[Received March 23, 1918]
#1 postal
On train en route to Newcastle on Tyne.
Feb. 24, 1918.
Your letter #37 received; also fine letter from Margaret. The other Xmas box arrived, fountain pen, books, muffler, chilblains, jelly, stories. It surely was a fine collection. Many thanks. I spent Friday in town with Frank Williams, lunch at Am. Off. Club. He got a nose expert to examine me and I am O.K. I spent evening at Jean McLelland’s. Saturday afternoon I went to Whitings. Capt. Whiting the doctor son and his wife were there, also the newly married sister Mrs. Robin and Mrs. Whiting, Mr., Ralph and Muriel. I stayed there until tea today. Very pleasant time. Mr. Whiting and Ralph have given me a lot of dope to help me see something of the British ship building. I may not be able to get to see the yards however. I hope to see a little of Edinburgh and Glasgow. I started this ride at 3 p.m. and am due at Newcastle at 12.20. I hear good reports about the Liberty Engine.
Have my doubts as to whether the Huns are going to stage their offensive. Don’t see why it is not on now if it is going to be.
Thanks for straightening me out on Mrs. Bates’ name. The Xmas card was from Mrs. Bates.
Many thanks for Xmas gifts. Love,
Parr
Muriel’s brother, Maurice Henry Whiting, an ophthalmologist, was commissioned in the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1914 and served in France; he married Blanche B. Aggas in 1916.284 In 1917, Muriel’s sister, Mary Katherine Whiting, had married Herman de Quetteville Robin, an Australian of Channel Island descent, who had already served in Gallipoli and France.285
Parr’s doubts about the German offensive reflect a general awareness among the Allies that Germany knew she must try to win the war before full American involvement. It is interesting that Parr’s remark was not censored.