24/3/18
My dear Father
It is some time since I wrote to you, my letters have been coming pretty irregularly of late. There are a good many disturbing influences all over the place which may account for it. These are very anxious days and I'm afraid the news of the last few days won't be very heartening, one can view the loss of a few miles of territory calmly but heavy losses of men and guns would be a worse affair; this is evidently to be a colossal effort on the part of the enemy. Fortunately the element of surprise is lacking. I shouldn't be surprised to see quite soon how more heavy blows at two other parts of the Western Front.
I expect George is involved in this present battle, almost certainly. It will be some time before we can hope to get news through. I hope the Press and people will keep calm and not start baiting the generals and the government if all doesn't go well. I read with pleasure a soberly-worded manifesto published anonymously by a group of London men giving their reasons for going on with the war; it was in The Morning Post of yesterday.
I suppose you are having the same phenomenal summer-like weather. I cannot remember such a March. We are fairly well settled in our new site, but not yet in the permanent hut; permanency is not to be expected in war though as a good many folks have discovered lately.
I hope your news of Aunt Lottie remains as good as it was. It is something if she can get about a little to relieve the tedium of being an invalid.
I'm afraid leave now recedes into the dim distance for everyone, that is to be expected.
With love to all.
Your affectionate son
Arthur
