France 19th October 1916
Thursday
My Dear Harry,
I am very sorry I have not been able to answer your letter of the 8th before this but we have been busy during the last week and have had little time for writing. We are now beginning to appreciate the glory of France in early winter and it gives the impression of a glorious time to come in a couple of months. Just at present it rains almost every day and the mud is fearful. Our resting place now is the cellar of a house: of what was the house just a faint outline remains now, but the cellar having been well propped up remains intact, unfortunately the rain manages to get in. It is however by far the most palatial residence I have resided in out here, and also the strongest.
I am sure you won’t know what to do with your Sundays when the war is over and you have no letters to write to Alan and myself, whatever you do though you won’t be better able to employ your time. I am looking forward to receiving a letter from you today or tomorrow. We don’t use letters for polishing up the guns but find them very useful for polishing mess-tins – of course by that time they have been read & reread. You will I have no doubt have noticed that it was only letters I wrote when on the Column that had passages struck out. I am positive I was just as careful when with the column as regards letters as when with the battery but suppose one censor differs from another.
20th October 1916
I was unable to finish this letter yesterday but will try and do so tonight. I am glad to hear you are now getting straight in the house. Mother thought you were getting on splendidly.
The fact that you have just recently celebrated your 30th birthday reminds me that very shortly now I shall be celebrating my 28th. We are certainly getting on.
I have just this moment received your letter dated the 15th – the post is improving now. I must say I am sorry you did not get a letter from me but I hope you understand that sometimes it cannot be helped. I have hardly had time to do anything more than drop Mother a field post card. I am glad to hear Mother is again going to spend a few days with you. I also received the two books and am very much obliged to you. I have read “The Oirginian” but shall be glad to read it again.
A great revolution has recently taken place in the Army. It is now optional as to the wearing of moustaches but if one is grown it must be the full length of the upper lip – no more Charlie Chaplin’s. I have had mine off so am once more normal. We have recently been receiving almost nightly a ration of rum. This I believe continued throughout the winter. I am not over fond of it but take it regularly. Alan wrote and told me he could not drink it but had found he could manage whisky neat.
If Mother is with you when you receive this letter give her my love and tell her I have just received her parcel.
With love to Ethel
Yours,
Bernard.
In On Active Service envelope addressed to Harry R King, Esq., Glen Hilda, Park Avenue, Worcester, England.
Ansd 29/10/16.
Postmarked ARMY POST OFFICE R.30. 24 OC 16. Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3447. Signed JH Cooke.
