25/10/1915,
Dear Everybody,
Am today in receipt of two letters from N.Z. one from Rothie & one from Jack. As I did not get any mail last week I am thinking that it was last weeks & that there is more on the way yet. I usually get the letters on either Monday morn or in the evening, & the papers perhaps a few days later. Am very pleased to hear that everything is going on all-right & that the weather is still so gracious, hope it will continue through the
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the summer. Judging by reports work on Rothie seems to be well advanced, & it would need to be, considering the amount that is being dealt with. There is no mistake you have been having a good run with the mill Jack, hope it continues. You spoke of I. W. Reymonds mill round there, saying that it was rather a bad venture. He spoke to me about it, & had not much good to say of it, wished he had never seen the place. He is very popular in London, & just missed being returned at last election for
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Carlile. His return is practically assured for the same seat next run. At time of writing people here are practically dumbfounded over the resignation of Sir E Carson. Cabinet is not a very happy one I am afraid. There are a number of dar’nd old women at the head of the Gov. & Asquith the biggest. You were wondering Ruth if the Miss Reymond I met in the hosp. was the young lady who was presented at Court. Well, she was not the one, I met her the day I went to their house.
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If I am any judge there is no comparison either, the one in the hospital is rather pleasant to meet, but the other one is inclined to be a little bit conceited, however not bad considering what she has been through. I did not know that young Webb had called to see me before he left for Dards. I am glad to hear he is getting on so well. I am afraid that if he has a limp he will not be accepted for further active service.
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You will be surprised to hear that I am spending a few day in Edinburgh with Mr & Mrs Hutton. It is most extraordinary how things happen in this world. It was the most casual thing in the world how I heard of Bertie being wounded, & it was through this information coming to my ears in the way it did that I happen to be here at all. We were sitting in Mr Blacks house in Tayport, when Mrs Braid, that is one of Mr Blacks married daughters came into the room & asked her father if he remembered Bertie Hutton.
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He answering in the affirmative she went on to tell him that Mr Hutton had just received word of Bertie having died of wounds. They never imagined for a minute that I would know him. However when they knew, nothing would do but I should go along & see these people in Tayport who knew the Huttons so well. It was through these people that I was asked to come along here, & here I am as bold as brass. In your letter Ruth you say that Miss Hutton is to make full inquiries as to my whereabouts at the
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High Comm. office. I guess it will be some surprise for her to know that I have been staying here. In fact if she arrives up to time I will in all probability just be leaving here as she arrives. Of course if she is not too long delayed, I would like to see her here, & these people are very anxious that I should do so. However time is my problem now, & if I can not meet her here I will see her on her arrival in London. Her brother Robert that was fighting in Africa has been invalided home & is here just now; & a very nice
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fellow too. He is quite restored to health again & we are having a good time. Mr John Hutton, that is the married brother I am staying with, is a very fine fellow, but is very busy with his business just now, & has not much time to get about with us. Edinburgh is a fine old place, no end of places of historical interest, & for me to sit down & attempt to name the places we have been too & the places we are to go to would be an all night task. Will store it in my memory, & label it, for use at a future date. Up to the present the weather has not
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been very good, however it looks a little better tonight & we are in hopes that it will be fine in the morning. I can not complain of the way the weather has treated me since my arrival in Scotland. Tell the Cornation people, or I trust they might see this that I will write them some day again. I am afraid I am not keeping up sides with the children, they are writing about two letters to my one. Have received none of my letters from the Dards yet, nor have I received the little parcel you sent in connection with 19th Sept.
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Mr Hutton is a member of one of the voluntary corps here, & is this minute just getting away to a parade, it comes very hard on him, he has such long hours at his business, however the spirit is there & he would not be satisfied if he were not doing it. Another day has dawned, & I am adding a last word or two before closing this. We are just getting ready to go out for a pretty big days tour, round some of the sights of Ed. Received this A.M. a letter from E Pennington, he seems to be in good form, also tells me that J Bath was invalided to Cairo, but is getting on all-right again.
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Some of my mail must still be wandering about, as I have not heard from Lottie or Kate for a fortnight, perhaps it is that they have been too busy to write. I am posting with this mail another spoon, it is a little different from the others but I could not help it as these articles seem to be getting pretty scarce. Weather this morn has taken up & it looks as if we are in for a good day. Well now I must be off. Do not forget to convey to little Jessie some of x x. My conscience young Ivan must have had a narrow escape,
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he seems to be spending more time in hospt. than you thought he would. It is about time John put the peg in, only hope he will stick to it. Remember me to G Wilson & Aunty when next you see them. Kindest regards to any inquirers. Au rêvoir
Your Affect.
Brother E. S. McI.
P.S. Have at last received an official list of casualties, does not include those who left the Penn through sickness. Hugh Crawford is amongst the wounded but where he is I do not know. The where abouts or condition, whether sick wounded or otherwise of any of the others you know, I cannot ascertain. E. S.
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Perry I am afraid is gone never to return. Our Division was on Lemnos re-organising all right. Maj. Gregor is now our Colonel. We are satisfied he is a good man.
E.S.
