Pièce 55 - Letter from George to Ruth Mallory, 25 July 1916

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France during the Battle of the Somme, 'July 25'

Had seen Mr Thompson’s name in the casualty list but he wasn’t the same man that had joined with him. Describes how dangerous his position was and that it was nothing for her to worry about. His name had been put forward to do observation work from an aeroplane but he didn’t think it was on the cards that he would leave the battery.

Her parcel had arrived minus the tea and prunes. The potatoes and carrots had arrived. Asks for a chocolate cake next time and buns if they wouldn’t go stale.

Were reduced to four as Quinn had gone to another battery which had suffered casualties so they would be short staffed until Quinn returned.

Liked to think of her in the gardens of Westbrook writing to him. Points out her regular spelling mistakes and askes her to explain Willet Time and if it had anything to do with the Daylight Saving Bill.

Explains what he wants her to do about money and paying off their debt.

When he had finished Wings of a Dove he had thought how glad he was that she was so pure and true. He would have wobbled much more without her. No shadow could come between them unless she considered it a shadow that she couldn’t spell. He wants her and asks her to be as brave as she was constant and true.