4th October 1916
Arthur is having a dreadful time – the weather is very bad and the roads are knee-deep in mud “… although we were back in reserve, the Hun dropped a shell in – by accident – that killed one of the most promising of my Serjeants. To sum up, as we were moving out in the dark, a fellow kicked a bomb that was lying in the mud: it exploded & killed two… We moved up into Support: we are still a long way back for the Brigade is in on a very narrow front… we continue to stick it with a grin – the men are perfectly wonderful. Poor little fellows, they are magnificent. It really is extraordinary the way they triumph over every difficulty & hardship & scarcely even a grouse”.
Arthur to Dollie:
5pm Wed.
… Yesterday was a nasty day: the weather was very bad, the ground indescribably muddy. In addition, although we were back in reserve, the Hun dropped a shell in – by accident – that killed one of the most promising of my Serjeants. To sum up, as we were moving out in the dark, a fellow kicked a bomb that was lying in the mud: it exploded & killed two.. Last night, too, as a crowning act, there was no mail! I was disappointed.
We moved up into Support: we are still a long way back for the Brigade is in on a very narrow front. It was a rotten walk last night; even the roads were almost knee-deep in mud, & very crowded. It is a marvel the way rations are brought up & wounded evacuated. The weather is still bad; the ground hasn’t a chance to dry.
But it is all in the days work; and we continue to stick it with a grin – the men are perfectly wonderful. Poor little fellows, they are magnificent. It really is extraordinary the way they triumph over every difficulty & hardship & scarcely even a grouse.
I’m afraid this letter of mine is rather developing into a grouse isn’t it, darling. I’m awfully sorry. Our love is such a glorious thing & it isso ripping to love you, God bless you dear… It’s just past 6; and now that we have changed to Greenwich time again, already growing dark I wonder what you are doing, little one? Its tea-time I suppose & you’re in the morning room at 45. There’s a fire & electric light & your dear face … Every moment away from you is so much heaven wasted – may the time of our re-union come soon.