Halsey 26 Feb 1915

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My Dearest Mother,

It is only just 26th and I ought to be in bed as it is late, but I am going to be very busy tomorrow, so will write you a line to thank you for your note and good wishes enclosed in the parcel with the warm clothing from the Gilroy family. I have done as you suggested and sent Peggy and Joan Gilroy an acknowledgement each.

I had a sad accident on board on Tuesday. Just as we had finished prayers on deck one of my signalmen fell down from aloft and was killed instantaneously. It really gave me such a shock as he was such a splendid young fellow and had been with me for a long time. I am burying him today – really a death in this way at such a time seems bad luck when one has so many other awful risks. The King comes to see us on Saturday (tomorrow) if we are still here, but don’t say about it unless you see it in the papers. I am very glad as the men will very much appreciate his visit.

Please thank Father for his letter of Sunday and all his good wishes. I get capital news from Coog and I do trust all will go well, and now that Mrs Brunning is there, that it will soon be over. How I should love to go home and just get a view of her and Joan and you all. But I see no chance of that for some time and I honestly confess I do not want to go till I have done all that we can do in this awful war. But I do look forward to the end and a real good laze and forget it all.

Much love dearest Mother to you all,

Your very affectionate Son

Lionel Halsey

D/EHL F61/32