[transcription provided by collection donor]
Feb 8, 1919
Met Cynthia & took her to see Soldier Boy. She said it was only a few minutes walk to her home. It took us an hour & a half to walk there & I was in a hurry too.
Feb 10, 1919
Sent to Matlock Bath Can. Conv. Officers Hospital to be boarded at the Royal Hotel. Here I met Capt. Clark & Fred Taylor, the latter is Adjutant. I know I am going to be marked fit for General Service. Lft. Col. Gibson of Vancouver is O.C. Lft Brown, Veterinary Corps, is here of Victoria.
Feb 11, 1919
Went to a dance. Met several War Widows & had a good time.
Feb 12, 1919
Went over to Matlock to call on the Widows. One is teaching me how to dance. They are a gay crowd & form what is known as the Marriage Market.
Feb 15, 1919
Went to Haddon Hall (Dorothy Vernon fame). It is over 800 yrs old & is still in good preservation. Well worth seeing. We had a good time. One of the widows has taken quite a fancy to me. I see where things are going to get quite interesting. You certainly got all the encouragement necessary to carry on.
On Feb 5/19 I with several other Canadians, was entertained by the Drapers Company members of which are Freeman of London. We had a very good tea. They have a splendid hall in Throgmorton St.
Feb 21, 1919
Visited Matlock with Capt. H. Brown of Victoria & saw Mrs. Wadell at Smedleys. This lady has collected around her throne several war widows & others who are anxious to get married so her court is known as the marriage market. We met the candidates, had tea & danced with them. A little Jewess taught us the Jazz step of the Foxtrot. They are all very good at teaching. Had supper with Mrs. Ingram & then went to the rough house room in the basement & there we played a game called “It”. Capt. Brown was the interrogator.
The Game of “It”
To play this game properly the person who acts as the interrogator must have never seen or been told of the game. He or she is sent out of the room. Now you all sit around in a semi-circle with your partner. ie: Lady on your left. The person sitting on your left is “It” so everyone has an “It”. The interrogator now comes in, sits down facing the assembly. He or she is to find “It” by asking questions beginning at one end & working around to the left & starting over again. He must always speak of “It” as “It” even when he suspects or thinks he knows who “It” is. He will begin by asking:
No. 1: Is “It” in this room. A: yes.
No. 2: Is “It” human. A: yes.
No. 3: Do you know “It”. A: yes
No. 4: Can “It” dance. A: yes or no
No. 5: Describe “It”. A: description of person on the left of No. 5.
No. 6: Are you “It”. A: No
No. 7: Has “It” been properly described. A: No. Well then, would you kindly describe “It”. And so on.
No. 8: Does “It” sit next to you A: yes
No. 9: Are you “It” A: no
No 10: Does “It” sit next to No 8. A: no. Does “It” sit next to you A: yes
No 11: Is No 11 “It” A: yes
And the game is over.
All these questions can be varied as: Do you like It, Do you love It, Does It love you, etc. Great possibilities.
Feb 25, 1919
Capt H.A. Brown, C.A.V.C. & I went to Derby & here we visited the Royal Crown Derby Works. We saw the beginning to the finish of making china. Each article, plate, cup, vase or whatever it happened to be was hand-painted, each part being done by a different artist (all girls); one painted the background, another the leaves, another a rose & so on. I now realize why their plates are so expensive. Later went to a theater & returned to Matlock Bath in time for a few dances.
Feb 26, 1919
Went to a dance.
Feb 28, 1919
Left Matlock Bath on three weeks sick leave. Went to London, visited the War Office & Red Cross Society on Berners St. Put up at the Imperial Hotel, Russell Sq with a Mr. Wells of the 42nd Bn. Scottish Can.
