1 7 April My p r Things become very easy for a b w with a little p r
to help him. I am more than reconciled now for I think Place
is good, & with a good GSO1, & a "very fair GSO2" the Division
will I hope not be let down by the staff ! It has again distinguished itself. There was another
scoup attack last night, and again our men played up & the
enemy failed to get in tho' it was our weakest unit,— you
can guess which I mean — I believe they did well. For the 4th
(? 5th) time the huns have failed with us but succeeded in the
next Division. I am afraid our men will not be altogether
sorry as the next Division treated us with "marked discourtesy>".
They are known as the "incomparables". The GOC when they came
offered to send up some of our experienced officers to teach them
the line they were taking over & which we had held.
Their GOC gladly accepted so our officers went up. They
arrived at the front lines about M Night & were sent straight
back with the retort "I don't think we have anything
to learn from a 6 month's division". GOC is very seedy. He really ought to go home.
Perhaps Farnham will be able to explain things to him,
& get him to do so, if he returns but I fear that may
not be for some time yet. Major Long is here now from the base. He had a 2
most awful journey living on chocolate for 48 hours. So
good for him to learn the discomforts of our men ! He too is anxious about future drafts for the Division I have to go for evening runs as naturally Place has
to go out to learn the front but if I can sit by an open
window all day I do not mind so much. I think Rex's would really be best for us if I get
home before May when Mater will be there, but this is
doubtful. Whether to go there in May I leave to you but
should be quite content. I do not think either very
likely but you might make all arrangements in case. I enclose Blaker's letter which please file. It
is a strange request perhaps but I like its frankness &
these are strange times. He has behaved nobly for he
was ever warning us of the war to come, & when it did
come the land of his adoption treated him disgracefully.
This I hope is in the past, & may there be a good future
before him, on which neither you nor I will look
with jealous eyes. The b w would like a prance with a p r it may
come some day. Your b w Wilfrid B Spender