3rd January 1916

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3rd January 1916

A short letter from Arthur, who has hopes they will be relieved tonight – never to return to this section of the front: “This is a rotten bit of trench – opposite a place called St Elie, between the Hohenzollern & Hulluch. Bang opposite us are the quarries. Both sides strafe like fun. There is not often a quiet hour.”

Arthur to Dollie

In a dug-out, Mon. even. 6.30pm

… The time is hanging and this is a rotten trench. I was immeasurably bucked to get the mail – two dear letters (with an enclosure from Father M.). To-day alas there has been no mail. You are a darling to write so regularly. Your letters are like a tonic & buck me up for they come from You.

News dear is pretty scanty – so I think I’ll get it off my chest before I turn to answer your dear letters … This is a rotten bit of trench – opposite a place called St Elie, between the Hohenzollern & Hulluch. Bang opposite us are the quarries. Both sides strafe like fun. There is not often a quiet hour. Thank heaven, we are being relieved to-night & it seems practically certain that the Division will not re-occupy this particular bit of front. To-morrow, I hear, we are to go back to near where HQ are for a day; thence S…