Posted on by leftoverlondoner

11th June 1917

Pte W. M. 46534
Dear Emmie

I am glad to hear you arrived home safe as I have been thinking of you all day until I received your letter at 8.15 this evening.  I am sorry I could not come on to the platform with you but you know how it is.  I am glad to hear you had good company going home last night in your carriage.  I did enjoy myself yesterday but I felt miserable after you had gone until I received your letter.  It was so sudden a parting. *From the star I have been turned out of the writing room as it is turned 9 o’clock.  That boy you spoke about; I saw him today and he told me he called in.  He ran away from barracks; made arrangements with a friend of his on a motor.  He got 3 days pay stopped and 4 days o.b.  About what he says of being half starved, I suppose it is the way he likes to express himself.  We do not get up until 6 o’clock AM now but we have to do an hours drill before breakfast.  We have tea and biscuits first thing.  I am doing a similar thing to your writing just before I get to bed.  I hope you will excuse this short letter as it was the only piece of paper I had.  We have been playing songs today, the time has flown.  I cannot think of much more to write only to thank you for the stamps and the eatables.  That little packet from W.L. was chocolate almonds; if I had known you could have had some.  I got out of debt directly I got back last night.  Thank you !

I now close

With Love of the Best 

Will xxx

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

6th June 1917

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534, (Band) 19 Platoon, E Coy 100 T.R.B., Talavesa Bks, Wellington Lines, Aldershot
Dear Emmie

I did not receive your letter till this afternoon as I missed the first “post call”.  I did not feel too warm when the train started: most of the boys in my carriage had road passes and were going back by train.  I had read that cutting from the “Star”; the boys pinned it up on the “Notice board” amid many cheers.  I did not think you were anything of what you sujest; in fact “giving way” makes one feel all the better for it afterwards.  I do not think I have ever been “fickle” or am becoming it and another thing there is nothing to be fickle about down here.  I think, in fact I know I have made up my mind whom I am going to think first-of-all, for.  We will not be moving this week and if you think of coming down at any time, next week 10/6/17 if you like you ought to know that I will be more than pleased to have you with me if only for a few hours.  If you decide next week, please let me know the train you are coming by.  Are you any more comfortable at your office now.  You may depend I will try all I can for passes but they have stopped all now so there is not much chance yet a while.  I feel no pain at all from my arm but a lot of the boys are going sick.  I went for my photographs last night but some how they were spoiled and will not be ready until Thursday.  Today we all went to a lecture given by a doctor, upon how to keep clean and fit in the Army.  I dare say those who listened gained some good advise.  This afternoon I took charge of a party of the band and when passing an officer saluted him and said “eyes left” instead of right.  I don’t think he noticed it.  I have started to read that book and like it very much; I have given up “Old Curiosity Shop” it is too dry.  I think we will soon be having route marches; I do not know if I will be able to dodge them at all.  I am not going out down town tonight, I am writing this in the barrack’s reading and writing room and there is a general hubbub.  I cannot think of any more to say now so I will now close.

With my fondest love

To my sweetheart Emmie xxx

P.S.  Please note “Band” in my address.  I think I will not have to wait so long for my letters.

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

4th June 1917

Metcalfe 46534
Dear Emmie

I arrived at Aldershot about 11.15pm and reported at the “Guard room” at 11.35 o’clock.  I felt rather tired and I soon got to my room.  Before I lit the gas one of the boys was awake and gave me a letter from W.L.  I am writing this at 10.45am so I hope you will get it today.  I hope that you have ‘gained heart’ again by now as I know it is very hard at the parting.  I must say that I had the best time yesterday that I have had for a month.  It makes me feel happy to think so confidently that you are so true to me; I will always be so to you.  We have had band practice this morning and I like it ever so much better now that I have my cornet.  There are four down here now and I think we will soon get a decent tune.  There was one thing that I was sorry I forgot and that was to thank your Mother personally for those eatables; you might let her know for me please?  I will have to close now as it is turned 11 o’clock; I will write more next time.

With very Best Love 

Will xxxx

P.S. Some body came down here for me yesterday with Will Bedhurst (Mayne).  I do not know who it was.

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

1st June 1917 7.45pm

Metcalfe 46534
Dear Emmie

I received your letter this afternoon.  So far I think the passes are washed out again.  You will know that if I do not arrive home Saturday that I cannot get away.  I will wait for the 12.22 train as you say.  I am glad to hear you enjoyed yourself on Monday I wish I had been there with you.

I have no time to write more now as it is 7.45 and I want to express this letter if I can.

With love 

Will. xxx

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

30th May 1917

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534, 19 Platoon, E Coy 100 T.R.B., Talavesa Barracks, Wellington Lines, Aldershot
Dear Emmie

I received your letter last night, last thing; and this is the first opportunity I have had to answer it.  When you speak of the "people in your street” and the “Zepps” it makes me think of the first time I was speaking to your Father and you ran up and caught hold of my arm.  By what you write I suppose you did not get my letter Saturday, as I wanted you to.  Did Mabel ask you if you would have liked to have come down Monday because Dad said he asked Mabel to ask you, and she said she thought you had settled about going to the ramble.  I do hope you enjoyed yourself.  The weather here is very hot now, but we had a thunderstorm last night which flooded us out.  About 6 acres were swamped with water, in some places it was knee deep.  In shallower parts boys were riding through it on bicycles.  Dear Emmie, if I do not get leave this weekend I would very much like to see you.  I put in my pass today but I do not know wether it will be washed out or not.  Will you feel safe if you come by yourself ?  Do not get frightened if you get a letter with “Urgent” written on it.  I will post one on Friday so as you will get it Saturday.  I did take Communion last Sunday as you will see by my other letter; and I also went in the evening.  I enjoyed the services very much.  I went to Church parade 9 o’clock Sunday morning so you see I nearly had a “Perfect day”.  I am sorry to hear of your bad news; do you think your Mother and Father will be back by Saturday.  On Monday I could not get a pass till four o’clock to go out with Mum & Dad so I took “French leave” at 1.30.  Nobody knew and nothing was said.  We went to the pictures and saw the “Beast”.  Do you remember it at the Rink.  Today we have had an easy time nothing but practice and not much of that.  This morning our sergeant major went round all the rooms and saw food in some of the cup-boards.  He said we were not to have any in the barrack rooms, but you know there are always a lot of rules which are never carried out.  By the way: I received that letter I said I expected when I got home that evening last Friday.  You see how well I am getting to know you.  I will have to close now as I am playing a bugle call in about half an hour called the “retreat” it is played twice a week; generally on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Yours very Lovingly 

Will xxx

P.S.  About a fortnight ago we all went to school & had Arithmetic, Dictation, and Composition.  About 20 passed out of 150 and I was one of the little number.  All the others have had to go to school four times this week.

I will let you know as soon as poss if I am coming up this week.  You can get your P.T in case my pass does not go through.

Leave about 12 noon 2/6/17 to 11.55pm 3/6/17

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

27th May 1917

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534, E Coy 100 T.R.B., 19 Platoon, Talavesa Bks, Wellington Lns, Aldershot
Dear Emmie

This is the third attempt to write you this letter.  The Y.M.C.A. paper is no good.  I am glad to hear you are doing something to pass your long, lonely, lingering moments away.  Is it by chance “tuck” baskets you are learning to make.  I hope you will not have to work for your living when you are “old and feeble” as you say.  I heard that the Zepps’ were over again and wondered how you got on, but I am glad to hear you slept through it all.  It is a bad case about all those Germans sea planes which were over the other day.  I hope to see you next Sunday to help you with those songs of Mr Chapman’s and other nice things.  I am trying for leave and I hope I will get it.  I think all these boys who are deserting are stopping our leave.  Please do not forget to tell W.L.  not to get those buttons as we all have to wear brass ones.  I know you do not forget to do what I ask you, so please forgive me for writing in such a way.  (This is a bad nib)  I am glad to say that my tooth ache has stopped.  I think it must have been a cold I had because my tooth-ache went and my inside and limbs got rather stiff but it has worked off now.  I very often forget to ask you things in some of my letters; so I write them down directly I think of them; that is why they are perhaps jumbled sometimes.  I naturally, will be thinking of you Whit’ Monday and I hope you enjoy yourself as good as circumstances will allow.  I do not know exactly what we are doing tomorrow but I suppose it will be the usual.  I went to that church where those pretty bells were this morning to H.Com.  I was told by a corporal that I would not be allowed out before dinner; but you know the Army does not come first.  It was about the most interesting morning services I have ever heard.  Perhaps it was because I had not been in a real church for three weeks.  I am going again this evening so I will have to hurry up with this letter because it is now 5.30. and is a long way to walk.  It is now pouring with rain so I hope it will stop.  I know what I promised you and I did not forget xxx but I will try to make up for lost time when I get you in the parlour on your own; if you are still living in Rue d’tiber.  Have you thought of moving yet?  You know I do not make a lot of fuss in letters so I do not tell you all I should like to.  I like to be face to face with the genuing article you know it is a thousand times better.  There is something now I have forgotten to ask you but I may think of it next time I write.  Please remember me to all so I will now close Dear Emmie

Remaining Your ever loving

Will. xxxx

P.S.  What I was going to say is that I have read “A Roman Singer’ about Nino and Hedwig.  I think you had it some time ago.

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

25th May 1917

Pte W.M., Company E.100TR Bat.19 Platoon, Stationed at Talavesa Barracks, Wellington Lines, Aldershot
Dear Emmie

I am writing to you tonight, although I have not yet received an answer from my last. I thought it would [be] such a long time from Wednesday till Monday before you heard from me; but still, I expect a letter when I return to barracks this evening or at least tomorrow morning. I spoke to an officer today who knows Mr Avery and he asked me if I was happy in the Army; I said “yes” but of course I am not really what I would like to call happy; I think I would be if I did not have you to leave at home. Some people are funny in expressing themselves; and I am one. I would rather be unhappy for one year to enjoy perhaps many years at home with you. I am having really an ideal soldier’s life, especially in the band but I would rather have a ‘collar and tie’ on.

I have not time to write more, but I wish I could express my feelings for you, more in writing.

Yours With Fondest Love

From Will.

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

23rd May 1917

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534, 19 Platoon, E. Coy 100 T.R.B., Talavera Barracks, Wellington Lines, Aldershot
Dear Emmie

I received your letter this morning and I am glad to hear you enjoyed yourself so much; I could see you did not like leaving me and that was the only part besides the rain I did not like, you having to go home.  It seemed so short a meeting.  You say “W.L.” is talking of “joining up”; he has always done that.  I have had my name put down for a transfer into R.F.C. there are only two to be chosen in our battalion this month so perhaps I do not stand much of a chance.  I think the best thing for me to do is to keep in the band and not take promotion; if I stay in it always, in the end I have a chance of dodging the trenches; they put some bandsmen on stretcher bearing, etc. it is dangerous work but I would prefer that to “pig sticking”.  You may content yourself with the fact, that I will never care for to stay in the army a minute longer than I can possibly help.  There are all sorts of roumours as to where we are going to move to.  First it’s India, then Ireland, next Wimbledon, and now I believe we are going into some barracks about half a mile from where we are now; I think the best thing to do is to “wait and see”.  That storm started about ten o’clock and I went to sleep and it did not keep me awake at all; I am sorry to hear you got so frightened; perhaps you wanted me there with you.  I hope you enjoy yourself Whit Monday; I do not think we have any extra time off but we must put up with what we get; it is a silly thing being in the Army.  I do not know why some boys want to join.  One of the six boys that ran away last Saturday night one returned Sunday midnight and no one knew he was there until the morning.  All he got was three days pay stopped but the others will get it hotter.  He went home to see his brother who was home from the front so I do not blame him for his pluck.  Two of the others tried to escape before but were caught and let off so as to keep the new company from any black marks; I think they will get about a fortnights “CB” and seven days pay stopped when they are caught.  I have eaten all of that “hoard”, and I do not feel any weaker for it.  Dear Emmie, you cannot write too much at a time for me, if you took the hint from where I said I might fill four pages, you misunderstood me, because I meant the paper was so common that the writing was going through.  I received your lucky sixpence and I hope it will bring me good fortune.

I will now close, With my very Best Love, Your Will xxxxx

PS Please remember me to all at home and at the “Mish”

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