Bandsman W Metcalfe 46534, Band Room No 5, 52^nd Royal Sussex Regt, Googerat Barracks, Colchester

Dear Emmie

I have just received your letter and I was wondering what had happened it must have been delayed in the post. I hope you are not troubled again this Christmas with raids. We are having some very stiff frosty weather here and it is almost impossible to march. At last I have seen a nice little sussex brooch and I will try to let you have it before Tuesday next. “A” Coy is having their final leave, half for Christmas and half for the new year. I think I must have heard the aeroplanes over-head Tuesday last evening but perhaps they were our own.

I am still on that job I mentioned before and it is much better than being on drills. I am going to take second violin in our orchestra and I think we are playing at the Officers’ mess next Sunday. We are decorating our barrack rooms and the officers are subscribing towards it. We have four clear days off Sun. Mon. Tues. Wed. but there is some rumour that we are parading on Mon. I think I have told you all of interest in this monotonous life so I will conclude

With Fondest Love

From Will xx