Monday eve 3 June, 1918 The same place

My dear mother and father,

The post today has brought me some really good things, mostly from home. The parcel is [?] the "ripping" jam tart, the [?] ink tablets and the "[?]" has safely arrived. Thanks ever so much indeed for the things you have sent; the parcel especially will be appreciated very much. I have also received a letter from Cyril and one from Walter and the Sunday Times and a letter from Mr. Stanton. No letters dated 25th or 26th have arrived as evidently they have been held up somewhere; however I am more than pleased with today's post so do not grumble. I am glad to think that everything is going alright at home as nothing to the contrary appears in either Cyril or Walter's letters.

Today has passed very much the same as last week. After breakfast we paraded with the Lewis Gunners for tactical work and went for a march into a village about six or seven kilos away. It is just like every other French village - white washed cottages by the road sides, the duck pond, the cafes and the church. It is remarkable to see how large the church of a small village is out here; one would imagine that the people out here were religious. We stayed half an hour at the village and tried to find the place where they sold something to eat but we were unsuccessful. The so called tactical exercise only consisted of a route march for which we were rather pleased; marching being distinctly more comfortable than crawling about with a gun.

This afternoon Stuart and I went to an airodrome with the object of seeing for ourselves a little what flying was really like at close quarters and also, if possible, get a flight. The latter was impossible today unfortunately so we had a good look round instead and saw many very interesting things. Nobody took much notice of us so we had a good look at the airoplanes and were very satisfied with what we had seen. Of course I can give you no information about what I saw but would add that I am glad I am not Fritz when these airoplanes are about! Stuart is properly gone on the RAF and what I have seen today makes me wish more than ever that I was in the Air Force. Regarding it from the point of view of danger, well, there isn't very much to choose between that and infantry. Whether or not I can get into the RAF at some time or other remains to be seen; in any case I shall be on the look out for a good "stunt".

The post arrived as I was having tea and as nearly all of us had a parcel or letters, the meal was a lively one; each giving little bits of news and joining in the general conversation about their letters.

I am just writing this letter before turning in. The enclosed postcard is a view of the church in the town where I am billeted and is rather a good view; you have the other two pc's of this place - there are only three different views.

I am looking forward to a letter from each of you. I hope you manage to keep well and cheery and that business is as usual.

I forgot to mention in writing today that I saw some Sammys playing baseball near the river. There are quite a lot of them living near there. They are a lot of lads with their brogue - "I guess so" and "this is some war" and so on; old Fritz will get the "wind up" when we all get a move on.

Now I must conclude with fondest love to you both,

from your very affectionate son

Bert xxxx