Expeditionary Force
24 July 1915
My dear Father
Some time has passed since I sent that last postcard which I intended to be followed immediately by a letter but between another change of Quarters and one thing and another the letter comes rather late.
It is not very enjoyable here at present. The weather has been very broken, strong and rather cold winds bring up continual spates of rain and there is not enough time between the showers to get things properly dried. What it will be like here in the winter when the cold is extreme and the rain almost endless I shiver to think.
A short note from Kath enclosing a business letter gives me news of Cyril having left Alexandria on the 8th. He must have been on the scene of operations for some while now. I wonder how things are going there: there is little definite news coming through. I wish the Italians could have seen their way to sending a force to assist. It seems to me that the future of the whole war depends so greatly upon forcing a way to Constantinople with rapidity. I don’t think one need ever be anxious on Russia’s behalf, however much ground she may be forced to yield for the present; but if the German pressure is strong enough it is conceivable that a German relieving force might be got through Gallipoli.
It is relieving to hear that a settlement has been made of the Welsh Coal Strike. But I am afraid that we shall have to face continued recurrences of labour troubles throughout the war. The Briton’s love of liberty is such that he is inclined to refuse to suffer any inconvenience or loss unless he feels sure that everybody else is going to suffer the same – and a little more preferably. It is an inconvenient trait; still it has a very useful reverse which comes very much to view in the army. The said Briton will suffer any absurdity of treatment or even injustice and will be perfectly cheerful so long as all suffer equally. I think he has no sense at all of absolute right or wrong; he is just a creature of comparison and precedent.
Will you send me Cyril’s proper address? I don’t know the number of his Division etc.
Love from
Your affectionate son
George
