M. H. Hoyle Whaite

“ I am now dashing this off to catch the morning post (probably the last post that will ever leave for England) . I could not sleep for thinking that in a few days' time I may hear the boom-boom-boom of the German 17.44 guns, the sound of which has been likened to a puppy yelping. Such is war. ”

“ Troops, troops, troops, and yet again troops. And people still go on living their daily lives. I saw two men seated in a café playing draughts, and they quarrelled over a move as though they had never heard tell of the Kaiser. Such is la guerre. I am rapidly polishing up my French which I learnt at ———, how many years ago I may not say.
We know little of the German plans, and that much it is useless for me to communicate as the Censor is stopping all news of any interest. But this we do know here in our little town of ——— that the Kaiser will undoubtedly defeat the English armies if he can. ”

“ I then unpacked my kit, and after folding my riding breeches I placed them under the mattress, wondering when I should take them out out again. It is curious how even the simplest necessities of life mechanically assert themselves in the midst of the most strenuous and adventurous circumstances. ”