Thanking Hilda and [Herbert and “Dickie”] for letters, and saying there was “no cable this week”.

Comprises a letter on “British Vice-Consulate, Candia” headed paper (started in Iráklion, then finished in Athens): telling Hilda that they had bought a puppy called Kaltsoni from “the old Krone”; that the Squire [R W Hutchinson] and “the old lady” [his mother] had been away for 3 weeks but were back that night; hoping that letters were getting through, that she got a telegram on their wedding anniversary and that everything was peaceful in Wales; telling Hilda that he had been to Vianos and Amira on their wedding anniversary, and that there was a heat wave; complaining that it was hard not having news of the war and that he was jealous of people in action in England and Africa; and describing an Italian skipper in Crete getting annoyed with people asking why he doesn’t leave. In the second part of the letter (from Athens) John says he had seen Will Miller and Petrocochino, gives Hilda news that Frank Stubbings was unwell and Nicholas [Hammond?] was in Palestine, and asks her to tell David he hopes he does well next term.

Sending happy returns for Sunday and asking Hilda to give books and stating he had “grand butty for Krone” [puppy from Krone].

Saying letters had begun to arrive, that all was well and there was “hope of quiet review”.

Asking if Hilda got his telegram from the 14th [of Sep] and asking her to send paper-back books.

Saying that a birthday telegram was delayed in London, and clarifying that it was a puppy that he had bought from [“the Old Krone”]. Stamped with “No 96, Censor”.

Thanking Hilda for his birthday telegram, apologising for hers being delayed and asking if any letters had arrived. Stamped with “No 79, Censor”.

Saying he was glad that letters had arrived, and that he was buying a horse for the daily trip to Candia [Iráklion].

Thanking Hilda for a telegram and stating that Greece was “behaving grandly” [in the war], that he was proud of Crete and that he had reverted to his “proper” [military] rank. Stamped with “No 108, Censor”.

Telling Hilda that he is glad she is better, all was well, and that the address was the same as before for forwarding post.

Comprises a handwritten letter and 2 typed copies of a letter with annotated corrections. John asked Hilda to forward the letter on to others as he was only allowed to write a one-sided letter. John wrote about: Greece’s role in the Second World War and Mussolini’s complaints about the use of the sword and bayonet and “savages from Crete”; his life in Crete being very busy and that he had been making speeches and was carried around on people’s shoulders; that old friends in Crete were well and the puppy called Satan had grown a lot; that he had to shave off his moustache after disease got into it; news of the Squire [R W Hutchinson] and “his dam” [mother]; meeting lots of people who had been to Winchester College and that he had had a dinner with them and some people who had been in the Officer Cadet Training Unit (Cavalry) at Weedon; coded messages, being told off by authorities for using the word “bastard” in a coded message to the Minister and that he thought the authorities were like Greek “grannies…apt to stand on roofs scolding people”; and his confidence that the allies would win the war.

Thanking Hilda for letters and telegrams, hoping that his Christmas letter gets home and saying all is well but sedentary. Stamped with “No 128, Censor”.

Wishing Hilda a Happy Christmas, telling her all was well and “not me on radio though present have reverted to army thank god”.

Thanking Hilda for a telegram, telling her that all is well there and that Khronis, Kosti, Manoli and Maria [in Crete] sent love to Hilda, David and Joan.

Telling Hilda he had only just received letters from her dated the 4th and 19th of December, and hoping that some of his letters had arrived.

Telling Hilda all was well there and that he had just received a letter from her which she sent in October.

Comprises a letter written in pencil telling Hilda that letters she had written in September and October were still arriving, and asking her to address them to the Military Head Quarters in the Middle East and to “Captain”; hoping that she had received his telegrams; asking Hilda to write to Westminster Bank about his pay as he should be on a Captain’s wage and thought that he wasn’t; telling her that he had blood poisoning; asking Hilda if ‘Karphi’ had been published, and how Little Arthur, Myres, Mercy, Marion and “all the vogues of yester year” were. John also wrote that: people asked after Hilda, David and Joan; that he sometimes managed to go to Villa [Ariadne]; that his [house] was run by the Krone; that he had started to keep a diary but “so much has for the present to stay unwritten that I gave it up after 2 months”; they seemed as safe in Crete as Britain, but that could change; and that he had nearly lost his fear of caiques but not of rowing boats.

Hoping that his letters were arriving more quickly to her than hers were to him (which were arriving from November, and one from January). With a handwritten note on the back “8.33, 8.49 Foregate St”.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Asking [Lilian Pendlebury] to send ink for his fountain pen, and to ask “nurse” [Alice Comber] to send him a little wooden submarine that he had made, telling her he had cut his lip and had a nose bleed whilst playing football, and complaining about Mr Bickersteith (a teacher).

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Sending information about the Navy League (enclosed) and saying that he has been asked to join, thanking Lilian for ink and asking her to send a badge of the Royal Engineers and the address of a shop, and asking her to thank [Herbert Pendlebury] for a letter.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Asking for a book, and telling Lilian that it was “awfully jolly” at St George’s School, about [playing football], learning Morse code and making a signal station, going into the playroom on wet half-holidays, and about Pat [?] biting his nails and stealing a pear.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Thanking Lilian for letters, asking her not to send ‘Chums’ [magazine] as it gets torn and not to send too many presents as there was not enough room, and telling her that every afternoon they went to the coastline where soldiers were digging trenches. John also mentions that they had thought that there was a Zeppelin warning when the telephone rang at the school, that he had a nice present from Aunt Lily, and that there was a fight going on (between the boys) as he was writing.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Telling his mother that he was happy at school (and that it was much nice than Mr Egerton’s school) and outlining the daily routine. John tells her that he has been in fights and only lost a few, that “nurse” was in a bedroom next to the boys’, several boys bite their nails and get [hit with] the slipper [as punishment], his telescope had arrived and his fountain pen was useful, he had recruited someone to the Navy League, they saw a lot of ships, and a mine had exploded near the shore [at Broadstairs]. John also asks for some seeds and bulbs for a garden he was sharing, some stamps, and a badge of the [Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regiment].

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Comprises two separate letters written on the same piece of paper. John thanks Lilian for plant bulbs, tells her that he is learning how to signal Morse code with an electric torch that he had bought, asks her to send wool and needles to he can knit a scarf, tells her about playing football, that they had not been to the coastline for a long time as it was too cold, that he often sees aeroplanes and is recruiting people to the Navy League. John tells Herbert about playing football and that he finds Latin very easy.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Telling Lilian about a half term tea party, including the games that they played.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Apologising for not writing to her and Herbert, telling Lilian about exams, asking her to send some paper to wrap up plant bulbs that he wouldn’t have chance to plant, thanking her for puzzles and mittens, and telling her that he is getting on well with knitting. John also tells Lilian about translation of a French [poem or story] and that Mr Seal calls him Jeavers because his hair sticks up.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Thanking her for a letter and saying that [Herbert Pendlebury] should share her letters as he doesn’t have time to write to both of them; telling her that he is sending back plant bulbs, that it has been too wet to play football, that his telescope had improved, that they had been to Chapel, and that “Tubby” still plays “chus chus” [with trains]. John also tells Lilian that there is a monitor [Warship] just off the foreland, and they often see a destroyer [Warship]. The letter is finished with lots of kisses and a drawing of a hug.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Asking for more stamps and writing paper, and listing the Christmas presents he wanted. John also tells his father that he and Basil were lending each other books for the holiday, how Tubby had translated “that night” into Latin, about his activities at the school, and that it was his turn to read in Chapel. John mentions a walk that Herbert and Lilian Pendlebury went on with him when they visited Broadstairs, and that Herbert had played football during that visit. John asks after “Dickie and the love birds” and Nannie, and says that Mummy must be excited about the holidays.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Wishing his father [a happy birthday], apologising for not having written sooner but he had been helping to make an aeroplane out of a knitting frame. Also telling Herbert that he had made a boy called Lawrence angry at lunch; that someone gives John a “hack” every time they play football; and that they see warships (monitors and destroyers) with a drawing of a destroyer.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Telling Lilian that they had heard a German aeroplane and that there had been a “Zeplin scare”. John also says that there are 2 new boys at the school (Greenall and Barron) and a flag sticker at the top of the letter was given to him by “Bossie (Jumbo)”.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Two letters to Lilian ask her to send items for a pretend war, and gives details of which boys are on each side. The questionnaire from Herbert (filled in by John) asks details about the school and Lilian had written “Daddy’s Jest!!! Please excuse him!” across the top.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Saying that he was at last allowed to write, and had only had the chicken pox “very slightly”. John asks Lilian not to send items for the war [between dormitories] as they wouldn’t be having it that term, and that Basil [a boy from the opposing dormitory] had spent £1 and 10 shillings on items for the “war” (and was calling it “war economy!”). John asked for Lilian to send him nuts and bolts for an unarmoured car he was making.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Comprises the first page of a letter (the second page was for “Nanny”). Telling Lilian that there was a Taube [German aeroplane] near the school, and they had seen British and French aeroplanes chasing it; that there had been bad weather but it had improved enough to play football; that he had dressed up in his Indian outfit; that “Little Bob” and Malcolm had been to visit but Pat [had been ill]. Also asking for some prayer book markers to give to Basil [who was ill]; to please only send letters twice a week; and to tell [Herbert Pendlebury] that exams start on Monday.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent. Comprises a letter started on Saturday evening, and finished on Sunday. Telling Lilian that they went to the “dug out” on the previous Sunday and heard guns and the [Air Raid Siren]. John also tells Lilian about building armoured cars and Tubby and Gerald having a disagreement, seeing [photographic] slides of Portugal, that Basil was ill and asking Lilian for bible markers [for Basil]. Also sending love to Nanny and hoping she will be better soon, and asking after “Dicky and the love birds”.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Thanking Lilian for letters; and telling her that he had marks back [from exams] but he would explain them when he was home, that Malcolm and “Little Bob” were going home tomorrow, he was planning what to do in the holidays, that Basil liked the bible markers, and that they were “called up” on Friday night. John also asks how Nanny is.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Telling Lilian about his garden [at St George’s School] and that they had played cricket, and asking her for a peacock or pheasant book marker and to get “Scout”.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Telling Lilian that: he had received a bathing suit, Ponti had come back [to the school], they were going to put up a tennis net, there was a Zeppelin over [the school] on Friday night, and they were looking for Viscount French [Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces of the British Army] on Thursday but didn’t find him. John also asks Lilian to send a paint box.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent . Thanking Lilian for letters, sending crosses for his parents’ bible, telling her about his garden and that they had seen some destroyers [warships] firing at a submarine.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent. Thanking Lilian for letters; asking for a butterfly net, 2 Royal Flying Corps badges, and a bad egg to throw at Mr Martin’s white waistcoat “Basil’s idea”; telling her they saw several submarines escorted by a destroyer [warship], that he had hit “old Martin” with a bat, that Basil had received a telegram to say his parents had arrived safely in Plymouth, that Mrs Meyrick was “hung up at the Ritz”, and about his garden.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent. Telling Lilian about his garden, a good game of tennis and that he had hit Mr Martin’s cap off with a ball. Asking for a different kind of Royal Flying Corps badge to the one she had sent, and for her to send a letter on to his grandfather. John also tells Lilian his exam dates and for her to send something for Tubby.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent. Thanking Lilian for a “the crimson lake” [book?]; telling her about boats, including destroyer warships, that he could see from the school, and that the air raid sirens had sounded but it turned out to be a fire; discussing visits by the other boys’ mothers, a possible tea party at Miss Whitwick’s, and asking her not to come too often as the other boys would be jealous; asking her to take him to see aeroplanes at Westgate, and to ask Basil to tea when she visits; telling her about exams, his garden, meeting the Barrons on a walk, that Basil had caught a butterfly, and that he was looking forward to getting model ships at the beginning of the holidays. John also asks Lilian to tell Nanny that he was looking forward to her visit tomorrow.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent. Sending a letter for Lilian to forward to Basil; telling her about new students, how the dormitories were arranged and that he was captain, that Mr Martin had left, that it had been too hot for football and they were going to the coast that afternoon; asking her not to send too many books as there wasn’t room; and thanking her for stamps, a letter and [toy] soldiers. John also mentioned that Tubby had thrown a chair at his head in anger, and asks if Lilian had had champagne.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent. Asking for pistols and caps, a whistle and a torch.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent. Telling Lilian about the boats that had been passing, and a wreck that they could see on the Goodwin [Sands]; commenting that the kitchen maid had caught a spy; asking for two boxes of [toy] Zulus, plasticine and cotton wool (to make headdresses) for his birthday, and for her to send a bib for Tubby and a lanyard for his whistle; telling Lilian that he had taken photographs of ship, aeroplanes, the lighthouse and house and planned to take one of the “dug out” [air raid shelter]; discussing a lecture on flying and asking her to tell [Herbert Pendlebury] that there was a picture of Rammeses II trying to fly and Icarus flaying into the sea; telling Lilian that a new boy (Hamilton Kerr) was very nice and he and other boys were playing and “making war” on the small dormitory, and that there was a nice new teacher called Mr Simon, and he had lent ‘Child of Storm’ [book] to Bunny. John also asked after Nanny, Dicky [dog?] was a whether he had a bath yet, and if the lovebirds had escaped again.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent. Comprises a letter that John tried to make a long as possible [as he knew his mother liked long letters]. Includes news about the weather, activities at the school (including that they had seen a “dug out” at the lighthouse where valuable papers were kept), that they had seen a lot of gunboats (with drawings of the boats) and Orient boats [passenger boats], and asking her not to write too often and saying that “the Imperial Kitten has turned into a cat”. John asks Lilian not to send toy Zulus as they might get broken, to tell [Herbert Pendlebury] that he would rather go to Ramsgate or Margate than play football when they visit, and to seal her next letter with gold wax to “create a sensation!” John also says he is glad that Granny liked her postcard and asks Lilian to give her his love, and asks after Nanny, Dickie [a dog?] and the love birds.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent. Thanking Herbert for a book about Chaldea [birthday present], describing his other birthday presents and that they had not finished the cake yet. Also tells Herbert about a lecture on Russia, that they had danced, and the boats that they could see.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent. Thanking Lilian for a cake and sweets [birthday present], describing his other birthday presents including a photograph from Aunt Violet of “High Jinks” with “all of them” grouped around it. Asks her to send him a postal order for the Navy League, and says that Pontie’s mother and Malcolm (who had a tutor in Broadstairs) had visited.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent. Hoping that she and [Herbert Pendlebury] were better, saying that he had written to Granny to thank her for a [birthday] present, and discussing a lecture they had on Canada. Includes news about the weather; that they had seen boats, submarines, a wreck and two mines explode; and that they had watched a [football] match that Malcolm’s brother played in. John asks Lillian to send a book about the British Army, writes that “the Imperial [cat] has begun to scratch” (with a picture of a cat), and hopes that Dicky and the love birds are well.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent, shortly after Lilian had visited. Telling her about a lecture on Japan, a thunder storm and that the weather was still too bad to go out, that [a present she had given him] an elephant looked beautiful above his bed. John also asks Lilian to give his love to Nanny and tell her he had done his puzzle, to visit in the “twenties” of November if at all, and to “give Daddy a thick ear for me”.

Written from St George’s School, Broadstairs, Kent. Asking Lilian to send his Meccano so that he could make a rival fort to someone else’s.