George Ryan’s letter home dated 7 Feb 1917

On headed notepaper with regimental crest 9^th Middlesex Regt.

Kakul

Nr Abbottabad

India.

7 Feb 1917

Dear Mother,

Many thanks for your letters of Jan 3^rd & 10^th, the latter addressed to Hasan Abdal.  Shall be glad to hear from May & Edie again.  You have mentioned about them writing for two weeks in succession, so I ought to hear from them next mail.  May used to say, the third time is never like the rest.

I am very sorry to hear Cousin Ellen does not improve at all, & that she has had to go to the Infirmary. I’m sure she was too much for you to look after.

I also heard from Mr. Walker last week. He mentions about your letter to him & asks what he is to do, so I suppose he never received my letter.  I shall write to him next week, & will let you know what I tell him to do.  Well I don’t think there’s anything of interest to tell you this week.  The weather has been very fine the last week; just like it is in May at home.  I am still on the Pioneer Staff, keeping my hand in at paste dabbing, & paper-hanging, tell Dad.

I am sending the Jan No of our magazine. I don’t think it improves much.  I should think it’s rather hard for people outside the Battalion to understand some parts of it.  What’s your opinion?

Hoping you are all well; I’m in the pink.

Fondest love to all from

Yr affectionate son

George

P.S. In case last weeks mail goes to the bottom of the sea, I will repeat one thing that I said & that’s “In future please address letters to Rawal Pindi, until I alter it again”.

P.P.S. I meant to have told you the “latest” which is that we are going down to Lahore, very shortly, into the 3^rd Div.