Sunday February 18/17

Whitley Camp

Surrey England

My dear Mother, Father + Carrie

               Before I carry on I want to say as far as good news are concerned your last letter contained a full measure. I have read it over about a dozen times and I am beginning to realize that you are doing things and I can feel it in my bones that it is the best step yet. Here’s hoping they will soon ship us home so I can have a part in the success that is bound to follow and just think dears to have a real home all to ourselves it sounds almost too good to be true.

               I was not surprised to hear about old Ray taking the final leap. The last letter I had from hi sounded pretty suspicious. I sure hope he has not made any mistake and will be happy. I know when I get back I am going to save all my pennies “nough said”. I was certainly surprised to hear about Mary Davis though I suppose Jimmie will be doing it next.

               We have not been doing very much since we came back from the ranges. We have been issued with our overseas equipment and expect to get our steel helmets soon. It was just like a Japanese puzzle to put it together but it is very complete.

               We are divisional duty battalion this week and expect to get all that is coming to us as far as duties are concerned. Murray started off well, he reported at 8:30AM and took over a quarantine guard so if Carrie does not hear from him to-day she will know he is out of mischief anyway.

               Saturday our foot ball team played in Guilford and we were all allowed to go to [sic] down. Murray and I took a taxi down and instead of going to the game we went to a show which was by the way pretty punk, about 3^rd class acting.

               We came back early. I have just come in from church parade which was held in the cinema theatre, Tin Town, and the Chaplain certainly gave the boys some talking too. But thank goodness and my bringing up I did not feel the least bit guilty. I’ll have to adjourn for a few minutes as the bugle just blew for dinner. “I hope it will be worth while going for”. Well dears here we are again, we had stew, potatoes, bread + pudding and all round I managed to get filled up.

               I received a letter from Beth Comp Friday and if you think a lot of the girls in your class, they certainly think a lot of you.

               I have not seen Fred since I was at the hospital but must look him up.

               Well dears this is about all the news here. Nothing special doing. Remember me to all and believe me I am anxiously waiting your next letter.

               Saw Capt. Insley the other day and is looking good. I received a box last night from 209A which was posted on 11^th. I wish you would call up Mr. Kenleyside Sr. and tell him I just received it. I am smoking an El Celo now on them.

               As ever

                              Bob

                                             Nothing doing about going away yet        Bob