March 29 1916
Letter from Pte J A Cowles to the Club

I was very pleased to get a letter from you, also a copy of the Club Magazine. I was very interested in the list of club members who are serving our King and Country. I knew there were a lot serving but I had no idea there were so many. That is the 1 st time I had heard the sad news of Mr Poulton, Mr Rae and Mr Reiss all of them I knew very well and when I think of the good times we used to have together I feel very sad about it. I shall always remember the night I went to Canada, we had tea at the Club and I can picture Mr Rae and Mr Reiss now, the former as full of fun as ever, and the latter in a more serious mood. My battalion are out of the trenches at the present time and we are going back for a rest in a day or so. I have been in the trenches all winter and one gets very tired of the wet and cold but the weather is improving now.

I have only met one Club member out here and that is George Honey he is in the Canadians and we don't see many British Troops along our front. I am expecting to get my leave within a month and I should like very much to call and see you when I come through London. It must be interesting work at the Admiralty. We have had our share of the strafing this past few weeks, but I am getting used to it now, for I have been out here nearly seven months now. Last night we had a concert in theYMCA here, our battalion has a 1 st class band and I enjoy the concerts fine. As you say, it would be fine to be able to meet at the Club after this affair is over, that is those of us who still remain. I don't know if you knew my brother Reg, he is in the Worcester Regiment and in England still. Well I will close now hoping to heard from you again soon. Good by

Yours sincerely Jack Cowles