Item 01: Oliver Hogue letters, November 1914-29 December 1915 - Page 56

[Page 56]

5
idea of the horrors and slaughter of this war to know that one Scotch regiment has lost (killed, wounded and missing) 80 odd officers out of 50. Im not sure of the exact figures but in 5 months the regiment lost about twice as many officers as it started with. The places of the killed & wounded were filled time and again.   I met an officer of the Irish Guards this afternoon. In one battalion out of 30 officers 29 were killed wounded or missing & one was invalided home. The whole of the original officers were thus on the casualty list.   But I do not intend to talk of war. You will hear enough of that later.

After the show on Saturday at the Continental I received quite a bundle of invitations to tea & dinner etc.   I had to refuse most of them as we are very busy .   But I did accept an invitation from Lady Willcocks (Swank, Kathie) to come out and recite to her daughters.   I'm not sure whether the daughters are 8 or 18. I half accepted invites for a few other pink teas & dinners.

On Saturday night last I had dinner at the Continental and there was a glittering gathering of officers & officials & beautifully gowned ladies.   On the previous Saturday Col. Arnott & I dined at Shepherds.   Here is one of the most beautiful dining  halls in the world   The colouring is rich, yet redeemed from the garishness which often characterises eastern scenes. The columns of marble & mural decorations fountains, arch ways, pillars & coloured lights combine to produce a gorgeous ensemble..