On Y.M.C.A. headed notepaper.

April 7 1916

Reply to F Company 3^rd Bat Leicester Regt

Stationed at Patrington

Nr. Hull

Dear Vicar,

            You will think I have been a long time writing to you but I do not have much spare time.  I hope you are getting along well at Whitwick.  I think of you and our church on Sunday mornings about 8 o’clock, at that time we are just having breakfast, we fall in for church parade at 8.15 A.M. then our service does not interfere with the other service as we are out of church again by 9.30.  It is so different from the ordinary service as we have no choir or organ but the Batt band goes with us.  It is a splendid band.  They have their service here in the afternoon instead of the evening.  I am able to get then but the worst part of it is we cannot get back in time for tea so I have to go without.  The vicar here is a fine chap he is getting up a class for confirmation, he is amongst us nearly every night.  We have just had a church hut put up so that we can receive Holy Communion, we could not before, that service is held every Sunday morning, one week by the Vicar of Patrington and the next by the Vicar of Winestead  at 6.45, I wonder what some of the Whitwick people would say if they had to get up and clean buttons boots and shave (which we have to do every morning, in the army) and the be there for that time, I know you would not get many there.  I get the magazine sent from home so you see I can keep in touch with our old church and if I cannot be there I know what services are being held I look at it every day.  The picture of the church makes me realise how far I am from home.  The word “home” sounds like a sacred thing to we fellows living in huts, more so when we are fetched out to sleep in a field like we were on Wednesday night thanks to the Zepps.  We had the Zepps 7 nights running.  I know that would upset you people at home.  I shall be thankful for a whole night in bed without having to get up and dress about 10.30.  I see they keep sending men to France from here, they have sent three or four hundred while I have been here.  I expect they are thinning the men out at Whitwick now and more will have to go yet I am sorry to say.  I expect I shall be ready for France just after Whitsuntide, but I shall see you before I go there.  Well I will wish you Good Night, hoping you you’re your family are all well.  I am first class.  I am

Yours faithfully

No 25739       J.W. Weston

In envelope addressed to Rev. T.W. Walters, Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.  England.

Letter postmarked PATRINGTON HULL 8 AP 16.