George Ryan’s letter home dated 7 Feb 1917
On headed notepaper with regimental crest 9th Middlesex Regt.
Kakul
Nr Abbottabad
India.
7 Feb 1917
Dear Mother,
Many thanks for your letters of Jan 3rd & 10th, 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 3rd Div.