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Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France

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Dearest Ruth,

I’m sitting in a café at a village on a main road which acts as our advanced base whither I have been sent on an errand to the Field Cashier. I can get this posted here, and have a few moments.

This also is part a foraging expedition and the driver luckily knew of a farmhouse where many things are sold – quite a number of farms hereabouts have become provision shops but the usual difficulty is that they have no provisions. Today we have been very lucky and I have somewhat prepared for goodness knows what future. I too am afraid that correspondence is going to be difficult but I think I may get letters from you at intervals of 3 or 4 days on the average. You see our lorries have to bring us provisions and ammunition at frequent intervals and the ordinary way is for the ration lorry to bring the mails. Of course I can’t guess what may happen. I don’t suppose we shall be in Berlin in a fortnight but its clear that life will be a very different affair for us if the Army continues digging in shallowed trenches and so on!

I think it would perhaps be a good plan to write to me every other day for the present. Will you try and tell me as much as you can about the people about you who seem to be very numerous just now. I am glad you should have the feeling towards baby that makes you want to have her to yourself all the time – but you won’t let her come too much in the way of other sides of life will you my dear? We’ve talked of that – still I think from your last letter that you seem to be almost too absorbed in Clare at the moment. Your letters vary very much (I expect mine do too) – sometimes more thoughtful than others so that I sometimes feel that your mind has control and sometimes the feelings have it all their own way. I do hope you haven’t many despairing moments.
I expect you keep pretty cheerful and interested too, that’s the main thing.

This must end. I have to fly.
All my love, your George.

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

Comments on where she is in the garden when she is writing to him and describes where he is writing from at the end of his night duty shift. Asks her to send a pound of butter as an experiment to see if it arrives fresh. Thanks her for the cake. He could get chocolate so not to bother sending that. Asks her to try and get 5 stone of new potatoes sent to them as getting vegetables, especially potatoes was difficult.

Yesterday and so far today had been peaceful and sunny.

Comments on the Holt and that he should try and write to some friends in the hope of getting good letters back. Asks what happened to the parts of his letters she copies out and thinks that others besides the family would like to see them. Would write to David. Mr Allen had written to say he might be coming our as a Chaplain.

Describes in detail where he lives (the offices and his dug out) and includes a sketch of the location of the map room. Tents were used but only in the cover of trees.

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

Full Transcript

My dearest Ruth,

This is merely a note in advance chiefly to say that if you haven’t already bought the potatoes it will be better after all not to send them. We have discovered a way of getting them here.

I have just had breakfast after firing for 3 hours. We are very busy and I feel rather tired – chiefly I expect because these field guns make such an offensive noise. I believe our operations are going as well as expected – it’s a hard life in which one has to be reasonable. Will you send along parcels of the Times 4 or 5 at a time. It so often happens that for some days I see nothing but the Daily Mail and the Harmsworth popular press disgusts me in its present stage of rampant jingoism over ‘the great push’ than at any previous period of the war. The government is very largely to blame for that e.g. for the official photos. A picture of one of our guns as it stands in the emplacement with its girdles on appeared in the Daily Mail of July 5. This is evidently the advertising centre. O God! O Montreal!

The car is to start now. So au revoir till I talk to you again later on.
Your loving George.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'July 29'

Describes the death of two young men in the battery who were killed as they all returned together from the trenches.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Aug 4'

Describes night on duty especially the noise which he hates.

Back in the battery for 3 days now. Describes his duties. Glen was returning to them soon but Quinn had died of his wounds.
They were on rations but he had contrived to get chocolate and biscuits for the men. Hoped the chocolate cake would arrive that day. Asked her to try and send 'cold spring fruit saline' which he had just tried and thought delicious. Thinks men would put up with a lot if only they were well fed.

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

Had been with Bell all day and had written to Trafford, Arthur Benson, Geoffrey Young and Graves.

Hadn’t been back to the front line again mainly because of changing arrangements. They were expecting a new officer and Glen back again.

Thanks her for sending thick socks which he would save for winter. Ingrown toenail was hurting him.

Mentions leave but it was still too distant. Were having lovely weather. Assumed she was still at Westbrook.

Was quite pleased with his dug out. Asks her to write on thinner paper because her letters made a bulky package and he wouldn’t want to leave them behind when he returned to England.

Had enjoyed writing to Geoffrey about the Alps. Amazed by the desire he had for that side of life again. You would think he would like something less keen after the war but he didn’t feel like that at all. There was a great life out there and they must bring it off. He felt fit and healthy thanks to the war.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Aug 12 1916'

He was exceptionally busy. Glen was due to have an operation and Bell was away for four days rest. They had three new officers and Lithgow was unwell with a slight chill. Describes the new officers.

Rest cure was where two detachments at a time go off to spend four days in a delightful country place. His turn was next. He had designs on Amiens Cathedral.

Asks if she was still intending to visit the East Coast. If so asks her to choose a place well armed with anti Zepp guns. He was very please about the fall of Georgia and it made the Austrian situation worse because more men would be needed to defend that front.

Likes the flowers in his dug-out and asks if she could make him some pot pouri.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Aug 15 1916'

He had been rather depressed as he had visited their trenches after a futile attack. Describes his reaction to seeing corpses and the fact that seeing the wounded always distressed him.

Communications had failed as all the wires were broken when he arrived. He had a line laid and hoped to do useful registration but due to a disgusting piece of mismanagement by higher authorities he couldn’t get anything done.

Had been busy the day before in the battery and doing the accounts for the canteen and the mess which he hated doing.

Thanks her for the parcel and especially the lavender but says the rock buns arrived in a bad state. He asks her to rethink her packaging possibly using tins. Bell has stuff put in tins and then wrapped in cloth. Soup tablets and prunes arrived in good condition. Asks for a new strap for his wristwatch.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Aug 24 1916'

Was feeling a bit better. Her letter had arrived quickly. Still no date for leaving rest camp. She wasn’t to be anxious about winter as there would be less fighting and so less chances to be killed. He had his job and time passed quickly but it must be harder for her. Thought Clare must have changed since he last saw her.

Was pessimistic about the war and asks why they hadn’t done anything about Salonica. Everything in that area depended on Romania coming in which would only give two months to cut communications between Germany and Turkey before winter set in. Thought that with Romania's help Russia would be able to beat Austria. Hungary would be less willing to make terms if Romania cames in. Very strongly thought they should take stock after the Autumn campaigns and offer terms accordingly. Didn’t doubt they would win eventually. Thought Germany could defend herself for at lest two more years and practically nothing was worth two more years of war.

25 Aug – had finished the letter but had mislaid her Aldeburgh address, which he had now found, so was writing more. He would be in camp all day and was reading a French book by Rene Bazin about Breton peasants. Discusses places in the book and why he would like to visit Brittany and how he views rural England from a distance.

Hadn’t yet received the apples or grapefruit and asks where she sent them. Suggests that she use wooden boxes and tells her how to make them. Thinks a plum cake is the one most likely to survive the transport. Doesn’t need any more soup tablets.
Had just received and eaten a grapefruit which was delicious but barely ripe so he would save the others.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Sept 12 1916'

Was sorry she was finding life dull. Thought Aldebrough would have been more exciting if he had been with them.

It was a quiet soft September day but he thought the lull was ominous. Had a desperate time getting provisions for the canteen in Corbie. Had written a long letter to Robert Graves. Describes fellow officers Dunbar and Carey.

Had bought a mouse trap and a rat trap for his dug out which was successful and had lent them to the Officer’s cook house and six rats had been caught in an hour. Had asked Lithgow to send to Corbie for more traps for the men to use in their dugouts as they had suffered with them crawling over them and eating their clothes. They were also suffering from lice.

Was sorry she was feeling depressed. Was looking forward to a time when they could meet. Thought he would look younger to her.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Sept 23'

His hand was wobbly after driving in a stake with a very heavy maul. Was hoping he would get fit before he went climbing again. Intended to enjoy the late summer as there would be gloomy days afterwards.

Had been interested by Born in Exile [by George Gissing] which he describes.

Was sharing the work of the advanced section with Dunbar and describes his routine. Asks her to send out tea, about three packets of Mexican chocolate and a dozen soup squares.

He had seen Austin Earl twice more and describes his character. Had received a letter from Urquhart but felt too cynical to answer as he knew that he just wanted to hear how much danger he was in.

Looking at No. 4 gun under her camouflage of wire netting she looked quite a pleasant object but if Dante could see some of the terrible monsters out there he would write it was just what he needed for this inferno and would make drawings in his notebook (felt Dante was a notebook man). Thinks the inferno can’t have been such an unpleasant place. Compares his current situation and hell. Says hell is peopled by two kinds of bores – those with harsh insistent voices and the rest with polished manners. Asks her if she would rather go to Heaven or Hell. If Hell makes people aware that they were wrong, Heaven makes them no less conscious that they were right.

Asks her to copy out this letter for his mother. Hates to think of his letters going around his friends and this not to be among them as it was very like the real him.

Was glad she had spoken to Will and asks what he was doing.

Had just found four lice on a mackintosh cape on which he was sitting.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, '25.9.16'

Had been on night duty. For breakfast he boiled water to make tea, then put on a little porcelain dish in which he melted butter and fried two eggs with raspberry jam to follow. Then an apple. Had got the butter and eggs in Corbie where he had gone to get potatoes for the men. Had climbed an apple tree to shake down some apples. Thanks her for sending the cake and butter.

Was pleased by her account of Clare’s birthday and was anxious to see her again. Liked the photos and that she looked attractive when her face was in motion. Discussed Clare and her physical and intellectual development.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Oct 12 1916'

Describes visit to Amiens with Lithgow and his character and tastes which were very different to his own. After lunch Lithgow had gone for a hot bath and he had gone to see about the prices of vegetables in the market taking Mantle (the driver) and Ramsay (the Captain’s servant) with him. Had gone o his own to look for bookshops and curios but was unsuccessful. Only able to buy a dirty cravat for the embroidery and the new Larousse dictionary of soldiers slang. Lithgow wanted to buy fresh fruit for the men. Bought a black lobster and two baskets of figs.

Comments on the news in her letters about a disagreement with Violet, her conversation with Ursula about old age, and sends his congratulations to Marjorie [Ruth’s sister] on her new job.

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

Acknowledges receipt of pears and apples and approves of the cake box which they reused to pack cups for the move. Thanks her for the prunes but says he can buy them in Corbie [struck through]. Was pleased with the potpourri and will give some to Earl whose battery is close by.

Started his new dugout but didn’t have time to cover it. Thought they were to have fine weather but it started raining in the night and he had slept in the Mess room [includes a plan]. Rain had washed mud down the stairs and it was disgusting. They were be able to settle in if they have some dry days.

Discusses German food shortages and whether Romania can hold on.

Bell had been awarded the Military Cross.

20 Oct - a very bright day and cold east wind with a perceptible frost.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Oct 22 1916'

Apologises for missing two days before writing as he had been dining with the 109 battery and then unexpectedly been observing. Had received three letters from her and was glad Clare was alright and she was better from her illness. Thanks her for the ginger cake.

It was very cold already and it was still Autumn so asks her to send him two pairs of warm pyjamas, two short woollen drawers (hard to get), two medium woollen vests, two thick flannel shirts, and a face towel.

Was interested in the Arts and Crafts exhibition. Asks if she had been to a private view and wants very much to see it with her.

Had seen Earl who was more depressed and tired than the last time. He disliked the whole business more than most and was in an uncomfortable battery having to use clumsy great ammunition. Earl was delighted to hear about her gift of potpourri.

Lithgow was giving himself a rest so he and Bell were doing most of the observation work which he describes.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'Oct 24 1916'

Bell was playing the flute and they may soon be singing. Dunbar was keen and knew many songs. Wood had one song - Clementine. Casey takes no part. Says a book of general English and Scotch songs and some folk songs would be very useful and ask her to try and get one next time she is in London.

Tiresome day spent collecting stuff for mess and canteen. Low heavy clouds and rain meant very little firing. He had finished The Woman in White. He would have the opportunity to continue writing his book soon.

Describes his dugout and draws a plan of it.

Likes to hear about her working in the garden at the Holt. Talks about the neighbours and asks her to rake up all the Charterhouse news and send it to him. Asks for Pollly’s address and says she shouldn’t have the bother of having to copy out his letters for his friends when he had time to write to them himself.

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

Had met a Carthusian called Chamier who had been a member of his old modern sixth and was a particularly nice boy.

Yesterday started in mist and rain and he had done drearily in the mud to a half way house (old German dugout) to wait on the weather.

When he got to the trench he expected it to be half full of liquid mud but the Infantry had cleared the wort of it. No shelling of them all day. Platnauer arrived just as he was turning in. They talked for a bit and then he asked him to dinner. Had celebrated Casey’s 21st birthday.

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

Had received nine letters from her. Glad to hear of his friends coming into her life. Very pleasant to hear of her making a friend of Robert who had stayed at Westbrook. The Headmaster didn’t encourage Robert’s friendship with Johnstone and was not disposed to let him go out very much on the grounds that he was somewhat spoilt and didn’t get on well in the house. Advised her to write to the head of Saunderites House using a dictionary [Ruth was dyslexic] to request a visit. She could also tell Johnstone that he would be very glad to receive a letter from him.

He had heard from Rooper that Clements had left Charterhouse and he was sorry as he was the one really interesting boy he knew.
Her visit to the Reade’s seems to have been a success. Kar Cox was a charming person but he didn’t know her as well as some of his friends notably David and Geoffrey Keynes. Didn’t know Ward but he was a friend of Rupert Brooke. Was sure Bridget was one of the best of people.

Comments on Arthur Clutton-Brock’s speech which Ruth had recounted to him.

Only bitter feelings he had towards Mr Rendall was that he wanted to avoid a bore. He felt in his bones the ill bred pomposity of Langton probably because he had offended his vanity by having too little regard for his opinions.

Was glad she was getting to know Mrs Brock. News about Kit was really bad and must have upset them very much.

He hadn’t written to her much lately as he was in a sociable mood and spent time talking after meals. He had played bridge. He went to bed at 9.30pm as it was difficult to be comfortable outside bed. He read whilst his feet got warm. He never had night work which was a blessing but was liable to be woken at 6.30am.

Two parcels of clothes had arrived. She had chosen well and he felt luxurious. The men didn’t go short of warm clothes but they didn’t have oil stoves in their dugouts nor a dry mess room. He drew the line at a hot water bottle as it would make him feel like a pig. He would be quite cosy once he got a curtain.

Lithgow had applied for special leave to attend to business and would probably get it.

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France, 'Nov 25 1915' [it is actually 1916]

The Captain thought, as they all did, that he did too much himself so they were taking it in turns doing the Battery Commander work. He had begun today and was in the Captain’s dugout and was in charge of the battery so far as shooting was concerned, orders from HQ, ammunition etc.

Yesterday he had been to the observation post taking Dunbar’s turn so he could get a job finished but the light was bad so he didn’t succeed. It was atrociously cold. Some pleasant infantry fellows were occupying the trench. They shared lunch and chatted around a fire.

Had been writing a report about his reconnaissance which was a voluntary stunt which be thought was interesting and hoped would be useful.

He was beginning to have little hope of leave in the near future. Had received her letters and was glad that Clare was better. It was splendid to hear of her standing. Didn’t want her to become bandy legged. The song books had arrived as well as a chocolate cake.

Thanked Mrs W. for her noble efforts.

He had managed to have a hot bath which was the first since he had been out there.

‘It’s been soaking wet all day’ is written up the margin.

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 14 Royal Terrace, Weymouth

His weekends would be free and there was plenty of good country for her – he liked the looks of the east side of Dorchester.

There were 14 in the house all feeding together and 100 in the drawing room. He was sharing his bedroom with another man who looked a quiet, gentle sort. The folk at the Barracks looked very nice especially Clarke who knew Ralph Brooke [his brother in law]. Usual questions this time from a Colonel assuming he was a child of 17. There was a group of Irish from Dublin University who would probably be amusing.

Was glad he would have to search for rooms for her at the weekend as there was nothing else to do. Then there would be lectures, lectures, lectures and for fresh air gun drill.

He would write as soon as he had seen some places nearby - he liked the sound of Todpuddle, Tincleton and Little Bredy.