Dearest Emmie

Yours to hand of 24-5-6 ult for which je vous remercie boucoup. I am now about 50 miles behind the line, I do not know if we are on rest or not, but of course I hope so. I seem to get your letters in bunches quelque-fois: but better like that than never. It doesn’t matter about asking Mabel to write if she doesn’t want to. I am quite content with your letters Emmie. I think we are behind both places you mention. ) W.R.M. I hope you have heard from me by this time. I nearly forgot to thank you for the parcel. “de cike” of course was very coot. Compre.

I dare say Harold is alright. I don’t suppose he goes far up the line but of course he comes under fire from the back areas. The majority of our men havn’t a very good name for the R.A.M.C. for some reason or other. Eg. When Donald was wounded he was not far from a R.A.M.C. dug-out and would not go out to help him. Luckily he was only hit in the leg and being [?.s.l.] was able to d it up himself. Of course that is only one case though. Their name is Rob All My Comrades but that is northing to go by. I think I told you that another of the old bandsmen is wounded, only a little bit in the forehead though and not at all serous, in fact he wanted to go up the line again with the boys. He is a very conscientious chap and is known as one of the best stretcher bearers in the Batt.

I will be pleased with the choc whatever it’s like as I haven’t tasted any for a long time. We have seen none of the flue for a long time now. I hope that the Railways have settled down to work by now. I hear that Soldiers are filling in the mens places that ought to make them go back as it did on the Clyde.

You mustn’t start thinking of too dreadfull things but just keep a little spirit up till I come home and I will do my best to make you happy. You must excuse mistakes in this letter as there is an argument going on as loud as a barrage.

Mabel will be 21 this month it does seem old. I don’t know weather to send her a card or not. I don’t doubt that G.Strong spent £100 on leave in India. It is surprising what soldiers get through. Perhaps be bought a lot of silk and similar things.

How did the concert at Claremont go I hope you sung well. Last night being the first time here I went out and had a good supper of Eggs & Chipps and cocoa that was 2f.40°. 2f the cheapest I have ever had. When I got back I pretended I had been “blinking” ort in other words vin-blanc-ing, and the French people call it Zig-zag; at any rate I was undressed and put to bed and now the chap who was so kind to me does not know that I was not zig-zag. We stayed at a town for one night not long ago and had a first class evening in an estaminet. There was a very good piano there and we had as good as a programme concert. There was some good singing there too. We didn’t get up till 9 ocl this morning because we didn’t hear the bugle go and we were lucky to get any breakfast. We are a good way from the batt. We are very comfortable in the most tidy barn I have seen. I will be able to tell you in a week how leave is going: about 9 went last month but now we are in a diff: army 3rd, and more might go.

Well my dear I must close now longing for the time when I can take you in my arms again.

From Yours

Ever Loving Will xxx

P.S. Please send me some writing paper as I am short and there are no Y.M.s near here.