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25 September 1916 – Paul to Gertrude

25 Sep

H.M.S. Malaya

C/o G.P.O.

 

Wednesday, 25.

 

My dear Mother.   Very many thanks for your letter – rather a quiet weekend you seem to have had – with no one at home.

I did’nt know Dick was in France. I knew he had arrived at Marseilles – rather a good job – a Field ambulance is’nt it – & I expect he is rather pleased – and attached to the cavalry an’ all. Thanks for his address – I will write to him presently.

I’ve never known such a series of rotten days – always raining & blowing hard – & makes things so miserable-

Yes I saw about old Ommaney’s son – but I thought he was going into the Navy; so I was’nt absolutely certain – so sad for him. You might tell him when you see him next how sorry I am will you.

Yes quite a show I believe those Gloucester fellows had down there with the Flag-hanging – I knew all the men in that picture.

I am glad to hear Chubbie is fit again – I hope to hear from Jane soon – as I’ve just sent them another customer- That Maisie Hill girl – the friends of mine up this way, whom I go and see. They are in Town now for the winter.

Awfully nice idea I think to let the Wounded men use the dining room. I’ll see if I can send some papers along for you-

with much love to you all

ever your loving son

Paul

 
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Posted by on 25 September, '16 in About, HMS Malaya, Rosyth

 

21 September 1916 – Ted to Gertrude

21 Sep

LANSDOWNE,
GARHWAL,
U.P.

Sept 21/16

Dear Mother

I got no letters from home last week, only one from Ben at Seaview, & I’m afraid our next mail is’nt in till Saturday (this is Thursday) so I shan’t be able to answer any letters, having none to answer!

Such hot weather all this last week but today was perfect this morning & a magnificent view of the snows; it’s clouding over again now though, & looks like more rain; I am so sick of the rain.

The regiment goes to Delhi in November sometimes, for the cold weather, sort of guard over the Viceroy, same like our detachment at Simla is doing now. It will be a lovely change from here, but a trifle expensive, as we shall indeed be among the nuts. It ought to be rather fun, as our work will be chiefly social & doing guards etc. I heard from Dick a day or two ago, he said he was sailing on the 18th but did not seem to know for certain.

Not much news from here, some old hard grind. The 3rd Batt: is going strong now, but the 1st Batt: have’nt left for Quetta yet, so we are rather squashed up here.

The news from France is good is’nt it, our men are wonderful, & what a wonderful thing this new armoured caterpillar car of ours seems to be, & what splendid work it has done. I see Capt H.P. Gabb in today’s casualty list, R. West Surreys, wounded, so I suppose that’s Harold, & it must be in Mesopotamia somewhere. I hope he’s all right.

My lady friend of the “Persia” & the C.O. & one or two others made a great fuss about that show, & today to my surprise I get the bronze medal of the Royal Humane Society, but I’m sure it’s far too much for what I did. I have written to her & told her about it.

Best love to all

yr loving son

Ted

 

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/tanks_and_world_war_one.htm

NZ Marlborough Express, 23/09/16

“Caterpillar” Tractors Very Powerful Machines

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=MEX19160923.2.4

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/the-forerunner-of-the-tanks-caterpillar-tractor/query/VEHICLES

“Captain H. P. Gabb and Captain A. S. Gabb, sons of Dr. Gabb, of Guildford, who have also two other brothers iu the Army, have both won the Military Cross.”

http://newspaperarchive.com/london-daily-mail/1916-12-12/page-3

Auction of his medals in 1999

http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/the-medals-of-capt.-h.p.-gabb-m.c.-the-late-dr.-430-c-invr75how0

 
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Posted by on 21 September, '16 in About

 

20 September 1916 – Paul to Gertrude

20 Sep

H.M.S. MALAYA.

c/o G.P.O.

20th Sept.

 

Dear Mother- Thank you for your letter. How too lovely Topher arriving home – and for 10 days leave – I was so surprised when I got his wire on Monday. I sent him one, and also a letter yesterday. It is a pity I can’t get home and see him – but I am afraid there is absolutely no chance.

Extraordinary how Rosamond met him at Waterloo – and I can see so well the reception he got when the girls came in – and the noise & laughing -! Well he deserves his leave does’nt he and I hope he has a jolly good time.

How sickening about Dick – and so disappointing for us all – he’ll get my letter now anyway – so Jim’s off to France – someone told me last week – Dreda I think, that they thought he was going to India!!!

I had a signal from Mr Lyon yesterday asking me to go to dinner – but I could’nt go. Don’t know when I shall see him now! – and I should like to see him so much & hear all the news – so to speak.

We have had filthy weather these last 3 days – blowing a gale – but it’s much better today-

My best love to you all-

Your ever loving son

Paul.

Thank you for the lavender Bag – I always like them so much-

 
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Posted by on 20 September, '16 in About, HMS Malaya, Rosyth

 

19 September 1916 – Paul to Gertrude

19 Sep

H.M.S. MALAYA.

c/o G.P.O.

19th.

 

Dear Mother-

Very many thanks for your letter. We are away from Mrs C.G. now and my good times are over for a bit – but I thoroughly enjoyed myself while it lasted. A niece of Mrs Conway’s turned up while we were there – and as it’s a dull place – I think she (Mrs Cy) was pleased that we helped to amuse her & show her about- I took several fellows with me at different times – Oh yes she told me the story about your tea & being all dressed up & how she had gone out for the day – & saw nobody else but you – would have come again the next day – as she asked you.

We have had some beastly weather lately- a sort of continuous gale blowing but to-day it’s lovely again-

So Dick is at Marseilles – I do hope he will get home soon now. I want him to come up & stay – he’s only got to go and ask I believe at the Admiralty – we have had several Canadians already – they stay about 4 or 5 days. It would be lovely if he could would’nt it.

Rosamund wrote to me about the linen cloth & I sent her the measurements. I heard from Mrs Jim –  yesterday & all about their lodgings an’ all at Aldershot- she told me about going to Guildford for 4 days.

Any more luck about that mantle?

I must end now-

With my best love to you all-

ever your loving son

Paul

Paul was increasingly close to Nancy Swan during the summer of 1916 and early 1917, possibly via an existing friendship with her aunt by marriage, Mrs Conway-Gordon.

Nancy’s father was Colonel Charles Arthur Swan C.M.G., M.A., J.P., and her mother was 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.

 
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Posted by on 19 September, '16 in About, HMS Malaya, Rosyth

 

18 September 1916 – Richard to Gertrude

18 Sep

ROYAL BOMBAY YACHT CLUB

 

Dear Mother

There’s a mail going out tomorrow so I may as well catch it. I am to sail on H.T. Kurfanus Castle tomorrow to Suez, & then overland to Alex & so on.

I may be able to get your letters tomorrow but I have to be on board by 10 & box won’t be open I’m afraid. I will write on the way home, but it will probably arrive same time as this.

Best love to all.

Yr loving son

Richard.

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

 
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Posted by on 18 September, '16 in About

 

14 September 1916 – Paul to Gertrude

14 Sep

H.M.S. MALAYA.

c/o G.P.O.

14th Sept.

 

Dear Mother-   V. many thanks for your letter and the Surrey Advt. I’m so glad the wedding went off allright – I have heard from Jim & Sheina – and they seem to be quite enjoying themselves down at Bexhill playing golf.

It’s suddenly turned most beastly cold up here, and we have started fires in the Ward Room already- “out with yer woollies”-

Nothing at all exciting has been happening up here – we hope for a change soon though. I wonder if Dick would come up & stay onboard for a bit – when he comes home – soldiers very often do – I must write and ask him; he might enjoy it rather.

Another fellow has got shingles now – a Lieut – but he’s been in bed with it for the last 4 days – so I was apparently rather lucky and only had it very slightly.

Our guest night tonight, I hope Mr Drew is coming to dine with me – as we have a “Movie” show as well.

My best love to you all

Your ever loving son

Paul

 
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Posted by on 14 September, '16 in About, HMS Malaya, Rosyth

 

14 September 1916 – Ted to Gertrude

14 Sep

LANSDOWNE,
GARHWAL,
U.P.

Sept 14/16

Dear Mother

English mail in today, but no letters from Delaford. Funny, as I always get some; but these days I suppose anything may happen, and I expect they’ll turn up tomorrow all right. I heard from old Ben at Seaview, and also from Nell, so I suppose your letters have been mislaid somewhere. I got some papers from you today; many thanks, much appreciated.

I am sending along some very cheap & not very pretty felt rugs, 2 white with a pattern, & one really horrid green one, heaven knows why I bought it! Anyhow I expect it will do for the parlour, where it’s fairly dark & can be hidden easily. I’m told they last better if you back them with canvas. I must send you some nicer ones one day; & I’m also sending you quite a nice carpet, smallish but nice; I don’t quite know where you will put it, but I expect it will come in useful for somewhere. It’s not persian, only Indian I think.

Such a wet day, the rains’ last effort I suppose. But it’s cleared up this evening so I shall go out & try & get a blow of air for an hour as I’ve been busy in office all day. We’ve had the general up inspecting these last 2 or 3 days, but he was very gentlemanly & did’nt worry us much.

Ben’s comments on Eric were truly amusing, he does indeed seem to go further back as the line advances! Has he any shame? And she said Topher had told her that he had built himself a house! so he evidently intends never to get forward at all. He seems a useless sort of fellow, so perhaps he’s better where he is.

Nothing doing here; we are all still very busy; no news of any immediate move though the 3rd Batt: are sort of still semi-under orders for Quetta.

Must end up; hope I get some letters from you tomorrow. I had a line from Dick in Bombay, bored with waiting about but quite pleased at the prospect of going to France.

Love to all   yr loving son

Ted.

 
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Posted by on 14 September, '16 in About

 

10 September 1916 – Richard to Gertrude

10 Sep

TAJ MAHAL PALACE HOTEL
BOMBAY

Sept 10 1916

 

Dear Mother

Many thanks for your letter & as I said when I took it out, “what a topping handkerchief”. That lavender was lovely & was so useful to smell on board yesterday when coming down from Karachi & feeling a bit squirmy. Of course you need never now have bothered about my clothes. Such a pity, but Cox have instructions to send them back to you when they do arrive, & how annoying forgetting that coat. I would have liked tails as well anyhow.

Jim & Sheina were married yesterday then, of course I won’t dare meet his father in law, as he’s the old IMS col isn’t he who said I dressed up so. Bit awkward meeting Sheina, (spose I can call her by her Christian name) too. She used to skoff did’nt she? No little book arrived, something about Daddy long legs you said.

I am sure Susan will like the change at Seaview. I was so sorry to have to leave June behind, I have given her to rather a pet of a girl. I am sorry Jane Yeatman’s boy has been wounded.

I arrived here this morning, but I won’t believe I am really off till the ship sails from here. You see they stopped us the other day & we had to wait a fortnight. How nice of the people to let Binkie in to see his master.

Please thank Ruth for her message at the end of your letter. I dunno’ what I shall do here all tomorrow. Spend money I suppose.

I hope I’ll find some letters in Marseilles.

Best love to all.

Yr loving son   Richard.

 

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

Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daddy-Long-Legs_%28novel%29

IMS

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

 
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Posted by on 10 September, '16 in About

 

10 September 1916 – Paul to Gertrude

10 Sep

H.M.S. MALAYA.

c/o G.P.O.

Wednesday. 10th

 

My dear Mother-

V. many thanks for your letter – and I am so glad you had such a good rest at Pitney-

Ripping photographs those of Jim’s wedding – think I must have them mounted & put in a frame-

I am still having a jolly good time here – though I was fearfully busy all last week with our men’s Concert – 3 times we did it- & they want to do it again to-day at the local Hospital- but to tell the truth I’m bored with concerts & am not going – only making the arrangements.

I’ve seen a lot of Mrs Conway – I go there a lot – & she is kind- She has a niece staying there now-, an awfully nice girl – Mrs Conway’s been in bed with a chill for a couple of days – but we go & have tea in her bed room.

We are having a slight blow up here again – & makes boat work rather rotten.

I must write to Topher & cheer him up – poor fellow. I met a Lieut in a ship yesterday who was at Canterbury with him – Bellairs by name-!

Hope to go out to the Hills’ to-day if I can get there.

So no luck with the mantle – any chance of getting one in Guildford anywhere?

With much love to you all – ever your loving son

Paul

Mrs C.G. sends her love to you – I asked her to write-.

Not the same Bellairs but may be what precipitated the -!

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

Paul was increasingly close to Nancy Swan during the summer of 1916 and early 1917, possibly via an existing friendship with her aunt by marriage, Mrs Conway-Gordon.

Nancy’s father was Colonel Charles Arthur Swan C.M.G., M.A., J.P., and her mother was 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.

 
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Posted by on 10 September, '16 in About, HMS Malaya, Rosyth

 

9 September 1916 – Ted to Gertrude

09 Sep

LANSDOWNE,
GARHWAL,
U.P.

Sept 9th/16

Dear Mother

I see the mail leaves a day later so I’ll be able to catch it today. Many thanks for your letter yesterday, dated 16 Aug. So Jim’s to be married today, that appears to be the latest fixed date anyhow. So I’m sending him along a cable, & I hope it gets him somewhere near the right time. I’m most awfully glad he’s getting married- the very best thing for him, & from all accounts Sheina is the right girl for him. I had a line from him yesterday, also telling me he was getting married today. I also heard from Dryden & Ruth, which I must answer next week.

Yes Dick & I had great – if short – times. I wonder if he has sailed yet; last time I heard he was awaiting further orders, though the first line I got said he was off at once. Rains have more or less stopped, thnak goodness, as they were most depressing; & now we have gorgeous weather, cool mornings & evenings & nights & fairly hot days; but I expect we shall have a drop or two more rain yet awhile.

Nell has got the bureau & is mighty pleased with it; old Ben made a splendid choice apparently. I do hope she’s better now; I did’nt hear last mail. Nell is still very busy “house maiding” as she calls it at her hospital. She sometimes writes & says she’s had a real hard day, I do hope they’re not over-working her there; but she seems very cheery & happy enough.

So glad you have good news of Topher, & I’m glad he’s well behind, at present, at anyrate. Fancy feeling the effect of gas 9 miles away! I do hope Julian Yeatman’s all right; I thought I saw his name in the paper, one’s R.A & one’s Wiltshires is’nt he, I forget which is which. Harry was wounded before; is he all right again now I wonder?

Must scurry to catch the mail: I’ll answer your letter properly later.

Best love to all

Yr loving son

Ted

Julian is Robert Julian Yeatman – www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28984/pages/9696/page.pdf (bottom left) educated at Marlborough College, co-author of ‘1066 And All That’ – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._J._Yeatman

 

 
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Posted by on 9 September, '16 in About

 
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