Saturday, 18 May, 1918

The same place, France

My dear mother,

I am just writing a short note before going on parade this morning as I shall not have time to write more before the post this afternoon. Yesterday my time was so fully occupied, mainly with the rotten job of billet mess orderly that I did not have time to write more than the one letter to you which had to be cut rather short. There is a small river near here and yesterday several of our fellows, including myself, went for a glorious swim. The weather has been very hot here during the last few days so that you can guess how refreshing it was. I will, however, tell more about it when I next write. I have not had any letter up to the time of writing but expect some by Monday the latest, forwarded from the base.

I am feeling very fit and my face is getting quite sunburnt and brown more especially as my hair is so short. I do hope that you are keeping quite well and have got used to me being away over the weekends. You have got to think I am having a jolly fine holiday while I am here, as indeed I am and while I get the chance I am going to enjoy myself to the full. So cheer up! I hope that dad, the boys and Granma are quite well. Give my love to them all. Don't forget my address: "A" Coy, 1/15 Batt, London Rgt, 47 Divisional Wing, BEF, France.

Now I must say au revoir for a little while and conclude with fondest love from

Bert xxxxxx

PS I should like some more brown soap.