WEEK 98: EXTRAORDINARY WHAT A WEEK WILL DO

Monday 8 to Sunday 14 May 1916

In the early twentieth century, all officers were expected to know how to ride a horse as it was part of the social make-up of society. This included infantry officers, many of whom supplied their own horse during military operations, for which they received a forage allowance. Heavy casualty rates in the early years of the war meant that, from 1916 onwards, most of the Army’s officers came from enlisted or conscripted men who had shown an aptitude for leadership and command. They received four and a half months’ training but this did not include lessons in horse riding. As the need for all officers to know how to ride was militarily useful, commissioned soldiers undertook to learn the skill when not on duty. One of Pat Armstrong’s tasks in his new role as Staff Officer was to provide the training, which he did with some misgivings.

Monday 8 May

Ione went by the 9-15 train, she is going back to Waverley again. I did some washing etc. Then Tom, Cecil & I went down the town & did some shopping. After lunch, Muz, Tom, Cecil & I went out to the garden & dug, then we went out again after tea, & we did an awful lot, we have finished it straight across one way, now. Then we had dinner at seven & went to the 1/- seats at the theatre “The Count of Luxembourg”, it was very good. We waited in the queue for about half an hour! Went to bed at about 12-30. Muz got a letter from Capt. Olphert, he is a prisoner in the same place as Capt. Glass.

Letter from Pat Armstrong to Mrs Armstrong

May 8.

My dear wee Mus.

Just a few lines before I go to bed. It’s very late. Not much news here. Our infantry school started to-day & I’ve been turned on to teach the officers riding from 7.30 to 8.30 in the morning. I had them this morning for the first time. They have very little idea of a horse any of them. But they are a nice lot and seem keen to learn. T & I have been building jumps for them all afternoon. They are only about 3 foot high but I don’t suppose that any of them will get over them. My little mare is getting on very well, but I’m afraid it’s a question of months before she will be right. Will you thank wee Tom for her letter & tell her that I will write to her. I have just been talking to Percy on the telephone & he says he will write to her in a day or two. His Brigade is being relieved to-night & they come back quite close here. I must be off to bed now as it’s almost 12 o’c. Best love dear wee Mus.

Your loving Pat.

Tuesday 9 May

Muz & I went down to the Rest Camp at nine, & we had nearly a thousand men in, it was a good rush, I washed up most of the time. At 12-30 Cecil came down to call for us, it had been pelting all morning. Muz went to Bobbie’s to look for coats & Cecil & I went to Mrs Tinker’s & then got some stores etc. for him to take out tomorrow. […] Then Miss Patterson came for tea & afterwards Muz, Cecil & I dug in the garden. It was pretty tough digging, but we finished to a little more than half the garden. We stayed out till 8-30. After dinner I painted curtain rings & the others sat with me. We went to bed at about 12-30. Cecil read Ned’s story.

Letter from Pat Armstrong to Mrs Armstrong

May 9.

My dear wee Mus.

I got your letter of the 5th this morning. I doubt things being right with C. but they will certainly be better than they were. I am awfully glad that you went to see him. Splendid you were in the face of that letter. I rather wish I could see him myself. But I’m afraid that there is no chance of leave at present.

Miss Evan’s House at Eton

The Dublin show seems to have quieted down now but they are letting the brutes down too light. What luck Bee & Jim were stopped going. She’d have been terrified. I have had a long day in the trenches. Left here about 9.30 and got back about 4.30. I went round with Mellor our new A.P.M. (assistant-provost-marshal). He was at Evan’s but was before my time & is now in the 60th. He came to us about 10 days ago & is one of the best. It has been a dirty wet sort of a day. I had the ride from 7.30 to 8.30 this morning. They are dreadfully bad but I hope that they will improve in time. They are only at the school for 3 weeks which isn’t long. The little mare is going on awfully well. But it’s a long job I’m afraid at least two months. And her knees will always be badly blemished. It’s just on 12 o’c so I’m off to bed. Best love dear wee Mus.

Your loving Pat.

Wednesday 10 May

Got Mr Penrose’s room ready, & tidied things. Then we walked down to the harbour with Cecil, to see him off at the boat. Kitty & Miss Phillips were down seeing a cousin off, & Cecil is to look after him. They walked back with us. Then Mrs Freke & her sister-in-law came for tea. Mr Penrose came at about 6-30, he has grown much older. He talked about Ned, & said that the old nurse, he thought, thought Ned was still alive. I had about ten minutes to dress, & went to dine with Kitty. A man from Hythe was there, & Mr Hooper. […] After dinner we went up to the Grand, & danced, he is a very good dancer, he & I danced all the time, as Miss Phillips doesn’t dance. Muz, Mr Penrose & Tom came up & called for me, & then we walked down to the post office to post some letters, it was lovely & fresh. We went to bed as soon as we came in, – at about twelve

Thursday 11 May

Had breakfast at about 9. Mr Penrose read prayers. Then we went down the town, & he went to see the Fitzgeralds. After lunch I went in to Miss Peters to see about him playing golf. Then he, Muz & I went up to Moore Barracks Hospital to visit the ward. He came in & talked too, then we walked back. After tea Mrs Cleghorn came in. The gardener came round, & he was very pleased with our digging, & said he didn’t think ladies could dig as well as that! The Mr Penrose & I dug, & Muz came out later. After dinner he went down to get the evening paper, & I got a backgammon board, & he & Muz played, & I sewed. Then we had a bath, & went to bed at about 12-30. He stayed up for a bit & read.

Letter from Pat Armstrong to Mrs Armstrong

May 11.

My dear wee Mus.

Thank you so much for your long letter of the 8th. I’ve had no answer to my letter yet from C & don’t suppose he will write. Yes! I’ll go over and see the Regt as soon as I can & do as you suggest. I’m sure your advice is sound. The trouble is that they are a long way off and it’s difficult to get away but I’ll try and get a car one day & slip off. Yes! Brock certainly allowed Giblet to make that remark about the roll of dishonour & probably thought it a good joke. That’s his crab he is always witty at other people’s expense. Now Pokes would stand up for me through thick & thin but he’d be shy amongst a crowd. You are quite right about Hardress he managed it beautifully said he was going back but went off and saw his Regt and has just done nothing more. I made a mess of things in May last because I felt I ought to go back & help. If I could have done it I ought to have gone for about a fortnight & then gone off again but then I might have had a difficulty to get away. Anyhow it’s no good worrying now & I’ll just [give a] chance to luck. If I get home on leave at any time I’ll go and see the Colonel and try & settle things with him. I don’t think I’ll send that letter to Pokes as you suggest I’ll go & see them when I can. I’ll write him an ordinary letter & say that I will try to go and see him but can’t get away just now. The thing I’m wondering is if the Colonel wrote out to the Regt about it. I’m afraid he did & that is what caused the delay in answering my letter. Anyhow I’ll go and see them and see how the land lies.

“I had a ride this afternoon”

I went over to the Army to-day about some maps. I saw old Archie in the distance but he was busy so I didn’t worry him. Then I went on to see the Corps Intelligence & got back about 2 o’c. I had a ride this afternoon with Col Fuller & Percy & now I have just got back from dining with the Brigade. Quite fun it was Percy was in great form. My officers’ ride are progressing slowly. None of them know anything about it atall. I take them from 7.30 to 8.30 every morning. I don’t get much sleep these times as I’ve hardly ever in bed before 12 o’c then I have to send off a wire every morning to crops before 5.30 am. to say if the situation is quiet or not. I usually get the wire in from the Brigade about 4.45 to 5 o’c. Then I’m on parade by 7.30. It will be rather interesting to see just what one can teach a fellow in three weeks. Very little I’m afraid but one can give them a sort of rough idea. My silly old servant got drunk to-night & now he’s in the guard room. It’s an awful bore as it means sacking him & it’s rather difficult to get another. I think I’ll try & get an Irishman this time either from the Dublins or Inniskillings. I’ve tried Scotch & English in the last 6 months & haven’t had much success with any of them. Well good night wee Mus. I must be off to bed as it’s nearly 12 o’c.

Your loving Pat.

Friday 12 May

I went down to the Rest Camp at nine. Mr Penrose was up when I left. Mrs Battiscombe took Ione’s place. We were awfully busy, we must have had three thousand men in. Muz came down at 12-30, & I stayed on till 1.30. Mr Penrose had been playing golf all morning. After lunch we sat in the smoking room for a bit, then Miss Phillips came in, & sat & talked, then I walked a little way with her. Tom went down on the sands with the Peters. Mr Penrose & I had tea & then went to a lecture at “Adyar” “the children’s theatre”. Mrs Reeves spoke, & afterwards Mr Penrose did. Then Muz went home & he & I went for a walk, down to the shore & home by the Harbour. We met Miss Carleton on the way back. While we were at dinner Mr Arnoldi came, he arrived back today; he went at about ten, then Muz & Mr P. played Backgammon & I sewed. Then we had a hot bath, & went to bed at about twelve. Muz was very busy down at the R. C. this afternoon too as the men didn’t leave till about five.

Saturday 13 May

Mr Arnoldi came & called for us at about 12 & took us down to the Rest Camp. It rained hard all day, so Mr Penrose couldn’t play golf. We were very busy at the R. C. Mr P. came down to call for us at about 4, & he sang to the men. The new cook was awfully rude to some of us, & there was an awful row about it, & Mr P. Muz, Kitty, Mrs Battiscombe, [— —], Mrs Carleton & I went up in two cars to see Mr Towers the head – & Sally [—] has been asked to leave. It is a horrid affair, so we are going to the heads about it. Mr P. was splendid. Then Muz went to the club, Mr P. took my place, so dined with Kitty & went to the dance. Mr Hooper too, & I danced nearly all night with him & three with Mr Arnoldi. It was great fun, he dances beautifully.

Letter from Pat Armstrong to Mrs Armstrong

May 13.

“Matheus got drunk”

My dear wee Mus.

Just a brief scribe before I go to bed. There is just a chance that Hardress & I may get leave sometime next week. There is nothing definitely settled at present but it’s in the air. I will let you know as soon as things are settled. Great it would be if I could get away for a few days. I would love to get home for a bit. Then I could go and see the Colonel and get things fixed up. I could do far more by seeing him that I could by any amount of writing. I had quite an amusing afternoon to-day & went up to the trenches held by the Div on our right with Cayley & Percy. It has been rather a beastly day. It poured all last night & we’ve had a good drop of rain to-day. The trenches in places are very wet. I have just got a new servant. I don’t know much about him as he only arrived to-day. I think I told you that old Matheus got drunk & I had to sack him. Beastly nuisance as he was a dear old man & was doing awfully well. But one can’t overlook that sort of thing. My riding class are improving wonderfully it is really extraordinary what a week will do. Well wee Mus I’ll off to bed as it’s awfully late. Best love dear wee Mus.

Your loving Pat

Sunday 14 May

Muz & I went to early church, then Mr Penrose, Muz, Tom & I went to church, & afterwards talked outside, about the Y.M.C.A. trouble Mr P. went to lunch with the Fitzgeralds, & Muz & I went down to see Mr Towers about his dismissing the cook. Lady Gore came for tea, & we talked about a meeting on Tuesday. Mrs Battiscombe & Miss Allen came in later. Then Muz, Mr P. & I went to the club, & he sang for the men. We weren’t very busy. Kitty came took she is coming every Saturday & Sunday with us now. It was raining a bit when we got back. We went to bed at about 11-30.