Pte W. Metcalfe 46534, E. Coy 100 T.R.B., 35 Camp, Rushmoor, Aldershot

Dear Emmie

I was thinking of you about 8 o’clock last night and was wondering where I would have been, were I not at Aldershot.  I begin to miss you after the first day, so I hope I will get leave soon.  We are not allowed to go to town yet as we have no uniform and are supposed not to know how to salute.  We have 48 hours to ourselves and are supposed to be in camp, but I believe we are out of bounds.  I am now at the time of writing this letter, sitting in a field with my back against a tree in between Aldershot and Farnborough with about half a dozen aireoplanes overhead.  I might get into a band with the cornet, the[n] I will not have to go on fatigues, that is, picking up pieces of paper or any odd job a N.G.O. wishes to order me to do.  There are also less drills in the band.  I slept fairly well the first night and I hope I’ll sleep as well tonight.  It is absolutely a waste of time being down here and I think I will give my notice in soon.

Hoping you are quite well

With Love Will

P.S.  Please remember me to all.