NAM.1994-01-248-2

One of three letters written by Maud Emsley to her father from France, 12 Jun, 18 Sep and Easter Sunday. From a collection of papers of Miss Maud Lilian Emsley, Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps, 1917-1932. Wednesday Sept 18/ My dear Dad/ I have received your letter dated Sept 10th &/ I am pleased to know you are all well. Don’t worry/ I am quite alright and trying to enjoy my few leisure/hours. We are still sleeping out but it is rather better / now as at present there only six in the tent. Then/ the rain hasn’t been as heavy as we have slept/more comfortably. Last night, I left the tent flap/ wide open as there wasn’t a breath of air but/ I had to get up & close it as the rain beating/ on my face awakened me./ Yesterday afternoon the stores girls were par/aded & told not to wear white collars./ It was said that some of the girls had worn them/ and posed as forewomen & broken rules. That isn’t/ true because there isn’t one girl who likes the/ forewomen enough to imitate them. Certainly/ some of the girls have worn them, but not/ for that reason, it is just for a change & so where the office girls were paraded there was rather/ a commotion. Two of the girls were made an/ example of so that caused it. When I was in/ training at Farnboro, the drill sergeant, who was/ a regular soldier said that it was against/ all army rules to call out any individual in/ front of parade, so why it was done yesterday/ I don’t know. Besides, it was such a petty affair/ that the girls laughed with the result that/ they were sentenced to one nights C.B. Some of/ them went out so they’ll be in for it today/ I overheard one of the forewomen discussing the/girls & she said “The horrid, mean things!” They/ rushed the gate. It sounds so funny as only/ one girl was put on at the gate to take the/ names of those who went out. You can’t blame/ us for wanting some excitement as we still have/ to be in at 7pm. All day we are under the care/ of some NCO & have to be careful how we go/ and then again after 7pm some other important per/son takes charge & after 9.15 pm one scarcely dare/ breath, certainly not loudly. If one dares to whisper, depend on it a forewoman will pounce/ on you & next day you find yourself “on the/ mat” to receive sentence. Its too thrilling for/ words. I should think some of our keepers/ will go in for hunting “apres la guerre.”/ I think I’d like to motoring after the war/ but I have taken a great dislike to lorry-riding (?)/ When you ride a few miles every day like/ I’ve done ever since I came back you begin to/ wonder if you’re coming to pieces. Its awfully/ uncomfortable and I would willingly give up my/ morning and evening ride for any-one else who/ would like to try it./ The girls who went out last night were/ again paraded this dinner time but the u. a is/ leaving it until the CO comes back. For nearly/ a month now we have been going on at/ the rate of one leisure hour per day & I can/ tell you it is most trying. All our mending/ & tidying up has to be done in that time/ so life isn’t now enjoyable./ The war news is still splendid so that/ is some consolation & builds ones hopes higher/ every day./ It is a fortnight since I heard from/ Walter but I hope he is alright./ Don’t think about leave for some time/ yet because I am not likely to be home/ for this year./ I thank you very much for the parcel/ which I received. Alice & I have bought some/ cream cheese & a stick of celery for tea & I/ guess we shall enjoy it./ I must conclude now with love to/ all from/ your affectionate daughter/ Maud.

World War One, Outbreak of War (1914)