Amroth, Woburn Hill, Addlestone
March 22nd 1916
My dear Eugénie
Many thanks for your kind letter of enquiry for my health; about ten days ago I was suddenly attacked with a sudden attack of rheumatism in my legs, and had to keep my bed a few days, my head also was very bad. I think worry occasioned the attack, and the extreme cold at the time. I am practically well again but have not been out yet on account of the damp, but the first fine day hope to do so. I am about the house as usual and always have many things to do and see to, especially now as my servants are new ones and my parlourmaid only a jobber. Julius did not tell me when he wrote that you were in the Doctor’s hands, and hope when the spring comes you will soon pick up again. We are in a muddle now in our house, as the flooring has to be relaid in the cloakroom and downstairs lavatory, the landlord is doing this for me. I am glad to say, they say it will be three weeks about but I hope they will be mistaken about the length of time.
May has been staying with Frank’s wife for a fortnight, she is back here now, and Lily has gone now for a fortnight. Friday, May goes to stay with Phyllis for ten days. Phyllis is in rooms at Bexhill, she is near her Father and her aunts where May and Chris went to school. Tom is at Marseilles and moving shortly nearer Béthune. Fred and he have met twice out there. Tom seems to like the life and is fortunate in having nice fellow officers.
Winnie is very well and her baby boy is very well and strong, he is three months old and is named Charles Kenneth. Evie, Herbert and a Mr Painter stood for him, we all went to the christening about six weeks ago. Ted was able to be home for a day or two then. Ted has lately been moved from Plymouth to Coventry.
Evie and Herbert left their flat when time was up, and they cannot afford two homes in wartime, they have taken a small house at East Horsley. They go to it in July, they are now at their cottage at Clandon, they give that up in September, they have got a small motor for station work, they came over here last Sunday in it, it looks a nice little car, they have a small seat at the back for the children. Frank is at Ypres, they live in a chateau, when not in his dug-out, the shells are constantly over them night and day, so that he is not in a very safe place.
How glad Mrs Frank Sladden must be to have Ethel’s help with poor Norah, how sad for her poor girl to be such a sufferer, hers has been a very sad life, always such a sufferer. How delicate Mela seems to be, I should think that nursing is too trying for her, she might find something else to do not quite so hard, rather sad for Cyril having her so delicate. Folkestone is very bracing but very cold this time of year, really the weather has been so bad lately, the nicest place has been home, do not you think so. How kind of Cyril to send so many presents home.
May received a pretty pink scarf, a table centre and silver filigree pin box from Charles a few weeks ago; he is still at Salonika and hates it. Mildred Butler’s sister, Ethel, was taken prisoner by the Bulgarians, she has been let off lately and is now back in England, she came to see me last Saturday, she has aged very much and lost everything she took out with her. She says she was not badly treated and had just enough food to keep them alive. It will take her some time to regain her strength.
I see that Archie has resigned his commission. I am afraid he is no better, poor Florence feels his breakdown very much, then she is such an invalid herself, she has kept her room almost entirely for the last three months. I am sorry that you have not heard from me more regularly. I will try and turn over a new leaf. I have had such servant worries lately and so much to think about and do. With much love to you all in which the girls join, hoping that you will soon feel better.
Your affectionate sister
Fanny E J Butler
PS – No news at all of Gus and his wife. Joe has had influenza. Did Julius see Mr Grim Vaughan’s death in the paper a few months ago? It was rather sudden, he was a great friend of the Capons.
