Posted on by leftoverlondoner

7th August 1917

46534 Bandsman W. Metcalfe, 100 T.R.Batt, Band Hut, Albuhera Bks, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot
Dearest Emmie

I received your letter this afternoon and while the others are cleaning their instruments I am writing this. I hardly ever clean my cornet because being silver (colour) it does not go so dull as brass. I am glad to hear the weather has changed: it is fine here now and will be alright for you to come down on Sunday if it does not change again. I am glad to hear you are enjoying yourself and that you are not taking on another boy. Yesterday there was a fair in those gardens where I went with you once 6d entrance fee: but a man gave me his “pass out” ticket and I passed in with it. One game they had for the public was kissing in the ring. The boys and girls formed a ring and just by tapping one another on the shoulder there was a chase ending with a kiss in the ring. Needless to say I did not join in. There are a lot of Americans here and you may guess they had a big hand in the game. This evening we are playing on our lawn just for the benefit of the batt: tomorrow afternoon for the V.T.C. and Thursday at Officer’s Mess so we are full up for a little while. Well my darling I am longing to see you so I hope I am not disappointed Sunday.

With Best Love. Will xx

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

6th August 1917

Allington House
Dear Will

Thanks for letter, we are having a most enjoyable time & splendid weather, I am going to take Mabel rowing this afternoon, it is lovely where we are staying some very nice boarders & when we go up to roost we have such fun, you see there is a fellow in the next room to ours & the wall between is only a wooden partition & he can hear all we say, he was talking to us early this morning & then we do morse code on the wall. I am enjoying myself as there are plenty of Australians down here & we can have a pal if we want one, two or 3 have spoken to us, one said “let me hold your hand darling”, & then the 3 of them followed us a long way & kept talking to us. I shall have a lot to tell you Will, on Sunday. Wouldn’t it be grand if you were with us, I only wish you could come. I hope dear you enjoy Bank Holiday. By the way I solved the postscript, & I am sure I am not envious in that case. I will tell you of our adventure & several others on Sunday. It is very hot today, what kind of weather are you having at Aldershot? Well I have no more to say, or rather write, just now, but send me a line as soon as you possibly can. (I did not like that sentence in your letter, about my being bored Will, you must not say that, or I shall think you are taking things lightly. You know perfectly well I am not bored. I will let you know when I am. Well I will now close with fondest love from your Sweetheart Emmie xxxx

P.s I am not having anything to do with the soldiers or any other boys Will down here, there is only one for me you know.

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

5th August 1917

Bandsman W. Metcalfe 46534, 100 T.R.Batt, Band Hut, Albuhera Bks, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot
Dear Emmie

In answer to yours which I received this morning. I did get your second letter of the 1st inst but I had about two in hand and somehow it did not get answered. I think it was great of you walking all that distance: didn’t it seem rather a along way. I would like to hear all about that adventure at Regent’s Park. I am sorry for May Fowler it is very hard especially as both of them have lost there partners. By the way; I am sorry to hear that you got drenched and caught a cold, I always am mourning over something or the other when I write to you. I hope my letters do not bore you. Certainly you only asked me if I would like you to come down but you also told me something in your “post script” about “(M.H. i.t.h.p.o.a.b.)” work it out and don’t forget to let me know if you find the solution. You know I want to see you. I wonder why Mr Hickin has given in his resignation was there any excuse. I suppose he has a better job as army chaplain. I do think this rumour is coming true but I hope it is postponed for some time because I want to try and get leave for the 15/9/17. That theatre contract has blown over; the boys did not get enough for their liking so struck. I played one night and got 2’/2d so it was not bad. I have an idea that they will want us back again so I am waiting to see what the others do, I hope this war does not see another year and somehow I don’t think it will. I have Bertram’s letter to hand and will answer it some time today.

I conclude Your ever loving sweetheart Will xx

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

4th August 1917

16, Tiber St
Dear Will

I thought I would write to you before I went as perhaps I might not have time as soon as I got to Bournemouth. Did you get the second letter I wrote from Thurlby, about the 12 miles I walked & the drenching I got, only you did not say anything about my walking feat in your last. It is pouring just as hard as possible this morning, perhaps you will let me know what the weather is like about Saturday, of course I shall not come if it is raining, by the way, what made you think I might be envious. I only asked you if would like me to come & see you, I thought perhaps you might have arranged to go out with the others see, you said I seemed envious & I do not understand. I hear Mr Hickin has given in his resignation & is not coming back to the Mish: after all, the workers are very annoyed. Do you think there is any truth in the rumour about going to the East Coast? How did the theatre contract come about, you are in luck’s way sure. Did you get on alright, do not forget to tell me about it. To-day is the anniversary of the war. We are beginning the fourth year, I wonder how many more years are going to pass under the conflict.

Bertram is writing a letter to you, he does not know what to do with his time these wet holidays. Well I have no more to say just now so will close with Love from Emmie.x

Do not forget to write to me.

The other address is,

Allington House, Lansdowne (East Cliff), Bournemouth

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

3rd August 1917

Bandsman W. Metcalfe 46534, 100 T.R.Batt, Band Hut, Albuhera Bks, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot
Dearest Emmie

I received your letter just before dinner today and now it is about 20 mins. to tea-time. I hope you enjoy you stay at Bournemouth as you did at Church Lane. I dare say you will get this before you go: I will expect a P.C. first post Monday morning: if not, Sunday. I hope the weather is fine for you. It is a bit of luck, that 10/-, I didn’t expect anything. What class exam is it. 1st or 6th. I know it is not the former. I am getting on very well, thank you, tonight I am playing piano at a theater and also tomorrow and Monday nights. I think it is about 2/6 per night. 1/3 per hr. If so it will come in very handy. There are plenty of black-berrys down here and will be more next month.

(“Tea Time”)

More Rumours! We are going to shift to the east coast on the 15 Sept; so if this really comes off I don’t suppose I will be able to get home; if not, I will do my best. I had a game of billiards last night and was beaten by 7. 102-95. Well my Dear I have no more news this time so I now conclude.

With Best Love Will xx

I have put “urgent” on envelope so as you might get it quicker.

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

2nd August 1917

16, Tiber St
Dear Will

I have just arrived home, about 12.30, I called at the office to see Mabel first, I shall only be home though one day as we go to Bournemouth on Saturday at 2 ‘ clock. I will send you a post card when I reach there so that you will have the address, you will write to me, I looked forward to hearing from you when I was at Thurlby, my uncle wanted to know all about you, he seemed very interested & said he hoped you were a steady lad. I told him you could not be better than you were, perhaps you will see him one day. I liked them all very much, I do not look as if I had been away though, people tell me I look worse than when I went, it was the drenching I had & perhaps caught a bit of a chill, however better luck next week. Your Mother says you have won 10/- from the night school you attended & you are to receive it Sept. 14th. Perhaps you will be able to come home yourself to go & receive it, that is a bit of good fortune. A cousin of mine Harry was wounded 1/8 of an inch below his heart at the battle of the Somme, that was a near shave don’t you think? I have 2 more from where I stayed, at the front now, Arthur & Ernest, my Auntie is rather worried over them as we have not heard for 3 weeks. Well, how are you getting on, & what have you been doing lately? I hope you have got me out of my mind for a few minutes during the day now, or you will be getting in a muddle, I do not think you really meant that in your other letter did you? It has not left off raining since Monday in London I am told. Wednesday was the first wet day we had at Thurlby so I was fairly lucky, it does seem miserable here after coming from the beautiful fresh country, I should love to go & live there and I would too, only ---- you know the rest I think. But if you ever have to go far away then I think I shall go & stay there with my auntie, I could soon find work in the town & I should be much the better after I am sure. Well darling, I have no more to write just now. I am hoping to hear from you tomorrow, so will close with fondest Love Emmie xx

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

1st August 1917

Bandsman W. Metcalfe 46534, 100 T.R.Batt, Band Hut, Albuhera Bks, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot
Dear Emmie

I received your letter this afternoon and I was getting quite anxious as yours was the first I have received since Saturday. I hope you got mine addressed to “Church Lane.” I am glad to learn that you like your cousins.etc. I hope you enjoyed that short walk “4 miles” I think 2 is enough for me. The weather is terrible down here it has hardly stopped raining for three days and nights. There is a general hub-bub going on and they want me to join in but I would sooner write you a few lines Dear. The band was supposed to play at some sports this afternoon for the local V.T.Cs. but had to be put off. This is twice through unfavourable weather they have been disappointed.(?). Having nothing much to do this evening I had a game of billiards and beat the other chap by about 15. I don’t think there is any more to write now so I conclude.

With Best Love Will xx

P.s You seem envious! are you? You know I always want you with me so if the weather changes (as I hope it will) I will see you next Sunday week xx real ones.

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

1st August 1917

Church Lane, Thurlby
Dear Will

I am just writing to you as I have not gone home, I have just wired to Mother to tell her I was going home tomorrow at 12.15, (Thursday) it happened like this, my cousin & I walked to a place called Bourne about 2 1/2 miles away & coming home we got caught in a heavy shower, it lasted about 5 hours & we got drenched my skirt & coat were so wet, I could not possibly get them dry in time to go home. I have enjoyed myself otherwise very much indeed, yesterday (Tuesday) I walked 12 miles in all, it was lovely by the country, I should live here during the summer if it was not for being so far from you, my aunt said I could, & work on the land with another cousin of mine. You asked me how I spent my week end. Well Saturday afternoon I went on regents Park Lake with Maude & we had rather a singular adventure with two of the opposite sex, you will laugh when I tell you. Sunday, I went to Church & in the evening to church and for a walk afterwards. Dear, I shall have quite a lot to tell you, when I see you, I hope you will let me come Sunday week, I thought it would be nice to end my holiday by coming to see you, would you really like me to come?, do not say yes if you would rather you didn’t. My auntie here, is very saucy, she teases me about you, this morning when your letter came I was in bed, she went out in the field at the back & called up to my window “Here is another letter from your boy” and she let go at me when I came down about how many times you had kissed me, I told her you never kissed me, we always behaved ourselves, then she laughed. I have a little bit of sad news to tell you. You knew May Fowler, one of the twins, I do not know if you ever met her husband, well, he has been killed in action, it is a very sad thing, as at the present time she must need him more than ever, they have been very unfortunate, [Louie] Fowler lost her boy not long ago you remember, it fairly made me miserable on Sunday when I heard about May Fowler. Well I have no more this time, we only have one collection here, that is 6.15, so I am afraid you do not get the letters very quickly. I will now close with Love of the best from your sweetheart Emmie xx

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