Bandsman W. Metcalfe 46534, 100 T.R.B., Band Hut, Albuhera Bks, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot

Dear Emmie

I received your letter at 7.30 this evening: very quick work, war time; I am sorry there is not another post tonight so as you could get this in the morning. I couldn’t settle down to work yesterday and I havn’t done properly yet. I must say your cake goes down very nicely thank you. I hope you like your unseen relations and you will be certain to get a letter from me; you know I would not like to disappoint you. I understand you little bit of French and can only answer in the same words.

Dearest! had Monday been oppressive I dare say I would have made it bright for you.

Today the TRs were reviewed by the King and the band played before him.

I hope you get this early tomorrow so as I might get one Saturday.

Will now close With Best Love Will xxx

Bandsman W. Metcalfe 46534, 100 T.R.B., Band Hut, Albuhera Bks, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot

Dear Emmie

I dare say you have received my card which I wrote this morning and it is now 4.30.pm. We did no work this morning but did a little this afternoon for about two hours. By the way; That boy “Desmond” had his eye on you and I didn’t notice him. He said he is going to cut me out: he will have to try hard, won’t he? I have some good news again. I hope it is not all bluff. The boys say that this leave what we have just had is “special leave” and that we get our “recruits leave” in about 6 weeks time. I will not write any more of this in case I hear no more about it. I did not “forget” last night and if I do I will not put “x” up in the left hand corner. I think I could have done with two more days just to get over the other four. Well, Dearest I have no more to write now but hope to have next time. How I wish I was with you now. What were we doing at 4.30pm yesterday.

I conclude With all my Love Will xxx

P.S. Please let my mother know you have heard from me. We have practice tonight so I don’t suppose I shall get another chance to write tonight.

Bandsman W. Metcalfe 46534, 100 T.R.Batt, Band Hut Coy, Albuhera Bks, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot7

Dear Emmie

I arrived at our barracks about 11.45.pm. My bed had been made so I was thankful. Will write a letter as soon as poss: Much Love Will.x

Bandsman W. Metcalfe 46534, 100 T.R.Batt, Band Hut Coy, Albuhera Bks, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot

Dear Emmie

I received your letter this morning but have not had time today to answer it. Although this is only a P.C. and you may get it rather late, it brings good news. I am coming home Saturday. Perhaps about 12.30. Please let my Mother know. 

Till we meet again 

Love Will.

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

Dear Emmie

I received your letter this evening about 6 o’clock; it was the first distribution today so I do not know what time it got down here. Directly I opened your letter I said “Hello! I’ve got a new name” aloud. Sorry I did not read the next two words “No remarks”, first. Glad to hear that you enjoyed yourself at Caterham; am very surprised at Eva. Am glad to hear that Maud is so much better but she cannot be cured. I expect my leave this week. The Adjutant was going to speak to the Colonel this afternoon about it and I hope I am not disappointed. I am sorry I can’t write more as I want to catch the 7.30. post. This is the last one from here tonight. The last post from the main P.O. goes about 8.45.

With Very Best Love Will xxx

P.S. I do like your “crested” notepaper. Sorry I omitted to answer this question before.

P.S.S. We are moving tomorrow but I do not know the new address. The old one will find me.

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

Dear Emmie

I received your most welcome letter yesterday morning; I seem to know when they are coming and look forward to them as if I had not heard from you for a month. I was very disappointed at not being able to come home but I hope to see you next week. That is all I seem to live on now “hope”. This morning I went to Church Parade and just as we were finished we had a storm. It lasted for about three hours but has cleared off now. I went to the pictures last night; how did you enjoy yourself at Caterham? Did they cater for you as good as last time I went? Is Maud home for good now or only for a few days. What has she been doing as regard work? I hope you do not think I am asking too much about her only she is really to be pitied. If only the ceiling fell down and only a few windows broken at the shop, things must be dear, for Dad told me there was about forty pounds worth of damage done. I am interested enough to ask you, “What damage has been done on the G.N.R. by bombs from hostile aircraft? Were there any casualties? I do not think our new barracks are more than ten minutes quick walking from Talavera. I am not getting thin and I didn’t know I was fat and I don’t think I have grown much; in fact I think I am very much about the same. I would not spring up too much in case it took too much energy. I am not taking it as easy as I can here. If I get the hump I generally think of you. I mean it makes me feel brighter. I have also a lot to say (and do) when I see you. I have not forgotten what you look like as I often have a look at your photograph (which I have in my (“left hand”) pocket you know.) I always think of you when I am lying in bed of a night time and I close my eyes and fancy I can see you.

I will now close with Fondest Love Your Will xxx

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

Dear Emmie

I received your letter this evening and you know what unhappy news this conveys. I am sorry that we are moving but I suppose this all comes in my “Bit”; I do not want it to be too big. Am hoping to see you soon but I had better not state any date or I suppose it will be altered again.

I would sooner be in the “hubbub” of the shop in Dean St than in this monotonous place, I am getting the hump here and will not feel better until I have seen you. Fancy you falling in love with that “wooly heady chap” you should have asked one of the girls what he was like and you might have been surprised. Was there a hole in the roof at the shop or did only part of the ceiling fall through. I speculated in a 1/2d paper that evening to see if there had been a raid and it said that the rumour had brought certain places down to the ground but there had been no raid. I am sorry I have to dissappoint you and I do not know what to say to ease your feelings. If I cannot be with you in reality on Saturday I shall be with you in thoughts.

I did get plenty of tea that day and have had plenty since as we have twelve rations between nine the other boys are on leave. I wish I could hear the mission’s old bell now or even the old mission bell. I hope to be in the choir next Sunday week as I did, next Sunday. Literally speaking the war will end when it finishes. The boys are being drilled by officers in training every morning and it is to last for ten weeks so we will not be shifting out of Aldershot for some time yet.

I now conclude

With Best Love Will xx

(I count almost every hour)

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534

Dear Emmie

I am sorry to say that my leave is stopped again as we are moving into some more barracks on Tuesday next. I am getting the sick of this messing about, as I was looking forward to coming home this weekend. I will have to make up for lost time when I come home.

Best Love Will

Pte W. Metcalfe 46534

Dear Emmie

I received your most welcome letter this afternoon, and I hope there was no air raid as people expected yesterday. I am glad to hear everything is alright at the shop but I have not had a letter from anybody at home just to say that they are safe; how would I go on if I hadn’t you to write to me?

About next Saturday! You know in the Army there is a lot of doubt, and “wait and see” sort of business so I do not know for certain that I have leave yet, but will let you know as soon as possible. All the other boys on leave have started for London by the 6.30 train therefore arriving before 8.00 which I dare say would had given you a surprise, but now I think they are catching one about 10 o’clock. By your letter I should think sugar is very hard to obtain; we don’t get much of it here. When I come home I will bring some army cake if I have any just to show you what it is like. This afternoon I am doing nothing as I have to parade a 6 o’clock for band practice. I think the band is playing at Officers’ mess on Thursday so we will have a feed. I have not had enough for either break-fast or dinner today so I hope we get something substantial for tea. I often wonder if you are wondering if I am wondering if you are wondering if I am wondering what you are wondering. I wonder if it is about me. (Got me !?)

The weather today is fine and I hope it keeps the same if I come up this week.

If I know for certain and have time I think I will ask Mr & Mrs Flowers to come to my place Sunday evening.

With Most Affectionate Love Will xx