13th June 1916
Dollie’s letters have started to arrive again – to Arthur’s intense joy; the rain is relentless as the working parties continue to improve the new trenches; Arthur now has a bomb-proof waistcoat; meanwhile morale is good “Everyone is very cheery out here – what with the fiasco at Verdun, & the failure of their fleet, to say nothing of the Russian push (which is only a feint!!) the Hun can’t be very chirpy. They put up a placard the other day, saying that peace would be declared before June 27th. What hopes? dear one, I only wish it could be true.”
Arthur to Dollie:
Billets, Tues. even 8.35pm
At last! Your two dear letters of Friday & Saturday came to-day. I am so happy to hear from you, my darling sweet heart…
To-day has been a wretched day, pouring with rain. The big working parties are on continuously: today, my two platoons here under Lloyd & Davison relieved my other two at S- under Thomas & Lidiard. The latter seems a decent chap… This morning various inspections & I’ve been pretty busy most of the day on some maps & papers. This evening for a short time I played Poker patience with Henri. To-morrow is Lloyd’s 30th birthday – he is unlucky to be away on this working party.
To-morrow means an early rise for me, dear: half-past five – breakfast at 6, parade at 7. I am in charge of a party till about 6pm. To-day my compass & refills came, also the bombproof waistcoat! I’ve had an acknowledgment from Lilian Hoare dear one, that I am enclosing. I’m also sending back the three letters – the other two I shall keep, little one, till I hear again.
Everyone is very cheery out here – what with the fiasco at Verdun, & the failure of their fleet, to say nothing of the Russian push (which is only a feint!!) the Hun can’t be very chirpy. They put up a placard the other day, saying that peace would be declared before June 27th. What hopes? dear one, I only wish it could be true.
I haven’t heard yet from Tancred, dear. I don’t think you need answer unless you like, darling, though I’m sure he’d appreciate a letter from you awfully. Or would you rather wait until he has written to me? The chocolate Amy gave me at Waterloo was very good. I shall take some out with me to-morrow.
My thoughts are always with you, dear heart, may God bless you and help you always … Be brave, little girl, I am always with you. Let us face life, hand-in-hand never to be separated, come what may …