1862 J James

1/5 Leicester Regt

Transport Sec

Dear Mr,

            Just a few lines to say I got your letter, and was very pleased with it, i am going on nicely up to now, i had a letter from Miss Hunt, but i am sending a letter, we are having some rain, but never mind, we can stand it, we are having to keep our eyes open they are shelling in the next field to us, i hope we are going to win, but they are a bit hot some times, all the send there best love to you, and all there Friends, I think this is all this time, i will write again in a other week,

From  A Soldier Friend at the Front.

In envelope addressed to Rev T.W. Walters, Vicar of Whitwick, Leicester Rd, Whitwick, Leicestershire.  England.

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE T 46  26 JY 15

PASSED BY CENSOR 405 in triangular cachet in red.

25^th July 1916

Operation Orders for Gas Attack of –

1. Section Commanders will ensure that sections are organised into the necessary emplacement crews and orderlies.
2. Sections will parade at 5.45 p.m., ready for transport to trench head.
3. Parade in fighting order.
4. Sections will be inspected and watches synchronised.
5. Spanners and connection accessories will be carried by sections in labelled sandbags.
6. Brassards will be carried, but may not be worn until the front trench is reached.
7. On reaching front line, stores well be distributed, cylinders tested, connections made (finger tight only).
8. Officers will identify their approximate signal dug-out and report their arrival by sending wind message to O.C. COY.
9. Zero will be fixed before proceeding to the line, and discharge will take place without further warning unless wind conditions prove unfavourable.  If no postponement message is received, section commanders will carry on at their own discretion, discharging or not doing so at given zero.
10. As soon after zero as possible a message will be sent to O.C. Coy.

Discharge —-

No discharge —-

• Should no postponement occur, all connections should be made spanner tight at least ½ hour before zero.
• After discharge, or receipt of postponement message, pipes will be disconnected as soon as it is safe to do so (sprayers to be used if discharge has occurred), and will be returned to the dug-out, remaining there under guard detailed by the section commander.
• Wind messages should be forwarded to O.C. Coy., at 9 p.m., 10 p.m., and half hourly afterwards.

All wind messages, and other essential messages should be marked

PRIORITY.

1. The following codes will be used:

Wind Direction:

N  N.N.E. NE  E.N.E  E

0      1       2       3       4

E.S.E  S.E.  S.S.E.  S.

5           6        7       8

S.S.W.  SW  W.S.W.  W

    9       10       11       12

WNW   NW   NNW

   13      14     15

Velocity:  0 – 2 m.p.h A.

     2 – 6 m.p.h. B.

     6 plus          C.

1. Section commanders are entirely responsible for the final order for discharge, which is left entirely to their own discretion.
2. Arrangements for connections, accessories and all material are attached.

• Material –

Connections and parapet pipes –

The amount at the disposal of each section is shown, tabulated.

The whole will be carried in by infantry carrying parties.

Two reliable men (1 cpl.) and two pioneers from each section must parade outside workshops at 12 A.M. to check section material and place it in groups ready for loading .  They must parade again at 1.15 p.m. for loading and will proceed on lorries to trench head and guide infantry parties carrying connections, to their respective sectors.

They will be instructed whether to deposit their stores in a given dug-out or at emplacements.

Spanners and small accessories –

These, at the rate shown tabulated below, will be placed in labelled sandbags and carried up with sections.

Vermorel Sprayers –

These are provided, at the rate of 1 per bay, by Infantry Brigades 188 (&189).  One infantry man will be attached to each bay to work sprayers. 

He must be instructed in his duties.

Other stores, such as double male ends or adjustable wrenches can be drawn against receipt in the workshop.

Return of Spanners etc

being used in the trenches

25.7.16

Section	Universe	Box	Y.S.	L.S.	Clamps	Staples	Extra Staples
43	22	22	11	11	22	77	33
44	32	22	1	11	22	77	33
46	32	22	1	11	22	77	33
47	28	22	5	11	19	77	33
48	32	22	1	11	11	77	33
29	29	22	4	11	11	77	33
Total	175	132	23	66	107	462	198

Bottom of page torn off.

No 4564 5^th Leicesters Hut A 3

Enteric Depot, Dukes Hill Camp Woldingham Surrey.

July 25^th 016

Dear Rev Walters

            I have been considering what to write to you about, & seeing that you are a minister I thought I could not do better than give you my ideas regarding “Religion & War”, because these are the two fundamental topics of the Day, & many are asking the question “Is there and agreement between Religion & War?

Religion & War are contrasts, & as such claim the attention of men.  No person goes through life without the problems of Religion & War appealing to their soul.  At a first glance there seems to be no connection between the two, but I think they have the same relationship, as between Humanity & Divinity.

Between the human & divine there seems to be a gulf until the human realises that life is Divine, & that Divinity can so encompass Humanity that it is lost in the immensity of the life of God.

Just so is the connection between Religion & War.  “Truly the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence & the righteous take in by force.”  Today more need to be told that there is war.  The immensity of the struggle baffles human thought. Europe, once garbed in the beauty of spring, is stripped of her glory & today is saturated in blood.  Humanity is bleeding, & we see anew the scene of the Crucifixion.

Two forces are opposed to each other, & both armed to the teeth.  What does it all mean?  Why have war? It just amounts to this – “The righteous are taking the kingdom of heaven by force, & are endeavouring to plant it within those kingdoms which has misunderstood life, & have misinterpreted the Laws of Divine Justice.

“The Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence”.  Is there not a just & true connection between Religion & War.  War at its best is no “Good Business”, because it chiefly results in death & despair, yet, after all, force of arms may be necessary expedient to bring home the truth to the rebellious.  What I mean is this, & such a thought shows the fundamental connection between the two.

We believe that Germany is appointed to learn, through this terrible war, that there is a power above the state that works for righteousness, & that those who seek His Aid must allay themselves with Eternal Laws of truth, justice, & mercy.

Therefore to prove my opening statements I am asking myself a few questions, & I shall endeavour to answer them as far as possible in the light of scripture, so that we may really know what scriptures teaches us regarding Religion & War.

First of all then: Is it not possible to meet opposing physical forces of evil, with Spiritual forces which are infinitely more powerful?

To my mind the first call of life is, A defence of the defenceless & weak, yet I think the answer can best be given by those who have battled against those physical forces of evil which has found a manifestation in a degraded humanity.

National emotions & problems are never borne by the individual.  To the individual are two Divine commands given, one command effects him as an individual, the other command affects him as the subject of a King, & a unit of a nation.  To the individual the Divine command is:- “If you are smitten on the one side of the cheek, turn the other also”, but in national affairs the Divine command to the individual is: – “Submit yourselves to every ordnance of man for the Lord’s sake; whether it be to the King as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, & for the praise of them that do well.”  1 Peter. 2.13.14.

To my mind the great silence of the Scriptures regarding such problems as – “Should a wronged nation retaliate, or what course should an individual adopt after he has been smitten by an enemy on both cheeks”, is a matter of conscience, as God moves the nation or individual so should they act.

Defence of the right, if it causes death, is not murder.  For instance, I do not think for one moment that a person would be justified in standing aside, & not staying the hand of the murderer or robber who had come to ill-treat or rob their people, rather would it be a greater sin to allow an enemy to crush our people & ill-treat our loved-ones, than to put forth all our Spiritual. Moral, & Physical powers to stop the enemy from carrying out his evil designs.  And does not the same law apply in a national sense?  I think so.  Religion bids us go forth to do our duty, & commands us to use our Spiritual, Moral, Social, & Physical powers to repel an unscrupulous enemy whose sole design is greed & whose aim is to dominate the world without having regard to God & His eternal laws of Justice & Love.

If what I have said is true, then is not Religion a vital necessity in the life of a nation?

The nation that knows the true value of religion, the nation that honors God most, is the nation that offers the highest service to humanity, & displays the full meaning of the sacrifice of Calvary.

The great mistake many people make today is: – They seem to realise that the “Sacrifice of Jesus Christ” only affected “Jesus Christ Himself” insomuch that the “Sacrifice Himself” only fully realized the meaning of His Own Death when He suffered for the world.

Tis true “That God only knows the love of God”, but what I have learned is this:- Christ knew – He understood our state, & Offered Himself once for all, for the sins of the people, that all might be saved”, & that the saved should realize & truly know what that death meant.

The death of Christ was a sacrifice, not an individual act alone, to begin & end with the individual.  That Death was a revelation, revealing to us this fact; that the way to life is the way of sacrifice & sacrifice is Divine; therefore our Religion is the outcome of “That Wonderful Death”, thus it is a nation’s most valuable asset.

We too learn the full meaning of sacrifice when we do as Christ did, give ourselves for others, which is a heavenly service.  The remarkable feature about this war is: – that at the present moment seven Christian nations are engaged in the most deadly & destructive war that the world has ever witnessed, nations representing 3 great divisions of the Christian church – Greek, Catholic, & Protestant.

Is it not a fact that the Christian Religion has been the ostensible motive of many of the bitterest Wars?  I think so!  And on the one hand it shows the value of religion as a thing worth fighting for. & yet, on the other hand, it is sad that such a great part of the so called Church of God is blind to its own destiny.

I am here reminded of a remark made to Abraham Lincoln during the American War.  Said one to Lincoln “I hope the Lord will be on our side, Lincoln replied “About that I am not at all anxious my only concern is that we should be on the side of the Lord”.

Thus it is a vital necessity for the well-being of a nation that God & Religion should be pregnated in its life, for where God is known & adored there is victory.

The right knows no defeat; it may have its struggles; its trials may be immense, but it surges on & on, till it becomes enthroned, not only in human hearts, but on the mount of God.

Truth has well said:- “Right is might & as such it can be evidenced in Religion & War, but what we pray for is:- that the time may be near when right need only be evidenced in Religion & War becomes a thing of the past.

But we must look beyond.  The future must appeal to us if we have any vision whatever.  Thank God we can see the dawn of a New Day, & “The World’s New Hope” stands resplendent in heavenly majesty urging us on to mightier effort.

Such a mingling of blood as is shed today becomes a sacrament, & the near future will see its fruits.  No sacrifice is in vain, glory always bestows her rewards, though she makes a stern demand on the sons of men.

We are now witnessing the sowing of the seed in the anguish of the nations but those that come after – what harvest shall they reap, what fruit shall they gather, when new heaven & new earth shall rise before them in all their splendour.

“Hope on, Hope ever!  though today be dark, the sweet sunburst will smile on thee tomorrow”.

Thank God today we hear the Voice of the New Humanity, & realize that Heaven lies about us.

And now I come to my last thought, & it is this:- Is a Christian justified in taking up arms in view of the saviour’s teaching “Thou shalt love thine enemies.”  Today we have many conscientious objectors, & they reveal a diversity of opinion regarding Christ’s teaching to men.  But such persons seem to me to have a one-sided view of religion.  They oftimes forget that chastisement & stern punishment is akin to love.

Love is not abstract, it is real, & objective, capable of many interpretations.

It is a Father’s heart of love that compels God to sometimes deal drastically with His children, & it is from a heart of love & sympathy, that Christian people defend the weak & helpless & keep back “the enemy from our gates”.

Of course “conscientious objectors” have a right to live, but they have not a right to their opinions where truth & justice is involved.

Still, there is an incident in our Saviour’s life that has given me an endless amount of thought, & it is this: – The 1^st time Christ sent out His disciples he said, Take one coat each, but not scrip or purse, & you will get your living by the way.

The 2^nd time he sent them forth He said:- Sell what thou hast, & buy a sword.  Now, as followers of Jesus Christ what need had they of a sword?  Was not the Divine Presence sufficient for them?  Methinks the Master knew of their perils & needs, or Peter would never have been girded with a sword at his Master’s trial.  The mystery of the Scripture is, the work left to conscience.  And so I believe today that the brave men who are giving their life for their Country are revealing the Christian Spirit, & the fathers & mothers who, in sternly consenting to duty, have not withheld their sons, even their only son they also are repeating in their self-surrender the Mystery of the Cross.  A touching story is recorded of a youth who has since fallen in battle.  When in the trenches he desired a comrade to convey a message to his home “Tell them” he said “how sorry I am to have given them so much trouble, but that I will try & make some amends by doing my best for England.”

“To him who loveth much, much is forgiven “Out of common danger human kinship grows & unites in the bonds of a common sympathy.  Therefore to stand for right & truth is to render to God & the world a noble service.

I am pleased to tell you that I am now doing well, & as soon as I can come home I will call upon you.  I do sincerely pray that God will abundantly bless you & your work in the coming “Mission of Repentance & Hope.  I pray that many may be turned to God & find in Him a refuge in the time of storm.

If you have the time I should be pleased to hear from you as soon as possible.

From your Sincere Friend

J.W. Brotherhood

To Rev Walters.

S.P. If there are slight mistakes anywhere in my letter it is because of it being rather, & I am in a great hurry.  J.W.B.

In envelope addressed to Rev T.W. Walters M.A., Vicar of Whitwick, Whitwick Vicarage, Leicester-shire.

Letter postmarked CATERHAM VALLEYS SURREY 26 JY 16 also on the back COALVILLE LEICS 27 JY 16.

Crest of the High Commissioner of

Union of South Africa.

32, VICTORIA STREET,

WESTMINSTER, S.W.

25^th July 1916

Dear Colonel Purcell,

            I have your letter & will be very pleased to arrange for the safe custody of the Flag & Shield presented to you last Friday, I can receive them whenever you send them up.

How splendidly our men have fought & borne themselves in the very kernel of the greatest battle of the war – yet how heavy the toll taken.  Delville Wood will be a proud & solemn name for ever in South African history.  It concerns me to learn that you expect to go over soon, knowing how you will be missed from your present responsible command.  If you go, you will add perk spirit & zeal to our small force, – small in numbers but in valour & purpose great; & you will have the earnest wishes of all South Africans with you & your officers & men.  I trust that a very high percentage of our recent casualties may prove to be not serious or ********** ***** but even so the losses are very heavy.

With best wishes & ****** regards

Yours sincerely

W.P. S*******

.

In envelope addressed to Lt. Col. Purcell, D.S.O.

South African Infantry

Bordon

Hants.

Postmarked LONDON OFFICIAL PAID but date unreadable.

At foot of envelope  HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA and the round cachet thereof.  In pencil on envelope “Flag & Shield”

and

Rubber and Connections being used in the trenches.

25.7.16

Sec	Fourway	Twoway	Single	Para pipe	Remarks
43	52	2	2	55
44	52	2	2	55
46	52	2	2	55	Connections given require 56 *** pipes
47	52	2	2	55
48	52	2	2	55
29	52	2	2	55
Total	312	12	12	330

V. Lefebure

Capt RE

Note on back:- Sap 15 to Right Flank of Angres I will not be reoccupied until Lt Beesley has reported it clear to O.C. Right Company at the latter’s H.Q.

24^th July 1916.

ARMY ORDER.

VII. – LEAKAGE OF MILITARY INFORMATION. – There is reason to believe that information concerning operations is being conveyed by officers and men of the British Army in the Field to their relatives at home, either personally, by letter or by telegram, and that in some cases, a code has been elaborated to facilitate the communication of information which would otherwise be stopped by the Censors.

It is to be regretted that at this stage of the war it in necessary to explain to all ranks that the sole object of the field censorship and of all the other steps taken to prevent the leakage of military information is to secure substantial gains with the least possible loss.

Each officer or man who privately transmits information (even to those on whose discretion he may have the most complete reliance) inevitably facilitates the task of the enemy’s agents and indirectly sacrifices the lives of his comrades.

This fact should be impressed on all officers and men, so that all ranks may co-operate to ensure that the progress of the Army is not imperilled or rendered more costly by the criminal folly of a few individuals, who if discovered will be severely dealt with.

=======================

By Command of the Army Council.

(Signed) R.H. BRADE.

Note. – A copy of this Army Order will be issued to every officer serving in the Army, who will bring it continually to the notice of those serving under him.

France July 22^nd 1916

Saturday.

My Dear Harry & Ethel,

            Thanks very much for your two letters of the 16^th, which I hope you will excuse me answering together.  I am very glad you have no complaint against me now and that my letters are reaching you after a comparatively short interval.  I don’t know though when this will be despatched as we have been informed that no letters can be accepted for post for a couple of days.

            I have not yet received the parcel you sent me but expect it & look forward to it today.  It is very good of you all and from the description it seems ideal but I must insist on this being the last as I never intended tp put you to the trouble and expense of sending out parcels, and hope you will not do it again.  All I want you both to do is to write me regularly, and I shall be quite satisfied, at the same time don’t think I am ungrateful.  I will, no doubt at the end of this letter, be able to say I have received the parcel & to let you know the state it arrives in.  I shall be glad to get the book, and, if you do send out a book occasionally, if you send it by book post leaving the ends open the postage will only be 4^d.  The material for the refreshing drink will be very useful as we are getting very hot & thirsty weather and there is no opportunity of indulging in the French wines you write of.  Ever since we left our landing place in France I have not set eyes on a single civilian.

            I heard from Mother that Alan was at a Rest Camp & was glad of the news.  I hope he will remain there for some time.

            I am glad that you have at last got me and can only say that your surmises are all correct.  We have been busy!

            It is I suppose not surprising that you have not yet heard where your new appointment will take you, but progress is apparently being made as one man has been appointed to Lancaster.  I should think a place such as that would suit you both immensely.

            The dugout I previously told you about is no longer our home as we have as you can understand had to make a move.  The one I now occupy was apparently built by the French as when they build a dugout they use as many pit props as possible.  Ours for instance has five layers of props on the roof besides earth, the props in each layer touching each other.  They & the Germans build splendid dugouts, whereas ours appear to be built in a very casual manner.  Even the dugout we at present occupy is not proof against a 6’ or bigger shell, in fact I very much doubt from what I have seen if any dugout is.

            I yesterday read Mr. Asquith’s speech re August holidays and must say that people hear here all seem to agree that holidays at present are very much out of place.  It is impossible to imagine without being out here how munitions must be practically squandered to provide any good result.

            I also read Mr. Lloyd George’s speech which is good reading.

            I received Uncle Arthur’s parcel & am glad to say it arrived in good condition.  It is practically exhausted tho’ and I am therefore ready for yours.

            I am glad that none of my letters have been censored in anyway.  I try my hardest to write nothing that can be objected to, as censored letters usually read so disjointed.  It is however a very hard job.

            Well with love to Ada & best wishes, I will leave this letter for the present.

            Yours,

                        Bernard.

10’ pm Saturday

Have not yet received parcel but expect it tomorrow.  B.

Initialled D.W.K.

In envelope addressed to Mr & Mrs Harry R. King, Esq., Munmore, Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin. Ireland.

Ans^d 30.7.16

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE T 37.  25 JY 16.  Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3447.  Signed D.W. Knight

France

July 19^th 1916.

My dear Harry,

Your letters of the sixteenth & seventeenth arrived today and are responsible for this one.  I can imagine how busy you must be on Sundays writing to mother and myself.  I always look forward to your letter and thought it was a day late.  Well we have had a spell at the trenches (supports) and are now “resting” once more.  During this rest things have been somewhat exhilarating.  A shell over a foot long & six inches high has paid a visit to a spot twenty yards away from our present dug-out.  It entered the ground, came out & went another twenty yards, then rested on the ground.  Fortunately it behaved and did not explode.  The shell is on view & has a notice about it’s not to be touched, but out of the many visitors to inspect it I haven’t seen many who care to go near it.  Tremendous lumps of earth were thrown beyond & over our abode and we were in our dug-outs in very little time.  Things have been more active lately.  As it says in the papers bombardments are taking place continually all along the line.  This morning the most popular & the cleverest sergeant major was killed.  We all feel very sorry.  There have been far more casualties here than in the trenches.  Yesterday & today we had to spend four hours in no-man’s land in the daytime working but there is no risk in my opinion.  The noise of the shells is terrific all the time & has made me forget several things I intended saying.  I think the advantage of “resting” is being able to visit the Canteen, which is patronised to a great extent!

Now, I’ll see if your letter suggests anything to say.  Bernard seems to be able to tell you anything he likes.  There is one thing.  It seems to me the artillery blaze away at their enemy all day.  They don’t suffer themselves though.  It is the poor infantry who get everything.  I am glad to see he is busy.  Of course he is partly responsible for the great advance, just as I am responsible to some extent from keeping the Germans from pinching Paris or Calais!  I don’t know which it is they desire mostly.  Don’t mention a week’s leave to me now please, let alone dropping in anywhere.  We are all very touchy on the score of leave.  The leave we want is a permanent leave quickly after the War is over & I am afraid that is all we are likely to get.  Very well I will drink a bottle of champagne (with aid) since you prefer it.  The food is getting quite good again.  Ah! As I have mentioned that I am reminded there is no butter or jam for tomorrow.  I should have touched wood I suppose.  It isn’t often we have to go without both.  We have had quite decent meals lately & sufficient bread On dit (hm!) that certain people responsible have been getting into a row.  Don’t mention shells &c to mother.  I have forgotten what home-made poetry was.  I am trying hard to remember it but it’s a failure.  Remember me to Ethel & give her my love.  Tell her that it is not a case of no letter from her no letter to her in spite.  Writing one letter is an effort but when she writes one I feel absolutely bound to reply whereas there is an excuse if she doesn’t.  You ought to see what your brother has done in the dug-out improvement scheme.  I have made a seat, table, mug-rack & plate ditto (and they say in sale catalogues) & floored the floor (naturally) with wood planks.  I had assistance in the last performance.  I also put a corrugated roof over the seat, table, racks &c.  I’m afraid when Mother had not heard from me it must have been through the post, her being at Ross & perhaps through being busy.  I have written a great deal lately.  A letter in a green envelope (now stopped) seems to have taken much longer than an ordinary one.  If you are to have this one soon I had better wind up.  Don’t forget to write me & see Ethel does.

            Yours as ever          

                        Alan.

The weather is glorious & cool & the country is lovely.

On Active Service envelope addressed to Harry R King, Munmore, Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin. Ans^d 30.7.16.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE T.41 dated 21 JY 16.  Hexagonal Passed Field Censor 3274 cachet.  Signed ** Shaw

1862 Driver Joseph James

1/5 Leicester Regt

Transport

Dear Sir,

            Just a few lines to say I am going on quite well at present, and I hope this will find you the same, i have seen a lot of the boys from Whitwick, that is in the first Leicesters and they are going on alright, we do not hear as no Church Belles our hear, it is so quiet, but we have the band to keep us alive, that is some-thing.  I read in the paper were there had been a lot of rain in Leicestershire, I expect it as stops the hay making, I don’t think it will be long befor i come and see you they have started leave, we are alright till those Jack Johnson’s came round us, then we have to fli I think this is all this time, so if you like to write back, get my address from my sister Vicarage Farm House.

With Best Love.

From Joseph James.

In green envelope addressed to The Rev T.W. Walters, Vicarage House, Leicester Rd, Whitwick, Leicestershire.  England.

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE T 45.  16 JY 15.

G.H.Q.

Egyptian E.F.

July 14^th 1916

Dear Moughli,

How is life at Osborne.  I suppose you are getting near the end of the term and wrestling with exam papers.  Are you going to Dartmouth next term?  If so I am afraid you may find it rather painful at first and full of memories.  Still there is always the feeling of pride in those who have gone and after all this life is so little a thing in comparison.

I don’t think there is much to tell you.  We are “enjoying” a heat-wave i.e. 114, 115^o & upwards in the shade but somehow it doesn’t appear to bother one.  It is part of the ordinary routine.  I had three very nice days in Cairo last week-end which included a trip to the Pyramids round which I rode on a milk white ass in peril of my life.  They are wonderful to see but their charm is absolutely ruined by the host of evil-smelling natives who worry you to death by trying to sell you things or act as guides etc.

I heard from Arthur a few days ago.  He is fairly near here and I am trying to get him over to dine one night as I don’t think I can get to him.  I’d love to see him again.

Denys wrote me sundry details of the Naval battle that he heard up North – inter alia a tale of one of the “snotties” who was picked up by a destroyer from the Queen Mary.  He at once asked the Commander in the middle of the fight whether he thought they would be back in harbour in time to catch the 2 o’clock train to London!  That was the only thing that worried him although he had just been blown up.

I hear that the language of a certain very exulted personage who was out here on the Staff for a bit was the limit.  Some of his expressions which were quoted to me by one who had a certain amount to do with him took even me aback.  He spent a great deal of his time trying to remember the end of a dirty Limerick, of which he could only remember the first two lines.  What would James Watt say?  You had better not tell him.

Things appear to be going well in France.  Here the Mohamadan fast of Ramadan is on which means that no food or drink passes the native’s lips from sunrise to sunset – i.e. 3-30 AM to 7 p.m.  Their suffering must be intense in this heat and you can see that at the end of the day they are absolutely done.  This lasts the whole of July.  It is too extraordinary in Cairo to see them rush off for refreshment the moment the sunset gun is fired.

There is very little work here still for me although I get more now as my Chief has gone on leave.  One day is just like another – and I am longing to taste fresh milk, butter & vegetables again.

How are the lads?  Give them all my love.

I hope to see them again some time.

Best of luck.

            Yours ever  Pat.