Bandsman W Metcalfe 46534, 52 Royal Sussex Regt, Colchester

Dear Emmie

Received your letter this afternoon and I am answering it before I go on parade this evening. We are on for an hour 5.30 to 6.30 storming trenches in the dark. We fired some rifle grenades or rifle bombs this morning and I have still the ringing in my ears. I am rather surprised at Mr C. getting “spliced” (excuse my slang) I hope he is made happy with his new bride. We were told that we are being fastly trained so that sounds suspicious. I know that I will be in England for Christmas and I am almost sure to have at least two leaves before I start doing my bit in another land. Nothing more has been said concerning the band. I have been in C.Coy. for about two months now; we changed over at Albuhera. All, or most instructors now have been wounded and are unfit for duties abroad so I do not stand much chance at being one. If I am to keep in the company I will try for promotion or that is the way I look at it now. It is ten times harder to get a stripe now that it was or is in a new Batt: “Regina Angelorum” means “Queen of Angels” I cannot understand Nil desperandum unless it means no desperation. I have only another five minutes for to be on parade so I will close

With Fondest Love

From Your Will.xx