Church of England Club

Otterpool Camp

Near Hythe

Sept 2rd 15

Dear Mother:-

Rec'd your letter tonight, also one for Syd dated Aug 25th. We'll be able to say at last that we've seen the king and Kitchener. They inspected us today in full marching order. We had a good look at them as they were both mounted and had their uniforms on. The king was mounted on a big brown horse and Kitchener on a beautiful grey Arab. We marched past in column of eight. Kitcher called the brigadier and colonel out and presented them to the king which was a great honour as they were the only ones presented. Kitchener knows the brigadier as he was adjutant of the Strathcona Horse.

Kitchener is a wonderful man for his age. His moustache is long and shaggy and tawny with a little grey. I was on the right flank nearest them so I had a good look at them. You would not be able to pick out Kitchener of Khartoum by his pictures. They say that he never smiles but that's all rot as he was smiling nearly all the time. We gave three cheers and a tiger after the inspection was over, then they galloped off to inspect the other men in the other fields near us.

Of course we got wet coming home like we always do. We have never come home from an inspection without getting wet. The whole camp is muddy tonight but we should worry. We had perfect weather last week and now that we have the steam laundry taking our clothes once a week we always have a dry shirt to put on.

I had a long leave pass in and was expecting to go away Sunday to London but they stopped it for this inspection. I expect to get away this weekend however.

Dad and his friends were up to see us the other night and I was down to see them on Saturday. I heard Pud was engaged but did not hear of him going to get married. I shouldn't be a bit surprised, everybody is doing it. He is in the next tent to me. He told me his father had joined up. Well the quicker everyone joins up the better as this is going to be a long, long war.

Well dear mother keep cheered up. I am glad that we joined up when we did and am sorry that we didn't go sooner.

Love to all from all.

Jack