25th August
Dear Mother.
I meant to write on the mail boat today as I’ve had orders to go to Marseilles. It’s been put off (this morning) so now I dunno’ when I shall leave. I’ve cabled you to write to Marseilles. Must catch mail.
Yr loving son
Richard.
Richard’s insouciance is breath-taking. Having been safe in India (safe from war, if not disease) he sends his mother these few lines telling her he is going back to France where the Somme is in full swing. As an army doctor, he didn’t face the same level of risk as his combatant brothers but even so, it must have been dreadful news for her.
