Item 2 - Letter from George to Ruth Mallory, 4 January 1917

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from France on 'Jan 4 1916' [it was actually written in 1917]

Bell was on his way back to join his new battery and Captain Lithgow had been awarded a Military Cross and he was dining at the battery that evening to celebrate both events.

Had spent 2 gay evenings playing poker chiefly to amuse the Colonel. It was annoying that there wasn’t much for anyone there to do but supposed it would be different when big operations were going on.

He had read more of A Shepherd’s Life and asks if she had too.

Trafford had called to ask him to meet him at a Hotel in Amiens.

Supposes she would have Ursula with her and asks Ruth to tell her the carols had arrived two days ago along with Mother’s Xmas parcel. Avie’s was still to come.

Music was at a discount and he couldn’t practice the occharina there but they did have a good gramophone.