Item 113 - Letter from George to Ruth Mallory, 20 November 1916

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France, 'Nov 20 1916'

Was sorry for the gloomy note he wrote yesterday. The war was getting the better of him but he was getting his own back. The worse the weather the less they had to do but even that little was difficult to complete. He wished he had some fixed things at fixed times during the day but that was impossible. He would try and make a plan for the evenings. He would be less sociable once Bell had left which would make it easier to settle down to mental occupation. A lot of energy went into fighting the cold and discomfort.

Last night he was cheered by the appearance of Platnauer, George and Falconer. Had a good time playing Bridge and talking about books and art. He thinks he needs others to lift his spitis and it was feeble to be dependent on anything exterior.

Discusses the nature of his depression.

[Letter resumes shortly before tea time] - He had been digging and felt more of a man. He would like to be able to draw what he sees. He had acquired a quite special feeling about men digging. His diggers would be simple, solid folk like the sort that Jean-Francois Millet might have painted but his would be more in harmony with the soil.