20th November 1916 Arthur’s day is filled with tedious Company business, but he finds time to write a short letter – mainly filled with recollections of the week before their wedding – and their thoughts and feelings at that time. … Continued
19th November 1916 Arthur continues the letter he began yesterday, before he was rudely interrupted by an order to report to HQ. He was just about to remind Dollie that at time of writing (a month ago) they had just … Continued
18th November 1916 Just one line today from Arthur – he is interrupted at the poignant start of his letter – and called away to HQ. Arthur to Dollie Saturday aft. 5.20pm … The mail is late again to-day: I … Continued
17th November 1916 A very short letter from Arthur – a very dull day for him, with no post from home. A route march in the bitter weather followed by lunch at HQ and then the anticipated trip to see … Continued
16th November 1916 A long chatty letter from Arthur, now in a happier mood since the post contains three letters from Dollie. News of cousin Charles Muscat (he has just been awarded the MC): “Very good news about Charlie Muscat. … Continued
15th November 1916 Leaving the front line and settling the men back in their old billets took almost a day so Arthur apologises for not having written yesterday. Meanwhile a wonderful food parcel has arrived from Dollie, and some much … Continued
13th November 1916 Arthur and Company are due to be relieved tomorrow, and he hopes that they won’t be billeted in the same pitch dark, cold huts they left a few days ago. The fine weather and the autumnal air … Continued
12th November 1916 “The last 24 hours have been pretty quiet again, thank heaven … It was rather ripping this morning early: it was wonderfully quiet and in the distance you could hear the church bells, ever so faintly. I … Continued
11th November 1916 The weather is fine and the front line is (almost) quiet, but still no letters or news from home, and Arthur’s thoughts constantly drift back to their recent wedding day: “Its such a contrast – there we … Continued
10th November 1916 Arthur is still longing for a letter from Dollie – but strangely a parcel has arrived – his breeches from No3 [Belsize Grove]. He is short of Subalterns for various reasons – but one replacement (Lidiard) is … Continued