Marshgate House
Richmond, Surrey
Sept 2nd 1915
My dear Mother
I will write you a few lines this evening so that you may know I have arrived here safely. My train was half an hour late in reaching Paddington last night, and I was glad to go straight to the hotel and to bed. Some people in my carriage by the time we got to Blockley thought they were not quite right for Birmingham. They had omitted to change at Honeybourne. I advised them to get out at Moreton and go to Worcester which they did. I found this morning on getting to the Office that most of the men who have been recalled have come back, but a few cannot be found. There were 28 men on leave altogether, but letters were not sent to those who had only two or three more days to go before they were due back. There has already been an indignation meeting and a committee has been appointed to draw up a protest. Only 208 days of leave remained due to the whole of the staff in the Claims branch, and it is estimated that docking the staff of those 208 days will only reduce the arrear by one-fourteenth part. I hear that relations between the Secretary and the Chief of the Claims Branch are decidedly strained.
I just missed Uncle Fred. He has gone up to Charing Cross Hotel this evening in order to go over to France again tomorrow morning. Archie is going up to a camp in Yorkshire for a little time and is likely to go abroad in a few weeks. Aunt Pollie has been a little headachy the last day or two but says she is better this evening. I found they had a fire in the drawing room this evening. It was really very welcome for it has been bitterly cold today for September.
With love to all.
I remain your affectionate son
John D Sladden
PS – I owe something for my luggage being taken to the station, and 6d to Father for razor-setting. It had better be set against the plum-picking account.
