My Dear Mother,
Unfortunately, and because my papers have not yet arrived from Grantham, I shall not be home in time for Alice’s birthday, but expect to be home Saturday. I am sorry, because I’ve buoyed continually with the assurance I should be home, and now those wretched papers have gone and done it. I had Mrs Bocking’s clergyman brother here to see me last Saturday, he is a top hole gentleman, I liked him immensely. He wanted to get me a transfer up to Sheffield, until I told him I was marked fit! He is a Commandant of a V.A.D. Ta ta Mother, until Saturday. Mrs B’s frere told me you were worrying about me. Did you ever consider whether I was worth it? My love for Maud and Margaret. Keep ‘em single until the arrival of His Majesty’s Servant.
Your affect. son,
Robert
19910 Corp’l R.W. Moss, Receiving Depot, A Lines, Machine Gun Corps, Harrowby Camp, Grantham
Dear Mother,
Don’t take too much notice of the above address because I may be moved at a moment’s notice. I shall try and find some nice person in the town to whom I can have my letters addressed, and so simplify matters. So far I’m having an easy time, too easy for my liking. We must take an hour’s stroll morning and afternoon, and that’s about the extent of our present duties. Grantham, from what I can see of the place in the darkness, is just like any other country town. There is the usual Parish Church, possessing an unusually tall steeple, several picture houses, the Empire, and lots of pubs. I haven’t seen anybody yet in respect of a commission, in fact I can’t do anything until I’ve seen the Medical Officer and been marked fit. However, I’ll wait until I hear something definite about Burgon’s application before I apply. When I’m more settled here I’ll write to Burgon, and if he hasn’t heard anything, then I’ll push for the commission.
I started this letter early this morning. Since then I’ve seen the M.O., who marked me D3A. I haven’t an earthly what it means, excepting that I’m not fit for active service until he sees me again, when he’ll probably mark me A3, which means active. Possibly the reason for him putting me in category D3A was because I did some clerical work for him, and he thought I deserved some compensation. Anyhow, this means a delay, and time means a lot to me. Also, I’ve been walking around all day finding a new abode. It’s now 7:30pm and I’ve found a home and just drawn my bedding from the Stores. Once more when you write include Wilf’s address, I must write to him and find out when he’ll get his leave so I can arrange for leave the corresponding weekend. Do not write until I send a more satisfactory address though. My love to the girls, and give Lawrance my kind regards when you see him. Am hoping to get a weekend before Christmas.
Your aff. son,
Bob
Send Lizzie’s address too please.
No. 3 Convalescent Depot, Harrowby Camp, Grantham
Dear Margaret,
Many thanks for your letter. I’m having quite a happy time now I’m settled here, my daily work is light but beneficial. We just have physical jerks, which I enjoy immensely, short route marches without the burden of equipment, and lectures. So I’m getting fit, and need to in many ways, still that’s by the way so long as I do get fit. I don’t know what you’d like best in the way of a 21st birthday present, so I’m enclosing £1 for you to do what you like with. I’m hoping you will enjoy a very happy birthday. I shall apply for a weekend’s leave for next weekend but I mayn’t get it, I’ll do my best. Have you heard from Wilfred? My love for Mother and Maud, also best wishes for Lawrie.
Your affectionate brother,
Bob
Grantham
Dear Margaret,
I found a very funny letter waiting for me when I arrived this morning. I’m sending it for you to read. Mother and Maud stayed up and saw me off, the train arrived in Grantham 40 mins late. I arrived at l’dg’s about 7am, fortunately it was a very dark morning and I wasn’t noticed. The Sgt. of the Guard put me down on his report as having arrived at 12 midnight, so if there’s any leave going at Christmas I haven’t spoilt my chances. Today, or rather this afternoon, I’ve had a party of men out in the fields, with flags of different colours, representing the Officer’s Units of His Majesty’s field forces. This morning was too foggy for anything, so I went to the C.C.T.S and read “The Little Minister”. I was not guilty of any absentmindedness in respect of my return journey to Grantham, I left nothing behind, the fog must be lifting a little from my mental horizon. Have you heard from Lawrie today? Let me know his address please, I should like to write to him. I’m feeling a bit fagged tonight, so shall get to bed early. My love for Mother and Maud, and best wishes for Mrs Townsend, Mrs Wingfield, and Bobbie.
Your aff. brother,
Bob
Belton Camp, Grantham
Dear Mother,
I received Maud’s letter but have been very busy all week and hadn’t chance to reply. I’m having my final interview tomorrow, this time the G.O.C. is the victim and a very important person withal. However, I’m not feeling groggy. No doubt he’ll ask me how I stand financially. Obviously, I shall not tell him, I shall adopt quite a superior air and brush the question on one side, as though money were quite a side topic. Now, about clothing, and Gertie’s suggestion. I consider this quite a good economical suggestion, although isn’t it doubtful whether Clara would care to part with anything that was Dick’s? If Clara would let me have them at a reduced price, they would be most acceptable. As Maud says, decent shirts, pants, vests, also socks, are what I most need to carry me through. Can you arrange to get some for me?
If I prove a successful officer, posts under the Government will be open to me afterwards, and, as you are aware, I wasn’t a success pre-war time. Let me know what you arrange please, so that should I be sent at once to the O.T.C., and have my leave on completion of my training, I can send for same. Gertie will no doubt be able to supply information as to what I actually need, shirts, pants, vests, and socks are obvious, and of course in the matter of uniform, valise, Sam Brown etc. I’ll obtain these after I leave the O.T.C. and get my £50 for kit. Had a letter from Badger yesterday, he says Burgon is practically assured he’ll get me back. If my interview with the G.O.C. is favourable, I’ll write to Burgon and tell him to desist. We’re having rough weather here, snow, frost, rain, etc., and our camp isn’t a very cheery spectacle in the best of weather. However, my health is alright. I’ve contracted chill-blains on my hands, and the cold doesn’t suit the bullet wound in my right hand. Fortunately I have little work to do with my hands, being chiefly concerned with telling others to work! Have had a letter from Wilf, which I enclose, he’s pretty cheerful under the circumstances, in fact I think he’s a brick and am very proud of him. I enclose also a letter I promised to send some time ago, and have just remembered it. Well! I must pack, having to spruce myself up to meet that old josser tomorrow. My love for all.
Your aff. son,
Bob
218th M.G. Corps, Belton, Grantham
Dear Margaret,
Why apologise for having your photograph taken? I’m quite sure all your friends and kin are benefited. Some people now, who are altogether impossible and yet persist, and must disgust the photographer and his art, these might spare us. But you we feel and see are different, an artist is proud to portray you, and we feel the burden of war lessen with an occasional glimpse of his handiwork. So, if ever at Bisley I’m down and broke (which, by the way, is a condition I’ll be too occupied to realise I hope), if, in spite of the hard work and fresh air the blackness does assail me, I’ll have an antidote in my wallet. I don’t expect to go to Bisley until the 4th of March, I thought I’d be off today but have now heard the next course commences 4/3/17 so I’ll be hanging on here for another fortnight. Still, that won’t be so bad, if I can get leave and one or two escort jobs. Last Monday I had to fetch a man from Hessle, four miles from Hull. My ally is a native of Hull, and we slept at his house on Monday night, called at Hessle for the bird on Tuesday morning, and arrived at Belton late in the afternoon. Our time for such jobs has been curtailed, and the route did not include Sheffield, else I should have called in home you bet! Mother knows Hessle, doesn’t she? The Ouse was covered in ice, and the folk had enjoyed some good skating at Hook! We were informed that seven U Boats had arrived in St. George’s Dock, Hull, last Saturday, all netted in the Channel. The people were madly excited when the crews were brought ashore, a strong Guard having hard work to keep the women from the German’s throats. As you are aware, Hull people in particular have had their share of Hun brutality.
I am told that my training at Bisley will be two months in the Drill School, where I shall have to be very smart indeed and move with machine-like precision. Also here I shall have to cultivate a word of command, so that in future men will fully realise the dignity that is mine. Fancy me a rigid disciplinarian, martinet, and what not! Still, I’m going to be a good soldier, not perfect, but good. After the Drill School stint I get six days leave then a further two months in the M.G. School. There I’ll be more at home although I’ve heaps to learn, map-reading and drawing, compass bearings, various algebraic formulae – hateful things! Then, if I pass my exams I’ll have a whole delicious month with you, that alone is worth working for. I’m glad Lawrie is getting on so well and wish him the best of good fortune in France. I’m very glad Wilfred is in hospital, boils or super-boils, it’s better than the trenches this weather. I hope he gets a base job in Boulogne, which is a lovely town. My best wishes for all at home, for Mrs Townsend, Mrs Wingfield, and Bobbie, and I haven’t had that epistle from Nancy yet.
Your aff. brother,
Bob