Bandsman W M 46534, Band Room No 5, 52 Royal Sussex Regt, Googerat Barracks, Colchester

Dear Emmie

Yours to hand of 21st which I did not receive until this morn. somehow it caught the 1.15pm post yesterday. We did not have a train ride after all but we are still confined to barracks and I will be glad when I can get out so as to have my photo’ taken. We had some new boys come into our lot yesterday and to start with this morning they had a nice long route march which they did not like. I heard that we are moving to Canterbury next week but I don’t think it will come off. There havn’t been any strikes here at all. I am glad to here you liked “Ye Boyee” Mabel said she had been to see it in her last letter.

I noticed my mistake “foul” when I wrote it but forgot to alter it. I can’t quite remember what you said about Jimmie Wren as I havn’t got your last letter handy but I believe you said something about joining them; well you like sailors, don’t you. I noticed your way of getting me to explain that verse so I mentioned “tough birds”. I have a strange way of wooing havn’t I dear but it has served my purpose so far and I will be sorry and perhaps unlucky if it fails me. I am glad to hear you are able to get some meat things must be getting serious in London, I think the people here get sufficient. I hope the food question does end the war and quickly too in our favour.

I don’t see how you can imagine me getting thin. I think I am getting too fat. I will have to take antipon if I get much fatter. Rather a nice term to use “Bundle of Khaki” anybody who didn’t know would think you was talking about your rag bag. Well my love I haven’t made this a very comforting letter yet and you must excuse the numerous mistakes I have made. Well my dear you know how I long to be always with you and I hope I won’t be long before I am. I cannot ask you down for any special Sunday yet because I don’t know how long we will be here.

I now conclude

With Fondest Love

From Yours Ever

Will xx