Adela to Edgar 1918

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

9th November 1916 Arthur is now back in the front line, but entreats Dollie not to worry: “… for I expect that by the time this reaches you, I shall be out. So there will be no cause for apprehension … Continued

7th November 1916 A cold, wet, tedious day for Arthur – full of company business. They are out of the trenches – in leaky huts, with no windows – for which he supposes they ought to be grateful. No letter … Continued

6th November 1916   –  Riez Bailleul Camp Another two days of travel for Arthur but now he is finally back with the Battalion, in a familiar place. Brother Alfred is away at Army School so Arthur is once again … Continued