Monday 1.8.15.

Dear Mr. Mansford,

I have done my best in aiding my old school-friends to obtain commissions but I had never thought of helping my own brother in this way. As he was out of the country and actually on active service, I felt sure that his opportunities were nil. However, I have seen in the papers lately that there are quite a few cases of territorals who were serving with their regimentals in India and Egypt, and have returned and taken up commissions. Although my brother has never so much as hinted about the question of a commission in his letters to me, I have acted on my own, and have written up and obtained the enclosed form, from the war office. I thought that if you would be kind enough to fill up the part of the form relating to his education and moral character, I could then send the form on to him. It would be quite easy to fill up the remainder of the form and hand it over to his C.O. To be 'Backed' by him, and to be forewarded to the War Office. If he despises the idea of a commission then he need not foreward the application, and I shall have done no harm. I know he rather looks down on the infantry. (or 'stone crushers', as he calls them) with contempt, but he might be tempted to apply for a commission in his own branch of the service -- the cavalry. In any case, if you will kindly fill in that part of the form and let me have it back again as early as possible, I will post it off to him on Thursday with a letter explaining my action and bucking him up to do his duty. I know he recognises that an officer has an enormous responsibility but I know for a fact he is a more competent person than an enormous number of officers I have seen -- however, that is for him to decide. I hope I am not giving you too much trouble and am sorry I should have to bother you at all while on your holidays. My kind regards to yourself, Mrs Mansford and Gracie. 'PeTer'.