1 pr. Dec 4 My P.R. Rather a sleepy b w as I was up all night detraining part of
our old Arty. First train due in at 10 pm did not arrive till
11.15 Last train did not finish till 9.15AM Raining hard
& mud ! ! So that the b w fully realises how perfectly heroic the
"short legged" p r was in not taking a series of taxies when she was
return caught so badly ! I am none the worse & had a good sleep
from 10-45 till 12.30 & feel quite fresh especially as I had a very
nice bath which Douglas got me — such a dirty b w before, but
quite fit for the company of a " respectable" p r now. The p r must
keep respectable for the b w's sake & she surely knows that he would
like her to take a taxi to avoid getting really tired. Douglas has returned looking well, & happier for his journey &
quite appreciative of the welcome at home, but he tells me that
he had a very stormy passage & I dread what the p r was like, but
so glad she chose Larne under the circumstances. What a welcome the
p r would have got could she have taken Douglas' place. Perhaps she
could have taken his part rather well & it would even have been an
economy in bedding if not in other kit ! This sounds most improper,.
But the p r has other work to do at home which Douglas could not
do, & the b w is proud to think how well she is doing it. She is
also keeping Mater happy & the b w cannot feel jealous of that. 2 My last night's vigil was really
very good for me but I was quite annoyed when I heard that the Gen' had
"detailed" a G officer for it. It is A work & tho' I should be as glad as
RusselRichardson to take a turn for them voluntarily I don't like being
ordered to do it when I know that it is merely due to the impression
which old heavyweather Singleton has given the Gen' that we in G
do little whilst he is overwhelmed. As I came back this morning
at 9-45 AM & saw Singleton on his way to the office my tenper
fairly rose & the wrong man got it ! Last night Capt Hope the Staff Capt slept in my vacant bed.
He was nearly off his head yesterday. He & the new GOC RA have not hit
it off, & the latter had got so much on his nerves that he had a complete
painful breakdown begging me to save him. I got Colhim quieted &
into bed & got Greig to see him & he is now on his way home, as
happy as possible. It was the right thing to invalid him, but the differ-
ence it made when he heard he was not to go back was the greatest
I have ever seen in any one. As regards concertinas etc I suppose the 107 Bde in the trenches
should have first call, but it depends on the gifts already made. If one comes to HQ I expect Douglas would like it ! but I cannot
ask for any favouritism. There is too much of that ! Please let me know did Sir E actually go to Miss A's wedding or
was it merely invited guests & not actual guests. I want to prevent any misunderstand
ing of this. I still suspect that K is giving up his old job for some other, but
wonder what that will be. One letter went to Belfast yesterday. Best love — nearly— to Mater
Your b w Wilfrid BSpender Cleaver was 1 of my
supply Committee & also the Ulster Div
clothing man & I know him very well