29.9.17
BEF
Dear F & M
Just a line to say I am jogging along merry & bright. Glad to receive Gladys letters & to hear you are all jogging along nicely. I have been rather busy just lately but taking things easy at present. I suppose you saw our lot mentioned in the papers a few days ago. We did very well and have hopes of greater things before long if the weather keeps like it is at present. I accidentally met Stan Burrows about a fortnight ago in an estaminet and had a few French beers & a chat with him. He’s been having rather an exciting time of it lately & considers himself lucky up to now. I intended seeing him again but a course we are like birds of passage moving here and there. Still it was nice to meet one of my old golfing pals. I also spent a day with Jimmy Milne the fellow from the Orkney Island who used to send the short bread. He’s going on all merry & bright. I also spent a day with Tommy Earlam he’s still in the same old place. Allcock was some distance away but think he’s gone up again now. So you see I have met a good many lately. Some of my old Brigade Section boys are near & paid me a visit last night. It was quite like old times to be amongst them. I have been looking out for Geo as I believe he isn’t very far away but not seen him up to now. Its two years since I was round this part & it’s altered somewhat from the last time I was here. Still it’s nice to meet so many old friends.
Hope Par isn’t trying to run his section all on his own if he is I hope he’s not letting it worry him. Also I hope Mar is keeping her pecker up. Have you put many pickles in the jars. Think I may get Leave between Nov & New Year with a bit of luck. Had a letter from Uncle Ian chastising me for not writing but you know there’s very little to talk about really. So Bowly is OK for a little longer. Remember me to all the fair sexes who are mixed up in the family now a days. I suppose I should feel out of it when the War is over. Still you know what will keep 2 will keep one much better. Well I think this is all this time. Hoping my tyke doesn’t starting biting anyone otherwise he’s going to cost me something.
Cheerho Gus de Grabit