Lt George Odell centre. No 5 Telegraph construction company, 'L' Signals Battalion

Envelope dated 21st Feb 1918

                   To      Lt G.F. Odell,

                                                Signal School.

G.H.Q.

2^nd Echelon.

B.E.F.

Dear George,                                                                             20.2.18

                             I’m very sorry if I haven’t written since you sent those books. I’ve read ‘em both, finished Soul of a Bishop about a week ago, so I suppose I can hardly say I haven’t had a moment to write. But you see I can get into bed, still do half an hours reading, whereas writing wants a whole lot of energy & a table.

                             I go on leave about the 25^th: That’s allright for the 1.3.18 eh?

                             No I don’t love it at Div H.Q., not that there’s anything material to grouse at. The trouble is your job isn’t definitely marked out, especially when people go on leave. Half the time since I’ve been here I’ve been O.C. or 2^nd in command or wireless or something in addition to lines Offr. Which is theoretically my job. If you are content to see things muddle along you need do nothing, for there are umteen officers & work enough for about two. But if you choose to make things run you can keep busy until someone complains that you’re interfering with his job, which happens when you have removed all difficulties & there is a question of kudos. No one would ever grumble at your tackling a part of his job which turned out unsuccessful. Another thing as you come across too many people whose ideas centre on first, leave, second a safe job, third Amiens or Stormer or Pop*. But there’s nothing in all that to worry about is there? Only I like it best when you’re up against the Boche, & the main difficulty is the difficulty he puts in your way.

 

                             I certainly wouldn’t have recognised you in the photo if I hadn’t known you were there. I only detected you by a process of elimination. It then appears you are boss of this infant’s school – commandant, eh what. As you’ve removed your stars to your shoulder, - which certainly is advisable as a precaution against snipers, - I can’t count for certain whether you’re a captain, major or lt. Colonel. You look worried too. I hope Winson behaves himself & runs things as you want them run, - gets up for morning parade & so on. Remember to him.

                                      Now dinner

                                                Yours affectionately

                                                                   Bert

(* Poperinghe)