[Probably 28th March]
Dear Jess,
Many thanks for the card and letter from Liverpool. Pleased to hear you had a nice time.
I suppose John told you in his letter that we are going into the trenches again but in a different part of the line. Well we set off on Friday at 6 p.m. and got into our trenches about 12. It was the worst march we have had yet. We were in full pack which weighs about 65 to 70 lbs; then we had blanket, sand bags, firewood coal and a loaf of bread each. So you can imagine what it was like doing about 6 miles in this; where it should have taken abut 2 hrs it took us about 6 as we had to go along the line and could only approach a little bit at a time. When we were half way there it started to pour with rain and we got soaked through, but it was so fine yesterday that we got all our clothes dried. The Germans must have known that our trenches were being relieved as they gave us such a reception. In one place we had to lie flat down and it was a good thing we did, as they turned a machine gun on to the road. All around here is alive with spies, so you cannot wonder at the enemy knowing the trenches were being relieved.
However we got in all right and are having not at all a bad time. We had tinned meat and vegetable rations issued out yesterday and they sent us a supply of bully beef, biscuits and spuds. The spuds we make chips of and they are all right; we are getting quite experts at the game.
They shelled the trenches yesterday and it was jolly exciting I can tell you. You hear the shell discharged and it come whistling along to you and then there is an awful explosion but I am pleased to say they did no damage. We work all night and in the day when off sentry duty we sleep. We spent the whole of last night filling sandbags to put over our dug-outs and above the parapets. You ought to see the dug-outs. There is a parapet built high with loop-holes, then a narrow passage for going round the trench, then comes the dug-out. It is built up of clay and sand bags, at one end it is about 30 inches high and tapers off to about a foot at the back, and all on the roof are sandbags. The more sandbags you have on the roof, the safer it is in case of shell fire.
They have been shelling our aeroplanes this morning but the aviator made a fool of them and they could not hit him. The weather today is very hot. Just imagine not having a wash or a shave until we are relieved which will not be for a few days yet.
John and I both wrote to Father last week. How are Pater and Mater keeping? I hope both are well also Janey, Sarah and yourself. How is Thompson getting on with his motorbike? I expect he will be an expert by the time we get home. Remember me to all the aunts. Did Sarah get her letter I sent a few days ago? John had a letter from our Joe last week.
You should have seen us while we were resting the other day, we got a cricket match up - we had a sock filled with rope for a ball, sticks for wickets and a stick for a bat. It passed one afternoon off fine. Then another day we arranged an angling competition, 1d an entry and there were 4 prizes. Gobbo and I had to fish again for the 3rd and 4th prizes so we arranged that the first catch took both. I won and got 4d. It was good fun. Cotton won a jam tin. We were allowed 15 minutes. Oh I forgot to tell you the fish were minnows in a pool in front of our barn. It was a sight for any of the picture shows or papers. We often have little concerts in our barns after we have snuffed out the candles at nights and we have some jolly good ones at that. We are quite a merry little party.
While out digging last night I came across a big German shell that had not been exploded. I reported it and it was moved out of the danger zone. I will send you a P.C. when we get out of the trenches to let you know how we are getting on. Now cheer up and keep up all their spirits at home as we are quite all right.
Must close, hoping you are all well.
Your loving brother Billie.
Just fancy today is Sunday but you would not think so out here. Remember me to Mr Ray hope he is quite well. Cheer up.
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