Dear Emmie We are still at the same place; I think we are moving tomorrow. We have no address yet. This afternoon we had a Russian Steam bath. It’s like an abbreviated Turkish bath. The sun is shining brightly and we are doing the same as yesterday. We are with a lot of Canadians and they are very fine chaps. There are a lot of Chinese men here in the labour corps. Cigarets are very cheap here. Will write a letter tomorrow if I have time. Much Love From Yours Will xx
Dear Emmie, You see I have no fixed abode yet; I dare say you have my other letter by now; I was told we were not allowed to write in ink but now I know different. We have done nothing today except eat and sleep and I think we were quite entitled to the rest as we never had any for about 48 hours. It did not seem like Sunday yesterday especially Easter and it doesn’t seem like Bank Holiday Monday today. We are at a very big base now and expect to move tomorrow, We are about 60 miles from the front but we cannot hear any firing. I have soon used myself to French money. I thought there was more in it than there really is. I sent a card to Harold Day today and I am writing to Mabel at Bowes Park after this. If you do not hear from me for a day or two sometimes you must not worry but of course it will not be my fault. I believe F. Champ’s lot is over here but I have not seen him yet; I have seen one or two boys that I know. I am wanting a letter from you very much so I will try to get some address for you. I don’t think there is much more to write at present so will conclude With Best Love From Yours Will
Dear Emmie We crossed the pond yesterday and I was not seasick, over 50% of the boys were though. I have no address yet but will let you know it as soon as I get one. We are under canvas arrived here about midnight so you can guess what it was like getting in, in the dark. What food we have had has been very good and the bread is whiter than I can ever remember it being. There is not much to write about yet but I dare say there will be soon. I am sorry we moved from Cromer so quickly as I was not able to go to church Sunday morning. We had a train ride yesterday and went about 12 miles in an hour and a half. The weather is just nice not too cold. I will write again soon. With Best Love From Yours Ever Will xx P.S. I don’t think we are allowed to write in ink.
Dear Emmie We arrived in Folkestone about 3.30 o’cl. this morning and were travelling since 8 o’cl last night. We were officially warned for draught yesterday morning. What was left of the band, played us to the station through the rain. The spirit of the boys was very good and they were very orderly. We stopped at Liverpool St station and some of the boys people were there. You will find out where I am when I put W.R.M. on top of my letters with a slight break in of the letters of the following words. Write letter as soon as poss. Love From Will
Dear Emmie Yours to hand of the 28th which I received this morning. I have posted a letter to No.16 for you and also one for your Mother. There is not much to write about only that we have all our equipment ready to move at any time. All I hope is that I am able to take communion tomorrow morning at church. I did not go yesterday morning but heard Stainer’s Crucifiction in the evening which was not bad for a war-time attempt. The P.R.I. Principal of the Regimental Institute wants to pay us 2/6 for playing on the pier one Sun afternoon and as we are not contented we are going to interview him in mass formation this afternoon. I am sending this express hoping that you will get it before you return home. I will conclude now With Best Love From Yours Ever Will
Dear Emmie Thanks for letter + paper. I am glad I did not put you out last week. I hope to get my pass any time this week. There is a lot of “wind up” here about the German offensive; to look at things straight it means us going out soon. I am not pessimistic about it though. I am going to find out about my leave now hoping to see you soon. Love From Will
Dear Emmie I am now sitting in my billit where I might have been at 16 Tiber St in the arm chair with you on my knee. Oh! the thought of it makes me say xyz the army. Never mind my leave is to come and I expect to be home any time next week except Monday. The band is on a tank “stunt” for a week beginning April 1st 18 and I believe the drum major wants to take me. At that rate I should be home Tuesday and return Sunday. There is one thing I have my leave to come and then perhaps one after that for to bring my instrument home. I have heard some bad news from the Front I hope it is not too serious. The band played at the brigade sports yesterday and had a race. As usual the man with the big drum won as he has a start in front of the others. It is a glorious day today and we are playing on the pier this afternoon. It is such a nice day that it ought to be a record for takings on the pier. I have about 10/- to come for last week so I will be rich when I come home. How long was you away from the office or did you get to work Friday morning. I received your telegram in record time; about 2.30 or rather 14.30 army time. I missed my breakfast this morning through waking up at 7 o’cl summer time. Had it have been ordinary time it would have been 6 o’cl or 06.00 army time. Well my dear I will conclude now hoping to see you soon. With most affect Love From Your Will xx
Dear Emmie I am very sorry to have put you out so, but my leave was stopped this morning. I was quite ready, had had an early breakfast and was feeling as if I was at home when I found that I was unlucky as my pass had not been put in. You can imagine my disappointment. As I am writing this the boys are marching off to the station. I hope you will be able to cancel the week you have got off because next week is holiday week and you will have one or two days given you then. I have a good piece of news and that is, I don’t think that this is my last leave, most likely it is but I am going to try to get another one to bring my cornet home because I will leave it behind. I would write more now only I don’t feel up to it. I will now conclude hoping that I am not disappointed next week. With most affect. Love From Your Will xxxx
Dear Emmie leave postponed until next week letter following love Will
Dear Emmie Yours to hand of the 19th. I half expected such an answer, before I sent my letter to you and now I have got it I suppose I must put up with it. If you would rather save your week until the summer by all means do so I would not like to know that I was spoiling your holiday in any way. I will arrive in London about 12 noon on Friday. I think it is Liverpool St where my train gets it. Well I must get on or I will have somebody running me for neglect of duty. Love From Will x
Dear Emmie, Dear Will 