In this letter David Barrogill Keith writes to his family in Thurso to let them know that he is well and acknowledges the receipt of food parcels. Although the Battle of Loos had more or less ended by this stage, it’s clear that fighting was still going on: “The big guns are not far off & the flash lights up the sky very brightly & the bur of the shells thro’ the air all help to make one realise the war”.
The “George” referred to in the letter was a cousin who served as an officer in the Seaforth Highlanders. “Georgeson” would be Horace Georgeson, of the family of Georgesons’ solicitors in Wick, whom DB Keith had known at Edinburgh University. Charles Sarolea (1870-1953) was a Belgian academic and writer who was also Professor of French at Edinburgh University.
Dated: 23 October 1915, 10th Cameronians, B.E.F.
My dear Mother,
Tho’ it is only 9 pm I am fearfully tired & ready for bed. I got your budget of letters & one from Mil [Mildred] all right also one from Julia I think.
The partridges have not yet come to hand. I got the grouse yesterday also truffles & honey pretty squashed 1 fowl 1 brace partridges. We ate 1 brace grouse yesterday, gave the other brace to the C.O. & the partridge & the fowl were eaten tonight.
The days here soon pass. The big guns are not far off & the flash lights up the sky very brightly & the bur of the shells thro’ the air all help to make one realise the war. But for active service it is as yet pretty much of a picnic.
I will write to Cox as father suggests. Also it might be better to give him a power of attorney over any stock etc. in my name.
I really am too tired to write more & must get off to bed.
I shall be sending home some things as I have too much out here. I fear George won’t get home this time after all. Georgeson may have told that he met me.
With love to all & hoping all are well.
From
DB Keith
P.S. Can you let me have Sarolea’s Address to the French Class? We don’t have much to read here.
[Caithness Archive Centre reference P38/10/8; the next letter from DB Keith will be published on 28 October]
