Muritai
17 Millfield
Folkestone
4th August 1914
My dearest wife
Now that I have reached this destination, I must write you a letter. You will have received previous postcards. I was glad to find yours of Sunday awaiting me and to hear that you are likely to find your quarters comfortable. Please thank May for her wire which I received Saturday evening in the billiard room. I had a pleasant stay at Beverley but will keep any description of the place and household till we meet. It was wet early on Sunday but cleared later and I got a splendid walk of fully 7 miles with Mr B C through Eridge Park. Mela started soon after 10 on Monday for Eastbourne and Cyril and I took our departure too, cycling conditions were good and we enjoyed the ride taking things quietly. We were quite ready for lunch at Battle, and felt so fresh on leaving that we decided to try and make for New Romney, an ancient place by the way, before night. This we did comfortably and found a little hotel quite to our liking. The full distance to there was 48 miles and this left about 15 more to get here. We sent Charlotte a postcard telling her to expect us for dinner. After seeing the very fine church after breakfast, we rode on got here soon after noon. Aunt George was over for the day. Lizzie is not very well it seems, some old trouble of eczema. However, the doctor hopes to put her right soon. I suppose you arranged to have The Times posted to you. Some stirring events are at hand and it seems almost certain that we shall be involved in a day or so. I cannot help thinking that Germany has over-reached herself at last but it must be a struggle too frightful to contemplate but which, with the present armaments, was bound to come. Charlotte and Cyril have started for the band and I must follow soon and will post this on my way. I see the service to Paris is curtailed and over 12 hours is to be taken between that place and the coast! I wonder if Kathleen reached you yesterday or today. I hope Judy’s ankle gets stronger and that you will all keep well and enjoy yourselves. Much love all round.
Your affectionate husband
Julius Sladden
Preserve me from a J pen!
