Dear Emmie

Yours to hand of the 25th inst. We were no where near that raid on a base hospital last week, I havn’t read an account of it in the papers at all but I hear there were a lot of casualties. I am not quite 40ft under the ground like Maude’s brother is but I am quite 20ft down in a fairly comfortable old German dug-out. I havn’t met Harold at all out here. I don’t think I am anywhere near him. It would be rather a change for you to go selling flags do you have to do it in the railways time. Vaccination doesn’t “take” on some people but others make up for it sometimes. The C.L.B. is certainly coming on they used to have a decent gym but I think what they want most is an instructor; at any rate it will be more of an attraction for the boys. I read of the new club room in the mag but I dare say it will be hard to run while the war is on. My hair is not very long with over two months growth on top. You know I had a “crop” before I left England. I had a “trim up” last week when we were down. I had a letter from Dad today and he tells me Mabel is helping him with his books in her spare time. Getting ready for après la gare. I havn’t any more to write this time so will close.

With Best Love

From Yours Ever Will xxx

Dear Emmie

 Another month less, etc. etc. I received a letter from you last night but havn’t got it to hand just now. I can only say that I am still keeping fairly well and that is the main thing you want to know, isn’t it? Of course I could tell you all that on a field card but we havn’t had an issue for about a fortnight now. As for green envelopes they are a thing of the past I have been offered 2F.50C for one if I had it to sell but of course that would not be worth it “if” I had one. I hope are all well and safe from air raids and also that you get enough to eat. I would like you to remember me to Mr Clark he must feel quite a free man now; by the way, isn’t he liable to be called up for military service or is he exempt. Please excuse such a short letter but I am writing under difficulties. I must now close.

With Fondest Love

Yours Ever Will.xxx

Dear Emmie

Thanks very much for parcel received this morning at 3o’cl. I dare say you wonder at me getting it at such a time, well I had just come off a working party and you know a lot of our work is done of a night. The reason for time going so quickly is because of this night work; being asleep the greater part of the day (6AM to 6PM) we don’t notice them pass. Needless to state the contents of the parcel were very nice, thank you. You make very good cake although you say you can only get war time material which is not so good as pre-war stuff. I am now reading a story “all men are Liars” by Joseph Hocking is it true? I suppose literally speaking it is, but there, it cannot be helpful can it. I would like you to read it it is very interesting. I cannot send it to you as it is only lent but you will be able to obtain it easily in London, I dare say. Yours received of the 22nd inst. thank you very much for the tablets I might say that I am glad I have not had to use the other yet but will let you know if I have to and am running out. When your dreams do not appear very nice you know the saying “Reverse your dreams” when they are alright so well and good. The “I hope to be discharged soon” on field cards means discharged from hospital so you see why I don’t hope to be discharged because I am not in there. etc: You can guess that I “Love this life like everybody else: it would be alright if it wasn’t for the fact that there is a possibility of getting hurt. If I am not at the base it does not imply that I am in the trenches or fighting area. There are “rest camps” you know. Your letters always take about 5 or 6 days to get here. Please remember me to Mr Warder I havn’t his address or I might write him. I know it is 9 Lysinder Grove or something like that. I had not heard of a suggestion to bomb Berlin I hope it proves successful. Please remember me to Mrs Chard and thank Mrs Shovell for the choc: I received a letter from Mabel. Thanks for the writing paper. I have quite a stock now. I will now conclude.

With Best Love

From Yours Ever Will xxx

Dear Emmie

It is now 8.30.pm and I am scorching hot by just walking a few yards.  I don’t know if it is being just a little nearer the equator that makes it so hot if so I am glad that I am not right down the south of France. Are you having such weather in England. I see by this evenings paper that there has been an air raid on London I trust that you all are quite safe. There is nothing exciting happened that I might tell you about and I dare say you know more about the war than I do myself at any rate you are at least two days more up to date than I. We are still at rest which of course means occasional working parties. I wrote to one of old band boys this morning who is of low category in England he is now at Thetford in Norfolk. Some Batts out here have cut their trousers down to knickers: I wish we were doing the same. That is something to tell Hurbert Bertie. Our drum-major has some names towards a B.B. but wants about half a dozen more before attempting to start one. I am sorry that I cannot write more trusting that you are all quite well.

With Love From Will xx

Dear Emmie

It is now Bank Holiday Monday and the weather is glorious. We all walk about without our tunics on and then it is too hot to do much strenuous work. We are now out for a short rest and I hope that by the time we go back this heat wave has passed. We had a cold shower bath yesterday and it was grand. I haven’t received a letter from you for three whole days now I suppose they have got held up on the way. You see I have some writing paper now. Dad sent it in parcel which came just at the right moment; just as we got into our billit from the line. We had some Stew for dinner today (with a capital “S”) and plum duff with no plums in it.

Yours just received of15th and 16th inst they enable me to write a little longer letter. I havn’t met this newly discovered cousin yet. I think he is in hospital but I don’t know what ails him. Will won’t be able to carry on the F.W.D. now I see Gertie is taking it on I guess she misses him but she is only one among many. If I remember correctly you went on a ramble Whit: Monday last year. I am looking forward toward the time when I can accompany you. When accompanying the Lord’s Prayer and Creed in a monotone I always used to extemporise it is very easy and you’ll get used to it; I cannot write a piece without having the key-board in front of me but I might try one of these times. You put it very mildly about the “bounders” but you would find them ten or twenty times worse in factories. I hope I am not condemning myself.

I notice you write “huns” with a small “h” aren’t they worth a capital now. You have solved that puzzle correctly but our sleep is not often disturbed. I am sorry I cannot “Ecris vous une longue lettre” as there’s nothing to write about. Well ma Cherie I will conclude now

With Love

From Will xxx

P.S. Please excuse writing as nib is going “wonky”

Dear Emmie

In answer to yours of the 7th inst. You will be surprised to know that we have been in “les tranchée” since May 1st but by the time you receive this we will be out. No I haven’t met any rabbits yet but there are plenty of rats here which would go very well stewed. Sorry you had to toss who should have the meat. I had to do that yesterday with myself and decided not to have any as it was too bad to eat. It happened today that a Lieu: Colonel came round and saw our dinners which literally weren’t good enough for dogs and I think he is looking into it further. I suppose by now you have been vaccinated have you had much pain with it I didn’t. You tell Bert that I would wear knickers if I could and that if he wants to help win the war not to go in for trousers as they take more material.

I think you must have read that card of 5th wrong. I don’t think I said I hadn’t heard for you for a long time; if you have it read it carefully again. I don’t know the song “The Great red dawn” but I see plenty out here. I like that piece of poetry very much. Yes I do know how fond you are of it. You don’t “gas” too much but I would like you to use both sides of the paper even if you only use one sheet; if my dad was to see your letters he would have a blue fit if you know what that’s like. I am sorry you haven’t heard from me for a long while by your letter of 12th inst but you know I have no writing paper. This is the cleanest sheet out of my note book which you see I had started to use. I am glad to hear that the congregation of the Church is good and I would like you to remember me to  Mr Chapman and tell him I wish his concert a success helping to pay for the organ repairs. Yes, I was at Aldershot having a holiday this time last year. We have been in two or three more holes since that first one I spoke of. Old German dug-outs are much deeper than our own but I prefer ours because some daylight gets in at times. I didn’t know W.Mayne had been to Italy. I asked his where-abouts when I wrote home last. I was just about to write for some Harris’s Pomade and it is very thoughtful of you getting me some. I don’t get much time for writing now todays work is, on duty 12 mid night to 5am. breakfast 5.30 sleep 6am – 12 noon dinner 12.45 work from 2pm to 5 tea 5.30 stand to from 7-8 on from 9 till 12 mid. No wonder time flies. I have had one case self inflicted bullet wound through bysept muscles upper right arm. Accident. Bad wound. 5 inch by 1½ and out another hole through the other side. You must excuse all these scraps of paper as I can’t get any other stuff. You see one letter is about a week old but you must excuse that as I hadn’t an envelope. I think I will have to come on you for another note book now as I have used it all up in letters.

(W.R.M. says life here is rather monotonous but it will not last long.) [Transcriber’s note: Using their prearranged code, this suggests that William is in Loos, France] This is a very quiet part of the line and there is not much going on. Our artilary send one over about 10 to every one of Jerry’s. The first night I was in the line I might say I got unnecessary “wind up” but that is all over now. Old Fritz has just woke up again I can hear some wiz-bang crackers going off. Well my dear I will have to conclude now

With Fondest Love

From Yours Ever

Will xx

P.S. Please will you call at Mrs Gibbs, 121 Roman St, Clerkenwell E.C.1 for Charlie’s address for me at your own leisure. My Pa will direct you to it: it is near the reservoir on the top of Pentonville Hill. It is a Singer’s sewing machine shop. I met Mrs Gibbs when Charlie was on his final leave.