Sunday, 2nd January, 1916

We had a very quiet day no visitors
Just as we finished tea the telephone
rang & I got the sad news that you
were not only wounded but missing
this was a dreadful blow as we were
all looking forward to having you home
this time. But it was such a long
time since you were reported missing
we were wondering why we had got no
news of you. The message that you
are now reported wounded and missing
says so little & so much. We are
hoping that perhaps you will
turn up in some hospital or
ambulance.
I telephoned to Uncle Charlie to
let him know and to see if he could
suggest some way of getting
further information. He was very
much distressed.
We have started saying the Rosary 1
together for you every night.
Uncle Charlie asked Wilfrid who is
in London to make enquiries at W.O.


Editorial Notes

1The rosary is a set of Catholic devotional prayers said in honor of the Virgin Mary and also for specific intentions as in this case for the safekeeping of Mary Martin's son, Charles. It would have been a regular part of a Catholic family's life.