Halsey 2nd June 1915

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My Darling Mother,

I am writing only a scrap but I know you would like to hear my news, namely that I am to leave my dear No.2 and am going on as Captain of the Fleet and Commodore 1st Class in the Iron Duke. It is all an awful bombshell and it came at 11.45 pm last night. I have had to accept as I feel it is my obvious duty in such a time to go where I am wanted, but all the same it is a fearful blow to have to leave my beloved ship at such a time and I can’t say how much I regret it all. However there it is and David Bealty has been so awfully nice about it all and said such nice things about his loss that I feel quite embarrassed. I shall probably have leave in a day or two, which is doubly sad to me just as Coog and the children are arriving. I am up here to meet them by the 4.35 train today. However I know dear old Coog will take it very well though I know what an awful sell it is for her having struggled all the way up here and such an awful expense. I know you will be very sorry for me, but at the same time I cant help feeling very proud at being thought so much of and having been given the post, which is of course a very important one and I only hope I shall be up to the work. Don’t publish this abroad till my appointment is out, or until you hear I have gone. There is many a slip etc. You can tell the family of course.

Your very affectionate Son

Lionel

D/EHL F61/42