Saturday Nov. 3/17

My dear Mother, Father + Carrie

I am sorry dears that I told a fib in my last letter when I said I would write through the week but alas we are all doomed to disappointment and I am sure you were all very disappointed in not receiving a manuscript as promised.

               I received your parcel this morning when I arrived back at my second home dear old Witley in Surrey and believe me I have been rejoicing ever since. The sweater first me jake and believe me I would not take any amount of pounds, shillings + pence for it is the most comfortable affair I have ever had on and when I consider who did the work and being an expert in knitting I knew it was sure a job of love and I love it. My stomach also got an awful shock to-night at supper: raspberry jam and some real cake. After supper a big fat cigar. I smoked it in our corporal’s mess and make everybody feel like robbing me as knocking my block off.

               I have certainly had a busy week. My excuse for not writing: our machine gun sergeant is away on pass, lucky dude, and I have been doing his work. I had two classes and turned out a few pretty good men. Consider I had about 40 men in a week.

               To-morrow I am going down to Mychett ranges with another bunch therefore must get my notes away to-night.

               I had quite a pleasant surprise last Thursday night. Just got in the hut after a pretty weary day and was laying down enjoying the three pine boards when in walked Herbert + Nelson Waite. Nelson is in England on a 10 days pass and believe me he looks top notch. We had supper down at Tin Town and we spent a couple of hours together. It was some surprise for me.

               Well dears I suppose you are in the new home now and pretty well settled. Keep my room dears because I am always hoping it will not be long.

               Everything is going along pretty jake here. Murray + I are feeling fine. We have a Corporal’s mess now for full Corporals only and it is fine. We have a cozy recreation room, piano, phonograph, cards, books, magazine + writing table + best of all big wicker chairs. We have appointed a committee to investigate matters and see if we can not have a corporal’s mess for our eats and they are progressing very favorably.

               Well dears I think this is about all for to-night. I have to pack up for to-morrow etc.

                              Your loving Son + Brother

                                             Bob