25th July 1916

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25th July 1916

Arthur is all concern for Dollie and would much rather she remain true to her own conscience: “I’d rather by far remain as you are, sincere, than become an insincere Catholic … [if] you feel in your heart that you cannot make the change, then you mustn’t”. Dollie also voices a few misgivings about Maria Concetta’s feelings towards her! Arthur is kept busy with the usual parades, work, bayonet fighting and lectures: “We have been having lectures from a Prof. Adkins of Sheffield on the causes of the war. He really is most awfully sound…” Back at the Battalion there are a few changes: “…Henri is wounded & home with the Military Cross. Cooper, my Coy Serj. Major also has the Cross. The battalion is under Sammy with Edouard as second-in-command & Page as Adj. The CO is running a Divisional School, with Ainsworth as acting Adjutant; Johnnie Sutcliffe is at the Divisional Rest Camp. When he is fit again he is to go to the School as Adjutant. I have two more Subalterns in the Company by name Bateman & Fordred. Some changes eh dear?”

Arthur to Dollie

Tues. 6.15pm

I have your dear letter of Friday … I scarcely know how to answer your letter – I feel so deeply & see how dull you must be, darling, in this great effort …God bless you, dear. Little one, you are the sincerest person I’ve ever met. Cherish that: never lose it. I’d rather by far remain as you are, sincere, than become an insincere Catholic. In the wonderful love of your heart, you are being instructed for me. If when you have learnt, dear, you feel in your heart that you cannot make the change, then you mustn’t. But if dearest one you feel that you believe, then act as your heart, your conscience, your reason tell you…

Little one, I am perfectly frank with you. You ask me if the Mater isn’t very keen on you, dear. My darling, I know no more than you. She has never spoken to me about it. Perhaps she is jealous – isn’t there a proverb to that effect – it is perfectly ridiculous, but there you are; isn’t it so, dear.

Yesterday I was fearfully busy, dear. We paraded from 6.45 – 8; & again from 9.15 – 1. Between 8 & 9 I had to have brekker & write out some notes. The Mess is about 400 yards away – it all takes time. At 1 lunch, and 1.30 I had to return some papers to the Orderly Room. Parade again 2 till 5.15. Tea then & bayonet fighting 5.45 – 7.30, change & mess at 8. I was so tired that I came to bed immediately after Mess.

This morning the usual parades. We have been having lectures from a Prof. Adkins of Sheffield on the causes of the war. He really is most awfully sound: looks like a little cock-sparrow. There is another lecture on to-night at 8.30. So we are having Mess early.

I had a letter from Lloyd to-day dear. He says the Battalion is just doing ordinary trench duty in the same spot. Little Henri is wounded & home with the Military Cross. Cooper, my Coy Serj. Major also has the Cross. The battalion is under Sammy with Edouard as second-in-command & Page as Adj. The CO is running a Divisional School, with Ainsworth as acting Adjutant; Johnnie Sutcliffe is at the Divisional Rest Camp. When he is fit again he is to go to the School as Adjutant. I have two more Subalterns in the Company by name Bateman & Fordred. Some changes eh dear…