A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 16 July 1917
B.E.F.
July 16th 1917
My darling,
Forgive my long delay in writing to you. I am awfully sorry. Thank you very much for your letter of the 11th.
I have never been so busy before.
We have moved and travelled for five days or rather nights – usually starting at 1 a.m. and getting into camp 11 a.m. Then we had camp to make and horses to groom and feed & then pack for the next day’s move. We arrived at this place at 9 a.m. and immediately I had to go with the Colonel reconnoitring positions which took us all day and we moved into action that night. We were up all night building gun pits etc and the next day I spent ranging the guns from the O.P. as also the following two days. The Major is still away so I have been in command.
We have lived in a cornfield for two nights with no cover at all and to add to everything it poured with rain during the 2 nights and the Boche, sand-flies, & mosquitoes do not leave us alone – all this with numerous returns for headquarters have annihilated my correspondence – so you will forgive won’t you darling. I literally have not had a moment.
I will try and write you a proper letter tomorrow.
I am glad you enjoyed Mr Cross’ visit.
Forgive more now.
With all my love & kisses
Always yours
Archie.