Dear Emmie

Yours to hand of 27th ult in answer to my green envelope. Silly thing for me to do, forgot to sign my name I’ll see that I don’t forget again. I am surprised at you not knowing me by now, what had I to be cross about. I admit I was very disappointed at not hearing for such a long time but I knew that you would have a satisfactory explanation for me. I suppose they wondered at home what happened. I can’t make it out why you didn’t hear from me for 9 days I think I write at least every three, or I would send you a field card if I hadn’t time for a letter. Rather a strange dream you mother had but like ghosts I think nothing of them. Who is the other boy who is going to stop me from seeing you I should like to know. Well strange things happen don’t they but I think a thing like that is rather improbable n’est ce pas? I am pleased to hear Bert (our budding organist) had a good time I did not think he was nearly 14 yet though.

I guess those airmen and persons in the position of C.R.H. have a good time in Blighty of course we must have these people and they are lucky to get such jobs. We have not moved yet but I suppose we will soon.

I am now up the line or rather a little nearer. I think it is only for two or three days. I have no writing paper with me only a few field cards so don’t get alarmed if you don’t get a letter for a few days. I have not had my photo taken yet but will do as soon as poss. I hope you enjoy yourself while you are away, you’ll have to go without letters for a fortnight.

When you write to me put your address on the back so that the letters will get returned should they not find me.

Well my dear I must now conclude

With Fondest Love

From Your Will xx

P.S. Photo of band before I joined is enclosed [missing]

Dearest Emmie

After a good search and turnout I found the lost article, yours of the 23rd inst. which I knew I had not answered. What a memory! No! I have not been up the line but I was busy when I sent so many field post-cards. Of course I didn’t mean to be formal when I wrote my full name on them it seemed as if that’s what it wanted. Like signing anything compre but in future I will do as you ask. I’m glad Maude noticed it but don’t know why.

Rather a “take” in firing at an abbo: thinking it was a Zepp. I did not know Will was working at Cambridge It’s a marvel how he gets taken on at a firm. You ask me rather a funny question: of course if I had the same opinion as Will I would think I was right and therefore would not expect you to give me up: and if you did, well, I would think that you was altogether wrong and it would break my heart and I would join the army and go away for ever or do something desperate. It does a very long time seem since I saw you last; it is now since five months.

J’ai vour letter reçu d 25th pour qui je vous remerci.

The evenings do draw in quickly now and it is not so warm. I thought you would put that card on the shelf in your bedroom it would look prettier there no doubt. I did get your letter headed with a black cat I will return you one iff possible. You don’t seem to take in all I write do you think I exaggerate much. I looked out for a black cat last night but I do not exactly care for the words they are to personel. It was the only kind I could get so hope you won’t dislike it. Of course you are dear to me dearer than perhaps you think but I don’t like advertising on post-cards. I am also sending a lil’ dawg to keep the chat noir company.

I don’t suppose I will be able to get any more cards where we are moving to but I will if I can.

Well my dear I will now conclude with

Best Love

From Will xxx

Dear Emmie

Just a few lines in haste. I have received two letters and Mirrors from you but have not had time to write, or rather everything was packed up. We are going to move but don’t know when but I will write you a letter this afternoon if poss. Please remember me to your Ma & Pa and tell mine that I am alright but have not had opportunity to write.

Fondest Love

From Will xx

Dearest Emmie

Yours to hand of the 19th inst. I received yours of the 18th with the veg. for which I thank you very much but I was disappointed at not getting even a word. I could not tell you the meaning of the name of the flower. I have only had one letter from you since last Sat. week but I dare say you have been busy on your own at home.

I haven’t seen any of the cards you mention out here but we have some at home with gilt edges.

I dare say Mr Warder will be missed at the Mission he certainly did a lot of work.

I hope you enjoy yourself on your holiday with Maude you did not mention it before where are you going? I won’t be able to write to another address so you’ll have a big mail when you get back.

I am glad the organ is being repaired. I suppose Mr Howard still plays it.

I think I told you that I have written to Will L.

I had a letter from Desmond some time last week he is in a concert party sur la piano.

We are getting very good news through I guess the war will be over by this time next year or perhaps before. I received a letter from Mr Chapman today. We had rabbit for dinner today, we must be winning.

Monday morn:- we had a thunderstorm last night and we are in our leaky billet. I disappeared underneath my overcoat and the wet did not trouble me.

One thing it has cooled the air. I think you have a song “King if the Sea” please will give it to Dad to send to me with a few others. Well my dear I must close now to get ready for practice.

With Fondest Love

From Will  xxx

Dearest Emmie

I have the opportunity of writing you a few lines as I have a half hour more to spare than anticipated. I haven’t had a letter from you for three days so I don’t know what to write about.

I went to the pictures the other day and saw a picture called “Womanhood” in seven parts. It was very good have you seen it advertised in London at all. I have a ring of violets I am going to send you when I get a green envelope. It was made by a petit fille français rather neat too.

Has Mr Chapman received my letter yet? Have they started repairing the organ yet at the Mish? One of our latest pieces is La Seronata I think you know it. We are getting a good amount of French music and the French people appreciate although from the flutes. Well my dear I don’t think I have any more to write now so will conclude

With Fondest Love from

Your Will xx

PS. I might not get much chance to write next week but I will do my best.

Dearest Emmie

In answer to yours of the 6th inst, I am sorry my letter took so long to reach you. This letter although dated 11th which is today will not be collected until tomorrow and then it has to be censored. Well this is going to be a green envelope and they are not generally censored but for some reason or other are delayed at the base. In future I will date my letters on the day they are collected.

I don’t think I would care for a 14 mile ramble, much too long I think. I wouldn’t mind a short walk. I would not be able to enjoy myself so much continually on the jaunt as I would walking round a fair. Perhaps you think me queer but I have done enough walking although perhaps not so much as some chaps. You will have to have a bicycle après la guerre.

I saw in the paper that a zepp had been brought down I recon they will give up zepp raids one of these days. I remember one zeppy night especially, do you know why? You said I was a “sorsee” boy that night didn’t you, compre? Well I couldn’t help it. I simply had to. You took it calmer than I thought you would that premier baiser.

As to the colour of mine eyes well I always used to say that they were blue but you would have it that they were grey.

When I was un petit garcon they were blue but now they are granite grey.

I wrote to Mr Chapman directly after the last time you mentioned it so it didn’t take long to cause a “material effect” did it.

I am sorry to hear that Will had a wet journey to Brighton. I know what it is riding in the wet. It took me 4 hours to do the journey. I started at 6a.m. and arrived there at 10 o’cl. just as the train in which Mum & Dad was came in. I had a good ride but had a puncture coming back. I dare say he will come back quicker than he went.

We are back in our leaky billet again as the civilians have returned to their home.

This is about the only point Jonny has not attacked so we are lucky being here.

I saw two men today who are going on leave, they are about 12 months men so its coming down. I think leave starts next month so perhaps I will be home before next April now. We are allowed a warrant to take one journey on any railway at a cheap rate when we are on leave from France. I’ll hardly know what to do when I get home we are like the Japs do everything on the floor.

I hear that Desmond is a pianist in a concert party out here. Lucky dog I say. I wrote him the other day so hope to get a reply soon.

I see Miss Verlindee (as on the front of the Mag) is a teacher at the dancing class. I guess things are livening up at the Mish. now.

[text reversed] I am longing for the time when I will be able to give you a nice kiss. You are the last I did the same to and I hope that you are the first one when I get to Blighty.

I will now conclude with

Fondest Love

from Yours Ever

Will xxx