This letter is part of a rich correspondence between various members of the Duffin family, a large prosperous family living in Strandtown, Belfast. Several family members served in the war, including Major Terence Duffin, who served as a staff officer with 107 Brigade, and later with Royal Irish Rifles; Major Charles G Duffin MC, Royal Field Artillery; and their sisters Emma, Celia and Dorothy who served as Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADS) in Egypt and France, and with the YMCA. This letter was written by Maria Duffin (1854 – 1954) to her daughter Celia (b. 1888). In this letter Maria recounts events at home, such as the actions of Peter who is making himself ‘so dirty and disreputable’ through his socialising with different women. Maria writes about Celia’s sister Emma 1883 – 1979), who is also serving as a VAD. She writes that Emma was told by a man that none of their officers who went out were left. Maria also writes about an auction she will be attending and the difficulties she is having economising, especially without eggs, cream and butter.