6th November 1915
I am sorry to say that I shall not be able to go to Mrs Cope now because I shall not be able to have another pass until Christ-mas. When I come home at Christmas I shall get home just as quick as I did this time, although I shall be further away. When I come home at Christmas I shall have at least 6 days leave, and shall jolly well make up for not coming home now. Do not be surprised if I am about 6 ft high, as Will says. If I am Dad will have to cut a bit out of the front door, so that I can get in. We always have to wear our belts now. A battalion of the Sportsmans, and a brigade of R.F.A. went to the Dardanelles from here 3 days ago. It was fine to see about a mile of guns moving along. We are going to Andover to join the 19th batt. of K.R.R. Two K.R.R. men were accidently killed by bayonet fighting at Aldershot the other day, both of them lunged together. There are 10 Scotch regiments, 3 Irish, and 6 English regiments are stationed around Aldershot. All of them have been stopped fighting with the naked blades now, and have to use their scabbards. Our fellows have an idea that we are going in billets at Andover. They say it is not a very lively place, although it is a pretty part, but we shall have to make the best of it. The 17th K.R.R. stationed at Whitley, near Aldershot, say that the nearest house to them is 3 miles away, so we shall be better off than they are any rate. Tell Dad I am going to follow up fitting and turning, study with my books when I get a case, buy a military book of some kind every week, and become a Major-General someday. When once I start going, that is after I've been made a Lance-Corporal, I shall rise like the early morning dew. You need have no fear about my looking after myself and behaving myself May, because I only go out about 3 nights a week, and then usually by myself. I either walk round the town or go to the Y.M.C.A. at Romford, where there are all kinds of games and concerts. When I stop in camp I either go in our own Y.M.C.A. and read books or war news, or sew buttons on, or have a chat with another decent fellow out of our room on military affairs. So you see I behave myself alright. I have one jolly good wash, wash my hair every day, and clean my teeth every day, and bathing parade once per week. We have to sleep on one straw mattress, pillow, three blankets, and waterproof sheet. They keep you warm, but if you wake up about 1.00 a.m. you feel slightly cold. If we go in billets at Andover I expect our beds will be better than they are now. I hope that you are all as healthy as I am. Tell Aunt that I am wearing my pants now, and they are quite comfortable now. Tell Dad that the sergeants have got me spotted for knowing my drills, signals, and semaphore, and are quite friendly with me. Next time you write will you tell me Reg's address, so that I can send him a bit of St Julien, and ask him how he is getting on. You can tell Mrs Cope that I shall send a photo if I have a chance to have any taken. Aunt was lucky to get those 2 handkerchiefs and letter through for a penny because I should have thought there was above 1 ounce there. Was the new act in force then? Do you think that I shall be able to send 5 handkerchiefs and a letter home for a penny? If not I shall have to send two only. One handkerchief will last one week all right. I do not know exactly what it is, but just lately I have felt quite good, that is to say religious. In fact 3 others, of a Sportmans' Company, and I felt so good last night, Sunday, that we were converted at a "Salvation Army Headquarters". It is a bigger thing than being confirmed. You have your sins forgiven; and promise God not to swear, steal, lie, deceive, misconduct yourself, and to obey the 10 commandments. I have felt quite spiritual and changed since Sunday, and I do not trouble what anybody says, it is better to live as God desires you to, than to live anyhow. There are some soldiers who have an opinion that this war will be the end of the world, but whether it is or whether it is not, I have made a start for the good. I hope you do not think I am balmy, but I have told you this because I knew you would be pleased to hear it. Well I think I had better go on and talk about something else now, now I have told you all about my change. I shall write to you just as often as I do now when we move to Andover, so you will have plenty of news. I shall not be able to write much more now, because we have to attend a Chapel service tonight and another one on Wednesday. Tell Dad and Aunt to drop me a line as soon as possible. Give my love to Dad, the boys and Aunt. From your loving Brother Albert. x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x P.S. I will write you a P.C. on Wednesday. If this letter is over-weight you will have to tell me.
Created by: , Charlotte33
Born 1900
Died 1916
British Army C/7259 Rifleman King's Royal Rifle Corps 18 Battalion