St Edward's WWI Letter Transcriptions

03: C. L. Bleaden – Fourth Army School of Instruction 5 May 1916

My dear Warden, Thank you for your letter of Feb 29th – rather a long time ago. I have just been appointed Lieut 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 my 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 [O.S.E] 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 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.S. at Blandford, Dorset, he transferred from R.N.V.R. in hopes of getting to Serbia, but just too late