France 19^th Jul August 1916

Saturday

My Dear Harry & Ethel

            Thanks very much for your letters I was very glad to hear of your first impressions of Worcester but am afraid you are not exactly charmed with the place.  I hope however it will improve on acquaintance – it must be rather hard and strange for Ethel but I have no doubt you will soon settle down – at least I trust you will.  When you get into a house and sort things out a little it will be a lot more pleasant & then I hope your letters will be more rosy.  I imagine you have quite a lot of trouble & work on your hands getting through the twelve books of Acts of Parliament and Law Cases but feel confident you will soon master them.

            Your letter cheered me very considerably with respect to War news as it was from that that I first learnt that the Italians had taken Gorizia and that the Allies had commenced an offensive from Salonika.  This strong pressure on every front must be very disturbing to Germany & with a little luck should mean the beginning of the end.  There must be some justification for the optimism of so many well known & well informed men.

            I hope to hear that Mother has been up to see you as it would do her good and no doubt be a help to Ethel.

            On Thursday I was told I was to parade at 12.45 p.m. to go to the Rest Camp.  I had all my kit on and was quite ready to go when a message came through that it was cancelled.  It is rumoured that the whole Battery will shortly be going to a Rest Camp for a fortnight.  I don’t know whether there is any truth in the rumour but hope so, as I was very disappointed at not having the three days – I am still without an opportunity of spending money.

            By the bye what does “hoi polloi” mean?  It is rather hard to get hold of a Greek dictionary out here.

            I had a letter from Alan a few days ago: he seems to be having quite a good time and I believe he is as far away from me as it is possible to be on this front.

            Well I have no more news so with love.

            I remain

            Yours,

                        Bernard.

P.S. I forgot to mention that I have been made “full bombardier” – this is very satisfactory and gives me more wealth to spend (an additional 8^d per day).  Oh for the chance of a good bust up.  B.

In On Active Service envelope addressed to Harry R King, Esq., c/o The Surveyor of Taxes, 1 The Avenue, The Cross Worcester, England.

Ans^d  27/8/16

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE T 1*.  21 AU 16.  Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3447.  Signed W.D. Samuel.