7th December 1916 Arthur now admits to Dollie that they are back in the trenches and most of his spare time is taken up with instructing a group of Cadets. Dollie’s brother Edouard has been busy bodying about her finances, … Continued
6th December 1916 “I’m afraid this can not be a very long letter. I’ve been awfully busy to-day and at the last minute they sprang four Cadet Officers on me – who have taken all my time…& am praying that … Continued
5th December 1916 The weather has deteriorated and is: “… very angry & cold, with a bleak NE wind, and occasional rain or sleet”. But some Christmas spirit has been generated by the arrival of much welcome seasonal literature from … Continued
4th December 1916 Dollie has had the idea of Arthur applying for Christmas leave in Paris and he will ask fellow officer Davis how to apply. More importantly Arthur may qualify for a whole month’s leave soon. Dollie is tasked … Continued
3rd December 1916 A cold frosty day but at least they have had no rain recently and the ground is frozen hard. To ease the boredom Arthur has been borrowing books from Rochford – a fellow officer – revisiting literature … Continued
2nd December 1916 Dollie has sent Arthur an enormous parcel and they have already made great inroads into the food. A fellow officer, Davis, has a wife living in Paris and he reports: “Coal & gas are very hard to … Continued
1st December 1916 Arthur and Company have been out of the front line for a few days now and he is starting to enjoy the finer things in life: “After the show we went into Estaires again to the Hotel … Continued
30th November 1916 Arthur is writing earlier in the day because this evening he is off to La Gorgue to see the Bow Belles new show. No mail has arrived yet but they have a copy of a recent newspaper … Continued
29th November 1916 Arthur makes life in a derelict unfurnished farmhouse sound almost civilised – changing for dinner: “This afternoon I went up to HQ on some business at 2 but was back shortly before 4. I had a few … Continued
28th November 1916 News from Dollie – she has been to see a show at the Palace and Arthur remembers other visits there, in happier times. Dollie is also going to recite at a fund-raising concert – and is feeling … Continued