Thomas James Richards, Diaries, Transcript Vol. 4, 9 November 1916 - 31 May 1918 - Part 18

- 163 -
stand now I dont know. We came back in the ambulance car and
have been kept inside the Hospital grounds all the day.
It is a nasty position to be in after such long and good
service.
June 27th.   Wednesday.
9.30 a.m. There is no news to hand concerning our case,
and as Sir George Reids garden party takes place this afternoon 
I am anxious to be there and don't know how I can do it
just now.
At 11.15 this morning a mesage came that Capt. Rowley
Capt. Oswald and myself were to be in the main-hall in 20
minutes time. We were there and at once driven up to the Horse
Guards where we had to take off our belts on being presented
to General Sir Francis Lloyd who, after a little consideration
gave us a pretty strong blowing up and let us go away. So that
we are now free! On returning to the Hospital I saw the Colonel, 
Bruce Porter who was very agreeable indeed. I told him
that I though it extremely hard for a man with nearly three
years service and never a question asked about his conduct to
find through a mere missunderstanding that both his conduct
is severely question, and his honour held to the stake. He
said he was sorry for the whole thing and ended up by shaking
hands with me and allowing me to leave the Hospital at once.
After lunch I went to the Craven Hotel booked up for the
night, and at 4.30 went to No. 1 Melbury St. to Sir George
Reids garden party. Here it was just what might be expected
of a Garden party; nobody knew one another and it took a long
time to get settled down amongst the women folk; I did not
get settled down at all. I met a South African, Sec. of the
African Officers Club and remained talking to him until 5.30
then we went away together. I am sorry that I did not know
some of the folk present. I shook hands with Sir George Reid
who is getting somewhat old and feeble. I also shook hands
with General Ian Hamilton who spoke only a short word about
how many of we officers were on Gallipoli.
 

-164 -
I 8 o'clock I met Sister Hickey and went to "Romance" where
Doris Keane done wonderful work. Supper at the Craven Hotel
and I went back to the Hospital with her in a taxi. A very
delightful evening!!
June 28th.   Thursday.
Hasty A'Beckett and Bob Miller came into my room at 1.20
last night. Hasty lay on my bed and went to sleep, I got in
also and when we woke this morning the both of us were still
in bed.
I went to Dredge and Philp 167 Oxford St. and ordered a
pair of pants and a suit of plain cloths. I dont know that it
is quite wise to have ordered plain cloths these hard times, but
my tunic is getting worn and they will save it considerably,
the price of the suit is only £4.15.0 which is decidedly cheap
these expensive times. At 11.45 a.m. I caught a train for
Cobham Hall Convalescent Home in Kent.
June 29th.  Friday.
A bad day as far as the weather conditions are concerned
but otherwise a great day.
In the morning I met Lady Durnley wandering about the
building, I was looking for books she took compassion on me
asked me to come along this afternoon to her own library and
make the most of it.
In the afternoon I went along and Lady Durnley showed me
all over the house which is a very remarkable old place full of
the finest old family painting; The mantlepieces are of carved
marble and beautifully done. In statues small or large were
was a tendency to show love scenes ^and nude work of the best
possible workmanship. The building dates to 1559.
On our round we met Lord Durnley (Ivo Bligh). He showed
me the original ern of"ashes" brought from Australia in 1883
and is very proud of them indeed. In fact it is easily the
most treasured sporting mememto he has. Although some long
handled racquets won at "Racquet game" while at Eaton are in
 

- 165 -
glass cases and treasured. I stayed in his library for an
hour looking around amongst his books, but alas! they were
all printed in old English Latin or Greek, and though of
great value and intensely novel and interesting it was impossible 
for me to read them. Shakespear works were splendidly 
printed and bound but in very old English. I did not see
Lady Durnley to thank her, but I must do so later.
It has been a day in the middle of Winter the rain was
more like a heavy vapour or fog and works its dampness down
your neck.
I had a short walk amongst the elm trees on the path and
enjoyed it very much. The trees here are so much fresher and
bright than our own.
June 30th.    Saturday.
A dull day, but a dry one. At 3 p.m. in a car with 5 other
officers and Mrs. Wickham driving we ran through pretty country
roads and lanes to Aylesford where we had a splendid afternoon
tea with home made jams and strawberries. Aylesford is a small
village on a small River with a very ancient bridge across it.
On the return journey we ran through many small villages past
many cherry orchards and along beautiful tree covered roads
and hedges. The roads were a great surprise to me, they are
all so smooth and light to run on.
It was a great afternoons outing, the really first I have
had, for it was always Winter when I wandered through England
before. Kent is considered one of the prettiest counties and
there is no doubt it is pretty.
I set out to write after dinner but a forth was wanted
to play bridge and I played until 9.45 winning 4/6 at 6d. per
100.
Then to bed and a sound sleep.
July 1st.   Sunday.
I played croquet this morning for a little while on the
lovely lawn, but my company of four Australian officers did not
please me at all, they were childish and treated the game as
 

- 166 -
though it were a joke. Bad sport I thought to belittle any
game; not perhaps, that it was their intention to belittle the
game, but they did not treat the game with the keeness that
all games, to my mind, deserve.
In the afternoon I went with Capt. MacIntosh to Gravesend
which is 4½ miles away and had to be walked. We enjoyed the
walk right enough though I was not nearly as well and strong
as I thought I was.
On entering the town we got a wink from two nicely dressed
girls and in following the clue up found them to be very nice
and hardly the class of girl one expects to pick up in the
street. We walked down onto the promenade where the band was
playing and then back to a house occupied by a woman and her
small son the husband being away at the war. Here we had
afternoon tea nicely served up and in a pretty little tea service; 
it was just all right. The girls without making themselves 
cheap were very friendly and allowed themselves to be
kissed and squeesed, so much so that L was set to wondering
what was likely to happen next or how far the whole show was
going. They turned out to be parsons daughters before tea was
over, and this made the whole thing more astounding and
uncertain.
I took photos in the charming little drawing room and on
the lawn with a wide edging of blooming rose bushes. At about
6 o'clock we set out across the fields for the Half Way House w
with the two girls who were easily persuaded to give up the idea
of going to Church and come along to the Half Way House and have
some supper.
We had quite a pretty time in the tea garden and found that
although the girls werea little wild and free, there was no vice
in them. We returned to Cobham Hall along a pretty road leading
through the Woods with trees overlapping and ferns covering the
ground around.
I regret not having seen something of Gravesend town.
 

-167 -
We have read and heard a whole lot about it for years gone
by so I was interested to have a run around and see something
of it.
July 2nd.   Monday.
I obtained leave to spend 24 hours in London and went off
by the 10.8 a.m. arriving at 11 o'clock at Victoria Station,
where in accordance with arrangements I met my good Sister
Hickey. This gladdened my heart a whole lot as this is about
the gentlest and most kindly, sympathetic woman Ive ever met.
She stood out like an angel amongst the Sisters at the Hospital
and I could not take my eyes from her as she so cleverly and
quickly yet tenderly went about her work. We drove away to
my tailors where I fitted on my new suit and then away to the
Zoo for lunch and a look around the birds and beasts. I was
too sorry for those poor creatures from far off lands to raise
any keeness about them other than in sympathy to think that
they had to spend their days in this cold land stared and
gazed at by curious thousands instead of frolicing amongst the
palms and bushes in their plains and jungle home. The alligators 
and crocodiles seemed to be more comfortable in their
warmed room and tempered water holes. It was a splendid
opportunity of noticing the difference between the two. The
alligator has his teeth all covered over by his jaws and gums
while his two back feet are webbed. The crocodile shows his
side teeth interlocking one another while his back legs are
not webbed. The front feet are alike on both of them and
the general appearance to same.
We went outside the Zoo and sat down on the grass talking 
softly together, then moved onto Frescate for afternoon
tea followed by a trip to the exhibition of Baby pictures
which surprised me immensely; in Leicester Square. As Sister
had to be home by 8 o'clock we went to spend an hour in a
picture show then by train to Clapham Junction and in a few
 

- 168 -
minutes I was alone.
It was a fine day and my good "Sister" is both good
looking and charming, though married.
July 3rd.   Tuesday.
After a little shopping and the making of arrangements
with Major Colvin to release me from Cobham in favour of
Bristol, I returned to Cobham Hall.
In the afternoon Capt. MacIntosh and I met the two parsons 
daughters who had cycled out to meet us. A rather remarkable 
afternoon, in as much as I found it necessary to moralise
and philopise on the right and wrongs of courtship and its
many accompanying influence. We parted after wandering pleasantly 
through the bush at 9.30 p.m.
July 4th.   Wednesday.
I went to Gravesend and met the 10.45 train from London
and took my treasured Sister back to Cobham amongst the ferns
and bushes. We played happily along, watching the time passing
quickly by, to the annoyance of both children. But, alas!
before my Sister left me at Sole St. station there were happenings 
and consequences that will live for ever in my mind and
remain at all times an inward and heavy secret. Whether we
will met again I cant say just now.
July 5th.   Thursday.
I was handed my papers at Cobham and told that I must
report to Major Colvin at Horseferry Road this morning.
At 12 o'clock I saw Major Colvin and it was arranged in
very few minutes that I go to Bristol for 21 days reporting
back in London on 26th July. And though I have a free return
passage to Bristol it seems as though I can pretty much please
myself whether I go there or anywhere else. I am a free man
again.
I put up at the Australian Officers Club over night
and find it very good.
 

- 169 -
July 6th.   Friday.
Lord Roberts flag day to-day. It seems to me that every
day is a flag day here in London. I wrote to my good"Sister
to meet me this afternoon and go shopping with me. I wonder
if she will do so? It is no fault of mine if she does or
dosen't. Some how or other I think she will be at Victoria
Station as she is extremely sorry for what has taken place and
I feel sure will meet me again:-
Later:-- I have spent a very pleasant afternoon and
evening with my Sister E.M.H. We done some shopping right
enough. A suit of cloths £4.15.0. 2 shirts, 4 collars, 3 pairs
sock and dressing gown (17/6) the whole costing £2.8.6.
We then had tea and onto St. Paul's to the whispering
gallery and a look over the City. To the Cock Tavern for dinner
and the Scala picture show later.
I went home by train leaving Victoria at 12 p.m. and got
back to the Club at 1.30 a.m.
July 7th.   Saturday.
I am going to Bristol to-day and went down to wire Bristol
of my coming, when on Trafalgar Square I saw 20 aeroplanes
flying towards the Square with shell puffs around them, at once
I guessed it was a German air raid but so perfect was their
formation and so daringly low were they that it was difficult
to realize just what they really were. The folk around seemed
stunned when I told them they were raiding planes, some of them
would not beleive me so calm and cool did the planes seem. It
was 10.30 a.m. and as they came nearer I was feeling a wee bit
anxious about my position when they suddenly swung away to the
left and made toward old London, St. Paul's direction. Where
much damage must have been caused. I went by bus down to see
the destruction but there were crowds about, the street were
blocked, and a large fire burning.
I arrived at Bristol by 3.15 p.m. and went out to 46 Linden
Road and attached myself to Archie Powell for a few days. I
 

- 170 -
cant avoid it much as I would prefer being at an Hotel.
July 8th.    Sunday.
A rainy day but I called at Sims' in the afternoon and
received a joyous welcome from the old people and come
July 9th.    Monday.
I have met at the Liberal Club a whole lot of old friends
and enjoyed them. Saw the "Hippo" at night which was a good
show and came home at 10 p.m. I have a large mail in hand
from Australia and a number of strangers figure amongst it.
July 10th.   Tuesday.
Dinner at the Club and with Archie Powell I met Bostock
Smith at Dunlops and had a champagne dinner with him then a
motor drive back to "The Nook" where we remained until 12
o'clock and returned to Redlands. Mr. and Mrs. Bostock Smith
are just splendid and have compelled me to come along and spend
a few days with them. It was just lovely walking home in the
after glow of the evening.
July 11th.   Wednesday.
I met Annie Sims and we went down to Saltford, 9 miles,
and had quite a pretty time on the water. The Avon River
is very fine hear and right up through Bath also.
I got back to Redlands by 11 p.m. Mr. and Mrs. Powell
try to do their very best for me, but the Mrs. is a peculiar
woman, poor sport.
July 12th.   Thursday.
The dentist has been stiring me up quite a lot but he
wont last much longer now, there is only the one tooth to be
attended to.
I have been to Stokes Croft School to hear the boys
singing. They sang some old plantation melodies and pleased
me immensely.
 

- 171-
July 13th.  Friday.
I have several times met the Corner folk and we get on
splendidly together. I have an appointment with Conrade Fig
and Mr. Hollaway. I have met the Lord Mayor and dozens of
big business men about town. Its all so fine.
I have received a pleasing letter from Capt. L. N. Edgley
telling me of my Military Cross etc.
July 14th.   Saturday.
I came out with Bostock Smith in a car to his place THE
NOOK, Rayleigh St. Coombe Dingle this afternoon and though not
feeling in the best form I could not resist a game of tennis,
there were a whole lot of people present and a jolly fine crowd
too, free and careless, but, oh! so pleasant.
At 7 p.m. Mr. and Mrs. Bostock and Perry Lowther and his
wife motored down to Dunlops for dinner, and after the dining
room was cleared at 9 p.m. we motored along the Docks and over
the Downs back to "The Nook," and to bed at 12 o'clock after
some beer or whiskey.
July 15th.   Sunday.
Breakfast at 10 a.m. dinner at l o'clock and both tennis
and croquet in the afternoon with another fine party of weekly
visitors.
This is indeed a lovely house and such fine men and women
so happy and so jay; wandering in and about the house without
any restriction and drinking eating and smoking at will with
ice creams thrown in.
July 16th.    Monday.
Mrs. Bostock and I went out walking at 10.30 and wandered
over fences through hedges across fields until 6 p.m. when we
arrived home tired but so happy at the days adventures.
There were some good views of Avonmouth and the hills
and valleys about to be had from all around. We had lunch at
 

- 172 -
the Golf House, tea at Henbury and two bottles of lemonade at
a farm house so we were indeed dry and somewhat tired as we
had walked a very long way.
Dinner at The Nook and a quite, homely evening.
July 17th.   Tuesday.
With Mrs. Lowther and Bostock we went to Western-super-Mare 
at 10 a.m. arriving there with the tide right out the
beach was smelly and the water about 2 miles back from the
fore-shore. We, Roy Lowther and I, went into the Baths for a
swim the three women going in the lady's baths. We went back
to Lowthers' house for lunch after tea and ices at Browns Cafe.
At 2.30, 6 of us went out for a picnic, taking a horse
cab for 4 miles along the coast, where we boiled the kettle
had tea and paddled in the rising tide. The tide rises 40 ft.
so that it comes in terrificly fast. The photos of the girls
paddling are very good and show yards of leg. We trained back
by 9 o'clock after a great day.
July 18th.   Wednesday.
I went into the dentist and then spoke to the Stokes Croft
school (boys) on Australia for 1 hour and 10 minutes and I take
it from their steadiness and eagerness that they enjoyed it
immensely. Anyhow the Master was very candid and enthusiastic
with his thanks.
Lunch at the Liberal Club with W. T. Pearce, Mr. Stephens
Gans, Smith, etc. They are fine men. In the afternoon I
picked up Jim Oats and taxied out to Failand 4 miles and picked
up Percy Down looked over the farm and he came into Dunlops for
dinner at 8.30 p.m. Then I went out to Sims and after playing 
cards slept there for the night,
July 19th.   Thursday.
Up into the City by 10 a.m. and called on Holladay at
Figs went through the huge factory. The works are greatly