7th March 1918

North Walsham
Dearest Emmie

Yours to hand of the 5th inst it takes two days for a letter to reach me from you now because of the changing at Cromer. We have had one bit of hard luck here, one of the boys has been taken to hospital with stomach trouble. About six months ago he was poisoned with rabit and he has never been right since. Is the organ at the Mission playable at all because I want a tune when I come home. I would like you to take me to the pictures no doubt it is a nice place. Is W.S. quite alright now or does he still feel the effects of the gass. If I was to get measles I might get a few days leave but I have got to get ‘em first. Where do they sell it? I am sorry that you lost the brooch but these things will happen and its no use crying over “spilt milk”, as long as you don’t lose yourself I don’t mind. I have seen one or two damsels in my travels, (hm sounds good) there was one in this house when we came here but she has been found out and is in a safe place now. No wonder murders are commited. (I hope you like mysterys). I sent you the “goss” this morning let me know if it was broken won’t you. I couldn’t register it because I hadn’t any wax. I am not blowing my teeth out on the contrary, I have four more just cutting. There has been a good exhibition of flying today and of dropping bombs and also artillery action. One airman stood right out on the front of his machine and waved his hand, it is a wonder some of them did not have an accident through their great daring. The figure reached now is £17,000 and I think it is excellent for such a small place. Well my dear I will have to “pack” now as the light is fading. It is just the kind of light I like when you are with me but you like such a bright glow don’t you. I am playing the piano in the orchestra tonight at 7.ocl. so au revoir my sweet damsel.

Fondest Love

From Will .xxxxxxxxxx

PS. I feel all over alike, you know; ever been like it?

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6th March 1918

North Walsham
Dearest Emmie

Yours to hand; thanks for the Mag: and paper. I feel sure I wrote you more than once last week, of course you have received one from me by now; written Monday. I am glad to hear Will Sharp is home, will you ask him to write to me so that I may know his address. I heard from F Champ today and he is still the same as usual. I am not surprised to hear of H. Chapman’s promotion for I fully expected him to get on well. Once he said he would like to take me as his servant only I wasn’t old enough then. I wish I was coming with you to Emanuel can you remember last time, it doesn’t seem so long ago and yet it seems ages. (Compre). On Friday we were told to do a “stunt” and that it would take a week but of course it sounded too good to be true. As usual there was a lot of “red tape” as to whether we should go or not as we were supposed to be firing a refresher course Monday and Tuesday. Time kept on rolling and at length we found ourselves getting out of the train at N.Walsham (Monday afternoon) to act as a source of attraction for War Bonds this Boom Week. The figure aimed at was £10,000 for the purpose of building four aeroplanes, and on the second day a sum of £13,000 is reached much to everybodys satisfaction and with a new objective £20,000. I think it is very good for a small town with the population of about 6,000. Monday evening there was a free concert (which was no good apart from the orchestra) at which there were two 15/6d vouchers given away. I picked up No73 and one of the winners was 78 but a miss is as good as a mile. By the way, have you heard that a “waac” on the knee is better than a smack on the face. But still that is nothing to do with horse racing so I will proceed.

Yesterday there was a Grand Military Procession in which were Boy Scouts, the Fire Brigade, Grammar School boys, the Voluntiers and also some real soldiers. – Break for Tea –

This afternoon there has been a foot ball match in aid of the same cause at which we played. On the whole we are having an easy time here and the food is better than we generally get. I told you that we were in private billits didn’t I! and they are “tres bon” with bed-steads too. We generally get up about a quarter to eight in the morn. and we have hot cocoa before we go to bed. Oh! we are enjoying ourselves.

I don’t know whether to go to the sergeants’ mess or to church this evening. I had a look round the church this morning, it was built in the 1300ds and its tower has fallen down and the verger has promised to show me the organ. I am becoming quite an explorer of Churches. I hear that we are getting our final leave very soon and I will let you know as soon as poss: so as you can get some time off. I don’t like the final business about it though. I won’t know how to handle you when I come home I am getting quite out of practice. Well my dear I will now conclude with heaps of Love

From Your Most Affectionate

Will xxxxxx

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5th March 1918

Dear Emmie

I am now at North Walsham about 15mls south of Cromer. I have a piece of Goss for you of the former place and will get you a piece from Cromer. I have nit heard from you yet but expect to by tomorrow morn; letters are forwarded on.

I am in a private billet with a nice bed to sleep in. Will write a letter perhaps tomorrow.

Love

From

Will xx

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