Moulton and The Hall: The Great War 1914-1918

Eric Moulton wrote home regularly to his mother
at The Hall, sometimes several times a month. His
early letters reveal how privileged his life had been
thus far, although he seemed to adjust to military
life very quickly. The first letter, from Tidworth,
reassures: “It is not as bad as I had anticipated ... I
have got a tent to myself ... With good luck I got a
man who is a waiter in the ‘Rag’ as servant. He is
quite a treasure and valets very well ... I am going to
try to come home on Sunday so as to fetch the motorbike,
as there seems to be plenty of places to hide it.”
This letter, and all those following it, were signed
“Your loving Eric.”
In early 1915 he wrote from a ‘decent billet’
in Basingstoke: “Will you please send me some
handkerchiefs, socks and my best silk pyjamas ... I
have sent you today some dirty linen which please keep
until I write for it ... Looking forward to a good scrub
tonight, not had a proper wash for a fortnight!!”
Eric wrote back for his linen in February: “please
forward my clean clothes, socks, handkerchiefs,
shirts, pyjamas and some vests.” He had also
received some distressing news from a relative:
“Charles says that you are going to hire a Ford now
that Stamper (the chauffeur) has gone. What a comedown
if it is true.” Later in the same month he had
other things on his mind: “Could you send me the
name of that dentist we both went to some time ago,
who lives on Harley Street. I am thinking of going up
to Town for a day this week and I might as well get my
teeth overhauled.” 8