the Brocks. Says he has the keenest scent for detecting a bore and will go to any lengths to avoid them.

Her instructions for finding Bob Morgan would be thrown away as if the occasion arose he would be sent the other way.

Explains the problem with his ankle and that it was getting better.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on 'Jan 28 1917'

The Mess were very appreciative of the sausages so please could she send the same sort again. They were mainly living on rations of bully beef and biscuits.

It was desperately cold. There had been snow lying on the ground for the last 10 days and a NE wind for the last 4 days.

A nice Irishman of the 109th had been wounded in the stomach as he had left the observation post and he was sorry as he was a nice man.

A chance had come along to apply for the staff there.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on 'Jan 31 1917'

Life was very undecided. Mr Leod, the Doctor and himself were in one place and the Colonel and Robinson in another. Hopes those two will join them tomorrow. Didn’t know if they would continue to occupy their present quarters.

He had enjoyed a walk over frozen marshes. It was very cold.

Was sorry to hear such sad news about her father. He would have to dye his hair dark brown or black in order that the yellow skin may become him.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on 'Feb 7 1917'

Was still acting as a liaison officer with the French and describes how they viewed the English. He thought they were further on in their management of artillery and thought he would learn more by reading and discussing their pamphlets.

He had been recommended for a staff lieutenancy although he didn't know what sort of job he might be offered. He wouldn't choose that sort of job as it would always make him feel uncomfortable but it would be more active which he would like so if he was compelled in that direction he would be glad. He would be sorry to leave the battery and would find more people to dislike in the staff than he did in the group.

He liked the Lieutenant and Captain. They were above average intelligence and were ready to help and converse with him. He also liked their society because if he attempted to be humorous he was more likely to be understood.

He was warm by the stove and he had a charming man servant. He had been very lucky since he had returned from leave and hardly remembered what mud was and what it was like to be in a wet trench.

Thought she might be having a bad time but there was much to be happy about with a chance of real victory soon, a new baby, and him as safe as he could be at the moment.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on 'March 1 1917'

He didn’t have time to write to her yesterday as he had to go to a meeting of intelligence officers and then a walk with the Colonel. Describes a visit to his old battery where he saw Wood and Glen who was in charge whilst Lithgow was at home on special leave. They wanted him to return to them once his current posting was finished. He would be very happy to return to them. He didn’t have great hopes about the staff job and wouldn’t set his heart on it.

Had received lots of letters from her. Was glad she liked his literary notebook idea and was glad to hear news about Clare. When he came home he would like to find her waiting for him at the Holt. They would walk out into the Loggia and stroll about their small domain looking at the plants and then go up to the nursery.

Describes what flowers and plants were out in the woods and asks what was out at home. Thinks they may start fighting again before the Spring. He had motored over to a village to put a marble plaque on a grave at the request of the Captain when he was with the French. Describes the decorations on the graves.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on 'March 6 1917'

He had received two good letters from her. He thought it very, very likely that the war would end that year but they had been disappointed before. It was worse for her as she was just awaiting for it to end whereas he was doing things. She was also doing less than usual at present [Ruth was expecting their second child]. Thought she ought to keep on her work for the Mothers Welcome if it didn’t overburden her. He hadn’t thought of Venice lately although they came back to that sort of happiness when they met.

He hadn’t had a very exciting day. He had been looking at maps in the morning and then later observing from a tree. He didn’t know the lay of the land and the man sent to help him wasn’t much use but he had enjoyed himself. He walked down to another battery for tea and was pleased to see new primrose leaves.

March 7 – a dull day but he was planning on going out to an observation post to look around. A great advantage of battery life was the opportunity to get out into natural daylight to visit places.

He hadn’t written to anyone but her for ages and he must try. He hadn’t heard any news from Charterhouse and asks after Mr Fletcher. He owed Hoenni a letter and would send a letter to Mary for Ruth to forward. He had received a parcel of sausages and would be glad of parcels now as when it was muddy the lorries didn’t get through and they lived on bully beef and biscuits.

He didn’t go up to the observation post in the end as it was too misty but would go up tomorrow and stay for two days which he would enjoy but it would probably rain.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on 'March 12 1917'

He was now over with the left half of the battery – north of the river once more. Was in an agreeable place in a deep little valley. Unfortunately, the wood had been utterly destroyed. Spring had arrived and the last of the mud was over. It was so warm he had had to take his coat off.

He liked being with the left half again. The Officer quarters were not much to boast off and the mess wasn’t water tight but they didn’t expect to be there for long. He was alone with Dunbar at present. Johnson was at the observation post and due back tonight. He had read some poetry to Dunbar from The Golden Treasury and he had liked Shelly but didn’t care much for Keats.

The air was full of hopes again as it had been before 1 July [1916] and he describes his views on the current state of the war.

Asks how she was managing the War Loan and their bank accounts and asks if she can see if the dividends are being paid regularly.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on 'March 17 1917'

He had been very busy with new ammunition. The Germans had retreated giving away a large chunk of territory on the Somme. Dunbar had returned from the observation post and Johnson had gone up. Wishes he was up there.

Three good letters from her and one from Mary. Glad she had been staying with Ruth. Was sorry to hear Ruth didn’t think Clare would be brainy but he was sure she would be a very nice person.

Would like to go up the line tonight but didn’t think he could do much good as it would take the Infantry a wile to make contact with the enemy as they had to cross the river.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on 'March 28 1917'

They had slept two nights in this wonderful and pitiful old town and had quite good billets. They occupied the two upper floors of a large and well built house which he describes. They had had a comfortable start to the war of movement. The first day was miserable as it rained a lot but he had spent yesterday position hunting with Glen and Hutchinson. They had found quite a good place and hopes they shall go there. Describes a very pleasant walk he went on and a garden he saw.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on 'April 14 1917'

He had seen the doctor about his ankle and it was bandaged to give it support and he would need an operation after the war. He was glad to know what was wrong and that there was a remedy. He hated the present trouble because it was a weakness and a sort of deformity.

They had not received anymore information and if there had been a big success they would have done so. He wasn't happy about that.

Dunbar had had a nasty fall and hurt his knee so the doctor looked at it and he was to be chief nurse in looking after Dunbar.

From today they were going to have to man the observation post from dawn until dusk and were making a little dugout for shelter. They would probably go back to the 48 hour system which was on the whole the best. He thought about pitching his tent in a wood nearby but thought it, or the contents, might be stolen.

Wonders how Mildred and Bob were getting on [in Wales]. Asks if she remembers their time there with David Pye.

The men were trying to find more cellars but they had all been blown up.

Was glad to hear that Mary Ann was going to have a rest and that Ruth would be staying with her. Thought she would enjoy London by way of a change.

Talks about the end of the war and her nervousness about his return.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Corrie, Isle of Arran, on Friday

Describes climbing with David Pye and that Will Arnold-Forster had caught three mackerel from a boat.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

Suggests the possibility of Ruth living in a small village nearby so he could live with her. Had walked to the top of a hill and described seeing a natural amphitheatre which consoled him for the shock of finding himself in a military camp. Dinner on the first night was very solemn and he addressed one remark to each of his neighbours and men opposite but no one opened conversation with him and there was no general talk. Describes the previous night’s dinner which began badly but improved and his neighbour was ‘quite human and interested’ and it was a pleasant little party.

His bed wasn’t a brilliant success as the straw was so hard. The camp was well arranged and hospitable and he had a good hot bath before dinner last night.

He was planning on walking to Itchen Abbas for lunch at the Plough Inn, then walk up the river and back over the hills.

[letter continues later in pencil] – the Plough Inn didn’t have any food so he had gone to the Black Swan and had white bread and yellow butter (not the military variety) and there was raspberry jam and white sugar lumps.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Avington Park Camp, Winchester

He had been given a useful job to do – inspecting old kit to see if it could still be used. Had spoken to a bootmaker to see if any of the boots could be repaired. There were many socks which had been cut because the men were supposed to darn small holes in their own socks.

He had been into Winchester yesterday evening but the choir were on holiday so there would be no music at evensong and he had left to do a few small jobs in the town. He had also been to bathe.

Describes a visit to Du Ponbet, a French Swiss master who was a good scholar but was critical of him. Du Ponbet wasn’t interested in him beyond asking which rank he was to be place in.

Weather was stuffy and they might have a thunderstorm. Was depressed by the Riga news which would buck up the Germans. It was possible the Germans would succeed in forcing Russia into a separate peace. With all their disorganisation Russians were good almost for nothing.

Hopes her baby would arrive soon.