Category Archives: British Ships

H.M.S. MALAYA.

c/o G.P.O.

Aug. 3^rd 1916.

Dear Mother-

V. many thanks for your letter – and I was glad to hear Ben has come home – much better for her I am sure to be there than with all Wiggs’ sorrowing relations – a cleaner atmosphere is what she wants – not a depressing one.

How ripping Colin Maude having passed into Osborne – I am pleased & do give him my congratulations will you. When does he go there – next term?

Yes do let me know Fay’s address – though I doubt the possibility of going there at present. So there’s no news of Topher since the 18^th – but I expect the mails are all over the place – and they say they have stopped them altogether in certain places- except official ones.

The weather has broken up here- blowing like anything with plenty of rain.

Awfully little news-

my best love to you all

Your ever loving son

Paul

H.M.S. MALAYA.

c/o G.P.O.

27^th July.

Dear Mother-

Thanks very much for your letter- I wrote to Ben to 10 Elsworthy – but I suppose they will forward it on, won’t they. I don’t know – but I think I rather agree with you about her going down to Brighton – but I suppose she did what she thought best- So glad to hear Jane & Chubbie were so splendid with her.

The Bishop of London came onboard us yesterday – in his purple cassock an’ all – He came round & shook hands with us all – and made a very pleasant sort of address to the men.

I did not know Chubbie had gone to Scotland already – pity we are’nt anywhere near where she is, though we have been there quite a lot. I heard from Sheina from the “shop” this morning – thoroughly scared at being left alone for a minute-

I saw one of the Wigglesworth boys – Goofey – was killed the other day. He was in the R.A.C. Sorry to hear about Jack Houghton. Worse & worse these casualty lists.

Digby is giving a lecture to-night on his experiences in France – but I can’t go as I have someone dining with me – I dined with Drew last night.

with my very best love to you all

your ever loving son

Paul

Paul is referring to the death of Benedicta’s fiance Ivan Bennett, Paul’s letter of condolence apparently went to the wrong address.

Paul and Gertrude did not approve of Ivan, and from what he says in this letter there was a family discussion about whether or not Ben should visit Ivan’s cousins in Hove, a mile or so along the south coast from Brighton. From what Paul says, it looks as if Ben did visit them but Paul and Gertrude would rather he hadn’t, but it could be the other way round.

Read more about Ivan and his romance with Ben.

H.M.S. MALAYA.

c/o G.P.O.

July. 21^st

Dear Mother-

Very many thanks for your letter – you seem to have had a busy week end again – such heaps of strange people to me they seem to be- I’ve just had a long letter from Jane telling me all about it. I hear Sheina is going to help her when Chubbie goes on her holiday – rather nice for her eh!

The Bishop of London is coming to visit the Fleet on Sunday – & to hold a confirmation- Think I shall go & hear him speak – as I never have as yet.

We are having topping weather again – it’s such a dud place where we are though – no tennis or anything like that.

Awfully little news – I am very well & fit-

Best love to you all

Your ever loving son

Paul

Bishop of London (pic from visit to Fleet below)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Winnington-Ingram

H.M.S. MALAYA.

c/o G.P.O.

July. 12^th

Dear Mother –

Many thanks for your letter – mine will take a bit longer now – and our little bit of gaiety will be at an end for some time.

Am so glad you have had good news of Topher up to date – & hope you have heard from him again. Never seen such a huge list of casualties as just lately – appalling is’nt it – but thank goodness most of them are “woundeds”

Sorry to hear about Specs’ brother. I saw the name but did not realize the relationship- -sorry [refers to smudge on the page]

I had a letter from Jim – awfully happy he is – a fine job he has got now I should say – & how ripping if he is made a Captain-.

I should like some sweet peas muchly- [only I don’t think they travel very well – anyhow you might try – as where we are now you can’t get any flowers at all – & I like them in my cabin so.

I believe I really am clear of all those comic spots of mine now – at least I hope so – thank goodness-

We’ve got 2 soldiers spending a fw days with us now – rather dull for them – because there does’nt seem much chance of another scrap in a few days – & that’s about all we can show them really – but they’ve never seen a ship or a Fleet before – so I suppose that is something.

With much love to you all

ever your loving son

Paul

H.M.S. MALAYA.

c/o G.P.O.

July. 4^th 1916

My dear Mother-

Thanks very much for your letter – you must have forgotten to stick it down – as there was a sort of official post office thing on the back – saying “Found open & officially closed”. I don’t think I shall get another opportunity of seeing Mrs C-G- it does’nt seem like at present. Poor old Ben- I hope she has heard good news of Wiggie by now. Topher will have to wait some time now I should imagine – The papers don’t impress one yet that it as present is an enormous push do they – We imagine here that it’s only a nibble. Jim has’nt written to me yet about his engagement – ought I to write to him first – I think I shall.

So sorry to hear about Mrs Prior. She must have been fairly old was’nt she.

Hope the “woundeds” tea was a success. That’s a new thing is’nt it at Guildford-

I remember Dreda telling me about Betty Neville’s engagement – I did not know they were to be married so soon-

Best love to you all

Your ever loving son

Paul

Victorian “Found open” label (Fiji)

http://www.prestigephilately.com/viewpic.php?pic=../auction125/232949.jpg&height=479&width=500&auctionnum=125&lot=811

H.M.S. MALAYA.

c/o G.P.O.

Saturday evening.

Dear Mother. Thanks muchly for your letter & for the parcel of clothes – yes all mine.

A slight surprise that – I could’nt realize it when I got Sheina’s letter telling me about Jim & herself. But how too lovely is’nt it. I have not heard from Jim as yet. It seems to me to have been a surprise to you all has’nt it.

Yes- I will write to Rosamund in a minute or two.

I saw Digby for a few minutes yesterday. He seems very well & enjoyed his trip to France very much. He has his wife & family up here – so I must try & go & see them.

They tell me I have got shingles now – too sickening is’nt it – It does’nt affect me at all- I mean I still feel perfectly fit – but it sort of hurts & itches alternately – nothing to worry about.

Funny your meeting Dorothie Critchley – at the shop I suppose. She is an awfully nice girl I think – & a great friend of mine.

We had a cricket match on Thursday against some soldiers here- the Scottish Rifles- & were ever so pleased to beat them as it’s the first time a “Malaya” team has played.

Much love to you all-

Your ever loving son

Paul

H.M.S. MALAYA.

c/o G.P.O.

June. 28^th 1916

My dear Mother.

Thank you very much for your letter- the Chaplain asked me for your address so I presumed he had written to you about the markers.

I meant to go and see Mrs C.G. on Sunday – but the boats were all wrong somehow – and I don’t know whether I shall get another chance – I hope so anyhow.

A good old Delaford kroust on Sunday there seems to have been – what fun they all must have had.

Of course – I think it’s too sad for words about Topher’s leave – I can imagine exactly his feelings – when he saw that notice- but I expect he had an inkling poor fellow – as I heard something about a “push” about now-ish. That’s the third time is’nt it – it’s been stopped. I must write to him.

Rather a change in the weather this last week – it’s all gone misty and damp- but still quite warm.

I went to see Enid Nelson (that was – now Mrs Moore) the other day – had lunch & tea at her house – she has 2 quite sweet kids – the eldest girl about 18 months & beginning to get interesting from my sort of point of view. I wheeled her about most of the afternoon – & gave the nurse a sort of half holiday. Enid asked after you all-

I dined with Tommy Drew on Saturday – & he was here with me last night.

I had a long letter from Dick yesterday too – he seems to be quite happy out there – but rather wanted to come home I think- I wrote Ted 7 of these pages – back to front – the other day – it’s so hard to write interesting details to him – till the despatch is published – still I hope it won’t get censored – or sunk –

Now I must go to bed – goodnight – & my best love to you all-

Your ever loving son

Paul

H.M.S. MALAYA.

c/o G.P.O.

22^nd June 1916

Dear Mother-

Very many thanks for your letter. the Chaplain came back from leave the other day & he is fearfully pleased with the book markers & is writing to you I think.

We are having simply gorgeous weather up here – lovely and hot – real midsummer & I have had lots of tennis-

Yes I see in the papers about that fire in the High Street – really – You remember Enid Nelson – she came to stay with us once for a dance – well she’s up here fairly close – she’s been married sometime now to a naval officer-

To-day I am thinking of going to see the Conway-Gordons – if I can get away in time.

Topher seems to be slightly nearer his leave – hope he is home by now-

There’s not very much news-

best love to you all

Your ever loving son

Paul