Chapter three now commences. It might be labelled "Reforms in the
Household." Major Morton, as I told you in the last letter, has
returned to our company. Before he returned we had one room for
officers, in which we slept, washed from one small basin, cooked, ate,
wrote and received our visitors. Now, we, Green, Parker and I sleep in
one room and Major Morton in another, and we eat in the family
kitchen, while two servants cook our food. To-day I arose with the
lark, which had unfortunately not been warned of my intentions, and so
failed to put in an appearance. Fuller, my servant, boiled me an egg
and made me some tea, which I ate at 7-0 o'clock, and then set out to
Divisional Headquarters to go on a one day's bombing course. We left
Headquarters in two motor 'buses and sailed along quite happily, as
peacefully as if we were in England, despite the fact that we were
some 15 miles or so from the firing line. On the way there we saw one
German aeroplane chased by four of our own, and I heard that they
finally had a battle near here, though I do not know the result. We
arrived there about 10 o'clock and spent the day bombing, throwing
live grenades, &c. We saw all the English bombs that are in use. I
knew most of what they told us before. They seemed a bit surprised at
what we knew; most divisions coming out have not done nearly as much
bombing--I have thrown about 20 live grenades myself already. Our
lunch we took with us. I had eggs, potted meat and marmalade
sandwiches I had made myself. We returned by 'bus, and had tea with D
Company on the way home. The men have just had tobacco served out to
them and are going to be paid to-day. It is very difficult to regulate
their pay, as they are paid in francs, and the rate of exchange makes
it difficult to pay them properly, especially as it changes from day
to day.
I have just been conversing with Madame. I believe she thought I
understood her, as I tried to look intelligent and to make suitable
remarks at proper intervals. Really, I only understood a little of it.
To-day it is drizzling, and I must go and lecture my platoon on the
use of gas helmets. I have just received May's letter (Tuesday,
January 18th, to-day, I think). Please let me know when you receive
mine so that I can know how long they take to go. Some of the people
are very difficult to understand, as they talk half Flemish and half
French, at least many of the farmers do. We are about 24 miles from
where Arthur was in the firing line, and the big train, where I went
with a fatigue party, is the headquarters of my friend, the general,
whom I was with in 1912. I can't tell you more than that. It will be
an interesting little puzzle for you to solve. I will despatch this
letter now. It is rumoured that we shall see Joffre in a few days or
so, but it is probably not so.
It seems very funny out here. We have no need to put our blinds down
at night, no trouble about lights on cars, while in London and
Cambridge one lives in inky blackness. The socks are very welcome.
Much love, from your loving Son,
ALEC.
P.S.--My letters are getting short, because they are sent off at short
intervals.
11TH SUFFOLKS,
B.E.F., Wednesday, 19th.