Posted on by leftoverlondoner

10th September 1917

Bandsman W Metcalfe 46534 Aldershot
Dear Emmie

I received yours this afternoon; we have had a double day today and we have also played a hard game of football this evening so I guess I will be a bit stiff tomorrow.

You know I was sorry you could not come as I said in my last letter but I hope to get leave on the 14th. I could not get an “application form” for a pass today so I will write it on a plain piece of paper. It was rather exiting for you at the Euston on Sunday: you are never safe anywhere in any way now there is a war on; what with the raid signals etc. There have been quite a lot of aeroplanes up this evening so I hope you are not having a lively time in London.

I have no more to say now so will conclude

With all my love

Will

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

9th September 1917

16 Tiber St
Dearest

How sad I am, I could not come. I was all ready, my sandwiches cut too, and then the rain came and lasted so long, so I could not start. It has been a miserable day, so dull and showery, I’ve been wondering if it was fine at Aldershot. You must try and get leave for the 14th.

Have been seeing all the Russians (men only) leaving the country this evening at Euston, there were myriads of them, and a great deal of unrest you may be sure. They were hissed and booed awful, of course there were the hooligans about and when Maude and I left Euston the hooligans shouted out that we were Russians been to see the menfolk off and they prepared to round on us, there were about 40 of them. I’ve never been so frightened so I shouted out We are English, then they cheered and let us go on triumphantly, what experiences we do have in war time, it is surprising.

Well the hour is approaching bed time, bye the way, we had a bit of a warning this afternoon and had to let our kiddies out of Sunday School about 3.30, another piece of excitement. The all clear signal was given though shortly after. Well write to be quick and tell me a lot.

Fondest love, from your

Emmie.

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

9th September 1917

Bandsman W Metcalfe 46534, (Band Hut) 100 T.R.B., Albuhera Barracks, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot
Dear Emmie

Thanks for yours of the 6th inst; I think it was a good thing you didn’t come down today as it has been raining again. When you didn’t turn up as I half expected, I was disappointed a little although in a way I had been hoping that you wouldn’t come. Yesterday and Friday were both fine days so I was looking forward to something. These things can’t be helped so I hope to see you next Friday if I get a pass. I am starting tomorrow to see if my cause is sufficiently important that I should get the said pass and if so it would give me so much pleasure if you would be so kind as to obtain permission to be absent from your office for an afternoon on the said Friday so as by your sweet company my leave would be made more enjoyable than if you could not etc etc etc. (all in one breath) I hope I have made my meaning quite plain to you. I am very sorry to hear of Harry Lawford’s death; one trouble always seems to be succeeded by another as in the case of the Fowlers. We all went to church this morning on church parade; you know we generally have a service in a field. I am going to night at 6.30 it is six o’clock now. It seems quite a long time since I went to a Sunday evening service. This afternoon I have been to orchestra practice trying over some new pieces.

I will now conclude

With Finest Love

Will xx

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

6th September 1917

16 Tiber St
Dear Will

In reply to yours, the weather is very doubtful here. I am half afraid it will be wet for Sunday, but we will hope for the best. I will come if it is not raining, I think I am too much of a burden when it is wet. No, we do not have signals when there is a night raid, that’s the worst part, we are all supposed to be under cover that time of night. I have just heard a piece of bad news. Harry Lawford has been killed in action, not long after the death of his poor mother was it? This war is the cause of some suffering. Well excuse me finishing now, I will tell you the rest on Sunday.

Fondest Love

From

Emmie.

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

6th September 1917

Bandsman W Metcalfe 46534, (Band Hut) 100 T.R.B., Albuhera Brks, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot
Dear Emmie

Thanks for the letter, P.C. and magazine. I did hear of the air raid and of course wondered how you got on; I am glad to hear no one was hurt. Didn’t you have the warning? Did you write that card directly the “all clear” signal went because I got it quickly. I am glad you are coming Sunday and I hope it is better than when you came before. We had a thunder storm last night but it is fine today. I went sick this morning for some new “instep supports” for my feet which I think I will get. Has Bertie C. been out to France yet: he has been joined up a long time now. What regiment is George Ray in? T.Rs’, or T.C. I should think he would do for Mother Won’t Let Me Batt; I hope there is not an air raid when you go to the baths on Friday, nor a submarine attack either or you might go running home in your little short dress, which would not look so becoming in London as in Bournemouth. We are going to Officer’s Mess tonight so we will be alright for a free supper. I have done no parades today and I am sitting writing this also watching the boys come in after their hard morning’s work. Dear Emmie I hope the time passes quickly between now and Sunday so I now conclude

With Best Love

Will.

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

5th September 1917

16 Tiber St
Dear Will

In answer to yours. In the first place I expect you have heard of the Air Raid last night. We were all asleep and had to get up, the bombs did sound horrible, your people went to the tube but as usual we did not know what to do, and as Mrs Chard and Claude were not prepared we all stayed indoors until it passed over. The all clear signal was not given until about 2 o’clock this morning. Now I suppose this means we shall be sitting up until the early hours of the morning. The damage is very bad in Edgware Rd I hear, Bourne & Hollingsworth’s shop in Oxford St has caught it, and Charing Cross Rd is in a very bad condition. As usual not one air raider was brought down. I shall be pleased to come to Aldershot next Sunday, Sept 9th. I suppose that will be the last time too. Have all the band been removed to another Company and will it make any difference? Mr Clarke is on his holidays I do not think he will have another honeymoon myself. I expect you felt rather hungry by the time you got back that day, with only 6 biscuits. I think I should have contrived somehow to take something else with me.

I think I write much more in one line Will than you, perhaps that is why I have left so much paper clear lately as you say, but otherwise I cannot account for it. Bertie Cranmer is home on leave and is looking trés fit, he has plenty to say to all the neighbours as you may guess. I sent you the magazine so that you could read Mr Newman’s letter about Mr Hickin. George Ray was at church in khaki on Sunday, he looked very smart too especially with his hair cropped short. I am going swimming again on Friday and am looking forward to it ever so much. Mabel is coming too I think. Well I have no more to tell you this time Will, only you know I am always thinking of you and of course I want you more especially as I know I cannot have you near me. Well I will close now, with

Best love from

Emmie.

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

4th September 1917

Bandsman W Metcalfe 46534 Aldershot
Dear Emmie

On opening your letters lately they make me disappointed to see so much white paper left. Haven’t you any detail which might fill up a line or haven’t you much time. I am glad you liked the goss; are you shure you wouldn’t have preferred a model boat or a soldier’s cap? I was thinking of you last Sunday as it was such a fine day and I wished you were with me. I am rather doubtful about Sept 14th so I suggest that you come down next Sunday if the weather keeps fine. I hope it is not too much for you. If I do manage to get away it will be the 14th or 15th as hey only allow 48 hours special leave. You see I have been transfered into another company and the captain is rather mean about leave. One boy wants leave to see his brother who is home from the front and he cannot get it till the week-end when his brother might be gone back. How you do some work at the office what did you used to do? Is Mr Black on his holidays or his honeymoon. This officer of C. Company wants the C. Company bandsman to draw rifles so there is some trouble about doing two mens work. Yesterday we went out at 9am with six biscuits and did not get back for dinner till 4 o’clock. For a change I am going out to tea today so will now “pack up” and get washed and cleaned up. Emmie Dear, I am always longing for you, do you always feel the same for me. I cannot think of more to write now so will conclude

With Fondest Love

Will

PS. Please excuse writing as the paper is bad.

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Posted on by leftoverlondoner

3rd September 1917

16 Tiber St
Dear Will

Thanks very much for the china. I like it, it is supposed to be a thistle, very pretty too. So you had it fine after all, I was thinking about you all. Glad you are able to come home Sept.14th, is it going to be a weekend, or only for the day? I went to the Opera House, Sta. evening with Maude, they have pictures there now, and I spent a most enjoyable evening. Mr Warder told me he heard from you on Saturday. I was rather surprised, but I cannot say why I should have been. I am writing this at work. I have another young gentleman for the fortnight in the office with me, we sit all day and say not a word. I’m becoming quite like a mouse, there is more work done as a result though. Well I will conclude now, with

Love from Emmie

PS. My people wish to be remembered.

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