Aug 12th 1915
My dear Mother
Before you get this, the tale that the newspapers tell may have caused you anxiety on my account! The day before yesterday we were strongly attacked at dawn in a very unpleasant position and had to pay a heavy price to hold our own, which however we managed to do. The fact that I remain as yet untouched is probably largely due to my having been on a special duty in the rear and I only came up with reinforcements after the worst was over. It was a terrible day such as our old campaigners will signal out as worse than most they have endured. I cannot write much description now and don’t know whether I shall ever want to do anything but forget much of what I saw. I had I know not how many of the narrowest escapes – one is too much occupied to notice; but all of us who have collided again can tell a similar tale.
Since that evening we have been resting, collecting, reorganising ourselves. I have taken over the machine guns from Pearson who is one of the other lucky ones but is commanding a company now.
I feel that after Tuesday I have had enough of war to last any man for life. There are many who will experience it no more. Still in a war like this, one must just go on. It seems unlikely that we shall be called upon just now for heavy work unless there is such pressure.
You will be glad to know that I am perfectly fit and well again.
Write to Mela in case I don’t get a letter through to her this time; I am uncertain about posts.
Best love from
Cyril
PS – Spiers of Hampton in my platoon was killed.
