The letters of Julian Grenfell, May 1914

Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies. Ref: D.ERv.C1135.577

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14 May 1914 – Royal Dragoons, Potchefstroom  

My Darling Dad  

Thank you awfully for your letter. I am glad that Panshanger is getting straight now. I hope the trout will not get disease. The Taplow garden sounds lovely; but it’s a great pity about the Cedar. Mummy seems to have had a bit of a tomasha in Paris.  

Everything is going well here, and we are just starting our training. I had a great day at Spring’s Gymkana Races yesterday, and won four races out of six. Everything came off right: I rode 2 winners, and had a real good man riding for me when I couldn’t do the weight. I did 11st 10 (in a 2lb saddle), by dint of a days starving. I got £87 out of the books, besides the stake money. It was almost too good to be true.

The mail is going, so I must stop. Goodbye Danny, it will be fun seeing you again soon.

Best love from Julian.

20 May 1914 – Potchefstroom

Darling Mother

Writing before the mail this week, as we are out at cock crow tomorrow morning so I can’t catch your letter before writing.

I haven’t read the Connie Lytton book on prisons yet. Is it good.  Have you been reading anything good, or have you been too busy? Have you been doing any jolly things since Paris? I’ve heard from Daddy and Casie, who both seem frightfully happy. No news here much. I did my ‘C’ exam, promotion, practical tactics on the ground, on Monday. I did best of all, and got ‘distinguished’. The Captains do the same exam for promotion to major, and I beat them all too! But it wasn’t much, because I knew the country like the back of my hand, every bush and every fence (having poached hares on each acre of it!). We’ve got a polo tournament on, squadron teams. We played the ante-final today, and won after a fearful game, in choking dust, 3-2. We play the final on Friday, and stand a chance.

Goodbye, darling. It’s very strenuous here now; every minute occupied, which I suppose is the happiest way really. All all love to the family, and you.  from J