Man. Reg. Depot
Shorncliffe, Kent
Dec 9th 17

Dear Mother,

Well Sunday has rolled around once more and Christmas will have come and gone before you get this but I forgot to bid you a Happy Xmas in my last letter as I seem to forget all about the seasons of the year and there is nothing to look forward to a Xmas except a feed etc. I should be happy I suppose but lying around gives me the pip.

Syd seems to be quite comfortable tho' broke. I sent him ten shillings the other day.

Just wrote a letter to Uncle Fred. I have not written to him for a long time and next to you he is my most important correspondent.

I expect to be going to Canterbury next week on a special party of old soldiers. The chaplain is taking us and will show us over the cathedral. The chaplain for this unit is one of the original 28th Battalion and used to be a stretcher bearer for them. He got wounded twice, won the Distinguished Conduct Medal and got appointed chaplain.

I met Howard Hennessy about a week ago. He was looking fine and was very surprised to see me. He is one of the Military Police.

I had a letter from Miss Lumsden which I answered right away.

Well dear give my love and Xmas greetings to all the folks from

Jack