14th November 1914

14th November 1914

Letter to Emma. I think it is wonderful that such little difference has been made in life in London when the greatest crisis our nation had known is facing us, when within a day’s journey, our Navy and Army is being tried beyond conception as it has never been tried before, and whatever ones political notions may be, the way the Government has met the situation, the manner in which financial panic was reduced etc, thus allowing the steady flow of normal life at home to continue calls for the admiration of us all. Perhaps, again the things that call for not the least admiration are shown in the speeches and actions of our Public men, by their insight, temperance, steadfastness and inflexibility, by the loyalty with which the people are responding to all these, together with the perfect accord of our brave Allies, are surely leading us to Victory, which, pray God, may soon be ours to end the awful slaughter, the agonising wounds, the wrecked homes, the hunger of mothers and their little children. Oh, the contrast on our advance to Mons in Belgium and our retirement to Paris. With what joy and brightness did we meet as we passed through village after village and town after town. There at the cross roads the good people are gathered in the bright sunshine with all the best that the fruitful gardens and vineyards of Normandy can give. Here are gathered the grey haired and infirm old men and women together with pretty maidens, little children and homely matrons. How clearly do I still see them all, and as they cry Vive L’Angleterre they crowd round to give us flowers which we place in our hats, to give us wine, coffee, tea, soup or water, fruit of all kinds and food etc as they ran out of their doors to know the meaning of it. Then the home with all its memories and all they own in the world hastily vacated and left to its fate. Then the weary fatiguing flight of the poor mothers, besides carrying what few articles they could gather, helping along their children and carrying their babies. The old going on as best they could. Oh the sorrow of it all, and among them were women great with child. May God save England from such.

Letter from Lena. Visited the Army Post Office and saw how the sorting for the many and various units was carried out. Very busy place, well arranged, 9 benches for the R.A.M.C. alone, was given there a letter from Lena. The whole of the Army’s letters come through here. Chatted to one or two who were in S.A. Wet and Cold.