A Lines – Married Quarters
Bulford Camp
Nov 21st 1918
My dear Mr Sladden
I found a letter from you awaiting me on my return, also one from Cyril, giving some account of his journey to Baku. I will quote you some of it.
Aug 24th 1918
Several days ago I set out marching, having under me the oddest command. Just recently, to the place I have lately been at there has been a great influx of refugees, men (soldiers and civilians), woman and children. These people, though friendly in their general attitude, were in a pretty hard case, and came with the affirmed intention of coming into town to obtain food and other requirements. This could not possibly be allowed, and a combination of a show of force with diplomacy and charity was required to put things all in order. This was accomplished in a very satisfactory way.
My usual command (as I have held it for the past two months) has been for some time subjected to much division. One part of it originally went ahead of the rest of us, and I have still to learn where it has got to now. Another part I have had to have to carry on the work I described above, until they can be relieved. With the residue, which includes most of our transport and possessions I started on a long march. Generally speaking, all journeys in this part of the world are decidedly long ones – at least, if they are not, you don’t arrive anywhere very much at all.
To carry such extra kit etc as our ordinary supply of transport (limited enough) cannot accommodate – I have camels in large numbers – a form of transport new to me. Further, I have attached to me two parties (I will omit mention of their size which not however insignificant) of regular cavalry of a foreign country, and a mixed party of refugees respectively; both of these originate from the refugees I have told you about, and I have to conduct them, keep them more or less in order and feed them as best as I can. As it turns out they have been singularly little trouble so far.
It would amuse you, I am sure, to see this large and varied column moving along the road.
The women among the refugees excite a good deal of admiration on account of their marching powers. A good many have ponies to ride, but not all. It is a strange sight to see a middle aged and portly woman, carrying, probably, a bundle of no mean size, striding along and completing her twelve or fifteen miles daily.
Our camp today lies pretty high, little short of 7000 feet. Tomorrow we cross a range of hills, over which today a strong, very cool wind is blowing, so that even in the strong midday sun of August it is quite chilly in one’s thin hot weather kit.
Last night was pretty cold, and I anticipate that tonight it will be much more so. Shortly however we shall be getting into lower and warmer parts again I expect.
I do not know when, where or how I shall post this letter. I have long since given up all idea of regular mails either for despatch or receipt. I merely trust to getting letters sometimes and post fairly often when possible.
I bought Betty a pretty good Persian rug, and have packed it up and left it with a friend who hopes to get it away for me. If I can get it taken a certain part of the way the postal people will take it over finally, and then I hope it will arrive ultimately, though I have to take all risks.
I thought I could not get her a 21st birthday present that she would like better. The difficulty of getting it to her was the only argument against it.
While one is serving in this country one benefits greatly by a concession in the matter of exchange. The rate of exchange during the war has changed enormously. But as prices here are correspondingly inflated we are permitted to draw a certain fraction of our pay (estimated on a very liberal scale as one’s probable actual expenditure here) every month at the old pre-war rates of exchange. If one likes to be economical and not spend so much it can be transferred through local banks at the current market rate of exchange to India or England, by which process R’s 100 of pay drawn becomes nearly R’s 200, added to ones bank account.
I am particularly lucky, as major and higher rank are permitted to draw just double as much monthly at this preferential rate. I am able to make about £24 a month on this - and as far as I can see at present ones tendency is to spend less on messing etc – here than in Mesopotamia, owing to the limited supplies available, though prices certainly run high.
Aug 31st
No chance to post till now. We have reached the end of our march, and after a short pause expect to transfer to a quicker mode of progress.
Fancy Boo being in command of all this conglomeration! What tales he will have to tell when he comes back!
Mother was so very pleased with your letter to her. I am so glad she has suggested that our wedding should take place at Badsey.
Ask the family in general if they would like us to have an “uniform wedding” or shall I get into mufti? I can’t make up my mind which to do.
Yes, it would be just perfect to have the “little Mother” with us now but as you say “the spirit of her life is still with us and I will ever remain with those who loved her”.
Cyril will just love being married at Badsey amongst old associations.
Please thank May very much for her dear little letter and all her kind thoughts and wishes.
I am indeed blessed – and feel it is wonderful that I have been spared the pain so many women are suffering and have suffered, as the result of this war.
We shall be kept pretty busy as soon as demobilization plans develop – so if I am slack about writing you will know why it is.
Is there any book or books that Betty would particularly like for her 21st birthday?
Lots of love to you all – hoping you are all having the time of your lives this birthday week.
Ever your affectionate
Mela
