P Battery

Royal Horse Artillery

Woolwich

Dear Sir,

            Excuse me for taking the liberty with writing to you but still I thought it my duty.

            I don’t suppose you know me by name but you remember the young fellow up the Leicester Road what had the accident with his face well I am the man.

The reason I write is because I was up in London me & my young Lady, Miss Waldram for our holidays I only had two days of it & was called up from here so I had to mobilize at Woolwich with being a Artillery man so therefore I couldn’t say goodbye to any of my Whitwick friends.  We are having a fine time up to now.

We are under orders for the front they are sending troops away all night long, but we cannot get to know where to.  It is quite different to what the S. African war was all moves are done quietly this time, we have the right man in the right place Lord Kitchener.

Well I think we shall come off Victorious in the end all being well & the sooner it is over the better for everyone one of us there will be a great many lives lost.  I have volunteered for the Front & I shall not care how soon I can go.  I am so anxious to see active service & trust in God to bring us safely back again our Maker is the only one to look forward to.  I was so pleased the Doctor & the Nurse got my face better just in time or else I should & have been left behind & that wouldn’t have suited me at all.

Well Sir I must draw this to a close & please give my kind regards to anyone who may ask about me, & say I went away with a good heart like a British Soldier should do & also please Mr Rev Walters the main thing, pray for me good bye for the present

Yours Respectfully

Charles Yearby.

In envelope addressed to Rev. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Leicester Road, Whitwick, Leicestershire.  England.

Letter postmarked WOOLWICH S.E. 17 AUG 14.