26th November 1916
Arthur is relieved to be out of the front line and in new billets – they are a little spartan: “… there wasn’t a stick of furniture in it. But we’ve rigged up a table and borrowed some chairs & found some straw for our beds. Incidentally the oiled paper the cake came in served well in place of glass in our window! The chief thing is we are under a roof & have a roaring fire!” Having reassured Dollie that they are well he adds: “ I was rather lucky this morning. The Hun must have spotted the extra movement for he shelled the road I had to pass – luckily just before I got there! and had stopped when I went by. GOD is most extraordinarily good”.
Arthur to Dollie
Sun. even. 7pm
I was awfully disappointed last night: they said that there was no mail. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t really true; but they had kept it back until we came out to-day. So that I was more than recompensed, for I had both your dear and ever welcome letters of Wednesday & Thursday – together [with] the photo & a most priceless cake. You darling: I was bucked. I think the photo is top hole & its an awfully sound idea to have had it mounted on board. It fits my pocket well – I am so pleased with it…
I think it an awful good idea about the photo frame & the grenade. It would certainly give a distinct personal & significant touch to it. I think it came from the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths.
Rochford, dear, is well & fit. At present he is acting second in command, pending Alfred’s return. I cannot make out why he hasn’t written, but there is nothing the matter with him.
I saw Davis to-day & told him I spoke to you about him and that you had asked to be remembered to him. He was very bucked. His wife is very well D.G. She writes & says that coal is awfully difficult to get in Paris – they have to order it three weeks in advance. Most of the French mines which are nearly all in the North-West are in enemy hands.
As far as I remember, dear, what you write about income tax is only too true. I remember speaking to Joe [Agius] about it – though of course I only pay a reduced rate on my pay. Has Auguste [Noel] spoken to you about it? Would you like me to write to Joe & get particulars & he can speak to Auguste.
You’ll be glad to hear, darling, that we are out again & this time in a billet. Apparently it hadn’t been used for some time & there wasn’t a stick of furniture in it. But we’ve rigged up a table and borrowed some chairs & found some straw for our beds. Incidentally the oiled paper the cake came in served well in place of glass in our window! The chief thing is we are under a roof & have a roaring fire!
(This is my last sheet of paper so please read on the back – its all numbered).
I was rather lucky this morning. The Hun must have spotted the extra movement for he shelled the road I had to pass – luckily just before I got there! and had stopped when I went by. GOD is most extraordinarily good.
Gray, one of my subs, went on a bombing course a few days ago & Lidiard on a Bayonet Fighting Course to-day. The weather to-day has been tophole but rather cold this evening. I do hope its fine with you, dear.