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17 Feb 61 Julius Fyzabad Mother ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Fyzabad
17 – 2 – 61
My dear Mother
It was the other day only that I wrote, if I remember right, but I hear the Mail goes out tomorrow so I may as well send a few lines more. I have nothing to fill up this sheet of paper with that I am aware of but I will try. Still we are looking out to hear what news the Mail will bring us about the steps that are going. We, as a Regt. are changing much. No less than five officers have lately joined us from England.
Holroyd, the next Subaltern before me (as the Leave Rosta runs), sends in an application for leave to England immediately, and he will be off unless he obtains his promotion in March. If he gets his Company then I shall be the first for Leave, but I shall not avail myself of my privilege of even Asking, for the present. Much as I should like often to be in England, still (of course supposing my health does not go) I think for the next year or two I can get on serving in this charming country. Besides, you have just had one of us at home & it will not do to overwhelm you. I have no doubt you will let me know when my presence will be required.
We have been quite gay here. The Civilians gave us a delightful party on Thursday. Of course our Band attended & they (the Civilians) did everything in style. On Wednesday we had a little party on the River, on which we have some four boats. We went down to ‘Adjoudhya’ * one of the oldest places in India and an awfully sacred place where the Natives (Hindoos) come from hundreds & hundreds of miles to bathe & make offerings & where, by the way, we, the officers of H.M. 34th Regt. give a Pic Nic to the Station tomorrow. It is a very nice part of the country about there. For people at all troubled with romance, there are lots of old temples & graveyards etc. over which they can excite themselves & we take care that plenty of food for the body for all is in attendance and endeavour to satisfy the cravings of unromantic people’s minds with all our intellectual conversation. 34th Officers are not celebrated for romance.
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I by last evening’s Mail received a letter from John dated about 15th Dec. Please thank him much for me for it. I am afraid I have not half given him credit for all the trouble he has taken with Powell etc. about this promotion business. At the time of his writing, the obstacle seemed to be Greaves in my way for purchase. By this (or the last) Mail he withdrew his name from the purchase list, so I trust now all will be well. As I understand Stuart is ready for an offer.
My new Mare is gradually coming round & getting into condition. She is a splendid beast – such a mover. I am rather afraid I overweight her as indeed I do every horse I have seen almost in the country. I suppose Pennington, our Doctor, will soon be coming out. I am looking out to see if I am to get any of those clothes I wrote about by him. I am woefully hard up for linen etc. Charlotte & Anne would go into fits over my wardrobe. The washermen in this country have a lively way of beating your clothes in the washing which literally smashes them into ribbons.
In my house at present I am very jolly. I am alone again & although a gregarious animal, I like to live alone sometimes and I hate living constantly disturbed when I have any work to do. My Rifle drill work is drawing to a close with the cold weather. I have always my Company (No. 7) to fall back on when I am inclined for any ‘shop’ work. I think the British Soldier is a very tractable beast when you only manage him properly. I for one scarcely ever have any trouble with my men.
I am very glad to hear good account by the last Mail of my Father. I am afraid he must suffer a great deal of pain though. I hope he does not overwork himself now. You seem to have had exceptionally cold weather in England this Xmas. It must, I fear, have been very trying to him but I hope the warm season coming on again may bring him relief. How are you all getting on at home – well, I hope?
With best love as usual, not forgetting Helen
Believe me,
Yr affect Son
JDLaurie
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* 'Adjoudhya’ – now Ayodhya, a sacred Hindu site about 7 miles North East of Fyzabad, a little downstream on the Ghaghara River