1 21 Nov. My dear folks I really have no
news of moment.
We expect to do a bit of
a move next week but shall
still be in much the same area
as we are at present, though
overlooking a river; but
you won't be much the wiser. I believe we go to quite a
large chateau & rather hope
that I may leave a quarter out,
as the French houses are usually
built with the rooms acting
as passages which is not very
convenient for those who go to bed
early. 2 Personally I prefer a room to
my own in a cottage rather than
a chateau King's chamber. We now belong to a
of which I must not give you
the number, but Gen' Congrur
is the General & his Chief
Staff Officer is Gen' Grunly
an a Staff College Contempor.
any of mine, whom I have
now to remember not to
call "Bob Grunly". He took
rather a strong line on the
other side during the Ulster
business & very nearly
retired when French left the
War Office in which case he
would only be a Major instead
of a General, but I am glad 3 he did not do so, especially
as it was only a case of
disappointment at his future
prospects not a matter of
principle. I hope this past disagree —
ment will not affect our
previous friendly relations! I find it hard to write
patiently of affairs in General.
Carson is being proved right yet
once more, & I can hardly
imagine a more fatuous
move than for our 5 old
men Asquith Balfour its to
come over to France & talk
on Military matters without
one single Military officer with
them. The papers have not
commented on this but surely.... 4 Rex's commands seems to vary
from 15 to 700 & I can quite
imagine he is a strong com —
pulsory service man now, so
as to know how he stands. I must end with best
love to all dear folks
& hoping Mal had a very
happy time at Plymouth
& a rest Wilfrid B Spender