Dear Mother,

Well, Musie, I received your letter a few days ago but didn’t answer as I wanted to have something important to tell you that was something more than a rumour.

Here it is. The 222nd will be out of existence. 450 of us are going to France any day. One draft goes to the 1st CMRs another draft to the 5th Battalion (Little Black Devils) and the third draft goes to the 44th Battalion. There are about 100 from D Company going and we are all going to the 44th. Cliff and Fred and I will be together again by New Year’s. All the medically fits are going so we should have a good bunch.

Also we are moving from here to Seaford about 20 miles east. The balance of the battalion is going to form a reserve battalion and they will be about 2,000 strong. You can address all mail to the Army Post Office London as our address for a time will be uncertain.

None of the sergeants of D Company are going and I am reducing to the ranks. I always was happy as a private and will never be a NCO again. My next raise will be to a commission or nothing. All the boys are glad that I am going as it helps to keep the boys together.

We had a fair dinner today. We had turkey and plum pudding. All the battalion sat down together and after dinner we had a concert and the officers made speeches. It helped to fill in the day.

Your loving son,

James