Monthly Archives: February 2017

H.M.S. MALAYA.
c/o G.P.O.

28^th Feby

Dear Mother-

Thank you very much for your letter. I am up and about again now. I was furious having to go to bed with that rotten sore throat but I suppose it was best.

Must be gorgeous having Dick home again – I must say I rather liked that moustache. It was a pity he could’nt have arrived sooner – but I am awfully thankful that I saw him- I am afraid that was rather a rush that last time I came down to Delaford – but it could’nt be helped, and I think I was jolly lucky in seeing as many people as I did- There now I never saw Mrs Dalton – & I’ve only just remembered.

I am so glad you like Nance, and thank you awfully Mother dear for all your wishes & Blessings.

Everything is more or less settled down again onboard – & getting shipshape again. The new padré seems an awfully nice man – he comes from St Martins-in-fields – & his name Matthews.-

Just discovered 2 stiff shirts – I did’nt know I had more than one. One is a piqué Donegal shirt Coy one of mine & the other I see is a 2159 of Dick’s – so I’ll send it along at once -but I don’t want any stiff shirts – so please don’t send me any of the others.

You won’t forget my shoes will you-

one pr. (old patent leather lace up evening shoes

(which I left in my room

one pr (Oldish – but good – plain toe cap

(uniform outdoor shoes – I saw them last

(among the cleaned boots etc in the Hall.

I had a sweet little letter from Nell last night- I must write to her in a minute or two.

That war loan is jolly good news is’nt it – that will shake the Germans up more than most things I should say.

Well I must end now-

Best of love to everybody at home-

from your ever loving son

Paul

Paul’s phrase “thank you awfully Mother dear for all your wishes & Blessings” suggests that he and Nancy have finally got engaged. 

Nancy’s parents were Colonel Charles Arthur Swan C.M.G., M.A., J.P., and Ethel, only daughter of Colonel F.I. Conway-Gordon. Her brother was brother was Major Charles Francis Trollope Swan MC who was born in 1887 and her sister Marjorie was born in 1886.

Nancy herself was born in 1895, making Nancy 22 in 1917 to Paul’s 28.

Bonar Law statement on War Loan, declaring it had raised £1,000,312,950

• http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1917/feb/26/statement-by-mr-bonar-law

H.M.S. MALAYA.
c/o G.P.O.

Sunday. 25^th

My dear Mother-

I arrived safely onboard yesterday – after a rotten journey – because I was feeling just like “flue” and had a very sore throat – so when I got on board they sent me to bed – that’s where I am now & how I hate it – because I am feeling fit enough except for a “fierce” looking throat – as the doc calls it. He says I must stay in bed to-day.

It was a gorgeous surprise finding Dick at the shop when Nance & I got back to Town on Thursday – Coo! I could hardly realize it a bit – It was too sickening he could’nt have got his leave before – still we must be thankful that we met each other at all. I thought he looked most awfully well and fit, and I liked his moustache- I hope he kept it on till he got home-

This must go to catch the post- It was lovely being home again and I am so happy- Take great care of my Nance won’t you while I am away- My bestest love to you all – from

your ever loving son

Paul

Continued from the previous day

Feb 25.

A gorgeous morning and the muggy heat of last week has gone thank goodness. It’s lovely now, cool & clear, but I’m afraid the Indian spring is a short-lived one, though while it lasts it is perfect; and by the middle of March it will have begun to get unpleasant. All the little seedlings we planted last November are now in full flower, so our “carriage-drive” is looking really quite smart.

The dinner last night was quite a success; the Chief is a genial old bird, & quite human; he has an aggressive chin which means business I think. There is another mail in tomorrow, & it was only last night that I got the tail end of last mail, a shower of ‘Sketches’ & John Bulls, and also Fragments from France Part 3, which has kept the mess in roars of laughter as the saying is! Thanks awfully for them; but I’m not sure that Bairnsfather is’nt a wee bit put to it now to find a funny subject, & I think he’ll have to take care not to overdo it & fall flat in consequence. He really is good when he is good, & wonderfully true to life, & I think it would be a pity to spoil him.

I am so awfully glad to hear good news of Ben. She wrote me a long letter last mail & I’m afraid I’ve been very remiss in writing letters lately; but truth to tell this mobilisation has kept me fairly busy, & one has a certain amount of friends, old & new, after a rather trying 8 or 9 months in Lansdowne, & I’m sure it’s done me good. Dryden seems very hard worked at the Bank; I wish she could see her way to chucking it.

Lloyd George I see has been making another speech, the tone of which does not seem to be in keeping with the general air of optimism that is about now at home. P’raps he thought that it is not a good thing to get too optimistic & so exaggerated the position with a definite object. What about ploughing up all England & sowing spring wheat & barley? It seems to me an excellent thing to do; for heaven’s sake let’s go all out to win the war, & then resume the daily round again.

So glad Dick & Topher have joined up, but I cannot quite grasp what Topher’s position is in a native cavalry regiment. I suppose you say you have three sons in the Indian Army now!

I am being innoculated against cholera today, I hear it’s a good thing to have done to one; but they say there is no reaction, which is comforting, as you know what I’m like after innoculation don’t you! No further news of our move, but I suppose we shall be sailing about the middle of March. I think the best address is Capt B.

2/39 Garhwal Rifles
Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force
c/o India Office,

but meantime stick to Cox till I tell you different – as we have’nt gone yet!

Best love to all

Yr loving son

Ted

Fancy old Hall joining up! Yes, of course I know him well; he must be 150 at least!

The Bystander’s Fragments from France (compiled)

https://archive.org/stream/bystandersfragme00bair#page/n5/mode/2up

Lloyd George’s speech on restriction of imports

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1917/feb/23/restriction-of-imports

Report on it in Sydney Morning Herald

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15732639

Feb 24/17

Dear Mother

Very many thanks for a much belated mail, which arrived on Wednesday 21^st and we had had none for 16 days, & then 2 arrived together. And tonight a whole lot of papers etc have just come in; gorgeous, & thanks awfully for them.

I am still a busy man all day, but I manage to get out of an evening generally. I dined with the Bingleys last Monday, Mrs Moss was there, and wanted to be remembered to you as also did Mrs Bingley. They had an amusing book there called the Hospital A.B.C, published by John Lane. I expect you’ve seen it long ago; really the pictures are most awfully well done; get one & send it to old Nell if you can, it will amuse her. Some of the V.A.D. people drawn in it are, we came to the conclusion, exactly like Maggie Davids, as of course Mrs Bingley & Mrs Moss know them too.

Otherwise I had a quietish week. I played tennis with Barbara Bingley on Tuesday, but it was frightfully hot, & we have had a shower of rain since, which has improved matters considerably & it is quite nice & cool now. But the Indian spring is a short one & soon it will be getting unpleasantly hot.

The commander in chief is coming to dine in the mess tonight, so we shall all be on our best behaviour. My bath an’ all is just ready now, so I shall have to finish this later, but I can spare a minute or two yet. I went for a very cheery drive with the Ricketts last Sunday, all along by the canal here, nice & cool & Englishy. They have been most awfully good to me I must say. There are some Red X delegates in Delhi now, Swiss people, who are touring all the allied countries looking at prisoners’ camps. One of our fellows, Patrick by name, is looking after them & trotting them round Delhi, & he brought them to dine the other night. They talk English & I did’nt air my French on them, though some of us tried! Also the Russian Consul in India, one Tomanoffski, also came to dinner. He was all through the big Russian retreat at the beginning of the war, in Poland, & was very interesting to talk to; he speaks English fluently.

I see two ‘daily Sketches’ have arrived today; thanks awfully. I should like the “Saturday Review” sent each week in Mespot – could you fix this up for me, & let me know what a year’s sub: is & I’ll send it along. I really must change now. Good night, & I hope the chief will enjoy his dinner here!

Ted continued the letter the next day

Our Hospital ABC

• http://www.abebooks.co.uk/Hospital-B-CORDON-Hampden-TINDALL-M/10246323274/bd

Review from the BJN jpg in this folder. Edith Cavell mentioned

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Cavell

Review in Burlington Magazine (bottom right)

• https://archive.org/stream/burlingtonmagazi30londuoft#page/n49/mode/2up

Sir Charles Munro, 1^st Bt, C-in-C in India

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Charles_Monro,_1st_Baronet

THE GALLANT MIDDLESEX

Published in Cape Town in the ‘Cape Argus’ on 12 February 1917

The Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, which narrowly escaped going down in the Steamer Tyndareus off this Coast last week, awoke this morning to find itself famous.

The Middlesex Regiment, needless to state, has a great tradition behind it. It has distinguished itself in many heroic campaigns, but nothing in its Annals resounds more to its credit than the behaviour of officers and men on the occasion signalled by the King’s message of congratulation.

The Steamer Tyndareus was about to call at Table Bay for fuel and supplies. The weather was fine and the majority of the soldiers were watching another transport which was coming along behind, when suddenly a terrific shock was felt and the boat began to fill with water at a great rate. It was a critical moment for everyone on board. Panic or confusion would have resulted in a terrible disaster. But the men, from the highest to the lowest, behaved like heroes. All must have realised their danger. Indeed, they could not fail to do so, for the steamer could be seen to be going down by the head and threatening to take the final plunge at any moment.

The men responded to the commands of their officers as briskly and orderly as on parade and quietly turned up – with death apparently staring them in the face, they burst into song and cheered each other by joining in popular tunes. Boats were lowered quietly and carefully, and with the arrival of assistance all were got off, down to the favourite dogs. It was a magnificent exhibition of coolness, and worthy of the highest traditions, not merely of the British Army, but also of the British maritime service, for it must not be overlooked that the Captain, Officers and seamen of the Steamer displayed equal coolness and were under equally fine discipline.

His Majesty King George, in his message of congratulation to the gallant Middlesex, compares the Officers’ and men’s conduct on board the Tyndareus after the accident, with the behaviour of the heroes of the Birkenhead, whose exceptional coolness and bravery aroused the enthusiasm of the whole civilised world, and caused the King of Prussia to have an account of the incident read to his troops on parade as an example of splendid discipline and courage.

The Birkenhead was also rounding this coast and was in the proximity of Cape L’Agulhas, when she struck a reef. At once the ship began to fill with water. The soldiers and sailors, taken by surprise, and realising the danger facing them, sprang to attention at the word of command as though on land and in safety. There was no confusion, no panic – the Birkenhead, with the Tyndareus, went down at the head, and a well-known picture painted from fact supplied by an eye-witness, shows her with her stern high out of the water just as the Tyndareus is reported to have been at one time.

The great and gratifying difference between the two disasters was that those on the Tyndareus were saved, and the ship was towed into port in a sinking condition, whilst the majority on board the Birkenhead were drowned. They stood to attention to the last, some say, watching with a grim smile the sharks swimming around, and met their death like the brave men they were, without flinching. The loss of life was heavy, the Military loss being 358, and the Naval loss 87, but the story of that tragedy stands today as one of the grandest examples of bravery on record, and it is held in honour by the Navy as well as the Army of Great Britain.

And the coolness and discipline displayed by the officers and men of the Tyndareus have shown that the spirit which held the men of the Birkenhead together, still survives.

A fact which adds lustre to the incident is that the men of the Middlesex Battalion were not old and seasoned soldiers, they were many of them, at all events, young men fresh from civilian life. That they should have so quickly become impregnated with the highest traditions of the British Army and of the distinguished regiment to which they belong, is a wonderful proof of the great qualities of the British race.

My mother quotes this in her book of the letters, but frustratingly does not say which paper it was from. However, Nick Metcalfe told me it was the Cape Argus of 12 Feb 1917. Nick’s family is even more extensive than the Berrymans and he is researching the lives and military service of the 365 men buried in the United States who are commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves. Commission

The evacuation of the troopship SS ‘Tyndareus’.
Stanley Llewellyn Wood

13.2.17.

Dear Mother.   Many thanks for the 2 parcels you sent us the other day. I would have written before only of course I imagined I was coming on leave, so I thought I’d be able to let you know we had got them. I am sick about being stopped, but I hope to be able to get away any day, one never knows. I believe the cold weather is over at last. Anyhow it did’nt freeze so much last night. I am glad you recovered my blue coat. What luck eh?

Many thanks for the daily Sketch, and please thank Dreda for “the Stage”. Topher seems keen on getting a commission, dunno’ quite how he is going to wangle it, we must see what we can do.

I sent you a wire yesterday saying leave was stopped for a bit. I do hope Paul is not home yet. Dreda wrote Topher on the 5^th that Paul hoped to be home in 14 days so that makes 19^th & I might possibly get home about then! I see Ben has a munition job.

I heard news of Jane & Chubbie from a friend who called there.

Best love to all

Yr loving son

Richard.

The evacuation of the troopship SS ‘Tyndareus’.
Stanley Llewellyn Wood.

Jim Berryman was sailing with the Middlesex Regiment to Hong Kong on the SS Tyndareus.

THE TYNDAREUS

Splendid Heroism of British Troops

KING’S MESSAGE

One of the most glorious episodes of the war, away from the actual fighting fronts, has just been revealed by the publication through Reuter’s Agency of the following telegram, which passed between the Naval Commander-in-Chief, Simon’s Town and the Admiralty, on the occasion of the accident to the transport Tyndareus, off Cape Agulhas last Tuesday evening, when the Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment displayed heroism equal to that of the men on the Birkenhead in the same spot, sixty-five years ago.

The message referred to were as follows:-

From the Naval Commander-in-Chief, Simon’s Town, to the Admiralty:-

“The behaviour of the Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, on board the steamship Tyndareus after the accident to that ship, there being a large quantity of water on board, and the ship apparently sinking by the head in a heavy swell, was most praiseworthy, and equal to the Birkenhead tradition of the British Army in the same spot. It was only due to this that no lives were lost in the boats. The ship was saved by the coolness and perserverance of the Captain, Officers, Engineers and Engine Room Staff.”

The following message has been received from His Majesty the King:-

“Please express to the Officers Commanding the Middlesex Regiment, my admiration of the conduct displayed by all ranks on the occasion of the accident to the Tyndareus. In their discipline and courage, they worthily upheld the splendid tradition of the Birkenhead, ever cherished in the annals of the British Army.”

George R.I.

Cape Argus, Monday February 12^th 1917.

Feb 10/17

Dear Mother

Thanks to many rumours about mails not leaving till much later than usual this week, I have at last been caught with about 5 spare minutes to catch the mail in! So sorry, but it can’t be helped. I have had really quite a frivolous week, though I spend a whole heap of my time in office somehow, & have the afternoons off from about 4 onward. I have had some tennis & dinner parties, & have dropped in to one or two lunches with friends, which is always so much nicer than any of these horribly formal shows.

I have been very busy all day and being very bored in office about 4.30 this afternoon I rang up a lady friend on the ‘phone to have a talk with her. She is a Mrs Kaye, wife of the Chief Censor out here, rather a nut in his way. She’s a cheery soul, & reminds me awfully of Bunchie, both in her face & cheeriness & general manner all round; quite a tonic on a dull day! Anyhow we have now arranged to go to “the Scamps” (sort of dud follies) on at the theatre tonight, so I have asked myself to dinner at the Kayes and the evening should be a cheery one. I fancy most of Delhi will be there, so it ought to be rather fun.

We’ve had a fair amount of rain lately, but there are distinct signs that the cold weather is over, though it is by no means yet. Still the early morning air seems to have lost its freshness & bite, & before we leave here it will be really rottenly hot I expect, & in tents too it will be ghastly. We have had preliminary orders to be ready to move, I don’t know where to, but we shall be going off somewhere before the end of March. However stick to Cox & Co as they will always find me.

I think there is still more reason to be optimistic now about the war, & I sincerely believe that the crash will come this year. Internally she must be in a bad way, & externally she is hemmed in. Her submarine campaign is a real danger while it lasts, but I think we can trust the navy to cope with that all right. But I think everything points to a collapse, or at anyrate a jolly good chance of one.

I must fly. So sorry for this scribble love to all

Yr loving son

Ted

Mary Margaret “Mollie” Kaye, Sir Cecil Kaye’s daughter, and author of The Far Pavilions

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1453069/M-M-Kaye.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._M._Kaye

H.M.S. MALAYA.
c/o G.P.O.

Feb. 7^th

My dear Mother,

Ever so many thanks for your letter – also for the sox & gloves – will you thank Ruth for me too – very kind of her indeed. Won’t be much use you writing to me next Sunday – because with any luck I ought to be home on the Wednesday – & that’s the day I get your letters here – so if you get this in time you might send me a card on Saturday. It will be a nuisance if Dick does’nt get his leave – I have’nt heard from him for some time now.

Awfully pleased to hear Nance is down again for the week end – does her a lot of good I think getting away from the stuffy office – She does’nt seem fearfully thrilled with her job – and wants to shift to go with Ben – but I told her everyone hated a new job they were not used to, at the start. I should like to hear from Ben about hers. I must say Nance has been awfully sweet & kind to Ben has’nt she, troubling so much about her an’ all.

We had another day’s skating last week – bitterly cold it has been here – & tons of snow – really the climb up to our pond was terrific – I could’nt stop laughing – & being so out of breath & standing up to our waists in snow & not being able to move.

I say I am sorry to hear about Sheina – that means I shan’t be able to see her I suppose during my leave- how sickening. I am glad you have heard from Jim. Oh & that is luck for you having found your little ring- of course I know the one you mean awfully well. I should think you were pleased to find it, and of course I can’t believe about that blue coat of Dick’s arriving like that! Coo! how perfectly extraordinary – specially in these days of lost parcels.

Gorgeous to think that this time next week I hope to be at Delaford. I ought to arrive in Town at some unearthly hour of 7 a.m. on the 14^th – then I shall muck about in the forenoon & afternoon in Town & come home tea time-ish & bring Jane & Nance if possible. Anyway I shall definitely come home as I always do the first day. And I think we might have a “kroust” at home for the week-end – don’t you.

Yes I saw about Firman getting a V.C. splendid – & he thoroughly deserved it. He was in charge of the relief food supply ship to Kut, and all but got through I believe. Absolutely death & glory – but more certain death.

Just heard from Nance – she does love being down at Delaford.

I must end now. I will write again before I leave-

with best love to you all-

Your ever loving son

Paul

Both Ted and Paul did everything they could to ensure there was a close relationship between their fianceés and their mother by encouraging Nell and Nancy to visit her. All three were formidable women, in their different ways.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphrey_Osbaldston_Brooke_Firman