Sapper H Briers

No 146050 R.E.

272 Party, B Company

Brompton Barracks

Chatham

Kent

Dear Sir,

            Just a few lines to let you no how I am enjoying soldiering life and I think it is time every young able men ought to join the colours at once and not to wait till they are fetched and if it had not been for my business I should of been here before now I think it is grand and I am enjoying it down to the ground, but I expect you no it is not all honey but never mind we have to put up with things sometime when we don’t want to and that is with it in my case I have been moved from the first place I went to, and the second place I have been send to Brompton Barracks not far from the first station and Fred Hall has gone nine mile away from me so you see I have lost my pal and the pals I’ve got is a Irishman and a Scotsman and it takes me all my time to tell what they are talking about its awful for people to understand what they are saying.  I expect Miss Needham has told you we are going to get married and I should like to have been married before I joined the colours so as to get things in her line and you see I shall have not much time to tell her about things I want to do and if she had been married when I wanted to be their would have been a chance of getting out of it but I am glad I am in the colours and Whitwick people can’t say you don’t do anything in this war that will be the first thing they will bring out so I can I have tried to do my share and that’s what a good many can’t say.  Do you while I was drill on the square I saw another Whitwick chap and it was Gideon McCarthy I was surprised to see him at Chatham so you see I am not the only young man their, there are some fine young men come to St Mary’s Barracks last week and I don’t know what it will be when they are called up in March you will have a job to see a young man in Whitwick and at Church to we all parade to go to place of worship with (R.E. Band) so you see we go to Church asual they tell me there are a lot getting married at Whitwick I don’t know whether it is the war that is making the young chaps getting married or not I suppose it is, I am a little doubtful whether I can get off to be married but I expect you will help me on this occasion you no it is awful to get away from Brompton Barracks at anytime you no they want as much training out of you are they can so I close my letter with the best of luck (just one thing I won’t you to do is to remember me to all) (Also Remember me to Mrs Walters and family)

I remain Dear Sir

Yours Affectionate

Friend

In envelope addressed to Rev Walters, Whitwick Vicarage, Leicester Road, Whitwick, Nr Leicestershire.  R.E. crest on back of envelope.

Letter postmarked CHATHAM 22 FE 16.