Thursday January 11/16 [sic]

Whitley Camp

Surrey England

Dear Mother Father + Carrie

               Received letter from Carrie + also one from mother + dad written just after Christmas. I sure missed my little drive with Carrie Christmas morning. I am glad you liked the photos I sent, also the sparrow, I am sending a little pin just for dad to wear on his coat. On Monday January 8/16 [sic] up as per usual in the morning we had physical drill bayonet fighting and extended order. It was a pretty hard morning for Monday it kind of kept us moving when we felt more like laying around. It has been ½ snow + ½ rained all day and is sure disagreeable. In the afternoon we had gas helmet drill in E10. Putting on helmets + doubling around hut with them on. Murray and I went to the Bungalow at Tin Town and had our supper there. Came back to camp and wrote some letters, although to tell the truth I did not feel very much like writing everything is so much the same, that when it comes to writing letters it is almost an impossibility.  

               Wednesday January 9/16 [sic]

Physical drill, bayonet fighting extended order + squad drill in the afternoon we marched to Thursley Commons. It was still pretty damp “I mean the weather” we dug trenches until 3:30, played fast ball until 4:30 when field kitchens came out with our lunch, 2 sandwiches and some tea. We went in the trenches about 5:30 and stayed there until 7:30, of course it was dark, and of course work was out of the question unless we heard someone coming we got back to camp about 8:30 and believe me the way that bed drew was a Carker [?].

               Wednesday January 10/16 [sic]

All morning we had a review of mechanism etc on machine gun. Just there I’ll answer your question on most parades we wear trousers + putties, on marches + dress parade and leaving camp, kilts. “How’s that”. In the afternoon I was called out and given a class of pipers to instruction. M.G. and as they weren’t particular about learning it was a pretty hard job. Well dears this is up to date now.

               Now for the spec news, we do not expect to leave England now for 3 months.

               Well dears for now I think I will pull the pin. I am drinking cod liver oil now to see if I cannot leave this English cold behind.

               Remember me to all as ever your loving Son + Brother

                              Bob