La Creste, Huiry

Couilly (S. et M.)

Esbly.

Dec 9 1914.

Commander

Bedfordshire L.I.

British Expeditionary Force

Sir.

From around September 3 to sunrise September 4, on the eve of the Battle on the Marne I had a picket guard from your regiment (Capt Edwards’ Company) in the road about my house, and although I did not know one of the men by name, I feel a personal interest in them and feel like trying to send a greeting to the brave boys so far away from home at Christmas time.  I am sending a package of cigarettes, some chocolate and playing cards which I ask you to add to your Christmas ** in memory of the days when they came here and of the trying days that followed, where from my garden I watched the battle between Panchard and Barry on the opposite bank of the Marne.  You will know how to distribute my humble little offering and pardon me sir, I am sorry for troubling you.  I wish I could sent a personal greeting to every one of the boys who lives to remember his visit back here, after the retreat, – & for that matter to every man in the field.

            Sincerely yours

                        Mildred Aldrich.