Pte. A Smith

No 27521

C Co12^th Batt

Essex Regt

Dovercourt

 

Undated

 

Dear Father

 

Many thanks for your letter.  I am very pleased to receive some news from home.  I had a letter from Albert by the same post.

I am getting along very well.  We have had plenty of drilling, & marching it is more like being back at school again.  Today we were vaccinated.  I believe the next performance is inoculation.

I should be very pleased to see you Father; but I do not think it would be worth your while to come down.  For one reason I do not know how long we are here for, & it is useless to ask; you know nothing in the army until you are told to pack up your kit & depart & another thing one has to hold your own with soldiers.  I hope to get some leaf (leave) in about a month’s time.

You ought to see the way we feed; it is more like feeding a lot of wilde beasts you have to fight for it.

We have some very happy times in the Y.M.C.A. hut concerts & only soldiers are allowed.  I spend every evening round here it is too dark outside.

We had a church parade on Sunday to Harwich.

I have some very nice friends here.

It has been very windy & wet here today.

I shall have plenty to tell you when I come home it is quite an experience.

Well I think I must conclude. With much love to Jess, Ethel & yourself.

Remember me to all enquiring friends.

 

Your devoted

Son

Alf