Another French town

28th Tuesday May, 1918

My dear mother,

The letter that I wrote yesterday was not posted as the anticipated move came much sooner than could have been wished for. The order came for us to stand by just after breakfast and until a further order came I wrote two letters - one to you and another to Mr. Curt. At 11o/c we were told to pack up and to be ready to march off - full marching orders - by 1.30pm. Fortunately I managed to get some of my stuff together quite easily and by dinner time - 12.30pm - I was ready to move from here. The dinner was fortunately a good one of back beef, potatoes and fig pudding; we did not know when we should get [?] good meat, although I [?] some bread. During the day all the equipment and stores were taken away on lorries and by the evening I don't doubt that no sign of the British army could be traced in that little village. It speaks well for the [?] and the splendid organisation that moves troops with order and style. We boarded lorries just outside the village at 4.45pm and we were soon speeding down the dusty road and the group of trees behind which the village lies were soon lost to view. As you can imagine it was with regret that I left the place where I had spent such a happy fortnight almost out of sound and certainly out of sight of the war.

We were extremely fortunate to have lorries to take us and we quite enjoyed the great way of riding, altho' we were all quite cramped for room as we had our packs with us. We were so covered with a light film of white dust what was churned up by the long line of lorries which would its way along the winding lanes.

Our destination was reached at 7pm after one or two minor casualties on the road in the way of an indisposed lorry. I have not had time to explore this place properly but is [?] fairly large place surrounded with trees like all the other villages in the district. The church is very much older than any I have yet seen and the houses altho' they are built more substantially than the cottages of our last resting place seem to be more dilapidated and deserted. I do not think why it should be so. The country house [?] is very much the same as that which we have just left, [?] I should just tell you that I am writing this in a nice shady orchard with long grass and buttercups growing all round. As we are only here temporarily we have not the comforts that we had previously altho' we are better [?] very much like the other one and there is plenty of [?] shade [?] keep warm in bed. I was detailed with Stuart to keep guard over the [?] 9-11 last night and in the quiet of the night I had a good old think about home and [?] was in my thoughts. When I got to bed I was so tired that I fell asleep in no time and did not wake until 8o/c this morning when breakfast was ready.

Well that finishes the news of yesterday as that will draw this letter to a close.

Give my love to all at home

With fondest love and xxxx for yourself

from Bert