No 2346 Lc Cpl A.W. Hanson

“A” Coy 5^th Leicester Reg^t

North Midland Division

Sawbridgeworth

Herts

Rev^d TW. Walters.

Rev^d Sir,

            I know you will be pleased to hear from me again & get our little bit of news, which now is not much as we are having such a quiet uninteresting time.

            Last Sunday week we had a journey by train back to Luton to complete our course of shooting.  Monday was a very bad day, snow & rain & the range was ankle deep in mud, but we stuck it out & finished about 5 o’clock in the afternoon & so were able to go back home on Tuesday.

It has been a very big disappointment to all having our leave cancelled & on top of that not being allowed to leave the village, however we put a bright smile on & tried to make the men as happy as was possible.  We had very good meals indeed on Xmas Day & also a Concert in the afternoon.  I did very little towards helping on Xmas Day because I was supposed to be off duty, but I had about 18 men at my table.

On Wednesday night about 12/45 I was woke up & told the Captain wanted on me, so I dressed & ran down to his house, & he told me that it was probable that a message would come thro during the night & we should have to move away.  He gave me a key of the house so that I could wake him up.  I then had to go & wake all our Coy up & I can tell you it took some little time to get some of them.  I finished at 3/30 & then went home & packed my own kit & then went out & had to walk up & down the road for the rest of the night.

About 9 o’clock in the morning the Captain sent me home to bed & I managed to sleep till 1.

In the evening I had to turn out again with a fatigue party helping to get the Hall ready for Xmas dinner etc.

It was 12/30 on Xmas morn when I got to bed & was up to go to the 6/30 service at Church.  I think there was only 7 officers & 9 men present out of over 1000 in the Battⁿ.

Have no more news this time so must close wishing yourself & family & all the members of our service, the very best of health & prosperity during the coming year.

            Yrs obediently

Albert Will

In envelope addressed to Rev^d T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.

Letter postmarked SAWBRIDGEWORTH HERTS 23 DE 14.

Christmas card undated but signed L/Cpl A.W. Hanson