Bandsman W Metcalfe 46534, Band Room No 5, 256 Infantry Battn, Goojerat Barracks, Colchester

Dear Emmie

I have been out since ten o’clock this morning and it is now 7.30pm. Why do you hope I do not come home? What was your dream. Our captain has told us to keep our best tunics clean as we may want them on leave soon; never-the-less I will try again this week and I think I will be able to “wangle” it. If you sent me all your bills I wouldn’t let you go bare; I have an old bathing costume at home. I have managed to remember one thing concerning home affairs; it is Mabel’s birthday next Saturday: she seems to be getting quite old. You must excuse me closing so soon but you have knocked it out of me mentioning so much about leave. I am going to start that “wangle” now; the only thing I don’t care about is it is not straight. I suppose one cannot be very straight in the army. You see I nearly had to do an hours extra drill the other day for being straight. Never mind. Dear, I hope I do not have a crop (as is promised this week) to greet you with if my dark scheme succeeds.

I will now close

With Love from Will xx