ounteract the
superb organisation of the Boches. That can only be done by
getting the right man in the right job. Men with special
qualifications must be given the chance to exercise them. All
A.S.C. officers should be business men; they could perfectly well
also be men over military age, as the work demands none of the
qualifications of youth. For a young chap like myself, without
any special qualification or training, but full of keenness, with
good physique and just out of a public school, the trenches are
emphatically the place.

Well, anyway, there it is. My application is in, and I am now
just waiting for G.H.Q. to accept me for the Infantry. I should
not be surprised if I am back home at Christmas in order to
train. An excellent recommendation from my C.O. accompanied my
transfer papers. I also had a satisfactory interview with the
Major-General commanding the Division, who, I believe, added his
own recommendation.

_December 20th, 1916._

I can't tell you how relieved I was to get the Pater's last
letter, and to feel that we see the matter in the same light. It
lifted a weight from my mind, as I will frankly admit that I was
much worried, torn one way by my conscience and another by the
fear that my action would cause displeasure and grief at home.
Now, with the Pater's letter in my possession, I can go ahead
with a light heart. There can be absolutely no question that I've
done the right thing. It is a mere coincidence that my personal
feelings have long tended in the same direction. I saw the path
of duty before me absolutely clear. Up to date I have never "let
you down," and I don't think I shall do so this time.

By the way, in my transfer papers, I have expressly stipulated
for a temporary commission, as I have no idea at all of becoming
a Regular.

_January 1st, 1917._

Hearty wishes for a happy New Year, wishes which always seem to
me more serious than the greetings that pass at Christmas time.
With most people Christmas is a purely festive season, but with
the end of the old year comes the necessity of looking forward to
a new period--perhaps to be joyful, perhaps otherwise; anyway, a
period on which it is necessary to enter as fa