The Letters of Arthur Martin-Leake April 1915

From Arthur's Wartime Photo Album - Hertfordshire Archives & Local Studies

 

Letter 86976

Hertfordshire Archives & Local Studies

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1/4/15 — 5th F.A.

My dear Mammy

Your letter & a fine big parcel have arrived today.  I have not yet opened the parcel but am sure there are lots of good things inside.  Many thanks.  Am very glad that Willie is not to come out again as I am sure he will do much more important work at home.

Sittie seems to be getting on splendidly with her hospital; she will learn now what a troublesome chap Thomas A is to manage when he gets away from military discipline.

Am sending some new photo films.  There are some of a place called Givenchy.  It is a total wreck & you will see all that remains of the church & how the graves have been opened up.  Hope you got the ones of the Gosselin grave, I sent them about a week ago.

You will also see some photos of No.1 Harley Street; this is our dressing station.  The road is called Harley St. because there are about four dressing stations in it.  The trenches all have names here, mostly called after London streets.  I sent you a photo of Marble Arch the other day.  Am sending my camera now to satisfy the orders.

Went to call on the Herts Territorials a short time ago & found Henry very flourishing.  Some of them dined here the other day & amongst them was Paige from Hertford.

An attack was expected today because it was Bismark Day, but it did not come off, at any rate in these parts.

We have got six new Sunbeam ambulances just arrived.  They are splendid cars.  Just now there is very little work for them.

I am sending home a box of souvenirs (tops of shells).  A man going on leave is taking them as far as London & will book them on.

We are having beautiful weather now, but still sharp frosts at night…

You seem to be having a great dispute over the drink question.  Something should be done to make those disgraceful rotters work.

Hoping you are quite fit & having this beautiful weather.  Tell Dick he has all my sympathy while he is at Watford.  They used to make me get up at 5 am to groom my horse when I was there.

Best love.  Y[ou]r affect[ionate] son
A.M. Leake

{HALS reference 86976}