OSE WWI Transcriptions from the Archives

03: C. L. Bleaden – Fourth Army School of Instruction – 5 May 16 My dear Warden,

Thank you for your letter of Feb 29 th – rather a long time ago. I have just been appointed Lieut [Lieutenant] and AOG, and have been sent here on a course which is delightful and comes as a great treat, a relief from most of the responsibilities and a great rest; moreover I am very lucky, Noel Hudson [OSE] is on the same course which is splendid, and we often ramble about in the odd half hours: I do not think there is much chance of my getting my second leave, though it is overdue now, things apparently are not conducive to leave just at present. I met Fairweather [OSE] about a week before he was killed, his regiment relieved ours, I did not recognise him, or rather could not put a name to him, he was very small when I left school. Reckitt [OSE] is still going strong or was when I left him about a fortnight ago. Yes, it is quite true my brother is now a Roman Catholic, I am rather glad as he had given up most things after my father’s death. It is just time for mess, a civilised meal in a large French Chateau, almost more civilised than when we were [first] trained at home. Please remember to Miss Sing. Yours affectionately, Cyril, L. Bleaden

My brother is at present with the R.N.D. [Royal Naval Division] at Blandford, Dorset, he transferred from R.N.V.R. [Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve] in hopes of getting to Serbia, but just too late.

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