Pte W. M. 46534

Dear Emmie

I am glad to hear you arrived home safe as I have been thinking of you all day until I received your letter at 8.15 this evening.  I am sorry I could not come on to the platform with you but you know how it is.  I am glad to hear you had good company going home last night in your carriage.  I did enjoy myself yesterday but I felt miserable after you had gone until I received your letter.  It was so sudden a parting. *From the star I have been turned out of the writing room as it is turned 9 o’clock.  That boy you spoke about; I saw him today and he told me he called in.  He ran away from barracks; made arrangements with a friend of his on a motor.  He got 3 days pay stopped and 4 days o.b.  About what he says of being half starved, I suppose it is the way he likes to express himself.  We do not get up until 6 o’clock AM now but we have to do an hours drill before breakfast.  We have tea and biscuits first thing.  I am doing a similar thing to your writing just before I get to bed.  I hope you will excuse this short letter as it was the only piece of paper I had.  We have been playing songs today, the time has flown.  I cannot think of much more to write only to thank you for the stamps and the eatables.  That little packet from W.L. was chocolate almonds; if I had known you could have had some.  I got out of debt directly I got back last night.  Thank you !

I now close

With Love of the Best 

Will xxx

Dear Emmie

Have no time to write

Much Love 

Will

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

Dear Emmie

I did not receive your letter till this afternoon as I missed the first “post call”.  I did not feel too warm when the train started: most of the boys in my carriage had road passes and were going back by train.  I had read that cutting from the “Star”; the boys pinned it up on the “Notice board” amid many cheers.  I did not think you were anything of what you sujest; in fact “giving way” makes one feel all the better for it afterwards.  I do not think I have ever been “fickle” or am becoming it and another thing there is nothing to be fickle about down here.  I think, in fact I know I have made up my mind whom I am going to think first-of-all, for.  We will not be moving this week and if you think of coming down at any time, next week 10/6/17 if you like you ought to know that I will be more than pleased to have you with me if only for a few hours.  If you decide next week, please let me know the train you are coming by.  Are you any more comfortable at your office now.  You may depend I will try all I can for passes but they have stopped all now so there is not much chance yet a while.  I feel no pain at all from my arm but a lot of the boys are going sick.  I went for my photographs last night but some how they were spoiled and will not be ready until Thursday.  Today we all went to a lecture given by a doctor, upon how to keep clean and fit in the Army.  I dare say those who listened gained some good advise.  This afternoon I took charge of a party of the band and when passing an officer saluted him and said “eyes left” instead of right.  I don’t think he noticed it.  I have started to read that book and like it very much; I have given up “Old Curiosity Shop” it is too dry.  I think we will soon be having route marches; I do not know if I will be able to dodge them at all.  I am not going out down town tonight, I am writing this in the barrack’s reading and writing room and there is a general hubbub.  I cannot think of any more to say now so I will now close.

With my fondest love

To my sweetheart Emmie xxx

P.S.  Please note “Band” in my address.  I think I will not have to wait so long for my letters.

Dear Emmie

This is the interior of the Church I went to last Sunday.  I am sorry it is not a very good photograph.  I have had my photograph taken: full length.

Love Will