Dear Emmie

In answer to yours of the 2nd inst. I think somehow the post is wrong; it is very irregular and I don’t think they can all get through what I send to you: all the chaps speak of the same thing. Have you received more than one letter from me this this week, you should have done. If leave goes fairly well I should be home about the end of Jan. Mr Ferraro did not write to me first, I did the trick for once. I have had some election Communication sent to me but of course not having read the papers much I cannot form an opinion. I think the govt. is frightened to wait any longer or they will lose power for a labour party. The weather has been glorious this last few days quite like spring really too good to last. I pity the chaos who have to go forward into Germany if they are having a worse time than us. I don’t think they will have much of a time.

The war is over and now the boys have started soldiering. Five guards instead of one have to be found every day out of the batt. The chaps have to clean their brass and equipment and be smart to look at and go without a bath for weeks. I think I will be in my eighth week in a couple of days time. I think I’ll write home for a bath soon to carry in my pack. I guess you will thinking me a frightful moaner but it’s an “Englishman’s privilege”. It would be a bit cheerful if we had a piano but I think the batt is frightened to carry one. I expect a nice long letter from you although I cannot write one. You would understand if you knew how empty this life is. I will now close hoping the time will pass quickly for us to move from here.

Fondest Love

From  Will xxx

Dear Emmie

Yours to hand of the 30th ult: I cannot understand you not getting more than one letter a week from me. I think this is the third or perhaps the fourth I have written you this week so please let me know if you have received the others. I know the last two letters I have written have not been up to much but you know you are not the only one who treads my correspondence. I would very much like to write you a nice long letter but I cannot make a lot out of nothing.

I have only been to the Albert Hall twice and once was with you, can you remember? Are concerts still held at the Central Hall now on Saturday evenings such as we used to go to? I would very much like to hear an organ recital by Mr Meale now, all the music we get is by banging a drum or pumping a flute. I think our Batt is frightened to carry a piano with them. I found the puzzle enclosed and now I see that I nearly worked it our before but didn’t get that shape. As for the one I set you, you can’t quite do it now but when I come home you will be able to. You have to use a mirror on the figures and you will see the answer. I gave my name in for a course of “Lithography” this morning, that will be très bon; I will soon get my hand in again. I didn’t think that they would open [?] for courses but as I said in my last letter I would like to get into an Army printing shop or school. I never hear anything of W.L. from home I think I will write to Mabel and ask her. I wouldn’t be surprised if they kept C.Os till the army is all demobilized.

Well my dear I will close now and write tomorrow if poss

Fondest Love

From Yours Ever

Will xxx

Dear Emmie

Yours to hand of the 27th ult. The common saying in France for “How are you” is Comment alez vous, literally “how go you” but I dare say “commens partey vous” is better French. I suppose G.Todd is home now (lucky dog). I think released Ps.O.W. get two months leave and £5 down but perhaps they will from some scheme for demobilizing them quickly.

Please tell Herbert Bertie that I would be quite alright in the middle of Sahara Desert because of the sand which is there. (Compre). Sorry to hear that the flu’ has broken out again I hope you will all keep free from it. We have bacon almost every day, or what is called bacon, but I think sometimes we get French boar which when salted is exactly like bacon. Yes! I hope to be home for good by next Summer and I think there is every possibility.

I think soldiers of 19 who are signing on are liable to be sent abroad. We are having a lecture or something on education I think this morning so I will have to leave this letter in a minute.

I read that piece about the lead swinger and the band and no doubt cases have occurred very similar: in fact is a musician was to get to a base, sick, it would probably mean a three or sometimes six months job in a band. Some chaps are excellent at it. How do you go on for butter and cheese in England now: I think there is a shortage out here, our rations are wicked lately. I suppose it doesn’t matter now the war is over. We are moving to another village soon and I hope things will improve there.

Has your office moved yet? Please will you send me a couple of candles if it is no trouble for you to get them, they will come in very handy. We have a canteen but as usual there is nothing in it. I think somebody else has a pick before privates. I have nothing any good to write now so will close

With Love

From Yours with the Hun

Will xx

Dearest Emmie

We are still at the same place but hope to be moving soon. It is Advent Sunday today and I went to H.C. this morning the first time for a long time. Please remember me to Mrs Thomson (your aunt) when you see her. What did Bertie think of the wedding or rather the marriage? I suppose he had something sausey to say. Glad to hear G.Todd is on his way home he will be in England soon. I reckon he’s been jolly lucky, don’t you? I feel sorry for Mrs Mayne myself she is left all on her own now but I know Mum will help her as much as poss: I am now going on parade for about half an hour and will continue this by some artificial light. I have still plenty of ink tablets left thank you. I don’t think I have used a third yet. I would like to have a go at “Christ & his Soldiers” on the organ, I’ve only tried bits but not all through. It is all easy enough on the piano. We generally have a tune of an evening now that it is too dark to go anywhere and there is also nowhere of any amusement here. I dare say we will have a better time when we settle down for the winter, if we do: it is rumoured that our Brigade is having a concert party out from England so that would be alright. Of course rumours are generally told the wrong way round with a bit added on by the time it has been through a few hands, so I will tell you. We might have a band sent to us, of course it is about time and it would be très bon. I might be able to get a little practice. While I am writing this there are two of the boys playing home sweet home on clalrinettes. How is Maude going on do you see much of her now or rather do you see her often? I hope you have a good time Christmas wish I could be with you, will let you know what kind of a time we have.

Donald is sitting on my left and are both stop writing and looking at each other every now and then as there is not much to write about so I will close; hope to get a letter tomorrow.

Best love from

Will