Tuesday 31st December I am too near it at present to estimate what we have lost and gained by the Great War. We know that a new world has opened. There is not one of us that has not suffered agonies. All our soldiers - in the family - have returned except dear and clever James Usborne. His body lies near Arras.

Monday 30 December

Ethel and Colingwood drove with us to meet at Hook (Cattistock Hounds) We saw them throw off and heard “the music”. Within 300 yards of home, Ethel discovered she had lost her precious beautiful wrist watch. In great agitation we returned the four miles and there in the mud in the lane we found it, quite clean and uninjured - a small miracle!