Letters from George Leslie Makin to his family, 1917-1918 - Part 16

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know much about him. His

name is Monteith & he is a Capt 

in the 9^th Battn. 

From what I know of her, he

would be a "chump" to give

her up.

She hasn't said anything to me

about it, but I haven't a

letter from her as recent as 

your last.

It is some time since I saw

Jim, but he writes from time

to time & by all accounts is 

quite O.K.

I haven't seen Dr. Gibson for

ages, in fact we've quite lost

touch with one another, but

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I get so little time off from

here & am never sure when I

can get away.

At present nearly everybody in

England is suffering from "flu."

It is quite extraordinary how

it spreads & half our camp

is down with it

I've just had my issue, but am

quite alright now.

Last week I told you that I 

expected to be going to France

at the end of the month, but

now this month's relief has 

been cancelled & I expect

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I'm sentenced to another month

here.

It seems uncanny to me. I've

tried all ways & means of

getting back to the battn, but

each time I seem to just miss.

I don't know whether it is fate,

or whether someone is trying

to keep me here, but I'm "fed

up" to breaking point with

this camp.

I seem to be always growling these

days. & I feel I want to keep

on growling till I get back to 

you all, for I'm very very

homesick.

Fondest love to all

from Les.

1 DRC 473

Sandhill Camp

England

10/7/18

Dearest Mother

I have two letters of yours to

answer dated 29/4/ & 11/5/18. They are both

very sweet letters, just full of expressions

of love & pride.

You make me very happy dear Mother,

for although I know I have always had

your love, I haven't, through my own 

fault, always had your pride.

Your references to the old home life, make

me realize how foolish I was in those

days & how happy I might have been

if I hadn't been so silly.

If I have made good now, it is due to you,

not because you taught me the difference

between right & wrong, but because I

love & respect you so much that I'd

sooner die than cause you any pain

or shame.

I'm just living for the day we meet again.

When I think of the possibility of my

getting home again, I wonder, if when

that time comes, I will survive the 

excitement.

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I should have gone to France last Sunday

week, but missed. Now I am definitely

warned to proceed on 1^st August.

I know this will worry you, but if you

knew how eagerly I am looking forward

to rejoining, you would forgive me for

wanting to go back.

It isn't that I want more fighting, far

from it, but in between the bad times,

we are rather a happy lot.

I m just loathe this camp. Every day

the same old routine & nothing at all

to break the monotony.

In France we are kept going by

excitement & the small "stunts" in

between the pushes are sometimes

really enjoyable.

It's really worth the risk to be back

amongst pals, so please don't worry

dear Mother, for I'm as confident as

ever.

Poor old Jim would give anything to

be going with me, but the people at

Horseferry Rd won't part with them him,

Because they know his worth.

I was up in town last week end &

spent a day with him. He is well, but just

as "fed up" with H.Q, as I am with this camp.

Can you imagine him 22. He looks every

minute of it too.

Most people tell me I look 28 to 30, so you

won't know your boys when we come 

marching home.

Tell Ruby that she need have no fear of

any English girl capturing me. Besides

having no intention of marrying, tell her

that I couldn't afford to keep a goat

much less a wife.

There is no mistake about that she says,

about the girls over here laying snares

for us, but I've heard the story about

the spider & the fly.

I wouldn't swap a girl like Jess Crow

for a train load of English girls.

I'm sending you a couple of P.C's and

a snap with this letter, so trust they

don't get torpedoed.

Mo more news just now dear Mother

so will say goodbye till next mail

Fondest love to all

from Les.

France

2/8/18

Dearest Mother

I arrived over

here yesterday & am going up

to the Battn tonight.

I'm ever so excited at the

prospect of seeing such a lot

of friends again.

I'm feeling awfully fit & am

quite happy, so don't you

worry about me being over

here again.

I feel like a "slacker" just

joined up. Just fancy it

is almost a year since I

first left the battn, but I

don't feel a bit out of place

after the luxury of England.

Last night I slept on boards

& they didn't seem as hard

as I expected they would be.

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Thank goodness I don't seem to

have any nerves, or I may not

have slept so soundly.

Isn't the war news just great

at present. It's lovely to see

the Americans pouring in here

every day. Over a thousand

came on our boat & every day

it's the same.

They look a fine sturdy lot

too & ever so fresh looking

compared to our war worn boys.

They should help considerably

to force a decision this year,

& then home sweet home

for me. What hopes?

I haven't had a letter from

you for some time. When one

comes I'll write a long answer.

I'm busy packing up now, so

will say goodbye for the present.

Tons of Love & Kisses

from Les.

France

17.8.18

Dearest Mother

Since last writing I have

received two letters from you dated

23/5/18 & 5/6/18.

I have already been in action

with the battn & we are still up

forward, so I can't write as much

as I would like to.

I'm feeling ever so fit & my luck

is holding as good as ever.

Tom Parker is also O.K. & is with

me as I write this. He did very

well in this last show & I shouldn't

be surprised if he gets an M.C out of

it. 
I saw Paddy Scanlon a couple

of days ago. He looks remarkably

well & is quite happy with his

lot.

I'm glad to know you have that photo

of Capt Houghton. Your previous letter

saying you had received it must

have gone astray.

I'm glad indeed to hear that recruiting

has improved. I really think that

the critical time is close at hand &

that every man we can put in will

help to turn the balance in our favor.

At present we are keeping the

Germans more than busy, especially

our own boys, who beat him badly

every time they meet.

I'll have to stop now dear Mother

as I have no more paper & no time

if I had.

This evelope belonged to a Hun last

week, but he doesn't need it now.

Fondest love to all

from Les

PS Tell Lenore I received her letter &

give her a kiss for me.

Les.