[ First World War: British Military Mission to Italy. ] Four Autograph Letters Signed from 'Charlie' to 'Nonna', with reference to 'intrigues', his superior Delmé-Radcliffe, and a visit to Austrian trenches in 'the Caroo'.

Four interesting and evocative letters. The identity of the writer is not known. All but the third letter are addressed to 'Dearest Nonna', who appears to be married to 'George' and living in Viareggio. ONE: 30 December 1916. 2pp., 4to. 'This place is simply a nest of intrigues and I wish I had some of your dear familys clever brains to sort things out a bit & put them right. I loathe the double-faced dealing necessary to combat intrigues and am afraid I may lose my temper one day & tell them what I think of them - & that wd be fatal. Besides one wants the subtle brains of your sex to unravel matters in such a tangled skein. Can't you “Marconi” me some?' He continues with reference to a visit by 'the nice 16 year old son of Ninettes friend' (there is a further reference to 'Carlo & Ninette'), who has invited him 'out to Martignacco'. Long signed pencil postscript. TWO: 10 January 1917. 2pp., 4to. 'Delme Radcliffe [Brig. Gen.Sir Charles Delmé-Radcliffe (1864-1937), Chief of the Mission] is back from Rome but news of the Conference is not allowed to leak out tho' I suppose we shall hear about it in time. A Col. Wyndham, our Mil Attache at Berne who was in the Rifle Bde has come to stay a few days & I found his most amusing & interesting over the German propaganda in Switzerland. He says that the news from Germany is most cheering for us – that Germany will be starved out unless peace supervenes in 2 months!!!' He has been meeting 'such a lot' of her friends, and mentions 'Gulinalli who is a-de-c to a Genl. Sani', 'Young Boris', and '” whose name I remember in Florence some time back'. He will describe 'a glorious day in the Caroo' he has had later. THREE: 16 June 1917. 2pp., 4to. He has not been able to write because of 'difficulties here'. Delmé-Radcliffe ('D. R.') has been away in England for a fortnight'. He describes the trip to 'Caroo', 'wandering along the banks of a nice little trout stream with men bathing in it'. He took 'a peep from behind sandbags into a line of Austrian trenches where I wd have willingly played <?> to try to pick off the Austrian if he had come anywhere in sight – but no such luck!!!' FOUR: 20 June 1917. 1p., 4to. He has not 'been very well lately', and has 'decided to ask for a Medical Board & later leave home for a spell'. He had 'half intended going to Viareggio', but thinks his own 'home air' will do him more good 'as it will be more of a complete change', but hopes to be able to manage a visit to her later. The letter concludes with a reference to 'Ninette', and in the hope that 'you & George are very well.'