3/3/18
My dear Juliet
My correspondence has got rather behind-hand lately, I've been extra busy ever since the New Year. Many thanks for your last letter. I hope the ration scheme is settling down to working order and that at least it will do away with queues and unequal distribution. I should imagine the amount available is just enough to be compatible with health and work, but with no margin over. I don't think France is so much troubled by the food business as ourselves, certainly not in her country districts.
I hope your work and other occupations carry on smoothly in spite of occasional disturbances - you seem to be well on with your inter work - it's a great thing to have ample time for giving over revision work. I don't think I could tackle a exam now, I've got out of the habit.
We expect quite soon to take up fresh quarters, and if things go according to plan (ours) we should fare very well. This is not a reference to prospective major operations by the Higher Command! It might appear as such to a hyper-sensitive censor.
One thing will hardly be in our favour, my exchanging good billets for a Nissan Hut. Do you know the Nissan Hut? It exists in tens of thousands now all over France and is the last word in economical building. Roof and walls all in one, just a half cylinder of galvanised iron with wooden floor and wooden ends carrying door and 4 windows, the latter glazed with waterproof linen so that no concussion can shatter them, and no one can see through them either - a very superior kind of dog kennel. In this sketch, these are not the day's rations, but merely sandbags.
But our lab we hope will be the last word in labs in an Army area - in fact the most immobile Mobile Lab in this or any other Army.
It seems quite on the cards now that the last battle of the war may be fought on Mount Everest, or at the North Pole. I must say I hope it will be found possible to arrange for Japan to take Siberia under her wing, it may form a rallying point for the non-Bolshevicised Russians. The Daily News I see greatly regrets the possibility of Japanese help. I suppose because it would make all the difference between settling the war in our favour or going on for ever and ever. Well handled too the outcome should settle the Far Eastern problem and remove a possible menace from America and Australia. However I suppose things will take some time to develop in any case, but I hope the Allies will be prompt and unanimous in their decision.
Have you read the bits from Gerard’s diary? Most interesting,and with much dry humour. I’m getting leave hunger again, but doubtless will have to wait a while yet. With the March quarter coming soon I hope Mary will have a better chance of finding a house; perhaps she would like a Nissen Hut.
I hope you’re all keeping fit in spite of present troubles. With love to you all.
Your affectionate brother
Arthur
