1 6th Feb. 1916 My very dearest Mother, A thousand thanks for
your very nice letter which dated from 20th of Febr &
the enclosed from Colonel Pose It was such
a pleasure to hear he has done so
well but I was very disappointed he
was not able to give us more
satisfactory news. I hope when you get
Major Whyte's letter then we'll have more news
on it. I sincerely hope you are keeping
very well and not worrying too much. It
is really terrible the length of time we
we have to wait for news. 2 trench boots in fact the men said
it was very hard in the distance
to recognise him as an officer, he always
used to say 'What's good enough for the
men is good enough for me to get
on with' he seems to have been very
popular. I would like to meet one of his
own company - Of course this man knew
all our family History as he comes from
George's St. Aunt Agnes sent me a cheque of
£3.00 out of P Rangis fund to buy things
for the P. men there are only about 5 or
6 just now but of course just more any
day. We have been having a rather hot time
lately. Marion has been in rather a
and everyone has been been getting into trouble
the fact of the matter is no one has
anything to do we have about 205 workers
of 1,200 & a staff twice the size we
started with so you can imagine how
things are going, we are all frightfully
unsettle as no one knows what is going
to happen to us either. There are so many
Rumours one does not know what to believe
but something is going to happen as I am
just warning you in case you get a cable 3 saying I am sent off to Mesopotamia or
some such place or perhaps home. one
rumour is that most of us shall be sent
straight home but I personally think
it will be those whose time is up in
about 6 weeks. You see they are closing
most of the Forts as Hospitals & put troops
in them so really no one knows what is
happening, by the way if I get a choice or chance
of refusing. Have you any
object to me going to Mesopotamia,
India or Africa as these are the places
mention that we might be sent to yet.
I personally think it will only be the
trained sisters who are sent out so far
a field any how it is just as well you
should know worst in case of anything
happening. I shall of course cable as soon as
we hear definitely. Of course 0 have to delay
here & if the worst should happen I can
always consult him. I know what the
answer will be, I imagine if we are sent
on further it will mean signing on for
another six months as they would never send
us out for 11 weeks so if you would rather
I did not go further just let me know 4 as I can always get work at home
& perhaps get out to France for the
summer. It is miserable here at present
& we are all fed up being so slack.
Well I must tell you about my first
serious row with Matron on Friday. We
went to a Concert in the Recreation Room
St. Georges & having the evening off from 5
O'clock we had something in our rooms before
we went down & made up or minds to
set it out about 20 others came including
Matron & after she had been there a little
longer then 1/2 hour she with her very few
followers got up & went to dinner but
most of us remained on although the
Concert was rotten just as it was over.
Matron arrived back & had a good
look all round to see who was there, her
face was white with anger & called me
& asked me if I had permission to
remain away from dinner. I said "No
Matron" Then "Come to my office tomorrow
morning. I wish to see you all". so up we
came feeling very naughty!! another
V.A.S asked me to go & see her up in
her room for which I had to go through 5 the tent & just as I was walking
up the stairs I met M who said
"What are you doing in the tent at
this hour of the night. So I explained
to her but I think she thought I
was stealing the Breakfast Breads, go
back to your quarters at once, then
she started giving me what of & said
I was selfish & broke a great breach
of Etiquette in not get up & going out
when she went out, considering I have
been to a great number of concerts &
always stayed away from dinner.) Later
then she went on to tell me how
surprised she was at me Any how things seems to have blown
away & she seems just as nice as she
ever was. I may tell you up
to that I was one of her favourites
but that it was I do not
care, very much. Aunt Lily has
just arrived to spend the afternoon
so will have to end. she saw
Matron but was not smitten, we
have just had tea & I have been
confined to Barracks today as 6 I have had my second 3rd dose of
inoculation for Paratyphoid. Just have
got leave to go out with her
for drive to Blue Sisters. I am
feeling alright so far A Lily sends her very best love
to all & is looking fairly well. I
think she would be better with
more work to do. as it is very
trying Killing time. Well I shall end this & write soon
again as she is waiting for
me. Very best of love to you Dearest
Mother & all at home. Your most loving &
grateful daughter Marie Excuse Scribble