1 Dear Father, We have had quite a
longish spell of dry weather and
consequently have been getting through
much more work in the trenches
and generally more comfortable
all round — When I say
'we' I don't include myself as
I am still living in comparative
luxury. We are on the
move again — our original
Division is going to take our
2 place and we still remain on
with our present Divisn but
go back for a rest, somewhere. We don't yet know for how
long or exactly where but anyhow
out if the danger zone — Naturally we are all glad
that we are staying on with
the present Division but rather
surprised, as we were told only
3 days ago that we were to
go back to the original one
3 which would have been a
very unpopular move for all
ranks. We have just had a visit
from Bishop Crozier (The Primate)
and Sir James Stronge — The
Primate was in great form
and really quite amusing
Sir Jas. Stronge, a stupid old
goat.They were fearfully
pleased at being allowed
to go round here — We did
4 them proud — We had
caviar and game and
oysters for dinner, which &
sent him away quite pleased
with warfare feeding — Day, who is a distant relation
of the Primates, took them up
some of the communicating
trenches and they were able
to visit a battalion Hd. Qrs. Even then they got 2 shells
uncomfortably near! The
5 Primate should have found
subjects for sermons for months
to come! I am sending you some
post cards of a shell battered
village quite close where and
which has become quite famous
on account of the Church, which
has been fairly well smashed
up but the spire is still standing
with an enormous figure
of the Virgin hanging down at
6 an extraordinary angle and
apparently without support. We took the Primate to see
it on his last day. We have been much perturbed
during the last few days by
frequent reports of gas attacks
in the vicinity and warnings to be
prepared but so far they have
all come to nothing. Very little else to tell you
at present - I keep in
7 first rate form and have
snared one or two afternoons
for riding exercise lately as
work has not been quite so
heavy — One of my ponies
was lame but has now
recovered and mighty
fresh today when I had
been out for the first time — I am some what stiff as
a result. The supernumerary Staff
8 Captain is lost to us again —
The officer from the 15 th
who took over when I was
on leave was re-called as
the Adjutant had been
wounded and so far
we have got no one in
his place. Best love to all
from your own Terry