4th April 1916
Arthur is anxious to hear from Dollie about how she got on with Fr McNamara [presumably as a prelude to becoming a Catholic before their proposed marriage]; Arthur has a rotten job to perform tomorrow: “I have to report at F. at half-past two to act as escort to an officer who is being court-martialled. I hate the thought of it, but it has to be done”.
Arthur to Dollie
Billets. France, Tues. even. 9.20pm.
… To-day has been a long day & a dull day, for there has been no post worth speaking about. This morning we were on parade from a quarter to nine until 12.20: we were practising advanced guard work against a skeleton enemy (our stretcher-bearers). This afternoon I played in a very strenuous game of football against D Coy. We just got in in time for tea & a bath: then to another lecture by Beresford: then dinner & so voilà.
I am very anxious about you, dear heart, both because of your health and I am all anxiety to hear how you got on yesterday afternoon with Fr. McNamara. His letter has arrived at last. I am sending it on together with Laura’s and the Mater’s…
To-morrow I have had a rotten job detailed to me. I have to report at F[revent] at half-past two to act as escort to an officer who is being court-martialled. I hate the thought of it, but it has to be done. Evie is with the gunners for a week; Edouard has been away for a few days with an abscess in his jaw: Christmas is doing a course. Rice turned up to-day. He has been doing a machine gun course at GHQ. He was 21 a few days back. We had his cake today…
Now about Fr. Mac’s letter: of course, dear, it’s hard for me to know what to say until I’ve heard from you. So I am longing to hear, & to hear what you have been able to fix up, dear. God bless you. So I had better wait a day or two hadn’t I until I do hear…