John - Thursday 30th September 1915

Dear Jess,

Seeing it has rained heavily the last two days we are having a day in camp to clean up. 

I have had my papers sent back from Workington to be signed by our commandant.  I was unable to see him for a time but I saw him today and he signed them so they are going off tonight for the last time. 

I expect the good news of the last few days has cheered you up no end.  I expect Billie will have seen some sights.  I might have been going back up the line yesterday, 40 were sent but I had to stay here. 

Has Joe come out yet?  I'm enclosing a few field cards which will be useful to him when he has not time to write a letter.  He will not be able to get any for a few weeks. 

I hope Mother and Father and all at home are well.  I received Janey's letter the other day, also all the newspapers.  I must close now for the present. 

Love to all John. 

Billie - Wednesday 29th September 1915

Dear Sarah,

Very many thanks for parcel which arrived in fine condition last night.  The chicken looks fine and we are going to have it for dinner today.  Also thank Mother for her parcel, also thank Mrs Wattleworth for the teacake which arrived in fine condition.  They look lovely and taste even better than they look. 

We are out of the trenches again for 4 days and I have had 4 days' light duty as I had such a rotten cold received through getting my feet wet.  However I have got another pair of boots so I hope to soon be well again. 

You will no doubt have got the news through of the big advance; it is great and has not half cheered us up.  I should not be at all surprised any day to get our orders to advance.  However the sooner the better! 

We have had rotten weather since we have been out; Still we are fairly comfortable as we are in large dug outs made by the French and they are fine.  We have mattresses made of wire netting covered with Bamboo so we are well off.  We have also had our blankets issued again so we have not to get up in the middle of the night and do physical exercises to get warm. 

Oh I must tell you this - one of our chaps says he was on guard at a barrier of a trench and he heard some one approaching, and it being dark, he challenged "Who goes there?" and a voice replied "Chaplain"  Sentry replied "Advance Charlie and be recognised".  I think this is good enough for Punch, seeing it was the chaplain going to bury someone. 

I was pleased to receive the air pillow and I was glad to have letters from John and Joe while in the trenches.  Hoping all are well. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

I received the parcel from Coopers all right and it was fine. 

Joe - Wednesday 29th September 1915

Dear Mother,

We landed back all safe and sound; the 5th Borders are somewhere near here.  I sent you a card as soon as we landed in France.  The Fire Zone is pretty close to our billets.  We expect to go in the reserve trenches either to relieve the ---- or Buffs.  The chaps are all merry and bright. 

We had a lovely passage over; it was a treat, it was as calm as could be.  We can see lights thrown up in front of the trenches, but it's one of the quietest parts of the British line.  We are billeted in houses, the people have deserted the houses we are in, but there are plenty of people in the town. 

I will write to John soon. 

We came here in Motor Transport and we were not sorry, it was better than walking.  Our first night we slept in a barn and we were jolly glad to get into it, we were only about 10 miles off where John is stationed, but we were moved yesterday into the billets we are in at present. 

Syd said you had to tell Mrs Graham all the news and that he would write soon. 

The people here are all right, they do not charge outrageous prices.  Cigarettes are cheaper than in England but chocolate is very dear.  We have heard we go in the trenches tonight, but I don't know for sure. 

I got the parcel on Sunday, just in time, before we left and everything was A1.  I have plenty of money to be going on with and we are getting fed all right so we can't complain.  Give my address to Mrs Wilkinson for Frank.  I forgot to give him it in my last letter from Aldershot. 

Well, I have no more news at present. 

I remain your loving son Joe. 

Billie - Tuesday 28th September 1915

Dear Mother,

Just a line to let you know we are out of the trenches once more after 4 rotten days in.  The weather was awful - a whole night's thunderstorm and then four days of continuous rain, so you can imagine the state we were in. 

The only thing that cheered us up was seeing our artillery shelling their trenches and getting the news through of the big advance.  We all stood and cheered and then gave the Germans five rounds rapid, and I bet we fairly put the wind up them.  I have never heard anything like the bombardment that our artillery gave them.  We were pleased we were kicking the same way as them.  We saw a dozen aeroplanes go over one morning off on a raid. 

Now that the nights are so long we fairly do have some duties to do.  However I suppose we cannot help that. 

I had another bit of luck again last time in.  I changed dug outs with a chap.  Well he and I were on sentry duty at the same time so we turned in together, and he had just got off to sleep when the Germans sent a rifle grenade over, and it went straight through a hole in the dug out, and one of the pieces lodged in his thigh, but am pleased to say it is nothing serious and might with a bit of luck get him to England. 

The dug out I changed into was right under the ground and we had hammocks made of wire netting, so we were jolly comfortable, the only fault was we had to burn candles all day long. 

We have been waiting for the post now for a couple of days, but for some reason or other there has been none.  I expect it is on account of the big advance.  We are expecting the order to push them back anyday now, as everything is prepared.  I had a letter from Joe two days ago and he said they were expecting to move anytime.  You might let me know when he does move and let me have his full address and I will write to him. 

Well I think I've given you all the news, hoping all are well. 

Your loving son Billie. 

Billie - Monday 27th September 1915

Dear Jess,

Just a line to let you know we are out of the trenches again. 

When you send my letters and parcels now just put 1/8the R.Warwicks 1/1 South Midland Division BEF or they are delayed.  The weather is rotten now, wet and cold.  The muffler has come in fine this last time in. 

Must close, hoping all are well. 

Love Billie. 

John - Monday 27th September 1915

Dear Janey,

Thanks very much for your letter which came yesterday.  I suppose by the time this reaches you, you will know the good news, if not you must wait until it is published.  I think you will have something more cheerful to read about than you have ever read before.  Of course we don't know the real facts of the case, but I think we have had the greatest victory of the war.  We heard it quite a way, but I think it was a good way from here.  Anyhow you can all cheer up, we shall all be home before Christmas I feel sure now. 

By the way if you happen to come across a small French book with Billie's name in it you might send it on to me.  I think I left it at home. 

Well I am quite settled down now to the life and I have already got a few companions again.  It is not much use getting rid of them.  They only come as quickly as ever.  We have been on piecework all last week and in consequence are finished at dinnertime.  It has made the days heaps longer now than formerly.  We had some more Sports today and we are going out to have dinner as usual. 

I hope Joe has not come out yet.  The weather was very bad yesterday but it is lovely today and it looks more settled now.  I have got a 7511 shell case engraved to send home as soon as some of my pals go on leave, so shall try to get something for every body before I come home again. 

I must close now - oh by the way everyone likes the apple cake.  It was lovely. 

Love to all John. 

Billie - Saturday 25th September 1915

Dear Jess,

Many thanks for letter received yesterday, also thank Mater, Aunts Sally and Joan for their shares in the parcel, also Jack and Tom for the fags; it is jolly decent of them to think of me in this way.  Also thank Sarah for her letter; I've not received Janey's letter this week yet. 

We are in the trenches again for another four days and it has been miserable this time.  Started off with an all night thunder storm, and the rain was something awful, and ever since we have had nothing but heavy rains.  So you can imagine the state these awful French trenches are in, and we will not be sorry when we go out tomorrow. 

Our Artillery has been doing good work.  Every day for about 2 or 3 hours they have bombarded their trenches and the village just behind them, and the noise they make is awful.  I bet it fairly puts the wind up old Fritz.  We must be getting plenty of shells now, or we would not be able to send hundreds over every day. 

It is quite a change from ---- I expect John would tell you about the shelling there, Well now it is just the reverse.  We have also a bomb-throwing machine, and so on the whole, we must give them an awful time of it.  I have used more ammunition these four days than I have ever used. 

They started the first night by shooting rifle grenades over at us and one of the chaps I was billeted with at Coggeshall was wounded while asleep in his dug out.  He got hit in the thigh with a piece of the grenade that came through a hole in the dug out.  It is not a very serious wound and with a bit of luck it might get him to Blighty.  It is very funny but it might have been me as I had that bed two hours before, but changed into another dug out and I was asleep at the time it happened. 

The best part of the night they kept sending these over, until the artillery officer came along and he phoned for some shrapnel in their trenches, and I can tell you they stopped sending grenades over at once. 

We seem to be very short handed now the nights are so long.  We were on for 6 hours last night in one spell, had 1 1/2 hours off and then on for another 2 so you will see we are not getting much sleep. 

We had a fine concert the night before we came in, given by a pierrot party of the RAMC.  They were great and we all enjoyed it.  It was quite a swagger affair, stage with white background and they had full dress, with limelight from motorcar lamps. 

Well I think I've given you all the news up to the present, so must close, hoping all are well at home. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

I've got a wee bit of cold today but it is nothing much. 

"naval victory"

I have been unable to determine which engagement Billie Thompson is referring to in the postscript to his letter of the 24th. 

At around this time (25th September onwards), the Battle of Loos commenced.  It is interesting to see the reaction from troops on the ground, some distance from the fighting.  The British lost nearly 60,000 troops (many to their own chlorine gas), with no lasting territorial gains, compared to around 30,000 German losses. 

Billie - Friday 24th September 1915

Dear Janey,

Very many thanks for letters; also for parcel which arrived in splendid condition. 

We, that is our platoon, are not in the fire trench this time; we are in reserve.  So we live in this village about 500 yards behind the firing line and we carry grub up to the other platoons.  We are in a house this time that has been all smashed up by the Germans' shell fire.  However we are having a good time in spite of all this as there are plenty of fine orchards about and we are very busy with stewed damsons and pears. 

We had a fine feed yesterday - it was great.  We found a bag of rice and we had it with stewed damsons for dinner and pears for tea.  We are moving a few miles up the line again so we are told. 

I was pleased to hear all at home are well and Mother improving. 

The weather is lovely today.  I wrote to John the other day.  We have not been able to send letters for the last few days and do not worry if you do not get any for a few days towards the end of the week.  It is jolly good of Mr Yeowart to send me some fags.  I will drop him a line as soon as I have a minute to spare.  Did Mrs Mayne and Mrs Wattleworth get the cards I sent them?  Is Joe down on leave yet?  Sarah will be back and working as hard as ever. 

You would get a surprise when the submarine started shelling.  We have had some near shaves while out digging.  A shell burst when we were in the open, not a dozen yards from us.  It was a good job it was not shrapnel. 

You should have seen us last night, al sitting around the hearth here with a roaring wood fire blazing away.  It was a sight for the gods.  Nearly everyone remarked on how it reminded them of home.  All the people have left this village; you should just see the Church.  I am going to try and get a photo of it if I can.  We are at the place you mentioned (Sailley au Bois).  I had another parcel from the managing director yesterday and a box of fags from F. Gibson.  Well I must close hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

We were all pleased to hear of the naval victory.  God must have known we wanted some news of victory to cheer us up. 

Billie - Sunday 19th September 1915

Dear Janey,

Very many thanks for the parcel sent from Coopers also the parcel from home.  I received them today.  All the articles from Coopers were in.  The knitted goods were fine in today's parcel. 

We are out of the trenches again for another 4 days and by today's programme we are in for some jolly stiff work.  We came out of trenches last night and today we had a 14-mile march in full pack, and it was to hot for words.  However we got through it all right but I can tell you there were some sore feet when we got back and tomorrow I think we have 10 miles march for fumigation and baths. 

Last time our Batt. was in the trenches we were in reserve and the first day we lived I dug-outs 100 yards behind the front line, but we were moved the next day about 200 yards further back, so we managed to get in a cellar of a house at the bottom of the communication trench.  It was rather funny living in this place but was a treat to the dug-outs.  We had beds rigged up with wire netting and I can tell you they were jolly comfortable, but the only thing it was alive with rats and a bit stuffy.  However we are quite used to rats running across our faces in the night now and our dog helps to keep them away. 

We had a very exciting time of it in the last 4 days as the Germans had been massing troops in front of us and they fully expected an attack on our trenches but as usual nothing doing, but sooner or later it will come, and if they do not try it, we will have to drive them out of it.  We had everything ready for them and they would fairly have caught it and no mistake, as we had heaps of men and guns behind us. 

I was astonished to hear our John had got a leave and was at home and I was pleased he would be able to give our Joe a few tips on how to go on.  I was pleased to hear Joe looked so well, it is evidently agreeing with him.  I guess Gus and Jack would be pleased to have them home and would look on them as heroes. 

I am afraid there is very little chance of me getting a leave when there are only 2 men out of a Company every week and they go by the amount of service, and chaps that are going now have done five years s you may guess when mine will come, when you consider that our leaves are stopped every few days.  However I suppose that if we wait long enough we shall all get a leave but not before this Christmas and we will do well if we get it by next.  There is no doubt about it that it is not a matter of weeks before this job is over, but if it is over before next summer we will have finished it off very quickly. 

Well I think I've no more news.  Pleased to hear Mother is keeping well once more and that Father and all at home are well.  Please thank Sarah for the white heather and chewing gum which came in jolly handy.  Also thank Jennie and Ton for their letters received today.  I will try and answer them as soon as I get time, but as we are at present we are not allowed time enough for letter writing. 

You need not send any more insect powder yet.  I will let you know as soon as I need some more.  We are in a barn about 3 miles behind the line, but we have at last had our blankets issued again so we can have a warm sleep. 

Remember me to Mr Ray - tell Thompson not to overwork himself.  I really must close as all the chaps are down and the order is lights out and we are early in the morning.  So hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink but very tired. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

John - Sunday 19th September 1915

Dear Mother,

Had a topping journey and got back safely at dinner time today.  We enjoyed the chicken and other things A1 and the chaps all say the chicken was the best they have ever tasted and they are going to try and get me a leave home every week.  Have been to the sports this afternoon I felt too tired to take part.  I think I can get my papers signed all right.  I must close now.  I shall write again soon. 

Cheer up all.  Love John. 

Billie - Friday 17th September 1915

Dear Jess,

Many thanks for letter also thank Mother for the parcel which arrived in splendid condition. 

We are in the trenches again, well in reserve, and we carry on as though we were in the front line.  We have had a fairly exciting time of it the last two or three days, as just up the line some of our brigade got a couple of prisoners who came in and gave themselves up rather than be in the big attack they said was coming off on this part of the line.  However up to the present nothing out of the ordinary has happened.  We only wish they would try as we have everything ready for them and I can tell you they wouldn't half get it in the neck. 

The weather is very changeable, hot in the daytime and cold and foggy at nights.  We were out digging last night and had a rotten time of it all right.  We will be coming out of the trenches on Saturday.  There is a rumour about that we are going to the Base but we do not know how true it is, except it is just one of the many rumours.  We have heard some terrific bombardments on the left and right of us for several days, and by the papers we have been giving them something.  I was on duty last night patrolling just behind our front line. 

No parcels are coming through for a few days and we are having biscuits and bully beef and this is put down to the expected attack here.  I have not heard from our John for a week or so. 

Well I've not much news so must close, hoping all at home are in the pink as I am. 

Your loving brother Billie

Billie - Saturday 11th September 1915

Dear Sarah,

Many thanks for letters of a few days ago.  We were relieved by one of our Batts. yesterday and we are now in the village about 300/500 yards behind the line.  We are in a large dug out, in a jolly fine orchard which is full of fruit trees.  The weather is jolly fine, only cold at nights but that is a detail. 

I was pleased to hear all are well at home.  I was sorry to hear about May Huggins but hope she is better.  I have not much news today but thought I'd let you know we were out of the trenches and all serene.  Did mother and the aunts receive their PCs. 

Well I must close, hoping all are well, as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

John - Saturday 11th September 1915

Dear Mother,

Have got my pass and leave for home on Tuesday - arrive home Wednesday.  Have to come back Saturday, still it is worth coming for, if only one day at home.  Shall wire you from London. 

Love John. 

Billie - Saturday 11th September 1915

Dear Mother,

Very many thanks for the parcel which arrived all safe and sound in spite of the fact that it had arrived damaged at the home depot.  They parcelled it up there and sent it on and the only thing that had been damaged was the tomatoes, which arrived a bit squashed.  You might send me another pair of socks on, I received this pair all right.  Also please send me a money belt as soon as you can, also some more candles, as we have not had any issued for ages, and now the nights are so long you need them more.  I was pleased to hear all were well at home.  I suppose Joe will have got his leave now.  I had a letter from John a few days ago he has evidently not gone on leave yet. 

These trenches are alive with rats as big as cats, besides the usual trench vermin.  Sorry to hear about May Cousins, hope she is improving.  I suppose they have not heard any more of Jack.  I am afraid it is a bad job with him. 

We are being relieved today by our 7th Batt. and going in the village for 4 days - it is just at the top of the communication trench where we will I suppose go in for another 4 days.  We have had the 37th Division in with us for instruction.  Amongst them are the Stock Exchange lot and we have the Bedfords in with us.  I have been on listening patrol every night and have had some of these chaps out with us.  We have had plenty of aerial torpedoes over us and they are rotten things I can tell you. 

Well I think 1 have given you all the news up to the present so must close, hoping all are well, as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving son Billie

John - Thursday 9th September 1915

Dear Janey,

I am enclosing a piece of lace similar to what I sent Billie.  It is all I can get at present so you must divide it; there are 4 metres.  It is not expensive stuff but just nice for a souvenir.  There is plenty of very expensive stuff round here, one of our officers gave 23 francs a metre for some the other day.  It was beautiful but too expensive for me.  This is just 1 1/2 francs a metre. 

Please send me some more pipe filters and 2 ozs "Three Nuns".  I've had a nice time so far this week.  I am orderly sergeant and I have to stay in camp in case I am needed.  It is a fine job and the weather is glorious so I'm having an easy time.  Thanks for your letters and papers.  I received the "News, London Opinion, Sunday Pictorial and Sunday Herald".  It is quite true what our Billie said but you see they have to be very strict out here.  You need not worry there is no fear of any of us being treated like that. 

I'm so sorry I can't get Billie a cape like mine.  I paid 20 francs for mine and it is well worth it.  Perhaps if you wrote to Cousin Joe, he could get one seeing he is in the Cavalry Regiment.  I've just had some news I don't know whether to tell you or not.  The Adjutant just called me now and told me to write out another application for leave; he says he thinks he can get it through but is not certain.  Of course I have written for it and now I must wait and see if anything comes of it. 

I shall not send the lace just yet, I shall keep it to see if anything comes of my leave.  If it comes through I might get home at the beginning of next week.  Of course I shall not be able to let you know if I am coming, you must just wait and if I get across I shall wire as soon as possible.  I would rather wait until Billie's week's holiday but I must take it if it comes. 

I must close now, don't build Mother up to much on my coming; it might not come through.  I shall believe it when I see it. 

Love to all John. 

John - Tuesday 7th September 1915

Dear Jess,

Thanks for the parcel received safely, also Sarah's letter.  Sorry to say I am unable to get another cape like mine, I was lucky to get this one.  When you get him one, be sure it is a long one, down to the knees, as the knees are where we get the rain most.  Ask for a Cavalry Cape - that is what mine is. 

Pleased to hear Mother is keeping better.  I have now more time at present.  I shall write later. 

Love to all at home.  John. 

Billie - Monday 6th September 1915

Dear Jess,

Just a line in with your other letter.  I was unable to get it off before.  You will no doubt have received two post cards of the village we were in, the last time we were in the trenches.  The photograph of the church is great.  Just before we went in the trenches our house was about 6 yards from it and the vicarage - what was left of it - we pulled down (all the woodwork) to repair the trenches when we came out, and found all in ruins.  I got one of the chaps who was going on leave to post them for me as we are not allowed to send them from here.  They will give you an idea of the state the village was in when nearly all the houses were in this state.  We are in the trenches again on the left of where we were last time.  We came in this morning and had a grand reception with aerial torpedoes and a new sort of shell and shrapnel. 

Well I must close, hoping all are well. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

7th September 1915

You can send me a muffler on now as soon as you like, as the nights are very cold now we are in the trenches again.  Thank Sarah for her letters.  Also please send me some more pocket stoves as I used two out of the three I had this morning making cocoa and I can tell you we all thought it was great.  I will try and get those rings sent through. 

Well I really must close this time.  Remember me to all aunts, cousins and friends, hoping all are well as it leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie

Billie - Sunday 5th September 1915

Dear Jess,

Just a line to let you know I am all right. 

We are still out of the trenches and having to work jolly hard.  I think the heads are just seeing how much we can stand.  I don't know when we are going into the trenches again, but I can tell you we will be jolly glad when we do go in. 

The weather now is very changeable, sometimes scorching hot and other times just like Winter.  We are out in the woods today and we are pleased to be here as we can get a bit of rest here.  I have managed to get a cavalry cape like John's; I gave 7 francs for it, but it is not a new one.  Still it will keep some of the wet off, so you can tell John when you write.  Thank Janey for her letter received yesterday.  Thank Janey for her letter received yesterday, it had been delayed. 

With Mother "Many Happy Returns".  I missed the date or would have sent her a card.  I hope she is keeping much better, and hope your cold is better too. 

Well I think this is all the news so must close, hoping all are well. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

John - Friday 3rd September 1915

Dear All,

I have intended writing a letter for general consumption for some time but have not had an opportunity.  Today, thanks to the rain, I am able to write a few letters.  I said, thanks to the rain, but I am afraid those were not my sentiments during the night.  Our hut is more or less waterproof - more than less thank goodness.  The majority of places were flooded out during the night and the only inconvenience we had to put up with was a drop of rain on our faces occasionally.  We are going to put clay all round the sides of our hut when it gets fine again.  It was fine sport building it; all the time we were at work one of our chaps kept saying "They built themselves huts of twigs, being unskilled in the use of metals and they were called the Ancient Britons".  I cannot quite see how the Ancient Britons managed to keep out the rain without the use of waterproof sheets; why even with their aid our hut rains in - I suppose that is why "The child is the father of the man" or some other such saying. 

I suppose you have heard of my meeting with Jem Goodall, he wished to be remembered to all.  He was coming down last night but for some very good reason all passes were stopped.  We are also confined to our wood for the same reason. 

I think I am the only optimist in our family.  Our Billie thinks the war will never be over but where he is would give anyone the blues; they have to spend their time pumping water out of the trenches.  I am looking forward to being home by Christmas, and I firmly believe the war will be over sooner than most people think.  Of course we are going to win, but that march into Berlin has to be abandoned.  The German gains in Russia will be a "White Elephant" to them if they have to hold them during the winter. 

Now cheer up everybody and get ready for us all coming back home.  I am coming back I feel certain - the German's had their opportunity on my birthday and my usual luck prevailed.  I am satisfied with the souvenir I have now, and I am not collecting any more. 

I suppose Alfred will be looking forward to his army life.  He is a good example to some others, but I am afraid nothing short of compulsion will make some of them buck up.  I hope he likes his new work, it will be a bit rough at first but he might be lucky enough to get among a nice lot of chaps.  He must look well after his property, you see we know the R.A.M.C. (Rob All My Comrades) and they know how to look after themselves. 

I must close now, it is almost dark already - more candles needed for tonight.  It looks like being a wet night, I am afraid some chaps will have to swim for it if much more rain comes. 

Hoping all are well. 

With best wishes to all John. 

Billie - Wednesday 1st September 1915

Dear Janey,

Just a line to let you know we are still out of the trenches.  We are a few miles behind the line having about a average of 8 hours a day digging, drilling and manoeuvres.  Today we have marched about 3 miles towards the firing line, and we are in a large wood engaged on the felling and making hurdles for the trenches.  This is a soft job and is quite a treat after a few days on the parade ground. 

I heard yesterday that they were starting to send a larger number of men on leave very shortly and that every man would have his leave before Christmas, but I do not know if this is correct or not.  At any rate we all hope SO. 

When are you moving into Cyprus Villa?  I hope you have to go to Carlisle.  Kindly remember me to Mr Ray - I suppose he will be able to get out a bit now the weather is fine.  Oh before I forget, do not send any more pocket stoves until I let you know as I have two left yet and I will not need them until we go in the trenches.  Also do not send me any more sherbet, but you can still occasionally put in a tin of health salts.  You might get me a khaki money belt, just a plain one made out of cloth with pockets in - not a leather one. 

I was pleased to hear you sent a box of flowers to Peckham, they would be delighted with them.  I only wish I could slip over and see the garden.  I am pleased to hear Mother is so much better. 

In future our address is just 1/8th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, B.E.F. France.  This is a Brigade order and they reckon that now we are fairly established our correspondence gets through much quicker, and I think this must be so, as I've not had a letter for a week, and I know you have all written as usual.  Of course I have received my parcels, so that is not so bad. 

I hope Jennie and her mother had a nice time at Windermere.  I hope all are quite well as this leaves me in the pink. 

Your loving brother Billie. 

We are anxiously waiting for the big advance so that we can get this job over. 

John - Wednesday 1st September 1915

Dear Mother,

Thank you very much for your nice parcel.  The fruit is fine and will come in useful tomorrow as Jem Goodall is coming to our place for dinner. 

Would you please send me some candles as the ones we get here are rotten things and are 1 1/2d each.  We spend all our spare time in our huts and we want to make them as cheerful as possible.  We are lining the inside with canvas so you can see we mean to be comfortable.  We might be here for sometime yet and it gets jolly cold at nights, although I've not felt the cold yet, so you need not worry about me.  We are living jolly well under the circumstances.  I've not forgotten about your lace.  I will send it as soon as possible perhaps next week, it depends where we are working. 

I am pleased to hear you are getting quite well again, you must be very careful now and not worry about us.  I think the war will soon be over and then we shall all be all right again.  I have not had time to write to Mr Yeowart so please thank him for me.  It is jolly good of him to think of us out here. 

I have heard nothing about my leave.  It might come through yet, I have not given up hopes.  It would be all right if I could get it at the same time as Joe.  In any case I shall get leave sometime so it is always to look forward to. 

I hope father is well, I shall write to him as soon as I have an opportunity.  I received the New and London Opinion safely.  I suppose there are queer tales about Mrs Burnyeat - I wonder if there is any truth in them! 

We stop at dinnertime today to go for a bath, we have to walk 5 miles for 2 minutes under a shower bath.  I never have any of the army clean clothes now.  I have my own washed here and it is heaps better.  I must close now as it is starting to rain. 

Love to all at home.  John