Dec 13/14

Dear Mother

I hope you are all quite well, I am feeling fine my-self, we are out of the Trenches, & are in rest Billets now, I was only up there myself a few days, I am sorry I couldn't get a chance to write to you before, but I sent a couple of cards which I hope you got, we lost quite a few of the Boys this time I dare say you saw those names in the Casulaity list. the mud up in the trenches is something awful, it comes up to your waist in places I was glad when we came out, & the rest of the Boys were much more pleased than than me, they had been up there a week longer than myself.
I wish I could let you know where I am, but I am afraid it is impossible, but all being well I shall be able to come Home for a while in Febuary or March.

I dont think I have any news I havent seen young [?] for a long while.

Give my love to all at Home, & thank you very much for the parcels
I remain

your loving Son

Tommy.

P.S.
I was writing in the Farm House on the table, & the people asked me to move because they wanted to eat, we are billeted in the Barn, but they let us come in the House to write & get warm. We have had very wet Weather here lately.

I had a letter from Maggie yesterday she said they were getting very fine weather out there.

Tod. Patchford might come out to us, we want reinforcements & as he is at the same place as our Details he might get out here to us, I wish he could, but at the same time I would advise him to stay where he is as long as possible for its no Picnic out here we were anxious to come out here, but we should be pretty pleased to get back right now. Well I must finish now. give my love to all, I will write again soon.

Tommy.