2110-2-13-38

[pencil: Aug - Sept 1915?]

GHQ.

Saturday morning

My dearest little Susie

I was very glad to get your letter last night & to hear that you were all well & cheerful. I hope old Nan is quite fit again.

Yesterday I went up to Ypres but could not get into it, as it was being pounded with 15.in shell, & the road to it was being swept with shrapnel. I went to see Congreve (who was K's Private Secretary in S. Africa) & had an interesting talk with him. Then I went to lunch with Eddie Wortley, who was very nice & sent his love to his pretty cousin (The B.M). He lives in a horrid hovel of a Flemish parlour but gave me a capital luncheon

(2

Shortbread from Peebles. I saw the Colonel & the adjutant.

Then we motored down the line to the R. Somme & then to Amiens [names deleted with blue pencil] where we lunched & I went over the glorious cathedral. The people in this part of Picardy are very grand-looking, with fine clear eyes & honest faces & the country is lovely. I rejoice whenever I think we are fighting in alliance with this splendid French nation.

I am going down to day to study the lines of the 1st Army from a slag heap. I think I shall be home next week early, unless something out of the way happens. Pray for a change in the wind.

This is a real holiday for I am doing no serious work. I am out all day in gorgeous weather, & I am as well as possible.

I do hope you are not feeling lonely. I am so sorry that Nan has been seedy, & I hope she is better.

Much love to all

Your ever devoted

John