Letter from Edward Thomas to the poet Gordon Bottomley. Sent from Coventry. Archival ref: 424/1/1/1/10/192
Coventry
3. ix.14

My dear Gordon,

I am very sorry to hear your bad news &
hope I shall not hear worse. So far as it concerns
me immediately never mind. I will come if I can
when you are better placed. Yet my plans are uncertain.

I have of course o prospect of earning any sort of
living while the war lasts, though I don't know what
may turn up. It would be a good time for trying
America if I could leave Helen & the children with
a conscience, but I can't. I should join the
Territorials if it didn't mean asking others to help
my family. I don't know what I shall do. In
a week or so I am travelling here & there with no
address or certain movements. My papers you
send to Steep will be welcome though. I left
Ledhing on Wednesday & Helen & the children went
home. I shall be glad to be back with them. I
saw too little of Abercrombie, & too much of Gilsin, &
Front daily - an families interwoven all day long &
we enjoyed May Days but with all sorts of
mixed feelings. Excuse these generalities - I write
after 2 days in pubs talking to workmen &
eavesdropping therein. My love to you both
Yours ever
Edward Thomas