‘On Parade will not wear my hat like the other men. The adjutant yells at me, “Put that hat straight, you look like a --- bandit!” I thought I looked nice, but individuality does not find favour in the army; doing everything like everybody else does. It is a ----- nuisance.’ October 1914

‘Tis rumoured the War will be over before we get there. Would to God I could think the same. The boys seemed very disappointed — if only they could see what the battlefield is like! To see all their comrades maimed and dying! their disappointment would be turned to joy at the thought of the War terminating.’October 1914

‘Feeling very miserable — ten minutes to get kit together — we are shortly moving off, to leave behind probably for ever, my dear friends and everything else that was of any count. I pray God when we get to it I shall not be found wanting. Rushed to a telephone to bid goodbye to Lady G.’November 1914