Mostrar 4814 resultados

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Aug 27 1915' [was actually 1916]

Had a desperate hunt for the notes for the Book of Geoffrey. Thought his valet, Symons, had tidied them away but then he had found them. He should really have been attending a service and singing hymns.

Was feeling fully recovered. Had gone in the sidecar of a motorbike driven by an Irishman going very fast along some of the worst roads in the country. Had bought some things for the men in Corbie – some pretty cups and a big china teapot.
Describes the weather, countryside, and his opinion of tents including the charm of them being the way one looks upon the world through the slit.

Describes some of the A.S.C. [ammunition column] men he had met and the rather empty headed youths who said ‘Cheery Ho’ and ‘Here’s fun’ and carried handkerchiefs in the sleeves.

Had received a long, interesting and affectionate letter from Trafford who was having a good time building a tennis court. Comments on her letter and what she had said about Mrs Huxley and her attitude towards her children.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Sept 5 1916'

Had received two letters from her. The Garretts used to live at Aldburgh and had a sailing boat there. Describes how Uncle Lawrence, Aunt Patty, and Doris would react to a boat.

Had been in the observation post yesterday using visual signaling and it had been rather an enjoyable day. Had arranged to furnish the new ante-room which was for reading and writing [sketch provided]. Describes layout and that it would seat 3 comfortably or 4 at a pinch.

Wood was getting scarce and much time was wasted collecting it. Had improved his dug out with steps to his bed and a square self next to his bed.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Sept 6 1916'

Unpleasant afternoon spend at an inquiry into which battery had been firing into their own trenches. Describes why it was all so hateful.

Had enjoyed working on the ante-room. Had gone into Albert to get a stove to warm them but had been unsuccessful. Had enjoyed a chat with the old woman in the ironmongery and come away with another oil lamp.

Had received the good news of the capture of the Combles by the French.

Comments on her letter and the childish activities that can be enjoyed by the seaside. Asks if the seaside made any difference to Clare.

Was lying on his bed in pyjamas. All their dug-outs had been christened for the convenience of the guards. His was called ‘Fathom Five’. Was off to sleep as breakfast was at 7.30am and he had very poor sleep in a chair the night before.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Sept 9 1916'

Things were moving there. The noise of heavy firing had been incessant since the advance a few days ago when the French had done so well. Would be disappointed if they didn’t get on a bit. The battery was back together which was a relief.

Had read Coxon Fund by Henry James and comments on the phrase about women 'the fastidious sex'. Describes how he will behave after the war.

Had been in the trenches and seen a really beautiful face different to most officers who had the air of intending to fight. Describes the R.F.A. man.

Had a long and tiring day in the trenches trying to get information and then hours of close observing. Exciting work as they were expecting a counter attack and both sides were firing on the area to his right. The attack must have begun just after he had left as the noise was as loud as the thunder of Niagra Falls.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Sept 19 1916'

It was extraordinarily quiet with hardly a gun firing. It had been raining and he was afraid the bad weather had stopped their push. All the land they had established was no better thana bog and very slippery. Much worse than on July 1st. There wasn’t a square inch for 2000 yards unaffected by shell fire and not a blade of grass to be seen.

Comments on the account of her journey in her letter.

The Major of another battery had been a guest at dinner. He was thrilled to hear it was [Austin] Earl’s battery and hoped to see him today.
Planned to write to his tailor and order a new pair of breeches and a tunic.

[Postscript] – had received her letters and photos of Clare which he liked very much.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Sept 29 1916 The Ante Room'

Describes his view of the Infantry attack and capture of Eaucourt L’Abbage.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Oct 6 1916'

Nothing further had happened as bad weather was preventing movement. Very wet and muddy getting to an from the observation post. Had been with Lithgow in the morning working on the observations of the previous day and then working the guns for Bell who was observing. It was a long business as their line was constantly out of order. The Captain’s Office was a deep hole which also served as a bed chamber and was connected byt a covered passage to where two signallers worked the telphone, slept, and ate.

Was being sent on a commission to [censor has cut out the name] where he would see friends at the regrettable garden and talk to the lady of the omlettes, buy some flour for the men and plenty of papers.

Wishes for letters from her as they helped to make her qualities become a person.

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

They were leaving their old comfortable quarters in the rain which was unlucky and unnecessary. Had eaten an early breakfast and were waiting for a lorry to take up their kit. Wasn’t sorry to be moving and would soon be comfortable again. Hoped for a better dugout.

Previous day he had started writing a poem and then Boal from 109 Battery came and spent the evening with them.

Yesterday he and Bell had a day out in Amiens buying potatoes. They were hard to find and they had to go to a cheap vegetable market in the old quarters. They gave a rather jolly woman a ride in their car from her house to a stall in the market which she enjoyed. He bought eggs and then went to a haberdashery so Bell could buy two garments for his little girls.

He enjoyed chatting with French people, who had a quick sense of humour and seemed good simple people. Was glad he was in charge of buying provisions. It helped that he could speak French so he got it cheaper and wasn’t cheated and he got to go on jaunts away from the battle. It was extraordinary how little was doing there now. No talk of leave and Lithgow and Bell would go first.

Had received two letters from her. Comments on the Northcliffe hero. Says its the regular Daily Mail nonsense but was surprised and disgusted The Times printed that sort of stuff. Wondered what America is going to do.

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

They were firing at a slow rate and he was looking after the gun. The programme was written out so he had almost nothing to do and could retire to his dugout at intervals. Liked to do what the other men did and help when the gun needed pulling out of the mud.

Had a Canadian parson and an Irish parson to dinner and had an amazing argument about bequests which was rather refreshing.
Wood, Dunbar and Casey had established a mess at the right half which was a relief as the Captain dislikes them. He, Lithgow and Bell got along quite happily. Had seen Earl and Williams the previous evening at their mess which he could see from his dugout. Saw little of them as their battery had no system of relief and they never knew when they would definitely be off duty. Austin had an old complaint of the kidneys made worse by damp and it would be difficult for him to keep well in these conditions.

Discusses Kipling’s report of the Battle of Jutland and asks Ruth to see if there are accounts about the actions of different ships during the battle.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

Had got things straight in his dugout with his table cloth on and the potpourri open when he was at home. The lavender bag was amongst his clothes and he could sit on the cartridge case at the table or in the arm chair next to it. Hoped Dunbar or Lithgow would be buying him a stove in Amiens that day. Had been writing to Mrs Wilson in answer to her letter and thought he might spend a night of his leave in Winchester. Had been on a voyage of discovery to a neighbouring battery to find a young master at Winchester called Platnauer who he thought would have mutual friends.

Had no duties all day as it was wet. Thought there would be more such days during the winter.

Had received a waistcoat from his mother which was a great success and he felt impervious to cold. Had received a new pair of breeches and a new coat from his tailor.

28 Oct - Had received her letter and was sorry Clare was not feeling like herself. Was shocked and grieved to hear about Persis.

The war was too disgusting to think about and the Germans were too good at the game. They ought to give up talking about a fight to the finish as the V.D.C. [Volunteer Defence Corps] folk had said all along. The French capture of Donaumont was a good knock.