The Letters of Arthur Martin-Leake December 1916

 

To listen to the audio clip, click play on the bar below the image on the right.

5/12/16

My dear Mammy

Many thanks for your letter of 1st, arrived today. Am very glad to hear that you are better & hope you will soon be strong again; don’t try & go too fast. It is just as well to take things quite quietly this time of year & not be in too much hurry to get down & about.

Nothing unusual is happening here to alter the daily routine. It is a very easy existence with enough work to keep me going & after all this is better than spasmodic rushes when nothing can be done properly.

The excitement now is about the Cabinet & L.G.’s* resignation. It is quite time that something should happen as the present lot don’t seem to be able to get a move on at all. We must have some good men somewhere if they can only be given a chance. Wonder what Frank thinks about the naval changes. The Times is very anxious to get rid of old Balfour.

News from Rumania is much better & we may see Germany get the knock there yet; the Old Bear has started again.

Am afraid you had none of the Zepp show this time & don’t expect you will have  any of these fine displays again as the Hun probably has the wind up now.

The weather has changed & we are having wet again after the cold.

Best love to all.

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

{HALS ref: 87075}

* Lloyd George

16/12/16

…I have two Huns in my ward at present. Took the appendix out of one yesterday & should like to do some more to him if there were any possible excuse. He was very fat & they are being fed far too much in the camps, considering the way our people are being treated in Germany. The other speaks English a bit & says he doesn’t want to straff England & is very glad to be over this side…

{HALS ref: 87077}