George Ryan’s letter home dated 8 Apr 1915
Barrackpore
Bengal
India.
8 April 1915
Dear M & F,
Your letter of March 12th received. I sent my insurance card to the Society about the 2nd or 3rd week we were here so they must have got it soon after sending that notice.
I have not come across any place where I could get a parrot; but you need not reckon on me bringing one of those things home. I don’t suppose we could if we wanted too. We shall have quite enough to manage as it is. As our Colour Sergt says this is not a tea-party, we are out here as soldiers.
We are at Ishapore again this week on guard. There’s no upper floor to the guard-room so we find it very hot. It is a job to get any sleep at night time. We generally have a couple of hours sleep in the afternoon, that is if we are not on duty. It’s too hot to do anything else. It’s very nice this morning as I write this, on the bank of the river Hooghly; the one place where it’s a bit cool here. There’s a nice breeze blowing.
I went to Calcutta again last Sat. It’s a treat to see a little of town life now & again. We had a ride round in a 1st class garrey as far as St Paul’s Cathedral. We had a look in there; it’s a fine building but very small for a Cathedral. We came across an English watch maker so I’ve left my watch with him to be mended. It’s going to cost me 5 or 6 “chips” (7/- or 8/-).
I think we shall go to Darjeeling next week I hope so at any rate.
I had some more papers from Holt this week.
Hoping you are all well.
Your affec son
George
