C.O.M.S.H.Heaton.
"the Royal Irish"
106a-Group.7.
(17.5.18.) Scheveningen. (Holland)

Dear Mrs. Eardley

Your kind letter of the 5.4.18 to hand, it is as well that you havent sent Tom the things through as he is expected any day now. I was up at the station last night to welcome a party in uniform shy Tom was'nt among them. never mind perhaps he will be in the next lot.

I do hope so as I have such a lot to tell him & arrange with him. I intend, after the campaign, going to Canada & chumming in with Tom on a ranch. that is if it is possible. he made a few arrangements whilst in Germany but I left as hurridly that we couldnt go into the matter more fully. He will be along here in a few days though, I feel certain & then we can arrange things.

I love Tom very much, he is such a quiet lad, never vexed, very easy to please. He is a jolly old sport. I wish he could have come with me but he was not captured so early in the war as I was (Oct.14) which is a jolly good job. Please do not worry about Tom, Mrs Eardley, he will be alright, he is always out in the open, winter & summer he takes his exercise. he misses the freedom that he would have at home but we prisoners have had a great lesson in patience as I know the dear ones at home have had & are having at present.

Never mind he is young & will soon forget the hard times he has had when he is free once more & when he comes he will always be sure of one Mrs Eardley. If at any time I can be of assistance I shall only be too pleased, & in respect to the cigarettes, as I am a non-smoker the shall be a little surprise for Tom on his arrival. Thanks for your kindness & please don't worry over Tom, I know it is only normal for mothers. my mother is the same. Hoping to hear from you again

Yours Sincerely

H. Heaton.