the children in. As we are not so far off, would you care to come over one Sunday to lunch & tea & sit by the sea? We would be delighted to see you, & if you are married bring your wife & any of the family you like. We are going up to London for a fortnight on Tuesday next, but after that we shall be here most of the summer. I don't think our national affairs are in too good a state. Being as they are, in the hands of very ignorant liars & intriguers, we cannot move steadily forward in any one path. The withdrawal of conscription in Ireland is another example of many. I am very fit & well & moderately happy considering the national prospects. I expect no justice, no truth, & no reparation from this lot. The astounding set of lies that were set on foot about the 5th Army] [final page unscannable, transcript continues: which I found when I got home, were very disgusting & despicable. Who had set them afloat? Yours ever H P Gough] [Insert: Press cutting relating to British Army senior appointments, including Major General W D Smith]