Z549/17/124

Letter sent from Brockton [Brocton] Camp, Staffordshire by Cyril Verdcourt to Mama [Helena Verdcourt].

Tuesday 15 April 1919

From: 1919 To: 1919

Dear Mama, Your letter arrived this morning and I am pleased to know that you are all quite well. We are not sure about the draft yet, but we expect to go this week. There is no need to be alarmed, mama dear, for I do not think there will be serious trouble in Egypt. I finished ‘defaulters’ on Sunday night so I was able to get a late pass for Stafford last night. Alf Bryeeson received two days more than I did so he could not come. Four of us took a taxi from Camp to Stafford and I spent the evening with a young fellow named Cazaly who is a very quiet studious and clever young fellow, a splendid scholar, pianist and chess player. The swimming baths opened yesterday at Stafford so I went in and had a swim, Cazaly watching. The baths there are fine nearly as well appointed as ours at Luton. I have never visited such a beautiful YMCA as that at Stafford, not even in London, and when we left the baths we went there for a cup of tea and finished a game of chess, started in Camp and played in the taxi. My chess-men are a great boon to two or three of us. Bryeeson nearly beat me with his second game. From the YM we proceeded to a picture palace, enjoying a very nice picture called the ‘Silent Lady’. You must see it if you ever get the opportunity. Returning to the YM we had supper, and a game at chess and then Cazaly amused the fellows with some really brilliant music. Altogether it was a very pleasant evening and I think Stafford a very clean pretty little place. I wrote to Syd etc last Sunday. Love to all. Yours lovingly Cyril Partial ink sketch showing full length front view of man in uniform, ‘Fritz’.

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Verdcourt, Cyril,
Verdcourt, Helena Annie

army, Brocton Camp