Dear Mum, Dad and Jack:

…Well Mum, this past week I have been running this orderly room all alone and so help me I was never so busy before. I don’t know why but just the week I take over, everything comes. It is the first time in the history of the Regt. that there have been four courts martial going on at once. To top it off the four fellows are from this Coy so I get all the work…. I have to type the summary of evidence and the court of inquiry for each and there are eight pages to each one. That is outside of the everyday work like nominal rolls, passes, range records, etc. I have worked until nine and ten every night this week and when I get ready for bed I can hardly see. Boy, I really am tired when the day finishes; it is not tired like a route march makes you but tired mentally. I can say I am getting quite good on the typewriter now and can use both hands just as you should. However, I still do a lot of writing and when I go to bed my hand is curled up in a knot…. When I finish this I will be a lawyer. I have two big books of Military Law and Kings Regulations under which the charges come under in the summary of evidence so you can see I am a lawyer too.

However,  I hear everybody goes to the ranges for two days and next week, 21st of Oct. we go on a five-day scheme so you will know what is wrong if you don’t hear for a couple of days.…

I had a real surprise last Sunday, Mum. I was working in the orderly room about six Sunday evening all by myself and I heard this whispering just outside the door. I thought I recognized the voices so I got up to go out to see who it was. Just as I reached for the door in walks Al and Milton. Boy was I surprised to see them. They are the first fellows I saw from home since I came over and you can imagine how glad I was to see them. They had a weekend and came down to see me but couldn’t stay long because they had to catch an early bus so they could make train connections back. We’re together for an hour and we sure made it pay.  You should have heard the questions flying. I got the latest news from home. Al also saw Dave and Arnold for a few minutes. Al and Milton came over on the same boat and didn’t know it….

All the boxes you sent arrived O.K. Mum, and…the cigs…arrived two days ago and they were sure good to see. It was my first smoke in nearly two weeks.  I hope the other ones arrive before that long…. Just send me lots of eats and smokes and I won’t kick.  However I would like something to tell the time with if you can arrange it.  Have you sent my ring, Mum?

…Since I came in here I got some weight back and weigh about 170 now.  I can’t figure on what though; it isn’t eats so it must be good hours…. If you are set on sending something, how about a three- or four-dollar wrist watch, a leg of chicken and a pipe and tobacco.  Those are my immediate needs, Mum.

I will write again soon and don’t worry if there is a lull; that will be the scheme. The best to the grandparents, and write soon and often. The best to you all and thanks millions for everything.

Lots of Love,

Bill