The Story

The following is a compiled list of letters written by Arthur James Sloan, they were written between the years of 1914 thru 1918. In the truest sense they are love letters that were written to Margaret Graydon, but the words within them describe the accounts of Arthur during his time during World War I. These two young people were happily involved with one another prior to the out break of the Great War, both residing in Mount Florida, a district of Glasgow, Scotland. The letters evolved from the fact that Arthur had enlisted into the 3rd Highland (H) Brigade R.F.A. (51st Highland Division) and with his departure to begin his training, a remarkable series of correspondences begins. 

As the story opens, Arthur is sailing to England, then by train back to Scotland, to camp Buddon, near Dundee. After a short stay at Buddon, it's back to England, to Bedford, a Artillery training camp, a will remained there until his Division is called into service and sent to the Western Front in France.

 

"Arthur and Margaret"

 

Chapter I

1914

"The Separation"

words by 

Arthur J Sloan

 

Letter #1

S.S."Teucer"
Port of Liverpool
Sunday 14th June 1914
7:30 A.M.


My Dear Margaret.

We arrived here this morning “all well”. We left Glasgow at 1:30 P.M. on Saturday, dropped the Pilot at Greenock at 3:53 P.M., passed Ailsa Craig at 7:19 P.M., went to bed at 11:15 P.M., weather hazy, calm, cool. Up at 4:50 A.M. Sunday, passed the bar at 5:15 A.M., had coffee & hot buttered toast at 6 A.M., and dropped anchor off Liverpool at 6:53 A.M., where we are now waiting for the tide, to go into dock about 2:30 P.M. How’s that for a log. We had a lovely sail round, the wind was with us and it was fine just “sprawling” all over the deck. The Officers are all very decent especially the Chief Engineer a Scotchman, the only one. He is always pointing things out to me, and giving me various “tips”, such as how to sleep, I mean the way to go to bed, you know what I mean and a host of other things, all of which I appreciate very much. Liverpool seems not a bad place from what I have seen of it, although one can’t judge very much from the ship here. Liverpool is very low lying. I am going to stay here tonight & go down to New Brighton tomorrow morning & look for a barn to sleep in. Well I will need to stop now as the breakfast bell is going & you know well I could not miss that. I will let you know as soon as I fix digs.

Your own Arthur

P.S. Mind & behave.
P.S. I am quite sober.

 

Letter #2

c/o Mrs. Rawlinson
4 Victoria Rd.
New Brighton
Cheshire
Wednesday. 8 P.M.
I forget the date (June 1914)

My Dear Margaret,

I was so pleased to get your long letter this morning. No it was not too long, I will take double next time if you like. I got digs in a hotel on Sunday night in Birkenhead. It seemed such a strange way to spend that day just loafing about the deck & not able to go to church altho’ I heard the bells & in plenty of time too. It must have been fine at Eaglesham on Saturday & I am glad you enjoyed yourself, but you must cheer up especially at night, dear: but I should not talk. I must confess I felt a little bit home sick last night. Isn’t it strange that one feels like that in the evening. I think it is the seeing other chaps with their young ladies and a good sunset like what I have seen these last few evenings. I was at Chester today. It is a lovely place. It is all so quaint, some of the buildings date as far back to the 15th century. I sailed up the Dee in the afternoon & it was simply gorgeous. It is just like some of the places described in love stories you read about. I never thought such scenes excised. All the back gardens come right down to the river & they have all their own “pier” & rowing boat, the kind you see in those pictures of the Thames. All the young men were out in flannels & with their lady loves in white, it was a delightful scene. I can’t describe it here in words. I will need to get a special night to tell you all about it. Everything seems different here, even the sunset. I think it is the want of hills for a background. The whole sky & sea is just one red mass. It really puts one in a kind of sentimental mood. I was going to say discontented but that would be wrong of me. I am wondering what you are about now, is it tennis. Oh! I forgot it is not your turn tonight, however altho’ I am not beside you, you know I am thinking of you & what usually happens on a Wednesday evening. My landlady was anxious to know who the sender was, that it should keep me off my breakfast, I can tell you my dear Margaret, I felt inclined to show her it, I was so proud of it, my first. I am constantly being reminded of your name here, one of the best pleasure boats is called “La Margaret” and the first piece of music I picked of the piano was a song addressed to you. I enclose a copy of the first verse. My thoughts were that way anyhow. I am afraid I will need to stop now as I can hardly see what I am writing & have about two miles to walk for my bed & supper. See & write soon, a nice cheery letter I will be home soon now. Kind regards to Guy and best love to your dear self.

Your affectionate Arthur

 

Letter #3

New Brighton
19th June 14

My Dear Margaret.

I am again squatted on my sand seat, feeling a bit tired. I received your very nice letter this morning, for which please accept my best thanks. My landlady must of known the writing for instead of keeping till I got down for breakfast, she very kindly “shoved” it under the door. I was just in the act of getting up, and when I saw it, I can assure you I got up in double quick time, got it & went back to bed, to digest it. Aren’t I a very lazy boy, Margaret. However I enjoyed my breakfast doubly well after. You seem surprised I was so early last Sunday morning. So was I. But I have not done it since & don’t intend to again in a hurry. I am fishing along here all on my own & managing A.I. Don’t you worry, dear, there are none of the young ladies here exactly to my taste, you see I have such a sweat little one at home that I will be very hard to please any where else I go. Fact. I was at Southport yesterday it is a very pretty place, but not up to Chester, too gay. The Lancashire Yorkshire Rail Co. run electric trains from Liverpool to Southport, you talk about observation cars, they are not in it. Today I went to Port Sunlight, it is very pretty too. I will be showing a great pile of photos later on.

I am feeling a bit tired now, and I intend to do a bit of loafing now. It is another glorious evening & exceptionally clear. The river is full of ships as it is high tide. Just a minute till I light my pipe, its gone out, its my only mate so far. The White Star ship “Baltic” is passing just now a beautiful 25,000 ton boat, with one of the famous Blue Funnel passenger boats behind it. It is a grand sight. I could name about twenty large boats in sight from the “Aquitania” downwards. I hope I am not tiring you, my dear., but I am enjoying myself tonight its beautiful.

When I was on my why to Port Sunlight, I enquired the road from a policeman at a place called New Ferry, he told me & asked me who I was, & then asked if I was from Glasgow. He recognized my voice & seemed so pleased to see me, he is the first Scotch man I have met so far. It was very nice to hear a familiar accent. Dear Margaret I wish you could see the sunset tonight, it is extra. You will be thinking me sunset daft, but I cannot help it. One can’t help thinking of higher things on a night like this. I have not been at church for a fortnight now but this is doing me more good than what many a good sermon has done. I have altered my programme for coming home. I sail home, leaving here at eight P.M. tomorrow night. I will be in Glasgow on Sunday afternoon or evening & I will see you at night all going well. So good bye just now dear

Your loving Arthur
I am feeling great tonight, hope you are not wearying

 

Letter #4

28 Second Avenue
Kings Park
Glasgow
6th July 14

Dear Margaret

I was thinking that the 2:10 train would be rather late for tomorrow, and if you can manage the 1:39 from Mount, it will give us a better chance of seeing the show. I hope this will not be too soon & if it is, just come as soon after as you can manage. I will be at the book stall under the information board as we arranged on Sunday. The procession passed down Buchanan Street for a trail spin this forenoon & looked A.I. Mind no good clothes or hat unless you want them spoiled.

Your affectionate Arthur

 

Letter #5

No 783
3rd Highland (H) Brigade R.F.A.
Buddon
(In case you forget)
Friday
7-17-14

My dear Margaret

We arrived here all safely about 9:30 last night. We did not leave Merrend till 6 P.M., all fairly sober. Of course you know what like I would be. We had quite a respectable crew in our carriage, one of which was a great musician on the mouth organ, just a matter of each one what he wished played. Do you know what one of mine was, & I got it too. He also played of his own accord the song called after your dear self, exceeding well for the instrument. It was raining when we arrived & continued most of the night till about ten in the forenoon, but the afternoon & evening have been splendid. We have got the same tent as last year with one altercation, a parsons son takes the place of Chas Mowat, so you see that I am in very good company compared to what it might be. However there is a great deal which could be done without quite easily, and darling I want you to remember me at night; you have no idea how, even the thought of having a sweetheart like you dear, keeps me straight in speech & everything else. I hope you will excuse this short note this time Margaret as I want to catch the 9 o’clock post, & I am just off duty. Good night darling & write soon

Your own loving, Arthur
I have not seen Guy yet, but will give him your message as soon as I do.

 

Letter #6

Buddon
Tuesday
7-21-14

My Dear Margaret.

I received your splendid big letter today. We were out with the guns earlier than usual & the postman wasn’t in when we left, so I did not get it till dinner time & even then I had to keep it in my pocket for about an hour, till we had groomed & fed the horses. My thoughts were not in my work. We have got into proper camp order now. On Friday we had fatigues all day & Saturday we had the guns out. We had a church parade, the parson, either a Baptist or a layman, was nothing startling. His sermon only lasted ten minutes. Yesterday & today we have had the usual camp routine. We fired a number of blank rounds today. We had a regular burst up last Sunday evening. You remember I had a cake; well we had it & a service of fount, lemonade & sandwiches & cigarettes. The boys called it my birthday supper. It was fine to have some half decent grub, altho’ so far the food has been fairly good. I am so pleased Margaret to hear that you are having a nice holiday & good weather. Isn’t it a pity that these boys at camp are so rude; it is the same all over dear, you must just ignore the unseemly language & remember that there is always one or two among them who can behave. I don’t know how it is, but things like these just make me all the more resolved to keep straight. Darling, although I was all right last year, I am all the more determined this year. The very thought of your dear self does me as much good as anything. I have something to live up to now, and am long as I am spared I promise you I will continue it, no matter where either of us may be. I pray God Darling that if we are to be separated we may sometimes; here at least, meet again. Dear Margaret I hope you will excuse me not writing more at present, I have not the heart to say more. I will try & write a more cheery letter next time. Don’t let this worry you Dear I will be all right tomorrow. Good night dear & God bless you

Your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #7

Buddon
Wednesday  

My dear Margaret

I must thank you very much for being so mindful of me. Nothing cheers me more than when I receive an envelope with your handwriting on it. I want to apologies for the tone of yesterdays letter. I was sorry after I had written it, and swithered whether to post it or not, but dear you know, some thoughts of last week come back to me, so you will perhaps forgive me this time. Somehow I feel quite cheery again altho it was not perhaps a very fair way to go about it. You seem to be having a very fine holiday & I just hope the good weather will continue. You are not to let your principles go too far. If you get the chance don’t offend your landlady’s son if you think he is all right, however I know you can choose your own company Margaret. We are having half-holiday today & I am lying outside the tent in my short sleeves, which are rolled up. I am fairly enjoying it, for the last few days have been very hard, and the heat did not improve matters. Yesterday was simply a scorcher & we were at it all day till 6 p.m. and so you can guess I was a bit tired & just lie about till bedtime. I had the tent to myself till about 9:30, & passed the time by venting my thoughts to you, Darling.

I have been doing extra well in laying these last few days. Yesterday and today I was first, in the morning practice at 6 a.m., and just hope I do as well in the competition next week first prize 10/-. Camp is becoming most interesting, now that we are into form & the horses getting to know their work. We got paid today so I will drink to your health in lemonade tonight. We celebrated the occasion with another good tent feed. One of the boys received a fine big plum pudding & we had the other half of my cake, two pounds of biscuits, lemonade & cigarettes. It is fine to have a few tidbits now and then. I have been at the soldiers home, the last few nights, they have some splendid concerts, one was a kind of glee party & they just reminded me of the minstrel practices, could you ever forget them dear? One gentleman, a tenor, sang some lovely song; sentimental, you know the kind tenors go in for. I like them Margaret. I was in last night when up posting my letter, but was not in a mood for that sort of thing. In fact, I am sorry to say I was half asleep most of the time.

It was very amusing when the post arrived today. I got yours & one from father, & Guy Young another boy got the plum pudding & one a letter from his young lady. The first thing I got was “He’s got another blue envelope”, so mind & let the next one be blue too. Fancy taking note of that already. I do hope they see a lot more blue ones, dear. I saw Guy on Monday night & gave him your message. He is looking well. It is rather difficult seeing each other, even more so than I thought. We never know when one another stop’s at night. Well dear Margaret I’m afraid I need to stop & get ready. I am guard tonight, so you can think kindly of me about 2 a.m. I have taken 5 ½ hours to this epistle & amid a fearful dim.

Your loving Arthur

 

Letter #8

Buddon
Friday
7-24-14

My Dear Margaret

I really don’t know what I am going to say this time, but being finished for the night, & not having anything special to do, I am just going to write again. Seeing I can’t find much to say at the time, I must just give you a little oftener. Your letter was waiting for me at dinnertime I cannot thank you too much for remembering me as well dear. You seemed to have had a good picnic, even without the “better” sex. I saw Guy this morning just before he went away; I was passing the Scripture tent, a tent in apportion to the canteen, and heard a voice singing, which I thought I recognized. It was Guy signing a duet with another boy, who had a soprano voice. They were singing “Oh Alice where art thou?” & it was very nice. You said that Guy had not written, well dear he is all right & left here quite sober, looking very well.

We had our laying examine this afternoon, but I did not manage to win anything. I had 59 points out of 60, so you see that I did not do very badly at all. Dearie you will be thinking I am “blowing” about my laying; but I did not get a prize. It is now about seven p.m. & we have had a perfect gale today. The sun has been out all day, but it has been very cold, & we have had the tent closed since teatime to try & get a little heat. My face & arms are in an awful condition & I am wondering Margaret if you would like to kiss me just now & get a mouthful of skin, excuse that nasty joke, please. I was up the soldiers home last night again. They had a splendid programme, rather high class for some of the men, but I enjoyed it very well. It is lovely dear to hear some of the old songs-such a change from ragtime, which goes on from morning till night. One young lady had a cello, is that spelt correctly and her father a violin. They played the Humorists & Tannhauser beautifully, another young lady gave us some splendid songs, and she had a fine voice & was so simple. Darling I would just like to see you on that platform, you could charm them, with some of (your) my favorite songs.

I had a postcard from Andrew this morning just saying he had arrived. Not a word about the voyage or anything else. I suppose he will be too busy with cousins etc. to bother about me. How different from you Margaret. We had another birthday party today, another member of the tent got a supply from home, & it came just at the proper time. Our dinner was dirt cold & with the wind the meat was mixed beautifully with sand & hay & everything else. Breakfast was composed of eggs, which looked as if they had never felt hot water & tea with a good layer of grease on top & an inch or so of sand in the bottom. How could my little Margaret digest a day of that feeding? Eh, however I am not complaining, the food has been fairly good up to today. I am going to Carnoustie tomorrow afternoon, I get another half-holiday, only this time I am allowed to leave camp at 2 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. You see Margaret some have to stay & feed the horses at 4:30 p.m. & as I did that on Wednesday I am free of it tomorrow. I am going to accept Mrs. Watson very kind invitation to tea. You know Jas. Watson who goes to the Bible class, well it is his mother. She & my ma were very chummy in the days of old. There is a young lady, Lizzie W. in the house, I don’t know whether you have met her or not, she is a schoolteacher in Shawland Academy, but don’t you worry dear, she is all right & can keep me in place. As if I ever need to, isn’t I getting very conceited? I just hope I manage to conduct my self properly & do act the glutton.

Well darling I will need to stop if I want to get that post, isn’t he an awful nuisance. I have spent a very nice evening writing this & have had the tent all to my self, two of the are on guard & the rest are away after the, well I have no right to say too much as I am not exactly sure, but I think I am correct. You are quite right with Andrew address, Lansdowne Rd. I hope you are enjoying your holiday & not taking too much exertion, you see I will want you to be able for a walk very soon now. That is the only thing that makes me wishes camp were over, but never mind. Margaret another week and well you’ll know for your self. Give my kind regards to your Mother & Jamie & much love to your own self.

Your loving Arthur

Just as I was leaving Mary she said, “I suppose you are remembering Margaret did not leave with the intentions of being away forever”. She said it half serious & half smiling I thought it very good of her, & a good reminder to me, if necessary. Don’t worry sweetheart, I am still the same independent Arthur.

 

 

Chapter II

"War is Declared"

 

Europe has been preparing for War in which no one wants, young men from all over are preparing for such a war when it happens. This story is about one young man and his duty to his country. We see Arthur balancing this duty of honor, with that of his newfound love (Margaret).

As the story opens Arthur has left his dear one behind and he has already shown to us his enduring love for Margaret. The one thing he really desires is an (impossible dream), his commitment to his country has taken him away from the one thing he wants.
In Arthur’s case, the words of Margaret will keep him going in his journey, which will endure for many months, even years. We will be able to follow Arthur on this very long journey; in time we will know him like we know few.

Within the last month we see Arthur in the beginning of his training, we see what camp life is like for the young men who don’t realize what lie’s ahead in their lives. For just now War has started, 28th July, Austria declares war, 1st August, Germany declares war, and 4th August, Great Britain declares war. We are truly blessed to be able to relive this epic story thru Arthur’s hand.

 

Letter #9

Buddon
Sunday
7-26-14

My dear Margaret

It is now Sunday night about 7:30 p.m. I have the tent to myself, & all the boys have gone to Carnoustie on the usual game. I have spent the last half hour re-reading your beautiful letter. I have enjoyed it very much and think it quite a suitable way to spend Sunday evening. I would like to be with you for a night with your white frock, you must look fine. Never mind Margaret some time we will have a holiday together. So you can look forward to that darling. We had another church parade this morning at 9 a.m. The minister, a Dundee gentleman was very good, he had on the full military uniform with two medals. His sermon was from one of Paul’s epistles, I am sorry to say I forget which. It was about the honor of having a good citizenship; you know how Paul benefited at times by being a Roman Citizen; well he started to speak about our great citizenship, British and then went on to the other greater citizenship, you know what I mean darling. It was splendid. He then went on telling the men to think at times today, seeing we have a slack time on Sunday about the way in which they support their high king, these are the words he used, in language & moral doing etc. He had a beautiful voice dear & I don’t know how they could help being impressed; but some were just there usual immediately after. Isn’t it sad Margaret.

We have had the rest of the day to ourselves except at stables at 1 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. I had a grand sleep this after-noon, in fact the whole tent were in the land of nod till tea time, and then they had all to change for a night in Carnoustie, leaving here about 6 p.m., & I have had a very nice hour & a half. It has cleared up a fine evening, having poured all day up to four or five. My tent door is open & the horse that I look after is just opposite. The poor thing has taken cholic, sand cholic, this is a disease common to horses at camp. It is caused by them eating sand which gets mixed up with their food. It is all swollen up & I expect it will be shot tomorrow morning. I do fell sorry for it; he was such a nice animal, so quiet & obedient. I got on very well with it. We had to shoot three this year for the same cause. You must be thinking me very pettish darling, but you have no idea how attached one becomes to them even in a fortnight time. Well dear Margaret I will again need to stop another short letter, but I like, rather to write less & often as things crop up. I am expecting a letter tomorrow. I will now go & have some tea in the Scriptures Tent, before lights out. I have taken longer to write this than usual, it is now half past nine & I started at seven. So goodnight dearie & write soon.

Your loving Arthur

 

Letter #10

Buddon
Tuesday
7-28-14

My dear Margaret

I received your lovely long letter this afternoon. I was wearying to hear from you. A few days seems such a long time just now, but you did make up for lost time. Don’t take this seriously Margaret. I am so pleased that you are having a good holiday & now wearying. We have practically finished camp now. We did our firing this forenoon, and I was quite successful again at my laying. The General was very pleased with our Battery this morning. We got the horses away just after tea & cleaned up a bit finishing about 7:30 p.m. I expect we will have quite a hard day cleaning up & striking tents, tomorrow. We will all sleep in the mess tent tomorrow night. So you can see what kind of a night it will be. We have been very lucky about weather, today has been perfect & I hope deare that you have been just as lucky. I really do not know what I can write about. I will just need to tell you it all when I get home. I have only five minutes to catch the post, & thought I would like to write even altho’ it should be short. So you will excuse me being so short Margaret. See & keep up your good form till you get home, also after, for you will need to so all the cheering up. So goodnight darling & sleep tight.

Your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #11

6:30 p.m. Sunday
North Sheffield
On train

My darling Margaret

We are having a very fine journey so far. It has made it a great deal more enjoyable being such a fine day. We left at 7:30 a.m. & are bound for Bedford & are due about midnight. Rather a long time on the train isn’t it. I am giving this to a kiddie at the next station, so hope it reaches you all right.

Your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #12

No. 783
3rd Highland (H) Brigade
Ammunition Column
RFA
Bedford
19th Aug.

My dear Margaret

We have got settled down here at last. It is a very fine place & all the people have been exceedingly kind to us. All along the line from Carlisle there were hundreds of people out to give us a cheer, & at various stations we were served with hot tea & coffee & bread cakes etc. free. It was very touching darling at times, when we arrived four different ladies asked some of, in for tea & others brought out jugs full of tea & cakes. Two of them were crying most of the time. We have all been billeted in private houses, two or three in each house. I have got a room to myself and a lovely feather bed, & Oh dearie it is such a treat after the boards at Cathcart. Our “landlady” is just perfect, she has been washing our towels & socks today & she just tries to make everything comfortable for us. We are just doing the usual camp drill now altho’ we have no guns. I have been on horse back for the last two days & it is rather warm work. The weather is just perfect, but too hot. We were out on a route march this forenoon & all along the road the people were handing apples & plumbs, all home grown, so you see that we are having a cheery enough time, under the circumstances. The train journey was a bit stale towards the end, we were just about twenty three & a half hours on the way. Well, dear, I think that is about all the news so far. I am behaving myself as usual, & am just waiting to hear how you are getting on. I hope darling that you are keeping up your spirits & not thinking too much about our parting. You know, Margaret it is only going to be for a short while & then, well just you wait. Well have an extra h-moon to make up for it. Write soon dearie & let me know how things are getting on. Kindest regards to your Mother & Jamie, & best love to your dear self.

Your loving Arthur

 

Letter #13

Bedford
Friday
8-21-14

My dear Margaret

I was so pleased to get your nice cheery letter this afternoon. I was beginning to get quite anxious about you, you see it takes two days for a letter to come here at present; so if there is anything very special that you wish me to know you will require to write a day sooner, so that I will know the next day. I am so sorry I did not see you last Sunday morning, but we left exactly to the minute; however dearie it is perhaps just as well you missed us. There were some sore hearts left, but I don’t think any of them were in the same position as we are. I am glad however that you managed all right on Sunday, & anytime that you so feel a bit sown, just you think what is in store for both of us, won’t you darling.

We are still plodding along here. I spend about six or seven hours per day on horseback. It is splendid. This afternoon we got a special ride & for about half an hour we were galloping for all we were worth. It was quite a sensation & is so easy to an ordinary trot. I was getting conceited of my horsemanship, but got it knocked out just before we finished. We were riding without the use of our reins & stirrups & mounting & dismounting without them. One time when mounting I made too big a jump & went right over; that is my first & I only require one more to be considered an expert. But don’t worry dear I did not suffer in the least. You can mention this to Andrew, & give him a laugh, as I don’t want to write this home, you know how excited Mother would get over it. Dear Margaret you were talking about a few places we are going for our first holiday, well I must insist on you including Bedford & district. Some of the villages we go through on our parades are simply charming. I have seen them in pictures at home, but now that I see them in reality, they are ten times better. The old rustic cottages & inns with their fancy signposts Oh! Margaret, they are simply beautiful.

We are still being fed on all sorts of home grown fruits as we go through each village I came home with my haven sack full of apples, plums, peas & a few others sorts & had eaten as many if not more on the way. We are, I understand, going to have a route march to London, about forty miles, each way, either next week or the next again. Today we had a “foot” inspection. It was rather funny to see them all paraded with bare feet, but the doctor was very pleased with the condition of the same. After the inspection we were all presented with a pair of hand knitted socks, a present from Capt. Weir’s sister, very good of her wasn’t it Margaret. I went into Bedford last night, -all alone- & had a look around. The river Ouse was all decorated with electric lights of all colors. They were put up for the coronation of George V & have been kept up since. It was quite a sight, & such crowds, there are about 25,000 territories stationed here. So you can see that the place is quite busy. I stood for a little while at a Salvation Army meeting in aid of the Prince of Wales fund & you be surprised Margaret at the number who stood for a time. They were singing special hymns to Scottish tunes & every little while the leader a Scotchman would ask for more money, but it was not the usual style of the SA begging, while I was there they got over a pound just by joking & amusing the soldiers, of course I put my “mite” in & also one for you. Well dearest I am afraid I have about finished my story, but will let you know as things go on. We are in Kempston about two miles out of Bedford, but don’t expect to be much longer. I here we are to back to the boards shortly. Isn’t it a shame?
Write soon Margaret & cheer up.

Your own Arthur

 

Letter #14

   Bedford
Thursday
8-27-14

My dear Margaret

I received your beautiful long letter last night & so neat & oh darling, if you only knew how much I appreciated it, you would be very happy. I, myself, am feeling very lonely & a bit home sick at times, the kind of novelty of mobilization has passed over. I think I would give all to just get one more look at you, it is only now that I am beginning to realize what are parting is going to cost me, but darling Margaret I know you will be true to me, although you, yourself know what fears come on even to wait our time & if we are spared, Oh what a time we will have. I was dreaming of you last night; I don’t exactly know where we were, but we were sitting outside, probably that lane off the Carnumock Road. We had not much to say to each other, but I am sure dearie our thoughts made up for the want of words, I think that I was quite happy but alas dear I woke up.

You were asking what I was doing at a certain time last Sunday, well as I don’t know exact time you meant Margaret, I will tell you how we spent Sabbath. We had the usual work from 6:30 till breakfast & had a church parade about 9 or 10 a.m., a special service. We (walked) marched about a mile to a village called Elton, where John Banyan was born, & went to the English church where he preached; the belfry is still in use, but the chapel itself is a ruin & is replaced by a very pretty modern one. The service was in the English form & I did not understand it very well. Nothing beats the simple Scotch service. There were choirboys in white & the minister was also in white with a red & yellow hood & colored material round his neck. It was all very pretty Margaret; but it did not appeal to me. Our landlady is still exceedingly good to us. She had another big washing today & just went into our kit bags & took out the dirty clothing herself. Her husband is a territorial, has been for a very long while & got a long service medal. She was worrying a good deal about him the last few days, as there was a good deal of trouble, illness; in his camp & she was getting quite down hearted. I did my best to cheer her, as she seemed to confide a good deal in me, but I don’t think my consolation were of much good; but last night on of her husband’s mates came home from camp to bury his brother (17 years old) who died at their quarters at Harwich. I think he was eating too much raw fruit. Well dear Margaret If you had only seen her face when she heard that her dear one was in the best of health & had good digs for he had been sleeping in barns & haylofts before that.

Oh! Margaret it was lovely it just made me think of my darling & well I can’t thank god enough that I have got one like you, dearest. When you go away Margaret keep up to your good name, for you have one & that is not only from me, for there are more who think the same of you. I was reading a bit last night & although you may perhaps think it a bit strange I want you to read a bit of it. Turn to 1st Thessalonians chapter 5. It is all very nice, but I want you to read the following verses, especially 16 to 18, 21 & 22, 25 & 28. I find great comfort at night in reading even a very few verses. That is one of the things we will have when you come back for good. We will have family reading every Sunday evening.

You were saying you will write a nice letter next time. Well I don’t quite understand you dear; I don’t see how you could improve on your last one. I want you to write exactly what is in your thoughts, even altho it may seem dull to you, it is everything to me. I know you will do this favor for me, darling. You can’t expect us to be cheery at present. I am sorry that Guy does not seem to be too comfortable, but he will most likely be so when he leaves Stirling, look at us at Cathcart, we did not expect to be so well treated here, but I think most of the soldiers (for we are territorials no more at present) are given good digs after they are sent from the general gathering places. You might please send me his address & I will write to him. It would be nice if Guy & I were in touch with each other when you are away. You can thank Mary for her kind regards. I have however so room for any other young ladies love Margaret. My own sweetheart is quite enough for me & perhaps more than I deserve. I sent her a PC yesterday. Well dear Margaret I think I have given all the news, have I given you any. I think it is just a silly boys talk, however I have just told you dear how much I am missing you in a round about way. You will find it a bit hard mixing up with the crowd, but it will soon be all over now for you. You just try & keep a bright face for after all darling it won’t take long to pass. I am now starting to think what like you will be when you are back & just see myself meeting you. Write very soon darling & give my kind regards to all.

Your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #15

Bedford
Sunday
2:30 p.m.
8-30-14

My dear Margaret

I received your very nice letter yesterday afternoon. You seem to be having a sore time of it dearie, but it is all for the best & look how happy you will be in a few weeks time. Isn’t the time flying Margaret, I am sure it will feel strange to part with your piano, I too have a very happy recollections of a evening with it, especially when we were both at it. Little did we think what was in store for us both, the last time we played together, but the bit I enjoyed best was when you sang & I played or at least tried to. Half of the corp. got a half-holiday yesterday & the rest are off today. I am of the latter, and am giving part of it to you. I just hope I spend the other part as well & as happily. We had church parade this morning again & went to the same kirk; but Margaret, I do not like the English service, it seemed worse than ever today. It was not that I was not inclined but I think my thoughts were wandering; you sere my dear little girls face was not among those of the choir. There was one thing however I did like, you remember I asked you to read a certain bit in my last letter, well darling that formed the lesson, wasn’t it strange We had a special hymn & we each got a copy, I am sending it on to you, as a little memento of the 2nd paraphrase, not Salsburg, the other one, I foregut the name of it just now.
We are getting things a bit harder now, on Friday we had some practice of entraining & do you know how long we took to put all the horses & lorries into the train? Well it only took us seventeen & a half minutes. Isn’t that a bit better than Cathcart, where we took a day & a half. On Monday, tomorrow, we are going for 3 days march, taking the cooks & blacksmiths with us. We require the blacksmiths in case of loose shoes & putting new ones on of require. I just hope it is a bit cooler; the heat seems to be getting worse instead of better. Today is about 90 in the shade & Bedford is so relaxing.

Do you know Margaret our corp. is making a good name for itself, I think it is because we are all in such nice houses. We have had only two drunks so far & they are made to sleep in the guard tent. It is so very much nicer, dearie to see all the boys behaving in that way & not going about making regular fools of themselves. Our landlady is still very good to us, she gave us stewed fruit & custard today after dinner, it was so nice & such a change we have what is called stew everyday since we came here, it is not Irish stew, so don’t think we are having luxuries, but we did not come here for them, did we darling. You will just need to feed me extra well later on. Well Margaret I think I will have to finish, it is so difficult to get news, things here are so much the same day after day; if I could get some of your letter writing power. I’d write a whole book at a time. By the bye my moustache is getting on exceeding well. We are all going in for one, but it will come off when the time comes for going home, so don’t worry dear. We are going to lose Capt Weir, he has been promoted to Major & one of of our Lieutenants is being made Captain. We are all very sorry to let him go, but I suppose we cannot make him stay. I thought perhaps I might have got his place, but perhaps they are keeping me for a still higher rank. You see I am getting very conceited. I think I will have a smoke now I am simply pouring of sweat & in the shade too. Yesterday I couldn’t, (not exaggerating) wringing the sweat out of my shirt, I don’t think Jacksonville will be any hotter than this, so you should come here for a week & get climactic. Well write soon again dearie, while you have the chance, I don’t know what I will do while you are on the water, however we will just need to think very good things of each other till we can write again

With much love, from your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #16

Bedford
Thursday
9-3-14

My dear Margaret

I have got rid of my postman’s job for a week & am spending my first night off with you. I got your very nice letter this forenoon & am very glad to hear you are enjoying call it that if you like dear, your last week or two here, (for a little while). I see you have managed to go to the dentist at last. I sometimes wondered if you should manage before you went away. It is a good thing you have Margaret, for you know how particular the Yankees are about their teeth & you must let them know that the Scotch are ditto. I hope it won’t be very painful getting the rest of the operation done. Dear Margaret, to put joking aside, I would very much like to be at home just now to see all your nice things & share your pleasure. Darling you must fell the proud girl just now & rightly too. You toughly deserve all you have got & may you be long spared to make use of them all. I think you & I could spend a whole night discussing them all, just talking about things that would interest no one else; but we have all that to look forward to, & the time will not take so very long to pass. I would like very much dear to see your photo. I am just imagining what like it is & I hope, I know I will not be disappointed. I understand we will get home before going away, so I will perhaps not be kept very long waiting. If I could only get home next week. It must have been fine to have another ramble. I suppose you would be on your usual good behavior. Elfie had a treat seeing you home. I hope you did not take him into our part of the close. You know that is or rather was our own part and then Andrew on Sunday evening.

Oh Margaret I will need to talk very very seriously to you. We have got the house to ourselves for a day or two. Our landlady is away to see her hubbie as she calls him. He is at Berry St. Edmonds about fifty miles from here. We have made a very good start at being left alone by breaking a very nice ornament. It was quite an accident dearie & I hope there will be no more damage done during her absence. I have got rid of my postman’s job & am not sorry in a way. I was sometimes very late at night. I am off for a week & then go on week about with my mate. That is the great phrase here Margaret, everybody calls everybody else mate. We are not having our usual parade just now; a sort of plague has broken out among the horses. It is called Mainge, a disease peculiar to horses, but I expect they will be all right in a week or two. Well Margaret I suppose you will be getting your furniture well await now. What about the piano, has it gone into good hands. I wonder darling if someone will have as good times out of it as we have had. By the bye when you are out at 28, ask Andrew to show my New Brighton photos, I would like you to see them. I would have liked very much to have shown you them myself & explained them all to you. But I showed most of them to you in postcards. You remember you might, a Wednesday night in the Carmunnock Road. Wasn’t it a funny night dearie. How long can I write to 4 Garnet, you will not be staying there till the very end & I don’t want my letters to miss you by any chance. Well darling I will need to stop now, but I will write soon Gin & hope you will have a good week shopping. Don’t buy all the stock of blouses. You must leave some for others.

With best love, your own Arthur

 

Letter #17

Bedford
Monday
9-7-14

My dear Margaret

I received your very dear letter this forenoon; I don’t know how I can thank you Margaret. You have taken a great weight off my mind. Dearest you will get your reward some day. I think you have got about the heaviest burden to bare & darling you are standing up to it well. Oh! Margaret it is grand to have one like you & no matter where I go, I will be strengthen in everything at the thought of having one so dear & true at home. There is talk that we (the Highland Division) are to be sent to India, but you need not say anything to anyone yet. We will just need to wait & see. We can be sent anywhere it may be front or abroad, but wherever it may be darling, I go with a clear conscience & the truth is, I owe most of it to you, dear, you have set an example worthy of a saint. You will just need to try & keep it up for your mother’s sake. She will be feeling things very sore just now & it says a great deal that you should face things so bravely darling. I must say I am glad Guy has volunteered too. I think it would be even more hard for him to settle than for me, and who knows, we might all meet someday & what a meeting that would be.

Darling, you wrote about giving me something. If we are both spared Margaret, I don’t think there is anything that can keep us apart now & we will be the happy pair after all this strife & trouble. You can write to the present address Margaret till you go away & even after, letters will be forwarded to me from here if I am shifted. It will be a very lonely week or two till I hear of your arrival. Can you give me your address before you leave? I don’t expect I could write to New York, you will be there too short a time for a letter to catch you. My own darling, you will be sure & write as soon as you possibly can when you arrive & let me know all about your journey etc. Are you embarking at Yorkhill or you taking the train to Greenock? I am glad there is such a recruiting boom on in Glasgow, but I am sorry for Andrew. I had a letter from father & he said they don’t think they will be able to hold Andrew in much longer; he is very keen on joining. He must find it a bit hard to stand back. Now dear one, I don’t think I have anything more to say just now except to thank you again from the bottom of my heart for your dear letter. I am feeling a great deal better after it. I expected to have word from home today & I will get it sure tomorrow. I am just a bit anxious to hear how mother has taken it. I will refer further to your long letter next time I write, very shortly. I do hope you will manage to keep up & that your mother will soon be all right again. Now dear Margaret I will say good night & send you all my love.

Your own loving Arthur  

 

Letter #18

Bedford

Thursday

My Dear Margaret

Your ever loving

Arthur 

 

Letter #19

Bedford
Sunday
9-13-14

My dear Margaret

I am writing today under certain difficulties. I was inoculated yesterday. It is something like a vaccination; only you just get one prick. The doctor pierced our arms with a syringe to the extent of an inch & then injected some fluid. This is to prevent Typhoid fever. It is a horrible thing; it half paralyzes the arm & gradually works it way through the whole body, making one very sick. As a result of this I went to bed about 7:30 last night, but did not sleep very much. Wasn’t that a shocking time to turn in Margaret? Well dearie to crown all, I am on guard tonight, the very time I want my soft bed, aren’t I very optimistic dear. I understand this sensation only lasts three days & in about ten days we will again be done in the side this time. We had it very wet here yesterday it just came down in torrents all day. Just like one Sunday evening we were out on the road. Do you mind that Margaret. Today is quite changed, the sun is out full, but there is a bitter cold wind blowing very hard. Our landlady is away to see her husband just now at Berry St. Edmunds. So today we just made a nice fire in the kitchen and are very comfortable. The other boys are out & I have got a nice big chair in front of the fire. I am just fancying darling what like our kitchen fire is going to be. Me with a nice big pipe etc. & you on the other side with, well what ever you like.

We had a better service this morning. We had our own chaplain, the senior one of the Highland division, he was very nice Margaret, & it was just our usual Scotch service. What a difference from the English one. Darling I almost thought the boys were quite different. The last three sermons, but today I don’t think I saw a single one asleep. I had just got in again, just as I finished the last page, the alarm sounded & we had all to go to the field in double quick time. But there was nothing serious. All the boys were marched off somewhere; I suppose to see if they were fit for Foreign Service. Darling things here go very strange, fancy calling us out on Sunday afternoon for that. We might have been told to pack up, for all we knew. It was funny to hear the different opinions on what was going to happen. Well Margaret I suppose you will be practically ready to go by the time this reaches you. It won’t take very long to pass now. By this time next week you will be out on the briney, enjoying yourself A. I. Oh Margaret whatever will I do when I get back, you will just need to write very often & with your letters, time will soon pass bye. I hope your mother is keeping better & you are keeping well yourself darling. I will need to cut this short, as I have now to go on guard. Write soon dearie.

Your own loving Arthur

 

 

       Chapter III

 

      "Coming To America"

The time has come for Margaret, her mother and youngest brother to depart from Mount Florida (Glasgow, Scotland) bound for America, to join her father and brothers in Jacksonville (Florida). Arthur is away training in Bedford (England), and is unable to see her off, and his thoughts of returning to Mount Florida with no Margaret waiting, leaves him broken hearted, but hard as it is, Arthur finds strength in himself. 

 

 

Letter #20

Bedford
Wednesday
9-16-14

My dear Margaret

I received your very nice letter this morning & I did enjoy reading it. My darling you do keep me well supplied with news. When I went to collect my letters at the post office, my work had to stop till I read it. I t had been away somewhere else instead of Bedford & so took too long to come here. I was beginning to wonder what was wrong, as I usually get it first thing on Tuesday morning. However I enjoyed it all the more when it did arrive. I do hope you are keeping better & that your mother is keeping up all right again. Once it is better, dear, you won't be sorry that you had it done. You are fairly making my teeth water to see your photo. Mother was writing me & she said it was splendid. She wrote saying you had given them a photo, as if it was a present to them, but I intend letting them know exactly whom it is intended for. I suppose Mother would just be joking dear. That was very cruel of Father to wish you such a time on board, but you know he is. I often think people outside think he is so serious, but inside, as you know dearie, he is not exactly serious. I am glad you had a good night at 28, and would have liked very much to have been there, but darling, we will perhaps have some more later on.

Do you remember I used to say I was coming to the choir practices this session; well it does not look as if I will manage it for a little yet. I am just wondering Margaret, if it will now see me at all. You know why. That is not a proper way to talk, but I did really think of going a while ago just for the pleasure of it. I noticed from the Glasgow papers that Martin Harvey was coming & I at once remembered about our arrangement. Oh my own Margaret, what a lot of things we have been done out of, but dearie, a good many of them can wait quite well. I am very glad that Andrew is taking you to the theatre this week; it was none of my doing. I did not know of it till you told me. It is his own idea. I expect he will tell me after it is over, incase I might put my foot on it; do you think I would, no fears dearie. I went to the Bedford Picture House last week, & it was quite passable, but of late I have not been used going alone, and darling I did miss my dear little mate. At times I didn't see the pictures, I was in the La Scala for the time being. Do you remember the time there that you laughed so much. It is quite shocking here in a picture house, a young fellow came in with two young ladies & sat down in front of me & then another chap came in & happened to sit down beside them, and do you know Margaret in five minutes the stranger & one of the young ladies were talking as if they had known each other for years, I don't know the other boy felt, but I do know how I would. Aren't they different from the Scotch girls.

Guy must have been very pleased to see you & your Mother last Wednesday. It was so nice for his sake that you managed. He would fell leaving you, but it won't be for very long, & if he is very stuck for a bed, he has just to come to 28, and he will be made doubly welcome, as long as he requires to stay here. He & I won't half be lords when we get back. I am sure you would enjoy the guns, they are very handy little things & any Germans that happen to get in their way; well they will have my sincere sympathy. I have been watching the paper & have been the Columbia's name comes gradually up to the top of the advert. When I last saw it, it was second top & by this time I suppose it will be top. Oh! Margaret how soon the time has passed, since we first knew. If you want anything special just ask for Mr. Leslie, he will only be too pleased to do anything you want. He stays in Second Avenue & is an exceedingly nice gentleman & a great friend of Father. Well Margaret I have really no news to tell you, but will write again before you go. I do wish darling I could have seen you off. I can only give you my very best wishes & may God bless & keep you dearie till you come back to me. I will always be waiting for you. With all my best love.

Your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #21

 

Letter #22

Bedford
Tuesday
9-29-14

My dear Margaret

I received your very nice letter from Londonderry last Wednesday. I was beginning to think that you had not called in at Moville. Didn't it take a very long time to come? I think the Irish mails are very irregular just now. I am just wondering where you are now darling; I suppose you will be on your second part of the journey now. I have just had a very pleasant weekend. Yesterday was the Glasgow Autumn Holiday & Andrew came down for the weekend. It was rather funny the way it was fixed up Margaret. I did not know of the Holiday, but wrote and asked Andrew to come down & the next day I got a letter from Father saying that Andrew was thinking of coming, seeing it was the holiday. We had a very nice time. On Saturday we went to the theatre & saw "Eliza comes to stay". It was not bad for a provincial hall I got off on Sunday at dinnertime & we took the motorbus to a place called Biggleswade about two & a half hours run. It was a delightful run dear & the weather was ideal. Oh Margaret it just reminded me of our run to Parsley & Renfrew. How I would have liked that you had been there too. The scenery was very fine but all as flat as a pancake. At night we went to a sacred concert & there was some splendid talent there. You remember the night at the band in Kelvingrove Park; we were talking about the words of  "Somewhere a voice is calling". Well dearie a lady sang that & I did enjoy it. I heard all the words. You were going to tell me them. But like a great many more things Margaret, through unforeseen circumstances did not come off. Andrew left last night at ten o'clock & seemed quite pleased with his weekend, and Margaret to tell you the truth I would not have minded going along with him. Things do get a bit stale here at times, and I am missing your letters very very much. Margaret you will never know how they kept me up. This last till Andrew came, has seemed very long. It feels as something is missing & I am longing very much to get your letter from New York. I hope it is one that will take a whole evening to read. 

Well I need to stop now as the bugle has just gone for the fall in, I will try & finish at dinnertime. Well I have had a good forenoon work & had lunch, the usual stew. That is the one & only dinner we get. We get stew & potatoes through the week & potatoes & stew on Sunday, a very good variety. Isn't it dearie. We are still getting presents of socks, another box came yesterday from Cathcart Parish church, & one sock contained a cake of soap & the other a packet of boracie powder. I have now got about ten pairs. We got our second dose of inoculation last Friday & as usual had two days stiffness but not quite so bad as the first time. I heard today that we are likely to get a weekend at home, before going to France, this seems definite now. I wonder how I will feel in Mount without my own little girl. It will seem very strange, Margaret to go back & see the vacant house on Garnett Terrace. My darling, sometimes at night I am nearly broken hearted, if I could only have you now & then for even an hour, it would make all the difference in the world. Margaret it is only now I am beginning to realize what you have been to me. Oh darling, never forget me. Andrew promised to send me your photo when he got back, he meant to bring it with him, but in his hurry omitted it. So I will be able to let you know my opinion on it probably in my next letter; but from what I hear I think I know it already. Well dearie I don't think I have anything more to say just now. Write very soon; give my kindest regards to all.

Every your own loving Arthur

Letter #23

Bedford
Wednesday
10-7-14

My dear Margaret

I was more than delighted to get your lovely long letter yesterday. You seem to have had a fine trip. Oh! How I would have liked to have been with you. That is one thing I would like, is a sea voyage. It has seemed an awful time since I got your letter from Moville, but I hope to receive them regular now. Darling you won't disappoint me. I suppose by now you will have reached your new home & are getting nicely settled down. How proud they must all be to have you beside them, I'm sure you will be quite spoiled but wonder if you are dearie, I would & will when I get my chance. I have been just picturing to myself these last few nights what like it all must be. If only Guy were they're to complete the picture, but it won't be long before he is there too. Margaret I have felt very lonely this last week, you seem to be out of my reach altogether now, and especially at night I feel it most. I realize very much now what you were to me. If I could only have you now & then, but that is wrong of me to write like that. I write as if you were gone forever, but you're not, are you Darling? 

We are still having splendid weather, just like June, it is marvelous for October. I think the weather-clerk, do you remember him, must think very kindly of Terriors. This afternoon I had a spare hour to/myself & cycled out the road about a mile. It is a beautiful road. I saw a very nice green spot & was tempted to lie down, & do you know Margaret I fell asleep it was so warm, but to crown all, I got a very rude awaking. I woke with a dear old cow licking my face, it was a lovely sensation. Do you remember what like it was to have a calf lick your hand, well just imagine a cow licking your face. I think the poor brute got a bigger fright than I, when it discovered I was alive. We had a splendid riding drill yesterday afternoon, and for the first time I did some jumping on horseback. I managed it very well, not coming off once. I have to stand a few drinks over the head of it, but I don't object under the circumstances. We then had a race & I had the pleasure of winning it, but it was no fault of mine. We were short of riding horses through sickness & I got one of the officers chargers, hence the reason of me first. Since writing the last page & in fact I was on my to mail it, I got a parcel from Andrew. Do you know what it contained? Well your own dear photograph. It's simply beautiful Margaret just what I expected & wanted. I will treasure it always darling. After learning all about it I could not but ask him to send it on. I don't mean to send it back just yet, but you can be sure I will take great care of it. My own Margaret it seems to have brought you nearer than ever to me. I had a letter from Arthur Mitchell this morning. The boy who was in A L & Co & went out to Calcutta. He has enlisted out there in the Mercantile Company of the Calcutta Scottish. Well goodbye once more & Margaret never forget me.

With best love Arthur

 

Letter #24

Bedford
10-15-14
Thursday

My Dear Margaret

I received your post card from Charlestown; you must be seeing some splendid sights on your way to Jacksonville. I am on guard today and am writing this on a bale of hay with a bag of oats for a seat. I have note got my pad so just bought this paper to save me going home, as I am not allowed to leave the field. Things here are just going on in the same old way, nothing new, but I don't think you would be content with four of these pages & I will just try my best to fill them up. We had our first wet day yesterday, and I can tell you, it can pour here Margaret. Our horse line was simply rolling in mud & water. I had to change my clothes, & my feet were changed four times yesterday. The result is, most of us have a slight cough today, but that is absolutely nothing. I was just thinking what like these poor fellows felt in the trenches, full of water & practically no sleep for fourteen days. It must be awful darling. I was saying I had no news, but I'm afraid that in not quite correct, I am to get home for a weekend on Friday & am quite looking forward to my trip. I dear say I shall get on all right, but there will be something or rather someone missing. Darling I really think I am happier here than I would have been if I were at home. I don't know how I should pass the time. You remember you wrote, before you went away saying you had a musical evening at Harris's & sang "Ever of thee". Well last Saturday I took a walk through the Bazaar here, and one stall had a pile of music. The top piece was a book of "Songs that will never die" perhaps you have heard of it; and the very first one was the one I have mentioned. Of course I had to buy it Margaret, as I had never really heard the words, and if they are your sentiments, I'm content dearie.

I had a visit from My Uncle John last Tuesday, you remember him, the one we had staying at 28, when I was mobilized. He is a traveler & happened to be passing thru Bedford, and very kindly came and fished me out. He was saying they have had no word yet from my cousin who is at the Front with the London Scottish. They seem to have very few chances of writing home. I went and did it last Tuesday. I had my photo taken and will send you one when they are ready. I just hope they are half as good as yours, I have not sent it home yet, but will take it when I go home. I would just like to keep it & carry it about with me, but that is out of the question dearie. I told you I was nearly an expert horseman, just required one more. Well I am very pleased to say I am now considered expert. It was a bit harder fall this time, but don't worry darling I am none the worse of it. We were getting jumping & my horse did not fancy a jump so when it got up to the jump it thought twice & sheered off to the left & of course I went head first off to the right, but owing to the rain the ground was nice & soft. I hope you don't mind me telling all these odd & ends, but you know you Margaret are the one who get it all good & bad alike. It is lovely to have someone to write to, telling everything and you are that someone to me darling. Andrew sent me the Church record on Monday & it contains all the names of the soldiers including Guy & I was surprised to see the twins Harris's names there to. Well love I think that is all the news at present. Things are going on the same old way here, nothing startling ever happens here, except that my horse was shot yesterday. It had a fractured leg. Well goodbye just now dearie & write very soon. I hope you are in good health & spirits. Kind regards, with all my love & best wishes to all.

Your own Arthur

 

Letter #25

Bedford
10-21-14
Wednesday

My dear Margaret

I received your letter of 5th Oct. this morning & am just writing back today altho a day too soon. I was pleased to get it. It seems such a while since I got your postcard from Charleston. I am so sorry darling you have not got any word from me, but I have written every Thursday, since you left here, that is the mail day. I think the mails are a bit irregular just now owing to the war, but I expect you will have had word by now. You must have seen some wonderful sights in your travels. I can quite imagine what like New York would be, as one night I spent in Mr. Leslie's; he showed me some pictures & photos he took the last time he was over. How would you like to work in the top story of that 750 ft building & you not too fond of hoists, I think you would require to get the train before the 8:33 to allow time for climbing the stairs. How did like the blackies waiting on you at dinner, I have never had them, but can boast of having had a Chinaman to wait. I think you would prefer a white waiter all the same Margaret. How pleased you would be when you met your father & Joe. I would have given a lot to have seen your face at that moment darling. I can just fancy how delighted you are with your new home & as for your bedroom. I would like to see it. What does everything a girl could wish for mean, eh! I can see you in your own paradise & expect you will spend many a happy time in it, putting everything to suit yourself & well you know all I mean dearie. I used to try the same thing, but there were two of us to please & what I wanted in one place Andrew wanted in another place & so on. I hope to send you a little picture for your room before long, I got my photo taken a week or so ago & received the proof yesterday. It is fairly good. I have ordered Post Cards, but am getting a special print mounted for you & will try & send it next week if they are ready.

Well Margaret dear you don't seem to get very much news of the war. Last week things looked very black & we did not expect to be here much longer. Antwerp fell after a week or so of bombardment & the Germans then managed to get as far as Ostend. It is their big Howitzers that do all the damage. The shells weigh about a ton & they have a range of twenty seven miles so if they get much further down the coast, say to Calais they will be able to fire on to & past Dover. However things look a bit brighter now. Last Saturday we sank four of their destroyers & did not lose any of our own & we have managed to check their advance outside Ostend. Darling isn't it awful that all these lives should be lost over the head of that Kaiser. He will have a lot to answer for some day. I had a visit from an old friend of mine last Sunday, a Mr. Thomson, he was a lieutenant in the boys Brigade in the company I was a member of in Pollokshields. He & I had walk in the afternoon through Bedford Park. It is the first time I have been in it & it is very fine quite continental. He was staying with his cousins & asked me to go to tea with him. Of course dearie I didn't refuse, and a right good tea it was. The food here is not improving; rather the opposite & I can tell you I did enjoy my tea. It does amuse some people to hear of our ways of cooking & taking our meals. I felt quite awkward; it was the first time I have sat down to a table for ten weeks.

The weather is now getting a bit more like winter, especially in the morning and at night. I am postman just now and my hands do nip with my morning ride, but I hope to overcome that, as Nessie McCallum of Montgomery Terrace has very kindly sent me a pair of mitts, and then for guard at night Winnie knitted me a woolen helmet, it covers all except my nose & eyes. I look more like going to the North Pole when I have got it on I told you last week I was going home for a weekend, well I hope to be home on Saturday morning. I used to be counting the days but now I am counting the hours, I wont be sorry to see them all again, but darling there is one thing I am sorry about & I must say it is troubling me not a little. I dare say you know what I mean dearest. It is you. It seems all right here but to go home & have no Margaret to meet me. I can't understand it darling. My own sweetheart I am sure you will always be faithful to me, altho by that I don't mean you are to deprive yourself of any of your pleasures, etc. Mind that Margaret. I am glad to say, know how far to go with your friends & I can assure you darling I will always be here for you. I will be able to tell you all about home next week and how things are going on there. Well I think this is all just now I hope you are keeping well & not finding the heat too much. Kindest regards to everyone, not forgetting your own dear self. Write very soon again, with my best love.

Your own loving Arthur

 

 

                                                                                        Chapter IV

 

       "For God And Country"

 

Arthur has left home only a few short months ago, during his absents something's will never be quite the same again back in "Mount Florida". Margaret has gone away, a lot of the "old gang" have gone off to serve their country and are in training. Arthur's faith in God, and of the call upon his duty to his country is at hand, and whatever will be, will be.

 

 

 

Letter #26

Bedford
10-24-14
Sunday 7 PM
In bed

My Dearest Margaret

You will perhaps think it strange of me writing you so soon again, but as I have absolutely nothing to do, I feel I would just like to have a talk with you. Today has simply poured incessantly and as we finish too late to go to church we can do nothing else but stay in, and I can't settle myself to sit beside the rest on a Sunday evening. So tonight I just came Upstairs & went to bed, & as it is to soon for sleep, I hope you will excuse me darling. I don't think I need have much fear of you being annoyed. Do I Margaret? Our horse lines today are in a terrible state. Not exaggerating dearie there is at least a foot of dirty greasy mud, and I have been in it practically all day. I am using my elastic sided boots for this weather along with a pair of leggings. They keep the feet drier than ordinary lacing boots as the rain runs off our oilskins right on to the lacing part. I don't know what like the place will be when we get a few days rain. It is bad enough with two days of it.

I was at church this morning, but Margaret I'm sorry to say did not enjoy it, as I would have liked to. I was in the second back seat & our chaplain speaks none too loud. My thoughts took a wandering turn & I must confess I heard very little, if any, of the sermon. I don't know what brought it up, but our night in the Cathedral cropped up & I could not forget it. Do you still remember that night Margaret? My darling I think that was one of the happiest nights I spent with you alone. I can tell you I felt very proud sitting along side you. It made me feel as if you actually belonged to me. Last Thursday was a great day for the Bedford people. King George was down to inspect the Highland Division. We left here at eight in the morning & marched to the field chosen for the inspection about four miles distance. Our brigade was about the last to arrive, being the artillery, and we had the advantage of seeing the whole division laid out. It was a grand sight Margaret. 27,000 men. The Cricket Park Boys Brigade inspections weren't in it. His Majesty arrived about mid-day & got a great reception from the people outside. Of course we had to stand like dummies. The General salute was simply grand. Our brigade was higher up than the rest as there was a slight slant in the ground. To see 18,000 bayonet move like one & the sun glittering on them was great; don't think I shall forget it in a hurry, (That's when they presented arms). After the inspection, the whole division marched past the saluting base, and that took fully an hour & a half. After that we had a rout march home in a perfect downpour of rain, but it was worth it all, Margaret. We got home about five o'clock & after attending to our horses-you know they always go first-we were all ready for our late dinner, (usual stew). The King was dressed in the service dress of a Field Marshall. I suppose you will know all about that & looked much the same in Glasgow.

I had a bit of a disappointment this week, I told you in my last letter I was going home for the weekend, but alas it did not come off & I can tell you dear I was disappointed. Owing to some mistake in the Brigade office, there was too large a number told off for leave & we had to ballot for it & my usual luck-didn't get off. However we are not away yet & there is a chance of getting off some time this year, if we are still here. We are going to ballot now for the whole corp., so I have as good a chance as anybody, even for next weekend. Just a minute till I light a cigarette. Well Margaret I think this is all the news here just now. I hope you are keeping well dear & standing the heat all right and not flirting too much. This is only fun dearie, I know you. This is a photo taken during a rest at gun drill. I don't expect I will have much to say on Thursday, but will do my best. Well goodnight sweet heart & excuse any mistakes it is done by candlelight.

With all my love, your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #27

Bedford
10-28-14
Wednesday

Dearest Margaret

I got your lovely letter written before its time yesterday morning. I was pleased to get it & was just in a mood that wanted a letter from you when it arrived.
We have had a very exciting day today. We were told to have all our kits packed & bring everything up to the field after breakfast. When we got up, we started packing up everything & putting our coats, blankets & mess tins on our saddles; the field was cleaned up & everything ready to move. We really thought we were off, but after everything was ready & we were all mounted we were inspected by the General in charge of the Highland Division & told that we had done very well & just to take our things back to our billets. We were all a bit surprised & for myself darling, not in the least sorry. I want my weekend & their they can go wherever the like to take us. In my hurry I had to post the photo before breakfast & not having proper packing stuff I had just to make the best of what was at hand, so I do hope you will get it all right. You might let me know Margaret & also say if the postage is enough I thought it would cost more to send it, but the post office people said that it was enough, so I want you to let me know for sure, Margaret.

You were asking if I remember your evening dress. My darling, I don't think I will ever forget it or the occasion on which it was worn. I have thought of that night more than once since I came here. It was a night Margaret. My own Margaret you find it very hard when thoughts of past days come up in your mind, to keep your thoughts from others. I know too well what like it is darling, but dearest; just think what is in store. I am still your boy & will always be, & so darling you are to tell me all that you have, especially that which is for me alone. I am still of the independent spirit, if & perhaps more than ever. It may be self praise Margaret, but I am proud to say I have not made any outside friends here, it is not just a matter of making up my mind to do so, but honestly darling, I am in no mood for that sort of thing. I think you know I am no good at that & I am quite happy in my own way knocking about myself. The was is still much the same, but today looks more brighter than ever. We have three small war ships of a very shallow draft & they can go very close to the shore. They were intended for Chile. But were commandeered like a great many other things when war broke out. Portugal has now joined us, so with so many countries now against Germany, I think sooner or later they will be sorry that they declared war at all. I see from the paper David Barrie is reported missing. You remember he was married in June. It is a pity for his wife; she must be in a great state without him. I am enclosing a post card I saw in one of the shops here; it is rather good & also one of my post cards. I had your photo parceled up ready to send home, but on second thoughts I thought I would risk keeping it a little longer yet, however I think I will take it home with me, as after today there is no saying when we may be shifted. Well dearest I think this is all the news just now, I would just like to tell you Margaret that your last letter was a very great comfort to me, & I hope to have another soon again. With all my love & god bless you darling.

Your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #28

Bedford
11-6-14
Thursday

My Dear Margaret

I received your very fine letter yesterday, my mistake Tuesday. I have received the last three on Tuesday & expect now to get one every Tuesday. You were asking how the cow felt my face. Well I expect it would be soft. I have no one now to tell me weather it is soft & smooth Margaret & have just to soften it whenever I think it starts to get rough. So there is another point where you are missed dearie. I have just seen the Seaforth Highlanders of to the front. They all looked quite cheerful, but I'm afraid they would feel it a bit altho they did not show it. They got a great send off nearly the whole of Bedford was out to see them. By the bye the London Scottish have been doing some great work out at the front. That is the regiment my uncle was quartermaster in; you remember the one who was 28 when we were mobilized. My cousin Frank is in them & I am just wondering how he has got on. I am sending you a paper giving a description of the whole thing. You mention about me standing drinks, but don't worry dearie there was nothing stronger than lemonade. I have only been in a pub once since coming here. I was on town piquet & was in charge of the piquet. That is to keep order in the streets etc & clear the public houses at 8 PM, so I had to go in, but that was all my reason for doing so. I was at the theatre last Friday with Johnnie Strang. The Balkan Princess was on & it is an excellent play. We just sat & laughed the whole time. That is my second time since coming here I was with Andrew when he was here.

Our horses are now better of the mange & we were out today for the first time. It is fine to get out on to the road we have been shut up for eight weeks now. We can't do too much yet, but they will get hardened up gradually. We had communion last Sunday in the Bunyan memorial Chapel & Margaret it was a lovely sight, the church was just packed, altho there were only five out of our corp. The Scottish Horse had a big turn out; they come from very north & the islands of the west coast. I am leaving tonight for my weekend at home, & have spent the last few days trying my best to make my togs look a little bit respectable. They have got rather worn out looking, but one can't be expected to keep the so tidy as at camp. I had my strides at the tailors getting a few patches & on the whole they are quite respectable. We are still having delightful weather darling & these last few days have been more like June than November. The only drawback is the mud. It seems to simply pour thru the night & our field is, not exaggerating, got a foot of nice greasy mud. It is just a matter of wading about all day. Well dearie your papers must German. The Russians are still on our side & are doing great damage to our pals of the Kaiser & on the whole things are looking very cheerful at present. My pad is finished & I have just pinched this out of my mates one, I hope he won't be very angry. I suppose I can give your kind regards to the crowd in Mount. You notice I don't say love. That for me dearie, so mind. I expect to have quite a busy time interviewing them all, but I will, as I said before darling, miss you very much. It will seem so strange without my girl being there, but I will just need to make the best of it Margaret. Now I think this is all just now dearie, I have had to do this in a bit of a hurry, I usually write it on Wednesday, but was so busy yesterday & have been the same today. My scrawl is getting worse every week, but you'll excuse me, won't you dearie. I hope you have got rid of your heat spots by now & keeping very well & cheery. Don't worry darling, there's a good time coming someday. Kindest regards to all & you own dear self, with all my love.

Your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #29

Bedford
11-11-14
Wednesday

My dear Margaret

I received your splendid long letter this morning. It was a treat reading it, only I expected it when I got back yesterday, but the mail was a day late.
I had a very pleasant weekend at home. I got home about 8 AM on Friday morning after a very good journey, there was only four in our carriage & we had plenty room for a doss, but nobody felt inclined for sleep, so we spent the time smoking & drinking. That last word seems very bad, but don't worry dearie all in our compartment were tee toddlers, & lemonade was the principal drink although we had tea too, one of the boys having a thermos flask, his landlady lent him, & we enjoyed a cup of hot tea about 1 in the morning very much. We got rather strange instructions when we left Bedford, the guard came round & asked us to draw all the blinds down as long as the light switched was on. They are doing this on the main lines to avoid any airship from spotting the railway & perhaps dropping a few bombs. We had all sorts of soldiers on the train; some of the Canadians were in the next compartment. I went into the office on Friday forenoon after my specially ordered breakfast of hams & eggs. Things are fairly busy just now, especially in the passenger dept. We have had two boats sunk by our pals the Germans, our commissionaire is a prisoner in Germany, Mr. Lilburns son, who is an officer in the regulars, is lying very seriously wounded in Woolurich hospital & one of the boys who is in the Glasgow Highlanders left for France on the Thursday. Do you know David Caldwell & Percy Anderson, they both stay in Second Avenue, they are also in France or on their way to Egypt. They were not told which, but Mrs. Caldwell got a post card from David from Southampton, saying they were just going on board the steamer Oceanic, I think that was the name.

I was in the office for near three hours although I did not mean to wait half that time. When I went in to see Sam (Mr. Macfarlane) do you remember I used to talk about him, well the first thing he said after looking twice who I was, My Arthur you're getting fat?. I nearly laughed in his face, but managed to control myself with a smile. More than he said I was a bit plumper especially in the face. I have also got a little over an inch in sight, but I suppose most of that will be in getting my self squared up & my shoulders knocked back. In the afternoon I visited some of mothers friends along with Winnie & spent the night in the house. I went over to my cousins on Saturday afternoon with Andrew & Winnie, & Father & I went to the Royal at night, he had booked two seats. The Cinema Star was on & was very good indeed. The artists came round at the first interval & sold their photos for the Belgium Relief fund. Dorothy Ward; the star of last years pantomimes Came up to where we were & tacked all those in uniform & had a chat with each one, I was quite embarrassed. In the last scene she sang. Your king & country need you?, that is the great song just now & I will try & get a copy for you, it is a lovely piece. We got the train home & met Frank Dougans home from Gailes for the weekend. He was looking very well & had a quite respectable five-a-side, you know what I mean Margaret. On Sunday I of course, had to go to church & had a good deal of shaking hands after it, in the afternoon I went up to Bairds & then to Muriels Goldies for tea, I was back in time for church at night. My darling I did miss you then most of all, to begin with you were not in the choir, but after was worst of all. Mary Harris asked me to go up altho. I had promised to go to Strangs, however I went & was there for about twenty minutes, of course Our Hugh was there, it being a wet night, and the twins were in their uniform, they are in Guys reserve battery. I then went out to Strangs to spin the tale again & tell all about Johnnie, getting home about my usual 9:30 AM. On Monday afternoon I went over to Montgomery Terr., to the McCallums. I went down Sommerville Drive & do you remember dear the last two times I went there, you just happened to pop up at the window, well I looked up again but alas darling you did not even make an appearance at all.

I have been & done my evenings work since writing the rest of this letter & just got drooked, it was find when I left, but as soon as I got into Bedford, it came down in buckets. I get very cross on an occasion like this, so look out dearie. Well I spent Monday night in the house & left St. Enoch at 11 PM. I managed to keep it quite when I was leaving & had very few at the Station, Jamie Baird, Ruby Brown from next door & her companion Jean Hugh & her sister & brother Tom, also Mr. Gardiner of the Kirk & Andrew & Father. Mother wanted to come, but she is so bad with nuritus (is that spelt properly) so Winnie & she stayed at home. Well Margaret on the whole I had a very enjoyable weekend, but too short, only I did miss you my darling, I expected to see your late home empty, but it is occupied. By the bye, Jenny Gillespie has left our church, she has joined some other I forget the name, I think she is a professional in the choir. Well I think this is all about home now. Things here are much the same, only we have the horses out once more & we are now working with the infantry & heavy artillery batteries. The war is still as good as ever. We are making steady progress & Russia is now in Germany, doing some great work. Perhaps you have heard of the German Cruiser Enden she has been doing some very destructive work to our ships, I mean cargo boats. It was she who sank the two Blue Funnel boats. Well she was caught yesterday by HMS Sydney & forced to run ashore in a very battered condition, the captain was captured & also a German prince on board, however they were allowed to keep their swords on account of their very brave exploits. There was another boat doing great damage to boats & she was forced to run up one of the small rivers in, I think, west Africa, then we sank a number of small barges etc. at the mouth & she is a complete prisoner, so that is the Pacific & Indian ocean clear of German boats except the few off the coast of Chile. They sank two of our small warships last week. All round things are getting on very well. So you need not worry, dearest about your newspapers too much. We were out doing some maneuvers yesterday & while the column were lying in cover in a low-lying road Arthur Hills (of Langs) battery passed. He fell out & came over & spoke to me for quite ten minutes. It was very decent of him.

When I was at home we got word from London that my cousin had come through the great charge the London Scottish made all right. I had a post card from him yesterday, but it took a fortnight to come & so was written before the charge. The weather here is wretched & our horse lines are in a terrific state, but we are just making the best of it. Who knows that we may have fifty times worse in store for us yet, so there is no use grumbling. I had a roll of honor here, but can't find it just now, I will have another look in daylight & if I can't find one I will get one for you all right dearie. Well I think this is all just now Margaret, I do hope your cold is all right by now & you are in the best of health, I have been particularly free from colds so far & just hope to continue the same. Kindest regards to all & my best love to your dear self.

Your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #30

Bedford
11-19-14
Thursday

My dear Margaret

I received your very nice letter on Tuesday. How the time is flying Margaret. We have now been here over three & half months, some ways it seems no time & in other ways it seems as if I have been away years. I am glad you had such good news from Guy. I sent him a post card about six weeks ago, but he must have overlooked it. I have not neared from him yet. I can't say I am feeling the best just now, I got vaccinated about ten days ago & I have got two beauties on my arm, the doctor says they are doing splendid, as far as he is concerned, but I can tell you they are doing just too splendid for my taste. They are not quite so bad today, but the last few days have been the limit. However by the time this reaches you dear, I expect they will be well on the road to recovery. We are in a kind of state of uncertainty just now dear. On Monday we got orders back by wire & we got all our kits etc. packed up & we had everything ready to move, but as usual the order was cancelled. However we are not settled down yet. We are confined to quarters at night incase the alarm goes & there is someone in the office all night in order to receive the word when it arrives, and we are to keep our kits packed until told otherwise. I had to send your photo home Margaret, on Monday, I thought it was definite when the wires were sent off recalling the others, but I have still your little stamp photo and the one taken on the Columbia It is splendid darling only I got a bit of a start on first looking at it. Your right hand is in such a manner, that I thought you were holding a cigarette, but that was very wrong of me, fancy me thinking my Margaret smoking, but it does look funny at first glance, doesn't it dearie. However don't worry darling I know it is all right.

When I was home mother was pretty bad with nuritus (I don't think that is correctly spelt), and my last letter from home says that Winnie has had to stay from school, as mother is not able for the housework. I think it is the present times etc. that are responsible; she writes quite cheery letters, but I find out from the others that she is not just what her letters would make me believe. However I hope she will soon be better again. Winnie seems to like the housework much better than school. From all report I think this will be her last year at school, & I am sure she won't be sorry. You remember all the lorries we had at Cathcart, well we are having them replaced with ordinary carts & they are touching them up just now. The horses are all getting shod anew, & the shoeing smiths were working all night last night. The only ones I am sorry for Margaret are those who have not had a weekend home. Orders came last night that all leave is now stopped, and I know how disappointed they all will be. The War is still going on steadily. We have made a little progress all along the line, but our pals the Russians are now well into Germany, and giving the Germans back a little of what the Belgium's had to suffer a month or so ago. I broke the rules last night Margaret & went out of bounds, but as I am brigade orderly, I had plenty of excuses if I had been questioned. I went to the theatre & it is scarcely a fortnight since I was there last, but there was some thing very special on last night, The Rosary. Margaret if you ever get the chance, go & see it. It was splendid. Since all these soldiers came here, the theatre has been able to get the best of companies, & I can tell you dearie last night was no exception. I enjoyed it very much. Well Margaret I will need to stop now, the four o'clock bugle has gone & my time is up. You see I have two hours off in the afternoon, which makes up for my late hours at night, & your letter is usually written during that time. I am a day late with my letter so cannot leave it till later to finished as I might miss the mail. I was too busy yesterday with this intended move & had just to trust to luck to do it today. Now I hope you are keeping well Margaret & all the others too. Your mother & Jim look very well in the photo. Glad Jim got my postcard. Tell him I expect one back, if you don't think it rude, dearie. Well goodbye just now sweetheart, with all my love.

Your own Arthur
If you don't hear next mail, don't be too alarmed, I will write as soon as possible, Arthur.

 

Letter #31

Bedford
11-26-14
Thursday

My Dear Margaret

I am a wee bit disappointed this week I have not received any letter and I do hope there is nothing wrong. You know my dear; it makes such a difference your letter Tuesday. I suppose I will just need to wait till next Tuesday, and then perhaps I shall receive two letters instead of one. There has been very little doing this week, we have settled down once more and hope the next alarm comes off or does not come at all. As far as I can make out Margaret, the last alarm was caused by some report saying that there was some intended raid, on the East coast by the Germans, however it has not come off so far, but I understand there are great preparations all along the east coast in case of any emergency. I have now got the brigade orderly & postman's job for good, the other chap that took week about with me has been put in the office & I am told that one is quite sufficient for the job. I was not too pleased at the change, but managed to make them allow me two night per week off, provided I got some reliable person to take the evening round. You see, Margaret, there are so many different places to go & it takes quite a while to know them all, that is why, at least it is the only excuse I can get out of them, but I am not grumbling dearie, I am quite satisfied at the agreement. We had all our horses put into private stables last Saturday & I, being wanted at any minute, have mine very neat at hand. Fancy there is electric light in the place & it is so handy going in at night also in the morning. You see it is dark when we start now. I have had to use the bicycle this week, as there is something wrong with one of my horse's front ankles, & I have to bath it night & morning with some preparation the Vet gave me. It is such a difference going in at night to a clean stable than to our field with a foot of mud and in it. We could not keep our harness clean before at all. It got quite rusty every night.

I suppose you will have heard by now that Lord Roberts died ten days ago. He went out to France to greet the Indian Troops & was just today's over when he contracted a chill & died the next day. I think it was pneumonia. He was brought home & buried in St Paul Cathedral. We had a special memorial services on Sunday for the occasion. We had a military funeral here last Tuesday. One of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. The coffin was one of our guns & we had six black horses packet out. It was a very pretty sight Margaret, with a Union Jack over the coffin, & only two wreathes, the firing party lead the way then the pipe band, playing Lord Lovats lament, then the only mourner; a brother, then the gun carriage & then the company to which the private had belonged. There's one thing I noticed very much dearie, even the newspaper boys raised their caps as they passed & all the soldiers that passed the cortege saluted it very smartly. In my last letter from home, I am very pleased to say that mother is keeping a great deal better & Winnie has gone back to school. The latest recruit from the church is Geo Henderson; he has joined the 5th Scottish Rifles. He said he nearly took a fit when they told him he had passed the doctor. Andrew has joined something or another with James Baired, Walter Peterson, I don't quite understand what it is, but they seem to enjoy it very much. Andrew was asked by Towser (Mrs. Towart) to a surprise party in Harris's on Tuesday, but said he did not promise as he did not want to miss a drill, as there were signs of promotion soon & a drill short might spoil him of a chance. Has he kept his promise & written to you yet Margaret? I don't know whether you know or not but Jim Brown joined Locheil Cameron's about a month after war broke out & has been sent to France along with David Caldwell & Percy Anderson, all of Second Av. I don't quite understand why all that raw Stuff has been sent off & us kept here. It seems a bit strange, doesn't it. Joking of course Margaret. Well I think this is about all just now darling, and I do hope I shall get a letter next Tuesday alright. It is such a long week sometimes & I look so forward to Tuesday Letter. Write very soon again dearest & always remember.

Your own Arthur

 

Letter #32

Bedford
12-3-14
Thursday

My Dearest Margaret

I am at a loss to put my thoughts into words, as I have received no letter this week either. My darling, I do trust you are not in any trouble - I mean that you are not laid up with illness, that's what I was most afraid of, that you would not stand the climate, & I pray God that if anything has come over you, you may be speedily restored to health & strength. Darling, this last fortnight has seemed exceeding long; you have no conception how your letters have cheered me on, but these last few days have been simply awful. I got a night off on Tuesday & having nowhere else to go, I went to the picture house, but it put me more in the blues than ever. I saw some very good pictures, but one especially made me think of the old days when I was so happy. Darling my letter may have been cheerful, as you said in one of your letters, but to tell you the truth Margaret, I am making the best of life, but I am not exactly happy. Darling, I dread the future, not that I distrust you, I'm far from that, nor am I afraid of what may be in store for me, but, I can't quite explain myself; after such a time as I had, the last six months before I left home, it makes me wonder, why such things should be so abruptly brought to an end. This seems a bit muddled, but dearest, you perhaps know, a little, what my feelings are like.

We got word last week that some of us are to go to India, to make up the strength of the Wessex Brigade of the R.F.A. & we are all just wondering who is to have the luck. You may wonder why I say luck Margaret, but since the end of October we have lost all our original Officers & have now got a complete new lot, a lot of boys, two younger than myself. Well there is not many in the Corp, who would like to trust themselves in the hands of such mere boys, & so, most of us have volunteered for India; in which case we may all have to forfeit our stripes. Our Sergeant Major has asked for a transfer to another Brigade, two sergeants are after a shift to the Royal Engineers, & another is trying to get transferred to the Signal Coy. You will see from the fore going; dear, that our corp. is not quite as it should be, but in the case of us going to the continent I sincerely hope we may get a change of officers. We are lucky in one way Margaret, the weather has been of the very best, this last week. There is a pretty strong wind, but it is so nice & mild & beautiful sunshine. Tonight there is a full moon & a sky so clear. It is just like daylight & more like an August night rather than December. Doesn't the time just fly Margaret; one can hardly imagine that we have been here over four months. You will be surprised to hear of the latest church recruit, Geo Henderson; I expect it will be the making of him Margaret, if he will just take as much care as possible. I am sending you a copy of the roll of honor that I promised you a while ago. I lost mine & had to get another sent from home. You will see Guy's name on the last page & those with a cross opposite them are all in this corp. It is quite a respectable roll for our kirk.

I have got permission to go to London on Saturday to visit my cousins. I leave here at mid-day on Saturday & return again at mid-night. It is not very long, but it is better than nothing at all, & I will be very pleased to see all my relations once more. If a weekend could only get me to you darling, I wouldn't half may a try for it. My late governor Mr. Lilburn has left a very respectable sum of money L 140,000. I wonder how much I will come in for Margaret, I think we could both settle down very comfortably & quietly on half of this, what do you think of it? Eh! I am glad you liked my photo & that you received it in good condition. I was very much afraid it might get cracked; it was put up in such a hurry. I will be delighted Margaret to get another photo of you & your father & mother. Do you remember the little stamp photo you gave, well I have it & a little piece of poetry, I once showed you, in my testament. I had to send your cabinet one home, but I have still got that little one very close to me. Well I think this is all I can write just now, Margaret. My darling, will you please write as soon as you possibly can, that is to say, if they have not gone a missing in the post, but I can't understand why two should go a missing. Now I will say goodbye for a little dearest & will just hope that I hear good news very very soon, although I am getting very anxious. With all my love & very best wishes.

Your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #33

Bedford
12-11-14
Friday

My Dear Margaret

I am very glad to say that, I have got your letters now, the first one took only ten days over to Edinburgh, but took a whole fortnight from Ebro to Bedford & then the second arrived a week late. Oh! Margaret. You are quite excused dearie. You have done exceeding well & I do thank you, your last letter was exceptionally nice. I have not received anything this week, but I expect it will come in due course all right, I am not worrying about it, this time, athlo. I am, by no means, saying that I have not missed it. Now Margaret I am sorry I have not much time to write my usual long letter, as we have been extra busy this week, & owing to the rush I was put into the office for an indefinite period. We have been working up till 10 & 11 PM every night & spent last night in the office. There is an inspection of all equipment & books & ledgers today, hence the rush. I had a very enjoyable afternoon & evening in London, I went out to Ilford first to my Aunt & Uncle's, the ones who were here when we were mobilized & then I went out to Crouchend for the evening. I saw some of Frank's letters from France & he has been in four fights now & has not received a scratch so far. His Captain is home wounded & he says Frank did extra in the first battle that was their great one. To use his own words he said, Frank came out with his bayonet dripping in blood & as proud as punch. Isn't it terrible to think about Margaret? The 6th & 7th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left here today for France & they were all in fine spirits. The local band was out playing all the Scotch Airs; they did not forget Tipperary & finished up with Auld Lang Syne. That's about 6000 men away from Bedford now. Well Margaret I am sending you one of two handkerchiefs for your Christmas & wish you very many happy returns for your birthday, 18th isn't it. I wonder what figures it will be when next I see you darling. I got your two photos all right & they are very good indeed. I would not have known your father without his moustache. I remember seeing him once or twice at home, but that is a long while ago now. Your mother is looking very well & you dearie - well you are looking A. I. There is one change in your hair eh? But your are still the same Margaret, smile & all. Well I think this is all just now, I don't want to lose the post at any cost & wish you all, the compliments of the season & you especially darling a very Merry Christmas & a Bright New Year. Please excuse this scrawl Margaret, & except my best love.

Your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #34

Bedford, England
12-17-14
Thursday
3rd Highland Ammunition Column R.F.A

My Dear Margaret

You will notice I have put the address on the top of this page; it is a new rule out that all letters must have the sender's full address on, otherwise they may be destroyed. They are not going to open every letter, but those, which they might think suspicious, however mine are all alright Margaret, it applies mostly to those for Norway & Sweden. You see we get information from Germany through these countries & vice versa, and you need have no fear of mine being opened. I am writing at a queer hour 2:45 AM. We have been terrifically busy these last few nights & I am spending every second night in the office & have just finished a bit & intended having a rest to write your letter. I got your lovely letter on Monday enclosing the butterflies, they are very beautiful & I am getting them put into glass & they will make a very pretty ornament, & keep me in mind of my Margaret. You said you have had no word from Guy, but I don't think you need have much fear of his being away. As for as I understand, there is none of the Scottish Artillery away & I would have heard by now if they were as there is so many of our boys have friends & relations in the 4th Lowland. That must have been a fine trip you had with your father to Floral Bluff (what a funny name) you would be just in your glory among all that fruit & I don't think I would have had any objection either. There has been a great deal of excitement here yesterday & today; some German warships bombarded Scarborough & Whitley yesterday & did a good deal of damage, killing about two hundred persons, according to tonight papers. They (the warships) managed to slip in during a fog & got off as quickly as they appeared. That is the first experience the Englishman has had of warfare & I expect it will revive the recruiting business again. Our latest recruit from the church is Charlie Watt, he has joined the Glasgow Highlanders & I don't think Andrew will be held back very long now. I heard through my aunt in London that he had made up his mind, that the New Year would see him a soldier too & if he does, I won't be surprised. He has stuck it well, poor boy. We are still pegging along here Margaret & no word yet of moving. I am sure we will see the whole of January here anyway. Well darling I must stop now, my blinkers won't stay open any longer, I have managed to keep awake with the aid of my (your) pipe. It is still going strong, dearie, & is in beautiful condition now. I will have no time for private writing tomorrow & at night will be too late for the mail. With all my love & best wishes for the New Year.

Your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #35

Bedford
12-24-14
Thursday
10 PM

My Dear Margaret

I received your very nice letter yesterday, but don't understand why you have got one that week, I have managed to write every week. I'm afraid it is the post office again dear, and I am going to write on Wednesdays in the future & there can be no chance of missing the mail again. I was told that Friday was mail day, but won't risk it anymore. Well Margaret tomorrow is Christmas & it is very seasonable weather too, very hard frost, & a nice full moon. The waits have started coming round & will be knocking around till about midnight, they are singing hymns & Christmas carols & it sounds very much indeed. Who would have thought this time last year, darling what was going to happen to us all & I often wonder how we shall spend next. Our landlady is away at Sheffield for the holidays & I am sitting once more beside the kitchen fire. I have got the two butterflies mounted like a lanternslide & they are up on the mantle shelf & look exceedingly pretty. I was to get ten days New Years leave, but it has been knocked on the head, there is rumor of another coast raid & we are once more bundled up & ready to move off at a moments notice. It's a great life for uncertainty Margaret, we get one rumor on top of the others & really one can't believe anything till it actually happen. Do you remember all the lorries & vans we had at Cathcart, well we have got rid of them all now & have got the proper ammunition & G.S. (General Stores) wagons. They are splendid vehicles & our turn out now, is something worth talking about. I had a very nice parcel from the kirk, along with a letter from Mr. Ogg. Mary is secretary of the arrangements for these parcels & if convenient I am to acknowledge it to her.

Since my last page I have had my Christmas dinner. I had to stop last night, I could not keep awake at all & if I had kept on, it might have ended in me talking in my sleep, & that would never do at all, Margaret. Well this morning was just simply beautiful, the trees had all a splendid coating of frost & all the hedges were the same. It was just like some of the pictures one see in Christmas Cards & that sort of thing. I had a very big mail this morning, I had to take it in a van, and it was too much for my usual bag & bicycle. Well about the dinner, we had goose, spuds, cauliflower & sauce, applesauce & gravy. Then English plum pudding & sauce & Christmas pies. I can tell you I enjoyed it immensely darling. It was something out of the usual. Oh! I forgot the wine, five years; it was delicious & quite tee-tee. It was a friend of our landlady, who very kindly asked us to come, seeing Mrs. Crowsley was away at Sheffield. The landlady of the office has been very good too, when we came in this morning she had a small table spread in the office with all sorts of things on it. A fine cake, bottles of wine, apples & oranges, all kinds of nuts, raisins & biscuits & some crackers. They are all very good to us darling, but it does make one a bit home sick. I do wish I could get back to old times for just one night & have you back beside me once more. My own Margaret wouldn't it be fine just for one night to be together again, however there is not much use of talking like that, & we must just put up with things & hope that before long we will be together & happy once again. I am very glad that you have found such a good friend in John. It makes me feel that you are quite safe & in good company all the time. Well dearest this is about all I have to say just now, write soon again & accept my very best love & good wishes.

Your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #36

3rd H (H) Bde. AC.
RFA
Bedford
12-29-14

My Dear Margaret

I have just received your very welcome letter & am glad you got my letter all right, the post office people are funny folk, I received yours tonight by the evening delivery, I usually, in fact always before, get it in the morning. I am glad you liked the papers, but I am sorry to say that the war is very very little exaggerated dear. I have spoken to a great number of wounded soldiers & have purposely asked some of them about some of the pictures in the war. Do you remember the one that showed the Germans firing a maxim out of a Red Cross Wagon; well one chap told me he saw it done himself. The Germans are doing something's, darling, you could hardly credit, from civilized beings. I am sorry that Johns leg has turned out so bad & hope that it will soon be all right once more, but think how happy he must be sitting there with you looking after him & being his very slave. I would give a good lot dear to be in his position just for one night & I bet I wouldn't half interrupt you. Would you object darling? I don't think so. It is very good of you sending me the fob. & I will be looking forward to getting it very very much; it will be my charm too. I have none so far, not that I am superstitious, but most of the boys have something & I don't want to be in the cold as far as that is concerned & we will know later if it does it's duty.

I had a letter from Mother today & she was saying Andrew has had a card from you & he is simply delighted. We have had pretty wretched weather lately, two days ago it simply poured all day & to complete the thing, it started snowing & it was a perfect blizzard. I went to the pantomime with two other boys & it was simply rotten (excuse the word) but it is not bad enough. I mean saw such a poor show in all my life & to think we went through all that rain & snow for it. We were wild. We had a big day today & are having the same tomorrow. You ought to see some of the fields surrounding Bedford, the floods are terrific, and I never saw the like of it in all my life. The ground is all so flat & the water has no time to run off. I spent quite a good Christmas here considering. Our landlady was away at Sheffield for Christmas & a friend of hers very kindly asked us up for dinner on Christmas day. We had a very good English Christmas dinner, but it was at night. I felt it most, it did not seem Christmas at all, however I must not grumble, dearie. You were asking if I hung up my stacking, well I did not Darling, even if I had I don't suppose I should have got very much in it. I hope you are still keeping well Margaret & still enjoying your new life, you will be quite settled down now I expect. Things here are much the same as usual, I understand we will be off about the middle or end of February, not very long now, is it? Well darling I think this is all I have to say just now. My best wishes for a very Happy New Year to you all, especially your dear self. With all my love.

Your own affectionate, Arthur

 

 

 Chapter V

 

1915

As the new year begins, Arthur is still training and in a few months he'll be on his way to the Western Front. Margaret is adjusting to a new life in America (Jacksonville, Florida) and can only hope for a early end to the war, so Arthur and her can possibly be reunited somehow. Guy Graydon has joined up for service and soon will be on his way to the Dardanelles.

 

 

Letter #37

3rd H H B. AC RFA
Bedford
1-6-15
Wednesday

My Darling

I received your dear letter last night. Margaret dear, I am afraid I had a dose of the blues when I wrote that letter, but, the same as you, I believe in writing just as I feel & I'm afraid I vexed you a little about a dozen times, darling and I thank you very very much for all the nice things you have written. Darling, you cannot realize what your letters are to me, & I do look forward to it every Monday. As regards the India business it is off. The colonel objected to our Brigade being broken up to complete another brigade that had not a full complement of men, so that settled it. We have now got back an old officer as Captain & he is one of the best & we are all delighted with him, so that put us all right for that darling, I am very pleased Margaret & I am sure you will be the same. I also received the fob & am simply delighted with it, it is far too good for the present time & I think I will send it home for future use. It is very good of you darling remembering us all so well, Andrew has got his & Winnie hers & they are both delighted with their presents from you. I had a letter from Mother today & she was saying that Andrew is going to join the 9th High Light Infantry this week. It is just as he said Margaret; he would wait till after the New Year & then enlist. Mother does not say much about it, she seems to see that it is all our duty & although she will feel it a bit, I am sure she will be quite proud of him going too.

We are doing our last fortnights training just now, the whole division is working together & we are doing some great maneuvers. Last Monday we had rather an exciting time, we were returning from Bedford & owing to the heavy rains & snow, the river is greatly flooded. At one village we passed through the whole place was flooded. I was mounted as usual & in the main street, we had some very deep water. Altho' I was on my horse my feet were in the water, so you can see yourself dearie, how deep it was. The Brigade is moving to Salisbury Plain on the 21st for firing practice, but it is not quite definite whether we are to go or not. Things are looking very like going to France now, we have new wagons, harness, suits & are getting new rifles next week, so I expect it won't be very long now. Don't you worry too much darling; I'll take good care of myself. Do you remember David Caldwell of Second Ave., well he is in the trenches now & has had a very narrow escape, and his bayonet was split in two by a bullet. Mother sent him a black bun & he was just out of the trenches when it arrived, so she is very pleased about it. She has sent a bun to all the boys Laurie Dalglish, Guy, John Strang etc. & of course my self.

Well my dear I think this is about all I have to write just, I would just like to add that I am quite contented now & that whatever may happen, you may be sure dearest that you will always be in my thoughts at all times, wherever I may go. I have told you before Margaret how much it is to me to think that I have one like you, my very own, thinking about me & praying too. It has kept me right in Bedford & that says a great deal. Well I will stop just now sweet one, you can be sure I have you always in my mind altho' you are so far away. With my very best love & God bless you darling

Your own loving Arthur

 

Letter #38

3rd Highland Ammunition Column R.F.A.

Bedford

14th January 1915

My Dear Margaret

Your own Arthur

 Letter #39

3rd Highland Ammunition Column R.F.A.
Bedford
1-21-15
Thursday