Joe - Friday 22nd September 1916

Dear Mother,

I received your parcel safely and thanks for same.  I have had letters from Jess, Janey and Sarah.  I am going to write to Mr Hartley, I had a very nice letter from him.  You might send me another tin of Harrison's pomade.  I have hardly any left now.  I was pleased to hear Thompson was exempt for a while.  Janey would hardly be fit to take up the work yet.  Syd will be landing on sick leave shortly, he is very lucky it isn't long since he was on leave.  I've written to Wilson Grahame, he seems to have had a trying time.  We are still out resting, and I hope we are out for a while yet.  Well I've no more news so must close.  Hoping this finds you all well. 

With best love to you all.  Joe

Joe - Sunday 10th September 1916

Dear Mother,

I received your parcel all right, also one from Aunt Eliza.  I must write to thank her.  I met Harry Johnson the day we came out of the trenches (Thursday), he looked well, so if every you see his Grandmother you can tell her he is A1.  I had a letter from Sarah yesterday, I also received her parcel safely.  You can thank Aunt Joan for the tomatoes, they were grand although they got a bit squashed.  Father will likely be as busy as ever; I cannot understand him not getting my letter.  I've been writing most of this letter in the dark, but it doesn't matter much as long as you can read it.  F. Wilkinson will be all right now.  I had a letter from him a few days ago.  I think there is still a chance of Billie turning up, so don't lose hope.  John seems to be having a nice time - longer than he expected. 

I think we are at last on our rest, we have been marched back to the trenches so many times that we won't take anything for granted.  We have been two months in this present offensive so I think we have had our share for a bit. 

I could not get a card so must wish you "Many Happy Returns of the Day" - also the same to Thompson.  Well I've no more news so must close.  Hoping this finds you all well at Home. 

Love to all Joe. 

Joe - Saturday 2nd September 1916

Dear Jess,

It's rather a long time since I wrote to you but we have been kept very busy lately.  I haven't had much time for letter writing.  John still seems to be having a nice time at Chester.  I wish we could get some news of Billie.  Of course it takes a long while to get news through.  We've had quite a number turned up as prisoners, so there is a good chance.  I had a letter from Wilson Grahame he seems to be having a trying time in hospital. 

10th September

I never got a chance of posting this letter, we were taken in a hurry to the trenches but we are back again now and I think we are right for a rest.  I had a letter from Sarah yesterday.  I received her parcel a few days ago, but yours hasn't turned up yet. 

I still think there is a chance of Billie being a prisoner, and if he was left wounded between the German first and second line with a bit of luck he should be all right.  I will send Mother a card for her birthday, it won't matter about being late.  I think F. Wilkinson is a lucky chap, but he had his share like the rest of us.  I met Harry Johnson when we came out of the trenches, he looks well. 

Well I've no more news remember me to John and Mr & Mrs Kennaugh and family. 

Your loving brother Joe

P.S. I just received your parcel yesterday (11th) it had been repacked in England as it was found broken, but it was all right when I got it. 

Joe - Saturday 2nd September 1916

Dear Mother,

I received your parcel all right and thanks for same.  I will have to write to Mrs Mayne and all the others who have been putting cakes in.  We have been in the trenches again and I haven't much time for letter writing. 

I am very sorry there is still no news of Billie, but don't lose heart, we are hearing nearly every day of someone else turning up prisoner of war so there is still a good chance.  I think I have been receiving all your parcels, I have had three pairs of socks from you lately, I mentioned them in my other letters, but I fancy one or two of my letters have never reached you.  I got John's parcel all right so you can thank him.  I forget whether I wrote to him or not.  Well I've no more news at present, so must close.  Hoping this finds you all well. 

I remain your loving son, Joe.