The Letters of Arthur Martin-Leake August 1915

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

 

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1/8/15 — B.E.F. {British Expeditionary Force}

My dear Mammy

Arrived here without any adventure at 5.30 this morning. Found the ambulance had moved out of the town to a small village about 2 miles away. They moved three days after I left & have been sitting here doing nothing all the time since, so I have had a happy escape as this is a dirty little place & the billets are bad. There is a rumour that we move a long way back in a few days with the Div[isio]n.

I came over with a U.C.H. man of my year. Hadn’t seen him for many years & hadn’t any idea that he was out here. War is a great place for meeting all sorts of people. There is no news & I had no time to call upon anybody at Boulogne. The weather has been fine here & today is hot & sunny. Hope you will have better weather now.

Best love & don’t worry a moment about me as we are not come within earshot of the guns.

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

{HALS reference 87005}

24/8/15 — B.E.F. France

My dear Mammy

Letters from Sittie & Bella received. Many thanks to them. The German navy seems to have had a bit of a knock in the Baltic & I hope it is all true. Otherwise the news is uninteresting. There’s nothing doing in these parts. The weather has been better for the last few days & I hope it is the same with you so that the harvest can progress.

Rather amusing your having Bayley at Ware. Has he been to see you yet? You will find him full of Ware news & almost interesting.

Hoping you are quite well.

Best love.

Y[ou]r affect[iona]te son
A.M. Leake

{HALS reference 87011}