We write to say how very glad we are to see that you are safe and
well. We were delighted to see by the papers that you were among those
mentioned for gallantry in the despatch sent home a few days ago by
Field-Marshal Sir John French. We have tried to locate the different
gentlemen now on active service who had been residing in this
district, and the press is our medium--it was there we learnt you were
at the front, and we are most anxious, and dearly hope that they all,
who were when here so very kind to us, and are now risking their lives
that we may be free--may be restored to their homes in perfect health
and strength.
This is the spirit which prompts the writing of this letter, and we
beg of you not to think us unduly familiar, but rather that we most
sincerely hope that you may have perfect health and strength, and,
above all, that you may, when the time comes, return home safe and
well.
Your obedient servant,
JEREMIAH LEE,
_Sergt. R.I.C._
_February 28th, 1915._
I had a hurried ride yesterday in a piercing wind to see my 70 or 80
horses. In the afternoon, just as we were starting off to the
trenches, we were stopped and told to wait whilst the Gunners tried to
cut the wire in front of the German trenches with shells. Such a
course of action may lead to heavy sniping, as you can quite well
imagine. However, we got in all right by eight o'clock, and I wandered
round my trenches until between 12 and 1 o'clock a.m. This morning we
received a notice that we were to be withdrawn to reserve to-morrow or
the next day, owing to more troops coming into the line. I had to take
the General round who succeeds me in these trenches. He seemed such a
nice man. We are supposed to leave to-morrow night if these people can
get out from their trenches. The enemy is shelling us now, and as it
is a particularly clear day they are using it to the best advantage to
try and destroy us. I must turn our guns on to them if they go on like
this. I only wish we could swamp the brutes with numbers and get the
war over. I am not disturbed about Russia. If we can get the
Dardanelles open, we can easily send her ammunition and equipment for
her spare men, and so end the war more quickly; but, failing that, I
think Russia will easily foil Germany, and spring at her again and
again until she is worn out. I had a letter of congratulation from
your sister Mabel. Very kind of her....
IN TRENCHES.
_Ash Wednesday, 1915._
A wet, muggy morning. I have been waiting for 3 hours to accompany the
General round the lines since 6.30 a.m. At 9.30 I telephoned in, and
found that he had gone to some other duty and forgotten me! However,
it cannot be helped. He and I are really very friendly. More fighting
on our right, with very heavy big gun fire. I expect the brickfields
at La Bassee are again being a scene of mortal combat. We were ordered
last night to try to ascertain if the Germans still occupied their
trenches as usual; so we crept out and looked about, and found
everything much the same. As to the khaki-coloured shirts, would you
have them put away by sizes, please, when they are made up, till
wanted; the present ones will wear out with a rush from being worn
night and day, and from having been badly washed and scorched when
drying, so they may be wanted in a hurry. Whilst waiting about here
this morning, I amused myself by looking for shell holes round our
ruins. So far as I can see, they are everywhere, like the holes in a
sponge for numbers. My artillery is just going to blow up a house
where the enemy hid a machine gun last night, and which opened on us
during the night and thought we did not know! I also have another R.A.
officer throwing tins full of gun cotton and nails into the German
trenches at this very moment. A nice Christian occupation, truly! I
ought to know in a few days if there is any chance of second leave or
not.