Pte W. Metcalfe 46534

Dear Emmie

I received your letter this evening and thank you very much for the photo. You asked me what “I really think to it”. It is rather a large smile but I like it very much all the same. As I looked at it before I read the letter I said to one of the boys that I thought you had been having a “lark” with the camera man. As I write this no doubt you are enjoying yourself at the bazaar. I hope it is going well. You will be able to tell me in answer to this. Does it mean that W.L. will have to join up now he is out of work. I am asking you because I have not had time to write to him this week. Next week we go through our firing course and rise at 4a.m. so I do not know if I will be able to write to you as we are not allowed out of barracks. Of course I will write you a letter as usual if possible but if you do not receive one from me by Wednesday, please write again. This morning I had fifteen rounds on the short range and came third best shot in the band. I hope to beat that next week if possible. I have only been to the pictures once since I went with Mum on Whit Monday and I only saw two-and-a-half for my 4d then. I hope the next fortnight goes like this last week has gone, for it has flown by. The “orchestra” is made up of two or three of the band, some violinists and flute-ists and is conducted by the Drum-Major: (better understood by you perhaps as Bandmaster.) I have no more to say now but will have when I see you so I now conclude hoping you are all well at home

With Best Love Will x

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534

How did the Bazaar go off last Sat. It was last Sat wasn’t it?

Dear Emmie

I received your letter about .30 this afternoon and it is now 4.15. It was rather hard luck that you did not get that refund. I don’t suppose you will forget the next one [  ]. I did not misunderstand that paragraph, but I felt rather “down in the dumps” at the time of writing. I am longing to see you. I quite understand why you will not be able to come down on Sunday I am sorry to hear that your Mother is unwell; you must look after her. About next Sunday; under the circumstances you will not be able to get away and the weather down here is rather bad. I do not think it would be worth coming down next Sunday week as I am expecting to be home the week after that. I am sorry I could not make it July 28 but all the band has to go at once. I am (not) supprised to hear such conduct of W.L. I suppose it means him “joining up” now. It will not do for him to even look cross at a lance corporal in the Army (unless he is going to be an officer.) I did not know that Will Mayne was home for his 4 days leave, he is lucky. These last two days I and all the others who passed their examination at school had to go again. We had an exam on Wednesday and I passed (It was simple as ABC) and we are going to have one again on Saturday I think. I rather doubt passing this one as I think “book keeping” is one item. I think I am getting on a little better with the cornet. I am now in an orchestra and am going to practice tonight. I have not been out of barracks since Sunday. We are doing “Musketry” in the day and Band Practice in the evening in our own time. I do not mind it, but some of the boys do not like it. Please tell W.L that I will write him as soon as I get time. I have not had much this week and am likely to get less next.

I now close

With Best Love Will xxx

P.S. I liked that piece of poetry very much.

P.S.S I think I would receive a letter as you say. Try it!

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534

Dear Emmie

I received your letter this morning, also one from Mum and WL. If my time was to come during your holidays I would not take it until later, but there are 99 chances to 100 that I will be home before, if not on 21 July. What do you think my main reason is for wanting to get home? It is to be with you as long as I possibly can. You say “fancy those boys crying” at just an officer leaving us; this is not an isolated case, I have heard of the same thing happening in other companys beside our own. I know it must be very lonely for you by yourself at home but I do not like the way you write about me not caring for you. I should think you know whether I do or not. If you have nothing more particular on I would very much like you to come down on Sunday in case it is a long time before I get leave. I think the weather is changing for good but if it was bad I would not expect you. It would be a waste of time standing about all the time. By the way; did you get that fare returned from last time. “Musketry” is learning all the parts and actions of a rifle. For instance: when a bullet is fired the wind may blow it out of its course so you have allow for that. I have not been night marching yet, but our company has been twice; they are also going again tonight but I will dodge it some how. I am sorry for Ethel Hill but I cannot say that I remember her young man. I hope the Bazaar is a success next Saturday. I wish I was holding a stall like last year. The “Cook House” has just sounded so I will have to finish now.

With Best Love Will xxx

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534

Dear Emmie

You say the 7th July would be nice for me to get leave, I think so too but now I am more likely to get it on the 14th or 21st. I hope they do not make it too late. Next Tuesday we start 4 hours a day musketry which is fairly easy only we have to cram into our brains in one week that which the others have had six weeks to learn. The next week I think we have firing every day and when we have passed that we get our leave. Two boys out of the band have been picked by their company and went last Saturday; I do not know how they go on when all the band goes. This morning the brass band played the whole battalion up to the fields for Church Parade; it was not bad for the first time. I told you we were going to India & Ireland and Scotland and Wimbledon, but it has not occurred yet. I am writing this just after dinner (?) cold meat salad and bread; and custard and rhubarb after. The custard was just like watered milk but I had pleanty today because I served it out, and you know if number one does not come first in the Army he does not come at all. One thing that touches everyone in our company is that we have lost our commander (Capt Everit). He was absolutely the best officer in the Batt. We had a fairwell concert on Friday last and as he spoke he nearly broke down & when he said good-by on Saturday some of the boys cried. I was not there Sat. but I shook hands with him on Fri. night. He has been wounded and gassed and was passed by a medical board as fit and is destined to join his old Batt. and be off to France within a week. He said to me before he went, he did not mind going but he did not like to see some of the officers who have not been out at all, stay at home. This all came upon us so sudden, we did not know until Friday morning and 17 Platoon bought him a present and kept it secret until the evening and it was given him with and extra stress on the 17. This act rather cut the rest of the company so a collection of about £2.10 was made when we were all in bed Fri. night and on Sat. we presented him with a Soldiers travelling toilet case and some cigars and cigarettes. We all wished him the “best of luck” and a safe return and he said he would be glad to meet us all in France. I think I would rather meet him in England. “Apres la Gare”. I think I will go to the parish Church again tonight it was much better than the Military Church I went to last week. I dare say you will have a start to see a half-sheet in this letter so I will have to close now hoping you are well at home. Have you heard anything of Maud yet.

I now conclude.

With Best Love Will xxx

P.S. Have you had any more Air raid scares lately.

P.S.S. Thanks for Mag. I received it this morning after Church Parade.

Pte W. M. 46534

Dear Emmie

I am not becoming patriotic but economic; It is not a waste to write on paper but I thought I was going to leave a blank page. It has not been hot at all here for two days; we have had a lot of rain. Dear Emmie I thank you for the stamps I found them as you said. I did not think of them until I had stuck the envelope down. I am sorry to hear Mr Zunfus is wounded; I hope it is not serious. I hope you will not have 4 days work on hand when I come home. I hope to get my four days from 7 July; how would you like that? It will be on a Saturday so you will not be absent from work so long as if it was the week. I would like you to make half the programme out as to how I am to spend the time. (If I get it) This date is not official. What do you think of the rebellion in Austria; I hope it helps to bring the end of this conflict nearer. I am glad I am not getting my time to see the Bazzar because I want you all to myself while I have the chance. One of the boys in my room said that he would not mind waiting for a month for his leave because if he had it first he would not feel satisfied at seeing all the others go home. As it happens he is one of the first but of course he does not mind. Kings X road is rather near I hope they get no nearer (zepps). How is your Father going on for potatoes. Has Leslie got a new job? I know I will hear from you first that is why I ask you.

I now close

With Best Love Will xxxx

P.S. I did not notice it but I meant to write this on a piece of 100 T.R.B. paper. I will next time as you seem to like it.

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534

Dear Emmie

I quite understand why you did not write Sat: we had a thunderstorm as I said before and I think it was the worst I have yet experienced.  I believe that a thunderbolt dropped in our barracks.  It only lasted about 20 mins. here but that was bad enough.  We had no hailstones and the drops of rain were as big as five-shilling pieces.  I think the band is going to have leave separately from the company and if so I should think it would be before August 4th.  I like that programme I think it is the best the “Mish” has ever had.  It is rather a long time “next Friday week” to wait for your photos, but send one down as soon as possible won’t you.  How did you sit?  In what dress. Etc.  Rather funny Mr Clark should bring you flowers as well as his young lady; what would she say if she knew? I think Mr Clark is in a hurry I did not think he was getting married yet. I had a letter from Mr Avery yesterday and I think he is coming to see me Saturday next. I think the band is going to have some special physical training and musketry but I don’t suppose it will be very hard.  You must forgive me for what I said on that P.C. about writing too much. I didn’t really mean it. I am sorry but I will have to close now, I do not like to waste white paper in war time but “cookhouse” has blown and it means another two mins on my tea. It is not much but it stays the worms.

Is there any damage done near Islington with bombs.

I now close

With much love Will xxx

P.S. How do you like “crest” on note paper. If you do not like it I will not use it.

Dear Emmie

I was very disappointed at not receiving a letter today. This P.O. makes 3-0. We had a bad thunderstorm today, which cooled the air nicely. I expect I shall get a letter from you some time tomorrow. I hope I do not write too much for you. This is the only card I could find fit to send. Will now conclude

With Best Love

Will.

Pte W. M. 46534

Dear Emmie

I am writing this just before going to church. It is now 5.45p.m. and there is a post collection in about an half an hours time. The weather today has been unbearable. I has been so hot that I was too lazy to go to Bible class to play some hymns for them this afternoon. I went to Church Parade this morning and we played “A Perfect Way” on the band for a voluntary. Besides the hymns we played the “vinite” which went very well for the first time. Last night I wrote a letter to Mrs Way and W.L. and also a post-card to Mabel.

One of the boys in our rooms is being transferred into the Flying Corps. He has done no drills or parades for a fortnight and yet he has been given no leave. He was expecting at least a week; rather a disappointment for him. After Church Parade we were given a lecture by the Colonel and he told us we were going to start having our four days “recruits leave” in about a fortnights time. Those who have been “defaulters” or who have have any black marks against their names will be last or even stand a chance of going without their leave. Those who have had leave already will come next I think. I do not know whether mine will come before or after August 4 but I will make sure it does not come on that date. I have heard all sorts of rumours that we are moving this week, but nothing officially has been said. I cannot say how I am longing to see you again; this life gets rather monotonous, it is so much the same every day that I hardly know what to write about. How are the photos’ going on; I am longing to see one. I had my dinner in today, the first time for about four Sundays. It consisted of cold meat and celery (alive with maggots) and a half a slice of bread. For after we had about one table-spoon-full of custard and rhubarb. Some Sundays dinner. How is Mr C’s “j’une demoiselle” going on. (excuse spelling). The church bells are now peeling so I will now finish with my

Very Best Love

Xxx From Votre garçon Will

Pte W. M. 46534

Dear Emmie

Please excuse anything wrong with this letter, as I am supposed to meet some others of the band in a minutes time. We have had two distributions this evening and I have been lucky each time in receiving a letter. Dear Emmie you must not get tired of London and want to join any form of N.S. I have heard one or two tales of girls who have signed on and it has done them no good. I might say I was getting tired here only I do not like to think of it. Although I have the Army all round me, I often shut my eyes and fancy you are by me. The reason I dodged the swimming baths was because we had to go in our own time which meant going without anything to eat from 12 noon to 7pm rather a long time for me. I did not tell you why I am in such a hurry. We (five of the band) are giving two turns in a concert at a YMCA this evening about 7 o’clock and it is now ten to. I did not write to say I wanted one of your photo’s but I thought you would know that without my asking, it is so much better I think. I am writing this so as you will have the pleasure (?) of meeting the postwoman tomorrow morning. I did not go out on night operations last night but went to bed instead. I am sorry I have no time to write more as I fear I am keeping the others waiting.

I close now hoping that you are not troubled with air raids any more.

With Best Love

Will

P.S. Please remember me to all at home and to your Aunt if you see her.

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534, (Band) 19 Platoon, E Coy 100 T.R.B., Talavesa Bks, Wellington Lines, Aldershot

Dear Emmie

I received your letter after tea this evening; we only have one distribution a day now so if it reaches here in the morning perhaps we do not get it till the afternoon that makes it rather late in replying. Over half of the company put in for passes last week so it will be hard to get one as only a few are allowed at once. It had been very hot here today but I have not had much to do although I was at band practice until ten minutes to nine p.m. I was sorry to hear about that air raid today, what was the nearest they came to Islington? Did you hear the bombs dropping? I am glad to hear Mr Clark has another young lady, how did he “pick her up”, do you know? (I don’t suppose he could really pick her up for she would be rather heavy.) You must not tease him too much or he might “cut rusty” again. I rather like your piece of poetry. That little parcel of Will’s to me was chocolate almonds; I do not know if I told you before or not. They were like the old kind and were morish. I do hope your photograph comes out all right. Yesterday everybody was supposed to go to the swimming baths but by missing my tea and having it out I dodged the seargent. I write two letters last night: one to Mum and one to Will Sharp. Please tell W.L. I will write to him when I get time. It is getting late 9.30 and dark. I am writing this on the side-board while I am sitting on a coal box; so please excuse writing. I think our company is going out on “night operations” tomorrow night, but I think being in the Band I miss that. The brass band is getting on A.I. and I think we are going to play at a concert next Wednesday but I do not know any particulars. I will now close as we are all supposed to be in doors at 9.30 & it is 9.40 now and I am going to post this tonight.

I remain

Your ever loving

Will