Cocks letter diary, 1916-1919 / Verner Cocks - Page 88
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 88]
an appton [application] for leave to "Artie" & explained the circs. & to my surprise it was granted. I think the part of me being V.W.C. had a bit to do with it. However I met Billy & had a long yarn. He is in an officers' school at Oxford but is negotiating a transfer to a job at A.H.Q. [Army Headquarters] in London which I think he will get. He has had 3 months active service & is absolutely fed up.
We spent the night at the theatre & got a "shake down" for 4d. On Saturday I displayed my knowledge of London by showing him & his friends round & ended up at the pictures "The Battle of the Somme". This is probably the best war picture ever screened very realistic & grim & Billy & his friends recognised most of the places so that I had a fine lecture.
I left Billy to come back to camp but changed my mind at the last minute & stayed over Sunday. Although by myself I had a really fine time. After attending service at Westminister Abbey (& occupying a choir stall) I made my way to Petticoat Lane. It took me some time to find the place but at last I found myself in amongst a crowd of Jews & I knew I was 'getting hot'. At last I happened on the place & found a miniature Paddy's Market crowded with all kinds of stalls where the Jews seem to buy their weekly rations. It was not what I expected it to be but I have since found out that I did not see all of it. In the afternoon went to Windsor & visited the castle. The King & Queen were in residence so I could not see into the State apartments but there is a great deal of the other parts of the castle to see & one can walk all around the battlements.
2.