Blue pencilled out.
October 21st 1916
Dear old Harry,
I have your letters of the eighth & fifteenth to answer. Our life recently has been quite nomadic as regards travelling about & we have been as busy as ants. This is the first minute I have had to myself for ages and ages. I owe everyone I know a letter & like you they’ll all have to wait. I was carrying two panniers of ammunition & in stepping down two feet I bunged in my ankle. That’s how it happened. Several fellows sprained ankles & are in hospital but there is no chance of coming home on that score. I feel certain we shall have leave during the next two months. I am glad your work is becoming easier & that you are getting accustomed to it. I don’t think I would be at all pleased to receive a bedroom suite as a twenty first birthday present. It reminds me of a wife buying her husband mantelpiece ornaments for his birthday. I have not heard a word of Dickson & fear the worst although somehow or other I have not given up hope. I miss him tremendously as we went about together so much. The two books have not arrived yet. I expect them tonight. They are most welcome. My word it is getting cold out here. This morning was a stunner. The shades of night fall with a crash also about six. It has been fine however lately & that is something to be thankful for. We are not far from our old part of the line but we shall really be having a rest for some time provided the unexpected doesn’t happen of course. I am delighted Mother may be at Worcester when you receive this. I have written her a letter & sent it to Cardiff in case she is there. Isn’t this a miserable letter. There doesn’t seem to be any news to tell you. I shall have to close as there is nothing else to do. Give my love to Mother & Ethel & wish best wishes to your old self, I am
Yours affectionately
Alan
I shall try & add a line tomorrow. Your books arrived whilst writing the last line. Thank you very much.
On Active Service envelope addressed to Harry R King, Esq., Glen Hilda, 38, Park Avenue, Worcester. Ansd 29/10/16
Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 117, 24 OC 16. Hexagonal Passed Field Censor 3274 cachet. Signed CW Bevan
