2110-2-13-25

G.H.Q May: 21: 15

My dearest little one

I was glad to get your letter yesterday & to hear that you and the blessings were well. I do hope you won't be bored & lonely. I hope you will pass your exam.

Yesterday I had a wonderful day. The Germans cannonaded Ypres on the day before, but yesterday morning they took a holiday & we made a dash for it. I won't describe the place, for you will read it all in the Times, but I have never seen anything so impressive in my life. Then we went right on to the trenches at the point of the salient. Fancy being able to get there! I found Cecil Bingham, looking very drawn & old, living in a dug-out. He was very kind, but you could see the strain was telling on him, for they never stop shelling out there, & shells are always plumping beside you when you are not expecting them. He says that

Eddie Wortley is having a very easy time in his trenches. Out of a dug-out about the size of a badger's earth crawled the tall form and indescribably [goggish? deleted by ST, who substitutes 'amusing'] face of Philip Chetwode. Toby Long was in the trenches just in front, but you couldn't get to him in the day time. The staff of these Brigades are the jolliest fellows you ever met. They seem quite used to the shelling. Going home I asked at the 4th Division to see a brother of Hubert Montgomery.

To day I am off to another lot of cavalry & I hope to see Francis Grenfell. Hubert Gough is in the middle of a battle, so I can't see him.

Much love to you & the blessings. Tell Nannie I have long ago eaten all her toffee & found it a great comfort

Your very affectionate

John