Letters from George Leslie Makin to his family, 1916 - Part 1

[*will forgive
this short note.
Love to all from
Les. P.S I will probably
go up to Scotland in about
a weeks time. Will have
something to say then.
Les.*]
3^rd London General
Wandsworth S.W.
5/1/1916
Dearest Mother & Father
As a mail goes today I thought
I would drop you a line, but really I haven't
any news. I wish I had a letter from you to
answer. But I don't suppose I will get one for
some time yet.
I am getting along first rate & expect to be
discharged from hospital this week.
I am just finishing my 3 tests, which are
necessary in cases of contagious diseases. My
first two were quite alright and I am just
waiting for the result of my 3^rd & last test.
I weighed myself yesterday & scaled 12 Stone 8 lbs
so you can guess there's not much wrong with
me now.
I feel dull & have lost my memory a little, but
bodily I am quite strong.
We had some photos taken of our ward, and
if they are alright I will send them over.
It is so long since I heard from you that I
am anxious to know if you are all well.
& I keep wondering where Jim is by now.
I do hope I see old Jim in Egypt. Well dear
people I will say goodbye till next mail, if you
 

Edinburgh
15/1/1916
Dearest Mother and Father
I am out of
hospital at last. I finished up
with them last Monday & Tuesday
evening I was here in Edinburgh.
I am staying with a friend
who is also on sick leave. He
belongs to the Royal Field
Artillery.
His people gave me a great welcome
& I am very comfortable here.
Indeed, I have met quite a lot of
people here, and all seem to
have one idea, and this is to
make you feel at home.
We left London at 10 in the morning
and arrived here at 6 in the evening

2
But I did not feel the 8 hours
journey as the train was most
comfortable.
On Thursday we went up to Glasgow
& had a royal time. I met some
splendid people there, and I was
quite sorry to leave the next day.
It was only a flying visit, but I
have lots of invitations from
wealthy people to go up there &
stop as long as I like.
I may go up again later, but
I have to go back to London
next week to meet a chum
who is coming out of hospital
We may then go up together.
I forgot to tell you that I have
two months leave from the 10/1/1916
I have then to go before another
3
medical board. There will be no
doubt about my health then
however. I am feeling first class
& am heavier than I have ever
been before.
I am eating like a horse & the
air up here bucks one up
wonderfully.
I haven't got any letters yet &
am anxiouly waiting for my
first direct to England one.
Can you realize , that I haven't
had a letter for close on four
months. I don't know how I
have managed to get along
without them.
It makes me mad, when I
think of the rotten postal
system that exists in the army.

4

Why, something serious may have
happened at home, and I

would know nothing about it.
However just think of the
glorious time I will have when
I get all the back letters.
I am continually wondering
where Jim is. I do hope I meet
him in Egypt. I suppose I will
go there when my leave is up.
Did Harry tell you that I
was asking for photos of you
all. Please send them as soon
as you can. Postcard size, so
that I can carry them
alright. I will probably be
sending some photos over by
the next mail.
Lots of love to all
from Les.
[*1 DRL 473*]

[* P.S.
Have you
seen the list
of mentioned in
dispatches. I think
I got a mention.
Les. *]
London
24/1/1916
Dearest Mother & Father
I am back in
London after a fortnight in bonnie
Scotland. I enjoyed myself
very much up north.
It was such a nice change
from noisy old London. All
the people I met were awfully
good to me & particularly the
people I was staying with.
I have an open invitation to
stay as long as I like at several
good homes in Scotland,. any
time I like during or after
the war.
I am feeling ever so much
better now. I feel I am getting
stronger every day. By the time

my leave is up, I think I can
safely say, I will be as fit as ever.
I have a great pal here. He is a
captain in the Gordon Highlanders
He won the D.S.O. at Loos, the
Military Cross since, & has been
mentioned in dispatches 3 times.
We were great chums in hospital &
he has invited me up to Yorkshire
for some shooting & I'm almost
certain to go up there.
I am at present staying at the
White Hall Hotel, Bloomsbury Square
but I think I'll be off in a day
or two. It's awfully expensive &
I think I can live a lot
cheaper in the country. Anyhow
London is awfully dull now.
The streets are pitch dark in
the evening on account of

 Zeppelin raids & war conditions
prevail everywhere.
I have not received any letters
yet, but ought to get some very
shortly now. I'm quite excited at
the prospect, seeing its getting on
to 4 months since I had one from
you. I'm hoping you'll know I've
had none & give me all the
back news.
I have got the photos I spoke
about & am sending them along
by this mail.
I think I will get my photo taken
alone, before I leave. I dont
think you have one of me by
myself. Don't forget to send me
those photos I asked for. Post
cards will do.
Love to all
from Les.

[* photo in case the other one
does not turn up. Goodbye
for a few days.
Love to all
from Les *]
PEAMORE
EXETER
3/2/1916
Dearest Mother
Yesterday was
the most wonderful day I've
known for a long time.
I received your letter & card,
a letter from Jim, one from
Harry & two parcels, which
had been sent on from
Egypt. I also got a couple
of papers.
You can imagine how I felt
after being so long without
a line.
Two or three people, whom I
met, asked me why I was
wearing such a huge smile.
And on top of that I went

to see Charley's Hunt. You know funny that is I dont
think I've had a happier day since I left home.
Today I am away down in Devon at a place
called Exeter. The visit was arranged by the war
contingent Assoc. We, that is a friend & myself are
staying at a beautiful country home.
The gentleman, whom we are with has interests in
some mining concern in N.S.W. & is a real
good sort.
We only arrived by the 3 o'clock train to-day, so
will give you more details later.
I suppose you have heard of the great Zepp. raid
on England. You know, they were coming to 
London, but luckily the fog or mist prevented
them from getting very near to us. We were all
waiting for them & were quite disappointed when
they didn't come. I dont think there is any
chance of them getting down here.
Dear Mother, how nice it is to hear of you all again
I've missed your letters terribly. You are always so
cheerful & optimistic. Some mothers make their

boys quite sad, but your 
letters have always bucked
me up wonderfully.
I'm afraid there's not much
chance of me getting home
at present, but cheer up
Mum, the old war cant
last for ever.
You were asking for a photo
Well, I haven't been taken
alone yet, but will do so
when I get back to London.
I've already sent you some
photo's including one of
a friend of mine. The one
I was in Scotland with.
I seem to be getting my
photo taken every day
with somebody or other.
You'll be tired of getting photos
before I've finished. Dont
forget to send me another
[*1 DRL 473*]