27 July 1916

Telephone 7538 Victoria

5, Vincent Square Mansions,

Westminster,

S.W.

Dear Colonel Purcell,

I was so sorry not to find Mrs Purcell at home yesterday when I called.  I hope she will call to see me when she is in London.

I hope I made it clear to you that I did not come to make enquiries into your administration but to ascertain whether the War Office were providing properly for the S. Africans.  Who *** all the *** *** come from a hot to a cold country & that they receive so little pay.

Therefore I did not come so much to tell you what I had been doing – but to find out – if I could – from yourself – whether you were satisfied with the arrangements.

After seeing you I saw some other men of the Scottish (well educated & *****) who said that nothing could be better than the food itself – but it was quite spoiled in the cooking & that I ought to have been there at dinner time to see it.  This *** *** I am reporting to yourself not to the War Office.

They also told me that the Quebec Barracks – where I went – was *** quite recently & *** it was the Alexandra Park Bks which were **** **** that the soldiers had been & some was still there – but that all the men were now being moved into ** Quebec & that men would be sent to the Alexandra until the men came from “German” East.

So – if again S. Africans are sent to the Alexandra again I shall complain to the War Office – as that will be their doing not yours.

Many thanks for the kindness with which you received me

Yours sincerely

Marian T Mason.

In envelope addressed to Colonel Purcell S. African Forces Bordon Hants.  Postmarked LONDON S.W.  3.15 P.M.  27 JUL 16.