George Ryan’s letter home dated 13 Aug 1915

On headed notepaper with regimental crest 9th Middlesex Regt.
9th Middlesex Regt
Dum-dum.
India.
13 Aug 1915

Dear M & F,

I’ve had no letter from you this week but I think I can see the reason. You know I had two letters last week; well you must have caught the post with the second one – without knowing it I suppose. Then the next week you missed it again, – quite unintentionally of course – so I shall not get that letter till next week. I’ve had no other letters this week either; I thought I should hear from Bert. I had two Sun. Pictorials from you so you must have posted them before your letter.

I’m at Cossipore again this week; you see there isn’t a sufficient number of us to come here in proper order, so those next for duty have to come here, whether it’s their turn or not. We are on guard every other night here whereas at Dum-dum we get 3 nights in bed & 1 on guard. Of course when the Regulars were here they had 4 Companies & we’ve only got 2 so you see each of us is doing the duty of 2 men. I believe there are about 40 of our chaps in Hospital & of course that doesn’t improve matters.

My skin got practically clear at Dum-dum last week but directly I got here the Prickly Heat started again. Scratch, you simply can’t help it, you wake up & find yourself scratching. In the evening, just after tea is the worst time. As soon as you drink anything hot it begins. I expect I shall get clear of it again when we get back.

Hoping you are all well.
Love to all,
Yr loving son
George