Dear Mother,
I am on an advanced Machine Gun course, at the Machine Gun School near St. Omer, for 16 days. When I rejoin my Battalion I shall be M.G. Instructor for both the Vicker’s and Lewis guns. Nearly every regiment of the British Army is represented here, and the school is conducted in an immense convent. Our classes are held in the Cloisters, and the only drawback is the lamentable absence of nuns. French Madames and Mademoiselles run quite a tip-top shop in the building, here one can buy vins et spiriteaux, English beer, bananas, shaving sticks, cakes, English cigarettes, etc. Also, there is a huge Y.M.C.A. tent, here we can drink coffee and tea, write letters, and listen to music. So you see I’m having quite a picnic. I came here from a little village behind the firing line, a 40 mile ride on a once London motor bus. I quite enjoyed the ride, once out of the fighting area the scenery became very picturesque, and after living for 5 months amidst desolation and ruin, you bet I felt bucked up. Instead of dirty Belgian chocolate-mongers, it was a treat to see the trim French girls. So when we neared the fashionable St. Omer, and passed loads of girls in bird-like hats, I decided that 16 days for a M.G. course was all too insufficient. Our first lesson commences each day at 9 ‘O’ clock, at 11 ‘O’ clock we break off for 15 minutes for a smoke or drink, and then we continue until 1 ‘O’ clock. We have one hour for dinner then work from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., when we finish for the day unless we care to study in the evenings. My address is 2988, 9th K.R.R. Machine Gun School, General Headquarters, B.E.F., France. When this course is over I hope to come home, there are only two more in the C Corps before me and no doubt they will go home during the next fortnight. So perhaps I’ll be with you about the middle of November, although I would prefer to wait until Christmas now. Have the Wilkinson boys been home yet? Give my kind regards to Mrs W, and also to all other friends. I have had a letter from Margaret at Pasture Farm, she seems to be enjoying herself alright, of course she always does that. How do Maud! Sorry I have neglected you lately but it is hard work to write out here. I haven’t written to thank Frank Hardy for his parcel yet, nor have I thanked Miss Pilley for the cigs. My! I’m a disgrace to respectable society. Miss Pilley tells me you play golf, what club have you joined? Are you great or only just so so? We did strafe the Germans last time in the trenches, every night we would spot them working on their barbed wire, and send them a few hundred little messengers from our Machine Gun. My!, they were annoyed and whizz-banged us extra special for it, the dirty dogs! Still, I’ll nearly blind them with science after this course. Well, good-bye everybody, I’m just off round for another blanket, I was cold last night! Much love to all,
Your loving son,
Bob
Dear Margaret,
Am glad to hear you’ve been at Pasture farm for a holiday, you do not have many changes, and the rest and Auntie’s exceptional cooking would do you heaps of good. I should have liked to be with you. You are a good little sister, to write to me unfailingly week by week, when I am too lazy to reply. Your letters always buck me up, so please continue and forget my selfishness. This is Sunday and it has been a beautiful day, November has excelled itself for once. We had classes until 1 p.m., and after dinner I had a walk. There was just a nice winter nip in the air, which made walking a pleasure. The surrounding country is hilly, with delightful little villages nestling in the valleys. I imagined myself back in Derbyshire, and a French peasant spoilt it all by saying “Bonjour Monsieur”! How are Gertie and Dorothy getting on? I have not written to Edgar for a long time, you see I’m always expecting to be coming home. Tell Mother to get my civilian clothes aired, these will be impossible for the first day. Did Wilfred get home? Will you send me his address? I have a good chance to write to him here, I hope they haven’t sent him to Serbia. We have just had a short service here. Well, I’m going to finish now, love to Mother and Maud.
Your brother,
Bob
Am feeling fit, only dying to see you all.