9.00pm

My Dearest

We have just left Grantham & by the way the train is rocking we must be doing more than 60 per hour.

Oh My Darling I cannot describe how I feel, it is awful to be rushing away from you at such a rate. It is not easy I can assure you, & you can guess I am feeling far from cheerful. Oh you don't know how much I will miss you, I shall be terribly lonely, it will be a long time before I can settle down. Already I am looking forward to coming again, but I don't like to think we will have to wait such a long time as we did before, & surely the war will be over before I am due for another leave.

Dearest I don't know whether you will be able to make this out, I cannot write very well because of the train swaying so much.

An Australian got in this compartment at Grantham, he is slightly inebriated, & when we stopped at Peterborough he insisted on buying a cup of tea for each of us (five in all). I went with him to fetch the tea & brought 3 cups, leaving him to fetch the other two. I had only just time to get on board before the train started, & the Anzac missed it. I yelled to him to jump in a rear carriage but he seemed half dazed & the last I saw of him he was standing watching the train pull out, with two cups of tea in his hands. He looked extremely foolish, he could easily have climbed on somewhere if only he had made an effort. His hat & all his kit is here, I don't know whether he will ever see it again, but I will try to fix it up with the guard.

Dearest I am looking forward to receiving a letter from you soon. I will write again the first opportunity.

Good-night My Dearest & oh I do hope to be back soon

Lots & lots & lots of Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (these seem dreadfully poor substitutes)
from Yours only & forever
Fred
P.S. I do hope you got home alright