Dec 29/16
291494
C. Coy 222'nd Batt'n
C.E.F.
Army Post Office
London

My Dear Wife:-

Another few hurried lines, things are at sixes & sevens here, as I told you I was called off my leave x mas day I expected it was in regard to my commission but it was not. We were to send a draft of 450 men to the Front, these left yesterday, it was hard to see them go & not be with them, all the men whom you knew have gone, except Mr Aylward & I told you that he has been rejected for the Front he is having a tough time of it poor fellow, sick etc he seems to be going all to pieces, giving up heart [?]. I wanted to go but they would not hear of it, however if they do not do something definite very soon about the Training School, I shall give up my stripes & go with the next draft to France. We are leaving here on Sunday (the remainder) & are to go to Sleaford Camp the other side of Brighton, we don't know what they are going to do with us, but I guess it means the finish of the poor old 222. There is all kinds of talk of Peace just now I wonder if it will ammount to anything? there is a growing impression over here that this next summer at the latest will see the wind up of the war, & I am sure we hope so - personally I believe the end is nearer than we think for. When we get settled down again I will write you about the visit to Oldham & Blackburn. I received your letter No 11 in which you say you have received my letter mailed in Liverpool, am glad you have hear at last, it was a long wait for both of us, you will get them right along now, & you must write just as often as possible I thought I might possibly be hearing from some of your people but as yet I haven't about the children and the Gunns, it would be wise to keep them to themselves especially when you are not with them, I just know how you feel dear, but cheer up it won't last a great while longer I hope - & I believe this experience is going to teach us both to appreciate each other & bear with each other the more. If you have not received the balance of the assigned pay keep writing until you get it every dollar counts. About Mattie don't make her your confident, you ought to know her failing by this. Then about sending my letters for others to read, I don't hardly like the idea, I cannot write as I would like, if I have the thought that others are reading my letters. Am glad that your Mother is likely to stay a good time with you, it is certainly providential the way things have turned out for you, & I believe things will turn out in the end all right. I am mailing you a photo of the Battalion taken just before we left Camp Hughes, & am also enclosing Xmas cards which I received this Xmas. Am glad Mr Mathews called. How I wish I could drop in on you all Tell Billy & Shirley they must tell me what Santa Claus brought them at Xmas, & tell Billy, Daddy doesn't want his boy to spit at anyone - If they do anything to him he must come & tell you - How are the neighbours with you? = Stanley's parents ought to stop him cutting up like that. Am glad the Note business has been fixed. Address my mail Army Post Office & then I shall always be sure of it. Fondest Love my dera to you & kiddies - love to Mother & Mattie remember me to Gunns.

Yours fondly,

Will

Betty xxxxxxxxx Shirley xxxxxxxx Billy xxxxxxxxx