Attached S Command Depôt
Sutton Coldfield
Jan 2nd 1918
My own dear Cyril
So another year has flown by – leaving us a year nearer the end of the war. I wonder, darling, if we shall see next New Year enter together.
Betty and Barbara have been staying with me - and helping me with the Xmas festivities of the women, the description of which I will leave to Betty, who said she would write and tell you all about her visit. Bar and she got on very well together and saw a lot of each other as I had to leave them to their own devices owing to pressure of work at the end of the year.
Well, Sweetheart, I thought of you on my birthday and of the plans we’d made concerning our lives, and how I have left the twenties behind without our heart’s desire being granted to us. Still, dear Heart, think how much more fortunate we are than other people – many of them, for instance, Miss Lever, probationer administrator, who was sent here to be trained by me, has lost her fiancé, recently. He was killed. She was so brave and cheerful and never gave way.
Betty went back yesterday – Barbara today so we are a small party again.
Tonight I am dining with the Unit Administrator, Depôt Hostel, Handsworth, to meet the UA of Saltley Depot Hostel, Miss Eastgate – very official – eh what?!
I am awfully busy, dear, but thinking of you constantly. I’ve had bother with the women over Xmas. One went mad – another got drunk and had to appear before the General and another overstayed her leave and so on. All these things bring extra work. Making out daily and weekly orders, monthly reports etc. I have now to wind up some accounts relating to Xmas festivities.
God bless you, Man of Mine. My mind won’t run to a long letter this mail – it seems bound round with red tape! All my love to be as ever.
From
Your ever devoted
Mela
