1 2/3 Field Ambulance, 3A Camp, Larkhill,
Salisbury Plain, Wilts 16 April, 1916 My dear Lord, After three weeks' residence in Camp,
I am now well into my work. I am to-day
finishing a short mission for the Catholics
of my Division, numbering over a thousand
They are mostly English - very few Irish or
even of Irish parents. I find the majority
of them very slack as to religion: quite a
number married in regist. office, since 1908,
yet willing enough to have matters set right.
The most disheartening feature is that they will
not see the seriousness of what is before them. There is a military hospital in the camp claim-
ing a good deal of my time. My Brigadier Gen.
is brother of the late Fr. Lassiter, C. Ss. R., whom
the Brigadier tells me your Lordship knew very well. The B.G. has very a d Catholic tendencies this
brother, Major Lassiter, also of this Division is a
convert. I have more than the ordinary facilities
for my ministrations to the men 2 There are two other priests in this camp, so that we
have the luxury of regular confession.
This Division was foremost on the list of three
to go abroad, but the order has been changed, and
we have no idea when or where we are to move. Both officers and men are very keen on going
to the Front. We have a depot of the Flying
Corps here, and the whirring of air-cradt is
constantly over us. I had a visit from Mgr. Count Beckastaffe-Drew,
Senior Chaplain: he is most interesting in
his accounts of life at the Front. The officers of my mess are all Ch. of Eng. men,
but they are almost scrupulous in this respect
for my "R.C. Customs." Quite on their own, they
have annulled my dispensation from abstinence,
by providing me with special and ample Lenten
fare. Neither strong drink nor strong language
is ever in evidence at meals, or indeed, as
far as I can see, at any time. Asking Your Lordship's blessing, Ever faithfully yours
C. F. Maher, OFM