Dear Daddy … [George] Herdman came up yesterday … He has joined the O.T.C., and was on parade to-day. The preliminary course for section and platoon commanders occupied last week, and they gave those who had attended it sections or platoons to command. I have a section, but do not yet have much to do … except helping the main body of recruits who have started parades this week. [John Sampson Archive SP9/2/1/28]

20 October 1914. Letter to John Sampson (1862-1931), University Librarian, from his eldest son, Michael at St John’s College, Cambridge. This week’s war: 12.