“This sort of life is all very jolly when it is fine like this …”
RI MS RCB/A/01
Summer 1914, to William Henry Bragg
Robert had been a cadet with King Edward’s Horse regiment and in March 1913 he was discharged and re-enlisted in the King Edward’s Horse Special Reserves. This was a regiment consisting of part-time soldiers waiting to be called up to serve full time in the event of a war. Robert remained at university until he was called up in May 1914, shortly before the outbreak of war, and sent to training camp.
Grove Hill Farm
Sunday
Dear Dad
I have just got Mum’s letter. I am so glad you have been out in the car I hope you will become an expert driver befor[e] long. It makes it so much more fun. What simply gorgeous weather we are having. Surely it is a record isn’t it? This sort of life is all very jolly when it is fine like this but I don’t see myself doing stables at 5.30 with the snow on the ground. It must be pretty rotten when the snow is on the ground & it gets chilly.
Some time ago Mother said she was making me a really thick flannel shirt and I rather discouraged the notion. But I should like it now very much and also a decent pair of jaeger underpants not too thick I think I have some quite new ones mine are all in holes now and I am getting very sore with all this bareback riding. Also I could do with a few more handkerchiefs. It is simply ripping having all the riding lessons instead of parades in the morning. I am feeling much more at home on my nag & am becoming quite an expert jumper.
Wasn’t it luck getting leave from 1pm on Saturday to 10 Sunday. I tried to get to Cambridge but found I couldn’t get back to-day (Sunday). I rang up Aunt Jess but she & Miss Ann were out so I rang up the Carslakes who gave me a standing invitation if ever I got leave. I had a gorgeous bath & dinner last night & slept in a bed for the first time for 6 weeks!
Today we motored to Gravesend to see Bill Carslake who is with the Queen’s Regiment as 2nd Lieutenant. It was fun & I thoroughly enjoyed the day. I didn't know about the leave untill [sic] mid-day yesterday so I had no time to make plans. I wanted to get a revolver yesterday but all the shops were shut. Is there anywhere in Leeds where they are to be got. Isn't there a shop opposite the Queen’s Theatre or is it the Royal.
If possible I want to get hold of a Service Revolver .45 calibre but I believe they have all gone if not the Webley & Scott .32 Automatic Pistols are quite useful. I feel a bit groggy over the vaccination now but it is rather luck[y] I haven’t felt worse as it would have stopped my leave. Have the Austin people put the Speedometer right? & is the car any easier to start. I was greatly bucked when Fielding told me I was to be promoted to the rank of corporal.
It hasn't come off yet but I have hopes. What a long time they are keeping Bill waiting aren't they? I think I will turn in now as I feel rather weary after to-day. We are pretty full up now. This is our routine
5.30 Reveille
5.45 Stables
7.30 breakfast
9.0–12.30 mounted period
12.30 stables
1.30 lunch
2 Recruits Musketry (I have to take this parade)
3–4.30 Trained men Musketry
5 stables
6.30 tea
A pretty full day now
Yours Bob
Photos courtesy of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. RI MS RCB/A/01
Notes and General Information
The is from Robert to his father but was obviously shared with his mother, as shown by the note, not in William or Robert’s hand, listing items to get in response to Robert’s request for underpants.
King Edwards’ Horse (shown above, 1914) was originally a cavalry unit made up of men who had served or settled in parts of the Empire but were now resident in London, divided into four groups by continent. The regiment was a reserve unit: part time soldiers waiting to be called up to serve full time, or ‘embodied’ to fill whatever gaps appeared.
The regiment seems to be a traditional cavalry one, with lots of emphasis on riding. However, I should point out that ‘musketry’ drills didn't involve actual muskets — this term is a holdover from earlier times. Robert’s major concerns at this point are getting kitted out ready for winter and requests various garments from his mother, there are pencil notes in the margin for materials.
The new family car is big news, motorcars were still expensive but more affordable and a much more common sight by 1914. While you had to have a licence there was no test.
