9th September 1916
More wedding plans for Arthur to approve in his absence. He just longs for leave so they can get married – but now he is near the front line and can’t give Dollie any clues to his whereabouts, due to ever stricter censorship rules. Fellow officer Johnny Sutcliffe has a lung problem and is about to be evacuated – just before action starts for the 1 / 3rds: “Apparently when he had pleurisy last June, he wasn’t properly treated & part of his lung is sticking to his side. It’s rough luck, but he’s a lucky chap to get home”.
Arthur to Dollie
Fri 1.30 pm
Your dear letter of Saturday came yesterday: I was so pleased to get it. My dear, I wish I could give you news of leave – but no-one – not even those high-up know anything about it. I’ll find out if I can get special leave & if so, for how long: but I do not think that there will be any going yet…
We are fairly near up again, but not in the old spot. I wish I could tell you where – but the censorship is strict & Army Orders have been issued again lately on the subject. At present we are in bivouac – luckily the weather continues fine – so that it is fairly pleasant.
Darling, about your linen: I must say, I cannot but agree with you that it is best to get it now as part of your trousseau. There are always a certain number of things to be arranged & the sooner the better. Nothing ever becomes easier by delay –don’t you think so.
I don’t know whether you’ll be surprised to hear that Johnnie Sutcliffe is being evacuated. He has an adhesion. Apparently when he had pleurisy last June, he wasn’t properly treated & part of his lung is sticking to his side. It’s rough luck, but he’s a lucky chap to get home.
News continues awfully good; the Hun is fighting pretty hard, but he’s got his tail down all right. Well, little sweetheart, I must end off now, for there’s a special post going out. I’m just longing to hear from you. I do hope I get a letter to-day. Au revoir …
9th September – 1/3rds move from Billon Camp up to Casement Trench approx 2 miles from front line…