Pte W. Metcalfe 46534

Dear Emmie

I quite understand why you did not write Sat: we had a thunderstorm as I said before and I think it was the worst I have yet experienced.  I believe that a thunderbolt dropped in our barracks.  It only lasted about 20 mins. here but that was bad enough.  We had no hailstones and the drops of rain were as big as five-shilling pieces.  I think the band is going to have leave separately from the company and if so I should think it would be before August 4th.  I like that programme I think it is the best the “Mish” has ever had.  It is rather a long time “next Friday week” to wait for your photos, but send one down as soon as possible won’t you.  How did you sit?  In what dress. Etc.  Rather funny Mr Clark should bring you flowers as well as his young lady; what would she say if she knew? I think Mr Clark is in a hurry I did not think he was getting married yet. I had a letter from Mr Avery yesterday and I think he is coming to see me Saturday next. I think the band is going to have some special physical training and musketry but I don’t suppose it will be very hard.  You must forgive me for what I said on that P.C. about writing too much. I didn’t really mean it. I am sorry but I will have to close now, I do not like to waste white paper in war time but “cookhouse” has blown and it means another two mins on my tea. It is not much but it stays the worms.

Is there any damage done near Islington with bombs.

I now close

With much love Will xxx

P.S. How do you like “crest” on note paper. If you do not like it I will not use it.

Dear Emmie

I was very disappointed at not receiving a letter today. This P.O. makes 3-0. We had a bad thunderstorm today, which cooled the air nicely. I expect I shall get a letter from you some time tomorrow. I hope I do not write too much for you. This is the only card I could find fit to send. Will now conclude

With Best Love

Will.

Pte W. M. 46534

Dear Emmie

I am writing this just before going to church. It is now 5.45p.m. and there is a post collection in about an half an hours time. The weather today has been unbearable. I has been so hot that I was too lazy to go to Bible class to play some hymns for them this afternoon. I went to Church Parade this morning and we played “A Perfect Way” on the band for a voluntary. Besides the hymns we played the “vinite” which went very well for the first time. Last night I wrote a letter to Mrs Way and W.L. and also a post-card to Mabel.

One of the boys in our rooms is being transferred into the Flying Corps. He has done no drills or parades for a fortnight and yet he has been given no leave. He was expecting at least a week; rather a disappointment for him. After Church Parade we were given a lecture by the Colonel and he told us we were going to start having our four days “recruits leave” in about a fortnights time. Those who have been “defaulters” or who have have any black marks against their names will be last or even stand a chance of going without their leave. Those who have had leave already will come next I think. I do not know whether mine will come before or after August 4 but I will make sure it does not come on that date. I have heard all sorts of rumours that we are moving this week, but nothing officially has been said. I cannot say how I am longing to see you again; this life gets rather monotonous, it is so much the same every day that I hardly know what to write about. How are the photos’ going on; I am longing to see one. I had my dinner in today, the first time for about four Sundays. It consisted of cold meat and celery (alive with maggots) and a half a slice of bread. For after we had about one table-spoon-full of custard and rhubarb. Some Sundays dinner. How is Mr C’s “j’une demoiselle” going on. (excuse spelling). The church bells are now peeling so I will now finish with my

Very Best Love

Xxx From Votre garçon Will

Pte W. M. 46534

Dear Emmie

Please excuse anything wrong with this letter, as I am supposed to meet some others of the band in a minutes time. We have had two distributions this evening and I have been lucky each time in receiving a letter. Dear Emmie you must not get tired of London and want to join any form of N.S. I have heard one or two tales of girls who have signed on and it has done them no good. I might say I was getting tired here only I do not like to think of it. Although I have the Army all round me, I often shut my eyes and fancy you are by me. The reason I dodged the swimming baths was because we had to go in our own time which meant going without anything to eat from 12 noon to 7pm rather a long time for me. I did not tell you why I am in such a hurry. We (five of the band) are giving two turns in a concert at a YMCA this evening about 7 o’clock and it is now ten to. I did not write to say I wanted one of your photo’s but I thought you would know that without my asking, it is so much better I think. I am writing this so as you will have the pleasure (?) of meeting the postwoman tomorrow morning. I did not go out on night operations last night but went to bed instead. I am sorry I have no time to write more as I fear I am keeping the others waiting.

I close now hoping that you are not troubled with air raids any more.

With Best Love

Will

P.S. Please remember me to all at home and to your Aunt if you see her.

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

Dear Emmie

I received your letter after tea this evening; we only have one distribution a day now so if it reaches here in the morning perhaps we do not get it till the afternoon that makes it rather late in replying. Over half of the company put in for passes last week so it will be hard to get one as only a few are allowed at once. It had been very hot here today but I have not had much to do although I was at band practice until ten minutes to nine p.m. I was sorry to hear about that air raid today, what was the nearest they came to Islington? Did you hear the bombs dropping? I am glad to hear Mr Clark has another young lady, how did he “pick her up”, do you know? (I don’t suppose he could really pick her up for she would be rather heavy.) You must not tease him too much or he might “cut rusty” again. I rather like your piece of poetry. That little parcel of Will’s to me was chocolate almonds; I do not know if I told you before or not. They were like the old kind and were morish. I do hope your photograph comes out all right. Yesterday everybody was supposed to go to the swimming baths but by missing my tea and having it out I dodged the seargent. I write two letters last night: one to Mum and one to Will Sharp. Please tell W.L. I will write to him when I get time. It is getting late 9.30 and dark. I am writing this on the side-board while I am sitting on a coal box; so please excuse writing. I think our company is going out on “night operations” tomorrow night, but I think being in the Band I miss that. The brass band is getting on A.I. and I think we are going to play at a concert next Wednesday but I do not know any particulars. I will now close as we are all supposed to be in doors at 9.30 & it is 9.40 now and I am going to post this tonight.

I remain

Your ever loving

Will

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

Dear Emmie

Have no time to write

Much Love 

Will

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.