Dear Emmie, Dear Will

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

Dear Emmie

I am writing this letter in the third hour of another twenty-four hours off.  You know this time what for.  I do not think anybody fainted this morning, and I hardly feel anything yet.  I do not think I will feel the inoculation this time as much as the last and that was not bad.  One thing that worries me is that if I am not very careful I shall be picked out for hair cut. (or crop)  This “crop” does the hair good, in the end, but if I am coming home next week (you see I am building high castles) I do not want my hair too short.  I have been to two band practices and missed two hot days of hard drill.  The other day the Bandmaster caught me asleep at practice but he did not say much.  It is very hot here, nearly too hot to move.  All I hope for is that I see you next week; I do not suppose I shall get more than Saturday & Sunday off, if that.  There are four or five others that have been granted leave so I stand a chance.  I dare say you have noticed the change of my address; these barracks are the nearest of any to the station. Now this is where I have a bit of (doubtful) real good news.  The roumour is very prevailent that after we have been at the barracks for a few weeks we are going to be shifted to either Wimbledon or Richmond Pk.  This would be a bit of good luck for then I would be able to pop home frequently.  I do not know wether the air makes any difference to our appetites down here but what was too much for us at first, does not seem to be sufficient to eat now.  When we get into barracks they may have better convenience to cook more.  It makes me laugh to see the boys trying to shave themselves and about 50% of them cut themselves.  It is rather cold washing at 5.30 in the morning so I generally have a proper wash in the evening and a “cats lick” in the morning.  The time seems to fly here for we only have a few hours to spare a day now.  I know how the time must drag for you, but I will have to make the most of it when I see you.  Please will you thank your Mother for me, for those little loaves; they went down very nicely thank you.  The things in our canteen are very dear e.i 2½ & 3d per little apple 2d bananas.  I think when we get to town the goods in the “Soldiers Home” & “YMCA” etc are very cheap.  How is Bert getting on with the piano? (Mum?) I will have to come round & hear him play.  The “cook house” has just sounded so I will have to run for my rashons.  One boy in my tent says “We’ve got whales for tea. 

– Interval tea – 

I had two bloaters and about 5 slices of thick bread for tea.  Of these I saved a slice & a half to eat later for we have to go from 5pm to 8am with nothing.  I think I have told you about all so will now close

Yours Ever Loving 

Will xxx

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534, 19^th Platoon 15 Tent, E. Coy 100 T.R.B., 35 Camp, Rushmoor, Aldershot

Dear Emmie

I am very sorry to have to write this letter in the negative to your question yesterday, but it would not be advisable for you to come down on Sunday.  I would not like you to come into our camp & I do not think it would be allowed; although I want to see you very much.  I am trying for a leave next week-end which I hope is forth-coming.  One of the reasons I cannot get a pass is that I have not yet a hat-badge or belt.  The main reason I should have put in your last letter; as you asked me wether we were going to be inoculated again. I asked the sergeant major for a pass, and he said that we were either going to be done on Saturday or Sunday so you see how I am placed.  Do not worry about me I hardly felt the last lot compared with some of the others, and although the next is double strength, I think I will stick it without fainting.

I cannot write more as they are waiting for me for the band.

I am Yours With Much Love 

Will xx.

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534, 19^th Platoon 15 Tent, E. Coy 100 T.R.B., 35 Camp, Rushmoor, Aldershot

Dear Emmie

I received your most welcome letter this morning which did not take one day coming down.  When I said I would write perhaps only one letter a week, I did not realise what it would be like, to be away from you; perhaps you will realise that by my last letter.  You may depend that I will write as often as possible.  I did not even read of the air raid last Sunday because it is hard to obtain a newspaper in camp.  Some of the fires I told you about are set alight by boys for so called “sport”.  Some are lit by the soldiers so as to guard against it lighting by combustion and causing a lot of dammage.  Do not go as a nursemaid, because you must wait until I come back for good.  I know it will be a long time and I hope it will pass quickly.  I might be able to get two days off in about a fortnight.  I am trying as hard as possible.  This afternoon I went to band practice while most of the others were drilling it was very easy: and when the Bandmaster was not there two of the boys went to sleep.  I am now in the room adjoining the canteen with two playing draughts and two more writing on the same table; so you can gess in what conditions I am.  We are going in barracks on Monday next and I think the same address will find me, till I tell you different.  I have got used to sleeping on boards by now but I think we will soon have beds.  I know how you must feel my being away but you must cheer up and I will try to keep you lively by letters if I can.  The other day we had a “hair cut parade” but they passed me by; otherwise I should have a proper crop; about ¼ of an inch all over with a little bit in front, which would not please “Hurbert Berty” very much.  How are ‘things' going on down the Church.  Dear Emmie I cannot explane my feelings as to being away from you but I think they are more than you would imagine. I do miss you very much but somehow I can’t keep saying so or else it might make you unhappy.

I will close now hoping to have news of my getting leave soon

With Much Love 

Will xx

PS Thank you very much for stamps.

Dear Emmie

In answering your letter I forgot to ask you to send my watch down.  Please do so, and will you register it as ordinary parcels are thrown about.  Please will you ask my Mother to register any money she may send.  I think it is a cert that we are going in Barracks next Monday.  I hope so.

Will now close

With Best Love 

Will.

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534, E. Coy 100 T.R.B., 35 Camp, * 19^th Platoon, Rushmoor, Aldershot

Dear Emmie

It is Sunday today and I still have nothing to do, but I will write you as frequently as possible as it is so monotonous down here.  I have not yet received a letter from you (Sunday evening) but I suppose it is because this being a new camp the postal system is not yet perfect.  We have just got a proper letter box; before, we had a wooden box, not a foot square.  Letters will be delivered to me more quickly if you add to the address * 19 Platoon.  This morning 11 of us went to Farnham, about 2 miles out of bounds.  This evening we went to Aldershot town; also out of bounds.  We have not been caught yet, but when we get our uniforms (which I hope will not be long) we may go to town, without a pass, any time from about 6 p.m. til 9. p m.  The countryside is always being set fire to; either by sparks from engines or by the friction of rubbing trees.  While we were at Aldershot one of these fires occurred and all our Company with two or three others were called out to beat out the flames which were about 15 feet high.  They had to march about four miles there and back but we got out of that.  The fire was near the magazine so was rather dangerous.  Another fire broke out near our bombing schools yesterday and we were all called out, but were dismissed again because it had been put out.  I think we will all get our uniforms tomorrow for certain and then we will be proper soldiers.  They set us out with two suites, one for working and one for best, two pairs of boots, three shirts, two pairs of pants, a tooth brush, hair brush, comb, two boot brushes, one clothes brushes, one polish brush for buttons, a rasor, and shaving brush, overcoat, cardigan, soap, two towels, basin & plate for all food, knife fork & spoon, and a pair of putties and a cap.  Our drills start tomorrow so I will be glad when I get into the band so as it will not be too stiff.  I hope they do not send me to the military barber for he nearly shaves the hair off of the mens’ heads.  The N.G.O’s and officers are very lenient here; I do not know wether they will become stricter later.

I cannot think of any more to say now, so hoping to here from you very soon

I remain Yours

With Love

 Will x

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534, E. Coy 100 T.R.B., 35 Camp, Rushmoor, Aldershot

Dear Emmie

I was thinking of you about 8 o’clock last night and was wondering where I would have been, were I not at Aldershot.  I begin to miss you after the first day, so I hope I will get leave soon.  We are not allowed to go to town yet as we have no uniform and are supposed not to know how to salute.  We have 48 hours to ourselves and are supposed to be in camp, but I believe we are out of bounds.  I am now at the time of writing this letter, sitting in a field with my back against a tree in between Aldershot and Farnborough with about half a dozen aireoplanes overhead.  I might get into a band with the cornet, the[n] I will not have to go on fatigues, that is, picking up pieces of paper or any odd job a N.G.O. wishes to order me to do.  There are also less drills in the band.  I slept fairly well the first night and I hope I’ll sleep as well tonight.  It is absolutely a waste of time being down here and I think I will give my notice in soon.

Hoping you are quite well

With Love Will

P.S.  Please remember me to all.

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534, E. Coy 100 T.R.B., 35 Camp, Rushmoor, Aldershot

Dear Emmie

We arrived quite safe, just in time for dinner; which was fairly good.  Tea was not quite so good.  The boys in my tent are very good class, without one exception.  Two or three play the piano and one is a professional & composer.  We will have to wait two or three days for our khaki.  Our camp is about one and a half miles from the station. I do not think I have any more to say so I will now close. With Best Love, Will