France 12^th September

Tuesday

My Dear Harry & Ethel,

            Thanks very much for your letter dated the 3^rd instant which I received a couple of days ago but which I have been unable to reply to as we have been busy during the last few days – we expect to be busier during the next few.

            I was very glad to find you had got into a house of your own and hope by this time you feel at home.  Your address sounds charming and gives the impression of quite a nice place.  I shall be glad to get the books from you however quaint the colouring of the backs might be.  Send them by book post as then the postage is only four-pence & please send only one at a time.

            I had a long letter from Alan yesterday – with his usual good luck he has managed to fall on his feet a habit I hope he will cultivate.  Eight hours train journey does not as you appear to imagine mean a long distance out here.  It is always possible to get off the train, have a shave, and catch it up again.  A notice is posted up that it is dangerous and forbidden to lean out of the window but no objection appears to be taken to anyone walking the length of the train when in full motion by means of the footboard.  From his letter I don’t think the big town he is at is anywhere near this district.  He says it is rumoured that they are coming this way but he does not think there is any truth in the rumour.  I hope he does not as all the villages we come to are blown to atoms & it can hardly be called a healthy neighbourhood.

            I had a letter from Mother and was glad to know that she was having a few days at Clevedon.  I hope it will do her good there and that she will soon be paying you a visit.

I have not yet had my rest – I think it has again been washed out, but just at present it looks as though we have some busy days in front of us.

            As usual my letters are short but you must excuse me.  I can’t find news.

            With best wishes to you both

            Yours,

                        Bernard.

Ben King F.B.

In On Active Service envelope addressed to Harry R King, Esq., Glen Hilda, Park Avenue, Worcester, England.

Ans^d 24/9/16

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE R.5.  16 SP 16.  Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3624.  Signed G. Cork.