1 (posted 23rd) 22 July My Pr I am writing this at Calais! I think the
censor will pass this as I shall be miles away in a
few hours. In fact I shall have made a tour of the
front & have been almost in sight of old England. There is a certain kind of excitement about today
which relieves it's sadness. The goodbyes were unpleasant
as they always are more especially to Bruce Comyn & the
men. The former was I think quite touched as
were some of the clerks. P suddenly became rather
effusive of the help I had given. It didn't sound
quite real. He talked too much about my opportunities. Any qualms I had about my going — except
those in respect of Rex — have gone after my
interview with W. I went to see him on my
return from seeing Rex, W said I hear you are 2
going & am sorry it should have happened after
what has occurred. We then talked over the affaire
& he hoped it would be a lesson to me — It not being
double promotion presumably - . It was obvious at
any rate he was completely out of rapport, & I do
not know how many months or years it would take to
put things right, if ever. He also afterwards tried
to inform the occasion of one's great possibilities — to
help one's friends I think — this as an afterthought.
I write now in some bitterness. Now as to
the amusement At 2 where I took the train Comyn & I
had lunch together. There was a Major in the
staff — Ry stuff — elderly but nice just a trifle
inclined to do the superior officer. Not wishing
to turn up in false guise Douglas' suggestion of 3
alteration of rank was carried out & the Div armour
changed for the Army one. Who should be at the station
but this same Major who proceeded to hunt the poor wretched
Col all over the place with an interpreter for his luggage
another officer for his ticket, etc. Neither Douglas nor
I minding the carrying of our own trappings as you
know—. He was puzzled & at last came to the
conclusion that I was the same man , I think,
which must have been rather a shock. Since
then I have been in a constant state of strained
politeness with elderly French officers, & British officers
of all ranks who regard me as a strange kind of
specimen, which doesn't quite please me, but I
expect at the end of the war when I return to
a mere Captain I shouldn't like the 2 step fall
even tho' I don't appreciate the 2 step rise now
very much. 4 I found time to write to Mater after all, &
hope she will be able to crow a little to you when
you go to let her know. You won't mind & it
pleases me to think that she will not feel a pr
has entirely rubbed her nose out of joint just robbed her of her son. Would you send the MP on to Rex 12 R Ir Rif
this next week in the evenings until he has
time to order his own paper. I know what a
luxury this will be to him in the trenches, &
it is a Kindness which the pr will undertake tho'
it does mean trouble. Next week his own paper
will have bee. ordered by me I hope, if he does not
get any Company mess papers. By the way Rex has a curious idea about Lil's
horn . I am to enquire if you are sure as to Daisy's
age soundness & sex ! This is written in the train. I do not arrive till
2 P.M. Your b w
WB Spender 5 added to page 1 The next few days are likely to
be wildly busy so expect few or
no letters.
I am 'attached to the 15 Corps' to which please address letters