My own Sybil,
Your Hugh came yesterday, Thursday. He had traveled all night and just got in time for breakfast at the White City. He was so tired that at parade time he kept falling asleep and was only wakened by the laughter of the men. He had motor cycled all night from Exeter to London. He looked very fit and had fine healthy colour from the sun. Luckily Viola had come up for the day so she saw him. We fed him We fed him well and then he went to sleep for two hours and was ready to go back to White City at 9.30. He had so enjoyed being with Theo and Michael, (Aldham), who took over a car to Paris on Monday and he showed Johnny how to clear his motorcycle. He said he was quite the naughtiest boy he had seen but Michael was so nice and had made him a cup of cocoa when he came in late so he put in sugar and milk. It was all right till he got to the sugar and it was Bovril. He went over on Sunday to see Mr and Mrs Coode but he said the house was so cluttered and the air did sniff so. But he seems to have got on very well with Dick and talked so interestingly about recruiting etc. I must send this letter today and give you all accounts of him.
Now goodbye own dear, yr dearly loving and sympathizing Mothy
Post Card – Mol’s Coffee House, Exeter
I like the red door, stone tower, don’t you! Petrox church has one. (I wanted to call Ram Petrox).
Letter – I heard from Colonel – Devember 3, 1914
Dear Viola
I heard from Colonel R. A. Smith 2 days ago, and should have written before, but have been rather busy. He says, I am going to be quite candid, that if your nephew is really keen, (which I understand him to be), and knows his work, Col. Smith will try to get him a commission. Meanwhile, he says, let him get 7 days leave and come down to the 115th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, who are in billets in Maidenhead. Your nephew should bring with him his MT/423? Which requires moral character to fill up, and certificates from a R.A.M.C. doctor as to medical fitness. He must not go down in uniform, but he must understand that he can get no pay during the 7 days probation. He had better go straight to the Colonel R.A. Smith whose address is 122 High Street Maidenhead. I daresay that your nephew or Leveson will send a line to Col. Smith to say when he will arrive.
We had some really wet weather on Sunday night and Monday which turned the camp into a sea f mud, but it is drying gradually.
I hope that my effort may be successful.
I have such a bad memory that I must send this via your mother. Please forgive me.
Yours v. sincerely, Granville Bryant
