France 4^th September 16,

Monday,

My Dear Harry & Ethel,

            Thanks very much for your letter of the 27^th August which I only received yesterday.  I hope you are now at home and feel much better for the fact.  Mother has told me she will be visiting you as soon as you are settled so I suppose you will soon be seeing her.

            I was sorry your visit to Malvern was cut short so unfortunately and do hope, Ethel, that you are now quite well again and that you won’t have a recurrence.

            I have not yet had my rest; another batch went away this morning but I was not one of the party – I am getting a very good share of the pleasure of anticipation though and still live in hopes.

            I was glad to hear from you as to where Alan is, and shall watch that district with interest.  Being at the place you name accounts for outings he is able to enjoy, whereas this is a sad & sorry show.  Where Alan is, such places as Y.M.C.A’s canteens etc abound but such luxuries have not reached our portion of the line, and I am afraid never will now.  I hope Alan will never get any nearer bursting shells than he has already done, he should have no doubt as to whether splinters have been so very close.  They usually make themselves known in a most positive manner.

            When I heard you were going to Worcester I several times thought of Madge King, but don’t know why I never mentioned her.

            As you say it would be welcome news to hear we had got to a certain place & I shall be glad when we get there.  We have an occasional busy burst and then a few slack days.

            I suppose Mother has mentioned to you that Lyn Davies has won the Military Cross, his has been a wonderful though short career in the Army and I hope he will get through to enjoy the distinctions.  How pleased they will be at Crossley’s to hear of him.  I happened to see it in a Cardiff paper which strayed out here.

            During the past week or so we have been having wretched weather – nothing but mud.  You can imagine the state the roads get in with a continual stream of heavy traffic and of course huge shell holes don’t help matters.

            News is just as scarce as ever so you must excuse short letter – everything goes on from day to day with growing monotony.

            Yours with love,

                        Bernard.

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

Ans^d /10/9/16

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE R.16.  SP 5. 16.  Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3447.  Signed D.W. Knight