Item 12 - Letter from George to Ruth Mallory, 6 May 1916

Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Le Havre, France

Asks her to address letters to 2nd Lt G. Leigh-Mallory, No. 1 Base Depot, B. E. F.

There was little to tell. He expected to move on shortly and spend a few days in another big town on the way to the front. It was a lovely part of the world but he hadn’t explored it yet. That morning they had gone to see various infantry works and that afternoon made a very long expedition to Le Havre to get certain articles from a hangar in the middle of the docks.

He was living in a hut with Smith, Green and Satchwell. He acts as the cook’s agent for them in the town [he could speak French]. He calls it a hut but it was really a little canvas shelter. His camp kit was satisfactory. Had a hot and cold shower that morning. They didn’t much like waiting there but he supposed he would receive plenty of shocks before long.

He was feeling sleepy so apologises for the feeble letter. Wonders when he will receive one from her. This place was 4 miles out of Le Havre, was very pretty and was situated on the side of a hill overlooking the junction of two wooded valleys. He was amazed by the care that had been taken to make the place agreeable.