8 The Fosseway
Clifton
Bristol
17th March 1915
My dear Eugénie
We were sorry to hear that you were suffering from influenza, but according to the latest accounts you would appear to be much better now; I hope you will soon be quite well again.
Annie Hodson appears to have no end of trouble with her children. About a fortnight ago I received a communication through the American Legation that Charlie Hodson, 15½, had disappeared on 3rd February from his school at Uccle outside Brussels, could not be heard of; the idea is that he thought he could take up scrub work, ran away for that purpose, but no doubt some German soldier will have stopped him somewhere as he is a big boy and might pass for 17, he will probably have him interned. I wrote to the War Refugees Committee, to the Foreign Office of the Salvation Army and should he turn up in England, I should most likely be informed. I also wrote to one of my friends interned at Ruhleben, should he be there, I should hear some time or other. I quite expect he will be all right somewhere. I had a letter from Annie dated 31st January. I managed to send her some money through the American Legation at The Hague; they seem to be getting on somehow.
You will have heard that Courtney was invalided home in January and he has now a temporary post at the Military College at Sandhurst. Ethel and baby are with him there. He is, I think, fairly well again, but his hand does not get back its strength much.
I suppose both George and Cyril are still in England. Arthur will still be hard at work at the hospital, the last fight will have increased the number of wounded very much.
It seems dreadfully difficult to get the working man to understand that we are engaged in a war which we must either win or cease to exist as a nation; he can only think of getting all the pay he can for a minimum of work! As soon as Belgium is clear, it would he could to take a few rooms there – let them see what England would be like if they get over here.
I hope Julius and all of you are well, that you are now quite convalescent.
Much love from us both.
Your affectionate brother
Fred
