France July 22^nd 1916

Saturday.

My Dear Harry & Ethel,

            Thanks very much for your two letters of the 16^th, which I hope you will excuse me answering together.  I am very glad you have no complaint against me now and that my letters are reaching you after a comparatively short interval.  I don’t know though when this will be despatched as we have been informed that no letters can be accepted for post for a couple of days.

            I have not yet received the parcel you sent me but expect it & look forward to it today.  It is very good of you all and from the description it seems ideal but I must insist on this being the last as I never intended tp put you to the trouble and expense of sending out parcels, and hope you will not do it again.  All I want you both to do is to write me regularly, and I shall be quite satisfied, at the same time don’t think I am ungrateful.  I will, no doubt at the end of this letter, be able to say I have received the parcel & to let you know the state it arrives in.  I shall be glad to get the book, and, if you do send out a book occasionally, if you send it by book post leaving the ends open the postage will only be 4^d.  The material for the refreshing drink will be very useful as we are getting very hot & thirsty weather and there is no opportunity of indulging in the French wines you write of.  Ever since we left our landing place in France I have not set eyes on a single civilian.

            I heard from Mother that Alan was at a Rest Camp & was glad of the news.  I hope he will remain there for some time.

            I am glad that you have at last got me and can only say that your surmises are all correct.  We have been busy!

            It is I suppose not surprising that you have not yet heard where your new appointment will take you, but progress is apparently being made as one man has been appointed to Lancaster.  I should think a place such as that would suit you both immensely.

            The dugout I previously told you about is no longer our home as we have as you can understand had to make a move.  The one I now occupy was apparently built by the French as when they build a dugout they use as many pit props as possible.  Ours for instance has five layers of props on the roof besides earth, the props in each layer touching each other.  They & the Germans build splendid dugouts, whereas ours appear to be built in a very casual manner.  Even the dugout we at present occupy is not proof against a 6’ or bigger shell, in fact I very much doubt from what I have seen if any dugout is.

            I yesterday read Mr. Asquith’s speech re August holidays and must say that people hear here all seem to agree that holidays at present are very much out of place.  It is impossible to imagine without being out here how munitions must be practically squandered to provide any good result.

            I also read Mr. Lloyd George’s speech which is good reading.

            I received Uncle Arthur’s parcel & am glad to say it arrived in good condition.  It is practically exhausted tho’ and I am therefore ready for yours.

            I am glad that none of my letters have been censored in anyway.  I try my hardest to write nothing that can be objected to, as censored letters usually read so disjointed.  It is however a very hard job.

            Well with love to Ada & best wishes, I will leave this letter for the present.

            Yours,

                        Bernard.

10’ pm Saturday

Have not yet received parcel but expect it tomorrow.  B.

Initialled D.W.K.

In envelope addressed to Mr & Mrs Harry R. King, Esq., Munmore, Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin. Ireland.

Ans^d 30.7.16

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE T 37.  25 JY 16.  Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3447.  Signed D.W. Knight