Here we are in our reserve billets, and not sorry either. The enemy
threw a shell in beside us this morning as I was getting up, to show
that he had not forgotten us! It must have come 5 miles at least. He
is a humorist, too, of a grim sort, for 3 days ago he bombarded the
little town (French) of Estaires with French shells. I suppose some
gun he had captured from them. Anyhow, his ammunition is certainly, as
a rule, not as good as the stuff he was using. Have a headache this
morning. I often get one after 3 days in trenches. There was a great
hue and cry after a German spy yesterday. Telephones going all over
the place. I was wickedly sceptical about him from the first, and
ultimately triumphantly proved him to be an officer of the
----Regiment who had been detached on some duty. The unfortunate
gentleman had an impediment in his speech, and this was noted down as
proving him to be a German, of course! Six divisions of K.'s new army
are expected to cross over to France this month. I hear that the
Canadians have also arrived, and that they are full of dash. Thanks
for collars, duly received. They will last me a long time. Major Baker
brought some mincepies back with him. Mr. Argles wonders if I have
time to see any of the sports out here! No one has the least idea of
how busy one is out of the trenches getting rifles right and men
cleaned to keep them from dirt whilst in the trenches, when it is
impossible to do anything, for you cannot lift your head there for
fear of having it punctured before you pull it down again.... You ask
if I have seen any of my relatives who are at the front. No. I think
they are all farther back, and if they should come up where I am they
would have an awful time of it.... I hear the whirr of an aeroplane. I
wonder if it is ours or a German bomb dropper; you never know which it
may be! So glad to hear you are feeling better.
Yours....
G----
_February 2nd, 1915._
I must say that I think quite the worst news we have received so far
in this war is the sinking of those three ships in the Irish Sea by
the German submarines. The British Navy must just get to work and
build a submarine destroyer which will catch and destroy these
nuisances. As a matter of fact, I believe a great many more German
submarines have been sunk than the British public know of, because it
is not announced unless the Admiralty is absolutely certain. For
instance, the other day an old naval carpenter who works on the
Bayfordbury Estate in Hertfordshire, and who returned to his naval
duties when the war broke out, told Major Baker that whilst dragging
for mines in the German Ocean they had come against two submarines
lying on the bottom of the sea, and, having nothing else to do, they
dropped a charge on them and blew them up. That may be correct or not.
I have certainly heard that this happened in one case, officially. A
long letter from my sister Meta arrived by the last post yesterday;
still moving into Oakfield after building up the old house again since
the fire. I went for a ride yesterday with Major B., looking up some
roads in case of a move. The Germans tried to pour shrapnel on the
road on the way back, but fortunately missed us by going short. There
was a large party of another division on it, and I suppose they had
got wind of this. A curious thing to notice is as follows: When a
shell starts out on its journey it travels more quickly than the
sound. Sound moves at the rate of about a mile in 5 seconds. After a
little while the shell begins to go more slowly, and then the sound
overtakes it and travels ahead. We were just where we could see the
shell burst with a flash and a white puff of smoke, and could still
hear the whirr of the shell rushing towards us until it ended with a
loud bang, though we had in reality seen it burst a second or so
before. We went to a rather fine church destroyed by fire. I asked
what had happened, and was told that the Germans had been there, and
when they were forced to retreat they put a certain number of their
dead inside the church with a lot of straw, then some of the
villagers, and finally made one of the women set fire to the straw by
holding a revolver to her head and threatening to shoot her. The man
said that the village priest had told him this shocking story. I asked
how the Germans had behaved otherwise, and he said, "Very well in one
sense." They had been billeted on the people, who were obliged to feed
them; but, of course, it is war. When, however, they had to retire,
they refused to pay for anything, and tried, as the inhabitants
explained, to incite them with a view of getting an excuse to burn
their houses and then shoot them. As the village people kept their
heads, they threw down half a mark and left. I thought, on the whole,
they were well rid of their visitors! You asked if I required any more
soap or paper. At present, nothing, thanks; Major B---- has just given
me a new writing block. A cake and mincepies are, however, always most
welcome. How greedy one does become after a time! Such a horrid
blustery day, and heavy rain coming down this morning. We had Holy
Communion at 8 a.m. in a ruined nunnery with our Cowley Father
officiating. Only 3 turned up from the whole Battalion. Our General
has had to go away this morning into hospital with fever. Mr. Laing,
whom your cousin M---- D---- asked about, is now in bed with the same
sort of complaint....
_February 3rd, 1915._
We are off to the trenches this evening, worse luck! but we can't
complain, for we have had a most comfortable 3 days considering
everything; actually sleeping until 8 o'clock in the morning, washing
ourselves and clothes, and generally doing ourselves well by buying
eggs, butter, and wine of sorts. White wine appears to be the most
plentiful in this locality--why, I cannot tell. It is a sort of Grave,
and not at all bad as things go. Major B---- and I rode yesterday,
despite the rain, and on the way we went to a place I have rigged up
where my pioneer sergeant is making crosses for those who have been
killed. Very nice wooden ones, which have little plates on them, also
of wood, with name and so forth painted in black, standing about 2 ft.
6 in. high. The men admire them very much indeed, and I fancy that
they like me to take an interest. It raises their self-respect. I
found that, although some have already been put up, 16 crosses were
standing there waiting for white and black paint, as we had run short
of it, and these sort of things are difficult to get. The sugar I
bought here for the men is 7d. a lb., and it is greatly appreciated by
them. Of course, it is not allowed to be imported from England during
the war, otherwise we might get it cheaper. I am glad you had a nice
day for your first outing; as you say, "Flu" is very nasty. I wonder
if I shall be able to run over again in March and see you. The Colonel
of our gunners has just dashed in to ask me to luncheon before I go to
the trenches. He says that he wants cheering up. I suppose he thinks
me an optimist! What time would suit you best if I could get a week at
the end of February or beginning of March? I know you said something
about running across to Ireland again, and I do not wish to interfere
with that. I do not know whether I shall be able to get it, but it is
an idea. I see the Kaiser is in Berlin--the newspaper says "with his
throat." I believe he is really there seeing if he can raise another
loan, which will tax his ingenuity. He will announce in the papers
that he has succeeded all right; but I think it will only be paid up
in his own banknotes, which, of course, unless he has gold to redeem
them, are worthless....
IN TRENCHES.
_February 4th, 1915._
We returned here last night. Before leaving the billets I was going
round putting things right, when suddenly German shrapnel began
bursting over my head. I hustled my men under cover, and no one was
hurt, though a shrapnel broke the window in the house where we were
and came through it. We started off cheerfully enough, and arrived at
our trenches safely by 7 p.m. There was heavy firing on our right, and
at about 9 o'clock the German guns opened, putting shell all round us,
including one in the house next to us about 20 yds. away. Of course it
is only ruined walls, but it made a tremendous crack. The house is
rather a nice one of fresh red brick with bright red tiles on the
roof, and it also has blue and white glazed tiles over the doors and
windows. We then made ourselves horribly obnoxious with our machine
guns, and opened by arrangement. You never heard such a noise. As a
matter of fact, we knew that they were changing regiments at that
hour, and we tried to catch them with our artillery. Whether we
succeeded I cannot tell. I have been up and about since between 2 and
3 a.m., so one earns one's bread out here! The machine guns were
particularly busy, but there was hardly a shot fired at me in all my
rounds! This morning two German aeroplanes arrived. One of ours had
been playing about, but it fled when the enemy appeared. We fired on
them immediately, and they went off. Then ours came round again, and
the Germans reappeared, but it did not run away so fast, and we again
helped it. Now two of ours are sailing up and down, shot at by German
infantry, their own aeroplanes having vanished. From two different
German sources we learn that they expect the war to be over in April,
as they have told the troops that Russia is beaten. Some have admitted
that they hardly expect their troops will fight after April; but from
my knowledge of Germans I do not think they will be given the option;
they will be shot by the authorities if they do not fight. We have
also had the cheerful news that, regiment for regiment, their
casualties are about four times our number. This I believe to be
correct. I had a pleasant little lunch with the Colonel of the
Gunners, and a whisky and soda, which I have not tasted before in
France so far....
IN TRENCHES.
_February 5th, 1915._
Not up quite so early this morning, as my acting General said he was
coming round, and I had to meet him at a certain point, so I did not
rise much before four a.m. We went about until 7 o'clock, doing
various things, fortunately with very little shooting. There was a
heavy bombardment last night from our guns at 10 o'clock, but I do not
think it did the enemy a great deal of harm, and we fired at him again
with big guns in the morning. He is trying to approach us by a sap,
and we are trying to blow him out of it. Not that we object to his
coming close, but because he wants to enter that particular place; so
it is right that he should at once be sternly checked. I received two
of your letters last night, dated the 1st and the 2nd. I am sorry
about the death of your cousin, Mrs. Hilton; but her heart had
undoubtedly been weak for sometime. C---- S---- must have been grieved
that he did not arrive in time to see her again. Tell him I am in
sympathy with him over his loss. Thanks for sending me a cake. The
eggs do not really do us much good now, as we have found out a way of
getting them. I had a kind letter from my Mother last night promising
me two more pairs of socks and some more chocolate. I wish I could put
on three pairs of socks here, as my feet are always cold. The ruins of
the French houses have their floors covered with tiles, as I think I
told you before, and they are cold to the feet. Unfortunately feet
swell, and boots even two sizes too large appear to shrink, so finally
one thick pair of socks is possible only. I heard from the Saddlers'
Coy. yesterday that they propose to send me the coffee and milk, and
that my letter had been read to the full Court and had been found very
interesting. I heard also from General Inglefield; he says that he
would like me to have a Brigade before long.
IN TRENCHES.
_February 6th, 1915._
The Generals gave out yesterday that we were to be attacked last
night, the reason being that the Germans were seen to be clearing the
wire away from their trenches, presumably with this plan in view. We
decided to discourage any such attempts by opening the affair
ourselves. We therefore fired on them with all sorts of things,
including an iron drain pipe which throws a ring of gun cotton. This
is simply made out of an old jam tin, whilst the fuse is lit before
firing the charge in the drain-pipe. The latter charge of powder is
then driven out of the jam tin. If correctly judged, it hurtles
through the air and falls into the German trenches, and blows people
there to pieces. How close the fire is here is shown by one of my
companies having had two periscopes hit. Periscopes are four inches
wide or less, and probably only 5 inches shows above the parapet, so
you can see the German marksman at 100 yds. anyhow is not to be
despised. This morning I was up before four o'clock, and round my men.
On my way back a German put a bullet between the Corporal and myself.
Of course lots of others were flying about, but this was the nearest.
We go into support to-night; and the house we are going to occupy had
a shell through the front door two days ago. It was fired at from the
side at some great distance, came through the door, and fell on its
back without exploding just short of a cupboard. This must have come
from a strange battery, as the ordinary shells go round it all and
every day, bursting galore, so I suppose this was one up the line
fired at a sharp angle to try and take us in flank, as it were. I am
rather sleepy, as there was a fire fight at 12 p.m. last night, for
which I was awake. I received a letter from Miss Ruby McCann of
Belfast yesterday, sending tobacco and her love to the men. The
latter, she stated, was only to the "good-looking ones." I also had a
letter from your Mother. She told me that you had not gone to the
concert owing to A---- H----'s death that very day. Still, of course,
you took tickets for it. I also received a note from the Saddlers' Co.
saying that they were sending four cans of milk and coffee to me to
start with, and more would follow when they heard how the men liked
it. The cans have four dozen tins in each. Very kind indeed of them.
Well, I think that is all my news, excepting that I have got a
headache, and have had one for the last two days, which is not
surprising, since I have been up and about at such unearthly hours,
and have not had any chance of sleeping properly in between whiles. I
am always on the telephone to one person or the other....
IN BILLETS.
_February 7th, 1915._
I hear that Col. Napier has got a Brigade, and I must write to
congratulate him. You are kind in offering to send us more cakes and
mincepies. What we really miss according to our usual mode of life is
the absence of the "sweet" course at luncheon or dinner. Perfectly
ridiculous! Just the same as washing, but one misses it somehow, that
is all, even when one is eating covered with mud. I received your
letter of February 3rd last night; usually these letters only take 2
days to come. Thanks for sending Bryant and May's matches. I hope they
will arrive shortly via Southampton. Tell Blanche I am sorry for her
troubles with her teeth: I am trying to see a dentist myself. I hear
there is one at a little distance away, and I propose to ride over to
see him to-morrow, if possible. We go across to a canal, and follow
that for 8 miles, and then he, the dentist, is to be found somewhere
in an ambulance. A very good thing to be able to get away from under
shell fire even for a short time. We had rather a doing yesterday, for
the Germans shelled us heavily, and finally concentrated on two
houses. Curiously enough, I had pointed out to the authorities how
very visible some works the Engineers had constructed were to the
enemy from their aircraft, and I stated that the woodwork ought to be
painted earth colour, and sent out a party of men in the meantime to
cover the wood with mud. Unfortunately, however, the mud dried,
leaving the wood still rather light, and the aircraft came along all
right, as I suspected, saw it, and signalled to their gunners where to
fire. By some good luck, the 2 houses alongside, though they were full
of my men, had also shelters erected to protect them from shell fire.
These they ran into, and so escaped; only Major W---- was hit on the
head by a splinter, which did not hurt him, as his skull is fairly
resisting! The few remaining rafters were blown off the houses and the
walls fell down. It was most unpleasant to stand by helplessly and
watch it; I could not turn on our gunners, for a very heavy
bombardment was going on to our right at the usual place which I have
mentioned to you before. The shells we captured were French, and
exploded well. Coming out of the trenches, the company that came my
way had one corporal killed and one wounded. The poor man was shot
dead just before leaving the trenches. I quickened our pace up, I can
tell you, when we suddenly found ourselves walking along in the line
of a hot fire fight in front of us; though it was a mile and a half
away in the darkness, one bullet struck beside me, and another went
over my head. The shell which struck this house was evidently nearly
spent, and the broken door is just like the back entrance of your
aunt's house opposite Carlton church. It went clean through this; then
turned to the right through a thick wall and landed in a cupboard on a
shelf, smashing the doors, but not exploding....
IN BILLETS.
_February 8th, 1915._
Very heavy rain last night, and plenty of mud this morning after five
o'clock, when we stood to arms. I am going to Merville, as I said,
this afternoon to get my teeth looked to. I took Major B. for a
longish walk yesterday. He hates walking, but brightened up
considerably as we went along, and we talked of our various troubles.
We have certain worries with some of our men who have not been brought
up in the strict discipline really required for a continental war.
Cheering news has come to us from Russia. A General was sent by the
Czar to decorate Sir John French and the Colonel of the Scots Greys,
of which the Czar is Col. in chief. He is reported to have said: "Do
not worry; we have not yet mobilized in Russia, but we shall do so in
the beginning of April, and we do not ask you to do more than wait
here holding the enemy; then we propose simply to march on Berlin with
overwhelming numbers." So be it, as long as we get these thieves
settled soon. That heavy fighting I told you about La Bassee way,
going on two days ago, was our storming a German trench; I hear that
we killed a lot of Germans and captured 30. Of course we must have
lost heavily ourselves too. Would you send a copy of my History, of
which you have already sent two away, to Col. Anderson, Headquarters,
VIII Division, B.E.F. His father was in the regiment, and he is
interested in it. Also to my Mother please send a copy with my love.
By the way, all parcels to France are expensive, but if the postage by
chance is not fully paid it does not matter, as no extra charge is
made at this end. Now I must stop, as I am as busy as possible to-day
trying to get things done, and everyone wants to see me at once. Such
a lovely sun!...
IN BILLETS.
_February 9th, 1915._
Well, I went yesterday afternoon and had two teeth filled, one under
the gum, which is still rather painful; but the amusing point is that
on my way there at some cross roads I was held up for a quarter of an
hour by the Germans shelling the place. I hid in a building, and when
they got off the line of the road I resumed my ride on to my dentist.
Just at this moment they are shelling our usual front line billets
vigorously. I mean the ruined houses which we hide behind. Clearly
they must have got more ammunition. Many thanks for cake, chocolate,
tins of coffee and cocoa, and boiled eggs, which all arrived safely.
As a matter of fact, the cake is most useful, whilst we still have a
fair amount of chocolate, and the eggs please do not send again, for
we have now a regular system of supplying eggs to ourselves at 3-1/2
francs a dozen, which keeps us going. I am glad the children like
reading and receiving my letters. Sometimes I am rather hustled for
time, as I have often a great deal to do, and many of my officers have
not been on active service before. First, you have to think out the
orders, and then issue them in writing, and then, still more
important, see that they are carried out. Sorry to hear of Miss
Dunlop's death; she has gone to a better world, anyhow. The one she
has left is in a troublous condition. Please God, it soon rights
itself! No soup squares required, please. I fancy that if I get my
leave at all it will be before April, but of course I cannot choose
the time or anything like that. In fact, they may refuse to allow me
to have a second leave. Had a letter from Bertha Farmar; she is full
of news, and seems very happy. I do not know anything about Colonels
only going into the trenches at night. I have been in during the day
often; but in the trenches that we now occupy it is carrying your life
in your hand to do so--that is, for a tall man; once in, it is just a
question of bending down. It is strange to hear of people playing
football out here--we ourselves are under fire every minute. One of
our men was hit yesterday on the head by a German bullet four hundred
yards farther down the street from where I live, whilst he was having
his hair cut by the company barber. We had fondly imagined that we
were out of the way of bullets!
Yours....
We go into our trenches again to-night, worse luck!
IN TRENCHES.
_February 10th, 1915._
Here we are back in the trenches, and a shell has just burst quite
close to us. A Yeomanry major has been lunching with me. I put him up
in the "Residency" at Aden on his way home, and he asked to come down
into our trenches, though he belongs to another division, as he wanted
the experience. His name is Backhouse, and his brother was Flag
Lieutenant to Admiral Jellicoe at the beginning of the war. We arrived
here very peacefully last night, cheered by news of the Russian
successes, and then I went my rounds from 3 o'clock till 7.30 in the
morning. I pointed out to some of my men that they were standing in a
dangerous place, but they said it was all right, and I heard an hour
after that three of them had been struck by one bullet. Later the
General came along to see about things, and I had to go round with
him. A shrapnel from our guns burst short and just missed a man I was
speaking to.... However, thank Heaven! we did not have any fired at
us. A curious thing happened the night before last. One of the British
patrols in my line saw a German at the wire entanglements in the
darkness, and fired. The German fell, calling out: "Don't shoot,
soldier." When they were able to get up to him they found that he had
laid his rifle and equipment down before he was seen, and either
wanted to surrender or, as he had some wire cutters with him, was
trying to cut the entanglement. Anyhow, poor fellow! he had had the
large artery of his leg cut, and was just at the point of death. We
buried him at the back of the ruin. Did you ever think how between the
devil and the deep sea the German soldier is? If he runs away, he is
shot; if he advances, he is generally shot; and if he tries to desert,
as in this case, he is shot too. A hard fate....
IN TRENCHES.
_February 11th, 1915._
Getting up at 3 a.m. is very trying, as it makes the day so long. I
curl up in my blankets at 9 p.m., and hope for the best, but very
often I am pulled out again. Last night, for instance, we had various
parties down here working during the night. About 8 o'clock I went to
look at the poor German's grave, and, coming away from it, I was
nearly hit by a bullet from some sniper who was evidently watching me.
I am just waiting to go to one of our own men's funeral. He was shot
yesterday, poor boy! and I was able to get his body out, so I am
trying to give all such, decent burial with a clergyman some distance
back from the trenches. I forgot to tell you when mentioning that
shrapnel shell yesterday that the man I was talking to was Sergeant
Driscoll, whom you will remember in the regiment; and that a sergeant
of the Lincolns was killed in my lines exactly the same way the day
before. I enclose Mr. Aitchison's letter. I did not realize that it
was his only son. I heard from Mrs. Baker yesterday in reply to a
letter of mine. She compliments you on your letters, saying you are
quite a soldier's wife.... I calculate that I might, but only might,
get away about February 28th for a week if nothing turns up in the
interval; but, again, I was told that all leave was stopped in the 7th
Division, so I am doubtful what will happen. Perhaps the war will end
soon. Who knows?...
IN TRENCHES.
_February 12th, 1915._
Your letter not come yet, but posts do not always fit. We had a couple
of amusements yesterday. One was the opening of fire from quite a new
direction by the Germans. Fortunately, not very heavy, though. The
other thing was that our house caught fire last night about 5.30.
Major B. and the sergeant-major made the discovery. It originated with
the guard, who, of course, were the last to find it out! Major B. and
the Sgt. Major were both invaluable, but my first business was to see
that the sentry was alert, so that we could carry on our operations
without being surprised by our opponents. Next I got a ladder from a
ruin, put a man up it with a hose, and said: "There are great gaping
holes in the tiles everywhere; pull off the remaining ones, and then
we can pour water all over the fire." There were very few, however,
left to pull off, so the work was done and the fire put out in a few
minutes. Lucky for us it was just before dark and the light just
right, otherwise we should have been shelled to pieces. We buried that
poor fellow I spoke about yesterday afternoon with a parson, keeping
my eyes lifted for rifle bullets all the while. I forgot to tell you I
stopped an N.C.O. as I was coming down to the trenches 3 nights ago to
speak to one of our men; immediately afterwards he was hit in the leg
by a bullet. As it was long range, the bullet remained in his calf,
and he went off in an ambulance to have it dug out. One of my poor men
died also this morning; it was astonishing that he was alive at all,
for yesterday a bullet hit him in the head and blew the back of his
head off, and yet he remained alive and quite conscious without pain
till 2 a.m. I have just had a visit from an artillery officer; he and
I have concerted a plan of operations together. As his shells are very
heavy, things ought to be bad for the Germans. How I hate this
business of killing people who never wanted the war, and would go home
if it were possible! Now, if I could have an innings at those who
actually made the war and murdered the women and children, I would
have quite a different tale to tell, but these poor creatures are set
in a groove and are helpless to escape out of it.
IN BILLETS.
_February 13th, 1915._
We got away quietly from our trenches on the night of the 12th, I am
thankful to say. It was so dark that I could not see the man in front
of me, though I could touch him with my hand. I "came," as the Irish
say, a great sprawl over a bridge across a ditch, the chief difficulty
being to find my uniform cap in the darkness and mud, as, of course,
one did not wish to give away where we were by even a flash from one's
electric torch. However, here we are in billets once again, with the
rain pouring down and guns roaring now all round us. I cannot quite
make out whether any shells from the enemy are falling or not. Since
we came they have blown down a small building on the other side of the
road from where I am sitting, and sent a shell into the medical
inspection room. This gives some idea of how powerful even one of
their medium-sized shells is, for it went through five thick brick
walls before it exploded. I hope I may get leave again presently, but
there appears to be some trouble about a second lot. I shall, however,
put a brave face on and demand it in the ordinary course, and see what
I can do. I am told that Colonels who have finished their command are
kept on commanding their regiments out here during the war, as they
are badly needed just at present, so I do not know that I shall get a
Brigade when my time is up, as it will be ere long. Of course,
everything is at sixes and sevens. I hope you have already sent Col.
Anderson the copy of my History which he asked for. I am glad that
Colonel Farmar has done so well with Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, as he
is such a good fellow, and in all probability he will have a good
career before him. I must be off.
IN BILLETS.
_February 14th, 1915._
A wet day yesterday, and a wild night; rain stopped now, and turning
very cold. Pleasant for the trenches, but I anticipate cold weather up
to the middle of April at least, and very bitter weather in March. The
Germans seized the opportunity to shell us and knock down the house
next to mine, laying out two of my men and a sergeant of the
Berkshires. Fortunately none of them were killed. They smashed the
roof up, so we went round to get safer billets for the men. The house
we took was inhabited by a very rich old man, who said he kept a house
to live in and a shop to work in, not to put soldiers in! Pleasant
loyal fellow! We simply said that he would have 125 soldiers there
within half an hour. However, we asked the men, and they said they
preferred to stay where they were. I expect, as much as anything, they
were too tired to move. Well, I rode out with Major Baker to the
Northamptonshire Yeomanry. They were commanded by a Col. Wickham, of
the Scots Guards, an old gentleman who joined the Guards in 1874. They
told me the sad news that when they applied for their second leave,
they were refused, so I am afraid it looks as if none of us will get
it, which is more than a nuisance. I enclose a letter from Athelstan
Riley; it will interest you. Major B. has been decidedly ill several
times on this campaign, and I have literally ordered him to stay in
bed to get better, as he would not do so otherwise. I should like, if
it comes my way, to bring out a Brigade; I am all for it! Percy's
regiment, the Scots Greys, are in the trenches at present having a
hard time. Many thanks for the prospect of another plum pudding; and
jam tartlets of some sort, not made with plums, might be very good.
Apple tartlets, very sweet, well covered in at the top, would be
perfectly splendid. I do not think we require many things now. A lot
of cigarettes and tobacco have been sent to us lately....
IN BILLETS.
_February 15th, 1915._
Such a wet day yesterday. We had service about 11 a.m. in the
conservatory of a convent which in some curious way has escaped being
destroyed. The enemy were shelling the town, so I put a corporal on
the watch to give notice as the shells drew nearer. However, after
coming fairly close they stopped firing. In the afternoon I went to
see about my crosses for graves. I get a certain number sent down most
nights whilst we are in the trenches. We have now the sum total of our
children's ages [about 20] coming to us to-morrow night, so we shall
have something to do to put them all up. Of course, these are for my
own men only. In our diggings we are constantly turning up the bodies
of Indians or Frenchmen, or of a few Englishmen who have held our
trenches before us, and have been buried at the back during the night.
Very awful, but so is all war. We go in to-night again to our most
objectionable duty. I had a letter from Bertha. Col. Farmar is now
well established on the staff with Gen. Smith-Dorrien. S.D. is far and
away one of the most capable of our Generals, I am told. I am so sorry
to hear of Miss Webb's [of Newstead Abbey] sudden death from heart,
just like her sister, Lady Chermside. Well, that is about all my news.
I am off this morning to inspect our bomb-throwers. No doubt these
nasty weapons are useful on occasions, but they are most dangerous to
those who handle them. So, too, with us--that is, in our Brigade--they
have only blown up four of themselves. None of my men have done so as
yet, I am thankful to say....
IN TRENCHES.
_February 16th, 1915._
Here we arrived peacefully last night; I went through the whole of my
lines in places up to my knees in mud, as usual! There is practically
no news to give you, excepting that to-day the country looks very nice
with a bright sun shining. We have heard heavy firing at Ypres, and do
not know what it all means, but I am fairly ready for them, anyhow, if
they wish to come. I also learnt that the Germans drove the Russians
out of East Prussia, because the latter were short of ammunition, but
that the Russians killed and wounded 100,000 Germans before they went.
A few more such German "victories" ought to about finish these knaves!
How I wish I was back in England and at home!...
_February 17th, 1915._
Am really in full blast now. On Saturday I was summoned to ride 5
miles to a conference. The first person I saw there was Col. Farmar,
who had just returned from a flying visit to England. It was pleasant
meeting him again, though we had not much time for a private talk.
The conference being over, I was whisked off in a motor with a
General. We were driven by a French soldier who had been two years in
London and 7 years in America. After lunch at his billet I was told to
reconnoitre the trenches we were to occupy that evening; we came upon
a French woman of the rich farmer class who had just had her servant
killed, and herself and baby wounded by a German shell. Then we went
on to the trenches, leaving the General behind, and taking a staff
officer instead. I found that my Brigadier had arranged that I was to
take over the front of something over two regiments. There were plenty
of shells bursting around me, including five in the next house and
lots of rifle fire. Well, by the evening I had gathered all the
information I wanted to know, so went back in my motor. Meanwhile the
Brigadier sent word that we were to go to the town of----. It was
perfectly dark there on our arrival, and after proceeding with great
care on account of the shell-holes in the streets I came to the only
lighted place there was, which turned out to be a General's
headquarters. Here I was allowed to sit by the fire for a few minutes
to dry myself, after which I went off in the dark and rain to arrange
billets for the Bn. Of course this is not really my business, but
everything was so huggermugger that I thought I should get matters
along that way. Arriving at 1 a.m., I put the men into deserted French
houses. The inhabitants had fled, so I was informed by a French
officer at the General's Headquarters, because the Germans had asked
for 50,000 francs for an indemnity, and it was not paid in the given
time. They, so he said, shot the mayor and an old man of 80 years and
another; so if that is true the people just panicked! We were very
comfortable barring sleeping on the floor and having to get up at 5
a.m. on a Sunday, and in snowy weather too! Well, that day I received
the order to move, and finally got into our trenches at four-thirty
last night in downpours of rain. As we approached these, a heavy fight
was in progress, and we came under fire of the spent bullets. One of
my very good boxers, poor chap! was hit in the jaw and died at once. I
suppose it dislocated the spine. Then the Germans threw star shell on
us, and turned a searchlight upon us as well, so altogether made
themselves very unpleasant, whilst our own shells burst short just
above our heads as we stood on the road. In the dark I sorted everyone
out, had a confab. with the two C.Os., and then sent my troops off
under officers as guides to their trenches. I need hardly tell you
that I hated the whole thing horribly, but one never shows it. The day
before my doctor had been taken ill with influenza, and though I
asked for another, none could be sent, and there I was with the dead
man in the trench and another wounded, and no one to attend to them.
However, by dint of sitting up all night, going round the front
trenches, etc., I managed to get things more or less right, but was
not sorry when day broke without an attack, for if a strong one is
made here, we are sure to be broken through. Well, now you would like
to hear what sort of place I am in. Imagine a hole in the ground
thatched over with mud and broken planks. It is 3 feet deep, and
raised just sufficiently for me to sit on the ground without touching
my head against the roof. I have some looted straw on the clay, and
here I sit and shiver, with my greatcoat and a blanket and mud up to
my eyes. From this charming spot I try, with the assistance of many
orderlies, to get orders to various companies, sometimes
unsuccessfully, for the men lose themselves in a surprising manner
when sent on messages. Each time I go forward to the front trenches I
have to wade through mud bent double in a little narrow ditch which
catches me on either side. We have been told that we are to remain for
only forty-eight hours in this place, but it may turn out to be a
fortnight for all I know! At present I am using a couple of batteries
against the trenches that the Germans are working in on my right. A
few men are firing at us from these, but we have hardly fired a shot
ourselves, as we are waiting for the enemy to advance, if so inclined.
A tremendous bombardment goes on about 10 miles east of us, the
heaviest I have heard yet. I nearly went to sleep over this letter, so
will stop now, and write more when I have time....
IN TRENCHES.
_February 18th, 1915._
You ask about H---- having a pony; I think he had better get thorough
confidence in the donkey first, and learn to go by himself. The reason
is plain to anyone who goes in for horses much. A donkey, though it
kicks a good deal, generally has its hind feet unshod, and in any case
does not kick hard enough to more than hurt a little. A pony, on the
contrary, is very liable to throw one off and then kick one's skull
in. I remember my brother H---- being knocked off and kicked by a
mare. A little nearer, and he would never have moved again. Therefore
I think it would be wiser to get our boy used to his donkey and not
afraid of it. I will have a look at him when (and if) I get home
again. Yesterday I went in the afternoon to put our cemetery straight.
It was being shelled at the time, and as I crept round some of our
batteries afterwards, the guns were being hit, also a rather nice farm
in which they were placed surrounded by a moat. The enemy have been
shelling us this morning too, very closely, but I am tired, and my
nerves, as you know, are not very jumpy! I was up just after 3 o'clock
this morning, and went to various places, nearly being lost in a
quagmire! Two of my men were hit, one by a spent bullet in the
stomach. We can see the bullet, so I expect he will not die. The other
was shot through the thigh, and the bullet stuck in his hand! We have
got it out, and I am forwarding it to the authorities, as it has taken
such a queer shape that one wonders if the German bullets are
according to rules. This is a sketch of the bullet as it was
originally and now. You can imagine what pain such a thing must
give....
[Illustration: Original]
[Illustration: Present shape]
IN BILLETS.
_February 19th, 1915._
We are in support now. As we moved down here one of my men was hit in
the "hinder parts." Very unfair advantage for an enemy to take. Of
course it was dark; we found, however, that he was not dangerously
wounded. That man whose bullet I drew you yesterday had his thigh bone
smashed, poor fellow! Did you see that some officers who were
prisoners had been exchanged by Germany (the incurable ones)? The two
seniors mentioned I knew. One was Major Davey of the Middlesex Regt.,
whose brother lives in Newark. The other is Major Chichester, with
whom I used to hunt in Dover. Did you see French's last despatches? I
heard from Aden last night. The Colonel next junior to me out there
sent all the news. They have had heavy rain, and the whole place is
green (?). It is said not to have happened since the Flood! Then I
received a pessimistic letter from Aunt H---- telling me that lots of
wounded were expected and that the war would not cease. The Kaiser is
not running this world's course. He is only allowed to go on as far as
is good for him and for us. If he were, I should be pessimistic too,
but I have yet to learn that "the arm of the Lord is shortened," and
until then we can rest in peace no matter what happens, my dear. I
enclose you a cutting from the _People_ sent by Aunt H---- about the
Saddlers' Co. All the Lauries belong to it. My Father was Master more
than once, and also Uncle Alfred. A bright beautiful springlike day,
but a little cold. The pudding arrived yesterday; many thanks for it.
Our dinner also consisted of smoked sprats from Major Baker; cake and
tinned peaches from Capt. Wright; figs and ginger from Mr. Brown, so
we did not do badly. We had an adventure last night with a wagon which
contained our little all. The man drove carelessly, and the wagon fell
into a ditch 3 feet deep in water. After carefully unloading it, I
gave them a pair of horses and 50 men to get it out. They pulled it up
all right, but it next fell into the ditch on the other side, where it
had to be left till the morning, when we sent out just at dawn and
brought it in. All this kept us late for dinner, as you may
imagine....
IN BILLETS.
_February 20th, 1915._
No letters at all, as, owing to the submarines, we are dodging the
mails across somewhere else, I expect. The great difficulty is to
catch your submarine, though you may see him often enough. The craze
for going boating in these vessels will shortly die out amongst the
Germans, I fancy, when they find out the number of boats that do not
come home! At present they are looking out for one or two which I
understand will not reappear, and thus they have to keep ships
cruising about in search of them with petrol and food. Of course these
are neutral ships; but it adds to our chance of finding out where and
how these knaves draw their supplies! I have heard that it is from
Ireland; but I expect the Government knows more than it lets out.
Yesterday the Germans shelled us for an hour and a half; they just
missed us, and killed a poor civilian behind the houses instead. They
have increased our leave by one day now; still, whether they will
grant mine a second time is uncertain, but I continue to hope. The
awkward part is that they never let me know in time to write and tell
you. Supposing it is granted, I may arrive on the night of February
25th; but if I do get across I must do a little shopping in London
first, and fit myself out with some things I badly want: then I shall
come on to you as soon as possible. It is rather a bore that the war
will not stop, and I am annoyed that I have been kept out in India and
away from you for over two years! The weather is improving here and
getting more springlike. What are the Germans going to do now?...
_February 21st, 1915._
I was very glad to hear from you yesterday, when two of your letters
arrived together. Of course we had been done by these German
submarines; so evidently the authorities thought it wiser not to run
the Folkestone boats all through the day, for fear of giving the
Germans an opportunity of sinking them! I fancy at night you are as
likely as not to run over a submarine. In the same way I make no doubt
that many of the German ones have been run down and sunk on the quiet.
We go into the trenches again to-night, worse luck! My leave was
refused on the ground that the General was not giving anyone a second
leave, but the Staff captain added that it was only a matter of a few
weeks' delay, when he would probably grant it if he could. I have been
over to my transport lines on horseback this morning. I have to keep
my eye on some 60 horses and mules who mostly stand out in muddy
fields; but as they are very well fed and not overworked at present,
there is nothing much wrong with them, excepting that their thick
woolly coats gather vermin a little. I have had broken bricks and
cinders put down for them to stand on, and thus lifted them out of the
mud. I was over yesterday getting my hair cut, when I met Mr. Sherlock
out for a walk, and as I was obliged to wait for an hour or so, I had
tea with him. He told me that my name was mentioned in French's
despatches. Well, that is quite pleasant, and I hope next time some of
my officers will join me. Do you remember a Col. Gough in Dublin about
the time we were married? Well, he is Brigadier-General on the Staff
now, and yesterday went down to our lines of trenches. He was shot
through the groin, and I am afraid has been very badly wounded. The
enemy proceeded to shell E---- yesterday whilst I was there. Their gun
must have been 5 miles from it. The first shot knocked a big tree down
in a timber yard, of all places, but did no further damage. The second
one went over my head, fell in a soft place, and exploded its energy
in nothing. Then I left E----. Monson, my old servant, has joined me,
looking more like a cross between an owl and a stork than ever!...
IN TRENCHES.
_February 23rd, 1915._
Just now we are undergoing a shelling from a heavy German howitzer; a
piece fell at my feet as I was outside talking to Col. Spedding,
cousin to Major Spedding of my regiment, whom you knew. He tells me
that Major S. is supposed to be dead, but the difficulty is that every
now and then some rumour comes that he has been seen alive, and poor
Mrs. Spedding catches at any hope. He was a brave man, which, after
all, is what we want. I enclose you my sister Amy's letter. Yesterday
I had to go off to look at some forts. The German snipers were busy,
though there was so thick a mist that they could not see me. Still,
their bullets fell pretty close, and hit one of the forts; a man was
also wounded in the leg. It shows how dangerous this unaimed fire can
be when it comes in quantities. I had a quaint postcard from Sydney in
reply to my last letter. Yes; I saw that Massereene, poor Herbert
Stepney, and many others I know were mentioned in the despatches. The
Military Cross is a new order, awarded to junior officers. As to the
Russians, they have large numbers of men, but are still unfortunately
short of equipment. Germany had plenty of men, though she never
imagined that she would have to get the last 2 millions out. They were
not trained, but neither were the Russians; I think, however, that we
shall wear them down all right in the end. The Germans are supposed to
have used up half their last million already. Our days here are very
hard; for instance, I was up at 2 a.m., and have been walking or
working ever since then, arranging with engineers or Generals or
artillery officers what is to be done. I lay down for an hour after 6
o'clock, but could not sleep on account of cold feet.
IN TRENCHES.
_February 24rd, 1915._
I am glad you had a pleasant "meet" at Ossington, and I am much
obliged for Mr. Denison's kind inquiries after me. I know how
seriously ill he is, but I think it is quite likely many of us will go
before.... We had a sharp frost last night, though my men are fairly
used to it now. They are just like a lot of naughty children! For
instance, I had two killed yesterday, through either their own or
their comrades' faults. One man was watching our guns shelling the
enemy's trenches. He was told to lie down or he would be shot. He did
so, and the moment he saw a favourable opportunity he popped up again,
and was promptly shot dead. The other was in front of the trenches
mending wires, and his comrades, seeing that their N.C. officer was
out, joyfully seized the occasion to stoke their fire and have a big
blaze. The result was the unfortunate man showed up against it and was
shot through the head; and their fire was kicked bodily into the water
by an irate N.C.O. But they will do exactly the same to-morrow and the
next day and the day after! The fact is, they never think! I am
waiting now to take the Brigade Major and one of "K.'s Army" round the
trenches to show them what I can, so that K.'s officer may not have
quite a "green" crew when he arrives. More Germans have gathered in
front of us lately, I think. I have written to London for an awfully
good new waterproof, as I must keep dry, and I have had to send to
"Flight" for a new uniform coat. When they come I shall be fairly set
up, though the trenches have played havoc with my riding things; but
they will have to do for the present. Would you kindly look in my
unpainted tin-lined box and get me out a pair of khaki puttees. If you
cannot find them there, they will be in a black wooden box. Get
someone to help you. Both trunks are in the box-room, but do not catch
cold when watching them. I have now returned from the trenches. We
were sniped a little; the General went up another trench alongside us
with the adjutant of a certain regiment, Capt. Thompson, and he, poor
fellow! was killed. He was a good sort, and was in here yesterday to
see me, and talking about his 3 children so cheerily: one, a boy, at,
I think, the Beacon School, Sevenoaks, and on his way to Eton. Mr.
Adderley came back this morning with a wonderful story that the Navy
had caught an oil tank vessel supplying oil to the German submarines,
and that the crew were taken to our Depot in Belfast and there shot!
Presumably it is not true!...
_February 25th, 1915._
Thanks for your letter. I heard from Sir John, and there was one, too,
from my Mother, who is a very regular correspondent. Aunt Mary
Cowell's letter turned up also, so I must get letters of thanks
written to everyone in due course. To-night I am dining with Gen.
Pinney. He and I are supposed to be the two optimists of the Division.
Snow on the ground and rather cold. I hope the Germans are very cold
and short of food! I am waiting to find out the time of poor Capt.
Thompson's funeral. He was killed when with the General yesterday, as
I told you. Sir John Ross is most kind in his remarks, is he not? I
thought I had told you that B. and M.'s matches duly arrived. I am
sure, in fact, that I did do so. Hal is not too young to ride a pony
soon, though Sydney would be; but then you want a man to keep him well
on the lead at first. My idea is, as I said before, that when he gets
absolutely _au fait_ with his donkey, it would be time enough to put
him on a pony. When a boy is over 8 or 9, it is safe to let him ride
regularly. Earlier than that, I don't approve of. I fancy that this
Dardanelles business, if properly run, will lead to great results.
Personally, I always thought that they had too many troops in Egypt
for the sole purpose of defence. Now I suppose they will put some of
them up the Dardanelles, and Dame Rumour says that Generals of the
Naval Divisions have gone across to the Dardanelles already, but, of
course, that may not be true....
(_From Sir J. Ross of Bladensburg._)
ROSTREVOR HOUSE,
ROSTREVOR, IRELAND.
20.2.15.