Life and Death - Sir Oliver Lodge

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our game away.

      "All went well, and I got the men placed out in absolute silence, with the covering party pushed out in front to listen and watch. The men worked very quietly, and when a light went up they got down and kept still. Lights were very few, because the enemy had got a working party out too—at one side, and we could occasionally hear them driving in stakes for wire.

      "We had to use picks in some places where the ground was stony, and these are the hardest to keep quiet. We got through it all right, and only one shot, I think, was fired all the time. It came fairly close, too. I am sure they guessed we were out, because when one light went up I hadn't time to get down, so I kept still and I plainly saw a Hun standing upright on his own parapet. He straightened up as the light grew bright, and I just caught sight of the movement and saw him then distinctly.

      "The ground out there has been fought over a good deal, and there are plenty of souvenirs about. I have got one myself—a Hun rifle. The original owner, who was buried with it—probably by a shell—happened to lie exactly where we dug our trench, and we were obliged to move him elsewhere. I brought his rifle home and put it over the door of my dug-out. That was early this morning. But the enemy have been putting shrapnel over us (in reply to a good 'strafing' by our guns), and one piece has gone clean through the stock.

      "Our artillery are going great guns nowadays. It certainly feels as if the shell supply was all right—or nearly so.

      "I don't know whether we shall be wanted for any job to-night, or whether we shall rest, or whether I can get on with my projects. I must go round and see Captain T. in the other trench. By the way, he came to see how I was getting on last night about midnight, and was very pleased with the work and with the fact that we were having no casualties.

      "That cake was fine, and much appreciated in the Mess. The little knife you gave me when home on leave is proving most useful.

      "Please thank Lionel for chocolate received and Alec for gourdoulis.

      "I have sent another box of Surplus Kit home addressed to No�l. Rather late to do it, I know, and I shall want one or two of the things sent back later, but not for a long time, and it is a relief to get rid of some of my impedimenta. The socks returned want mending. That reminds me, thank you and please thank Miss Leith very much for the socks. They are quite all right for size. Perhaps not so long and narrow in the foot might be better, but it doesn't seem to affect the wear; they are most comfortable.

      "I am still attached to the Company and not to the machine guns—much to my annoyance."

      "Monday, 6 September 1915, 9.30 p.m.

      "Thank you so much for your inspiring and encouraging letter. I hope I am being useful out here. I sometimes doubt if I am very much use—not as much as I should like to be. Possibly I help to keep C Company officers more cheerful! I am very sorry they have taken me off machine guns for the present, I hope it may not be long.

      "Great happenings are expected here shortly and we are going to have a share. We are resting at present and have been out a few days now. We had only two periods of three days each in the trenches last time in. …

      "Our last two days in the trenches were appallingly wet. My conduct would have given me double pneumonia at home. My rain-coat was soaked, so I had to sleep in shirt sleeves under my tunic, and the knees of my breeches were wet.

      "The next day the rain was incessant, and presently I found the floor of my dug-out was swimming—the water having welled up through the ground below and the sandbags.

      "I didn't have to sleep on it luckily, because we were relieved that night. But before we went I had to turn out with fifty men and work till midnight in water up to one foot deep. So at 8.30 p.m. I got my boots full of cold water and sat out in them till 12, then marched some eight miles. After nine hours' rest and some breakfast we came here, another three or four. It was nice to get a dry pair of boots and our valises and a tent.

      "That night I rode into Poperinghe with Captain Taylor, and we had a really good dinner there—great fun.

      "We have a full set of parades here unfortunately, otherwise things are all right. …

      "Alec has very kindly had a 'Molesworth' sent me. Most useful.

      "I would like a motor paper now and then, I think! The Motor for preference—or The Autocar. Aren't I young?

      "Captain Taylor has sprained his ankle by falling from his horse one night, and has gone to a rest home near. So I am commanding C Company at the moment. Hope not for long. Too responsible at the present time of crisis.

      "9 September, 3.30 p.m.

      "Must just finish this off for post.

      "We have just had an inspection by the Army Corps Commander, Lieut.-General Plumer [Sir Herbert].

      "I am still in command of C Company, and had to call them to attention and go round with the General, followed by a whole string of minor generals, colonels, etc. He asked me a good many questions:—

      "First.—How long had I had the Company? Then, how long had I been out? I said since March. He then asked if I had been sick or wounded even, and I said no!

      "Then he said, 'Good lad for sticking it!' at least I thought he was going to.

      "We are kept very busy nowadays. I must try and write a proper letter soon. I do apologise.

      "A box of cigarettes has arrived from, I suppose, Alec. Virginias, I mean, and heaps of them.

      "We have just got another tent—we have been so short and have been sleeping five in. Now we shall be two in each. The new one is a lovely dove-grey—like a thundercloud. After the war I shall buy one.

      "I shall be quite insufferable, I know; I shall want everything done for me on the word of command. Never mind—roll on the end of the war!

      "Cheer-ho, lovely weather, great spirits! Aeroplane [English] came down in our field yesterday slightly on fire. All right though.—Good-bye, much love,

      "Raymond [Maurice]."

      "Sunday, 12 September 1915, 2 p.m.

      "You will understand that I still have the Company to look after, and we are going into the front-line trenches this evening at 5 p.m. for an ordinary tour of duty. We are going up in motor buses! …

      "Capt. T. thinks he will be away a month!"

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      "17 September 1915

      "Deeply regret to inform you that Second Lieut. R. Lodge, Second South Lancs, was wounded 14 Sept. and has since died. Lord Kitchener expresses his sympathy."

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       21 September 1915

      "The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the army have sustained by the death of your son in the service of his country. Their Majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow."

      Footnotes

      [3] See Note by O. J. L. at the end of this letter.

      [4] This must have been part of my book "The War and After."—O. J. L.

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