Pte. R Davis
D Comp 70 Batt
123091 Queen Park
London

Dec 29

Dear Mother
Just a few Lines to let you know how I spent my Christmas. Dear Mother I was out drilling on Monday 27th and took sick we were drilling from [?] the time and I had very bad cold at the time So I became sick and fell to the ground I was Picked up by the Stretcherbarers and Carried to the Hospital where I was under the care of the doctor Shortly I came round and today I ham out Thank God it was not very bad. Well Mother Dear I am Sorry that I have not wrote to you before has I have been Hospital and I thought it Whould worry you so you can guess why I have not been able to write well Mother tell all the friend to forgive me has I have had quiet a lot of trouble I was going to Walters for Christmas but I was called off has I had to go on duty It has to be done in the army has you know every man has to do his duty. I was up to Hospital for Insane to sea [?] & Minnie but they was down town I waited for a while but they never came so I went down town to Supper and went Back to Barracks to Duty. Mother & dad don't forget me I have been a bad boy I know but forgive me. This time Dear Mother & dad you must be glad that you have a son in the army It is a great thing to have a son Serving King and Country You must understand there are lots of young fellows Who have not got the pluck to Enlist but they will have to come forward you mark my word. It his a hard thing to do but some one has to go to help the Country Out. It his to bad that the Mothers have to give there sons life we know but has I say It for your king and Country. I say Single men First to give the married men a chance I dont like to sea the married men go and leave dear little ones It is to hard to sea some of the family that are left here Mother and dad I hope your health is kiping good So buck up dont worry give my love to all the frinds and tell them that I have Enlisted which is a grate thing to do.

Dear Mother and Dad your son has had good Pluck to Enlist has I think I am the Only one Mother It his pretty cold out here just now and we have about 4 inches of snow just now so you must beleave what we are going thrugh just now we have to drill out in the storm It is now finished Mother and Dad. Well dad I hope you have had a grate time this Christmas with the boys I say dad whoudent I like be home just now I would have a grate time with the boys and [?] tell the [?] all about me give them my love and tell them I hope they had a happy Christmas and a very happy new year to them all and I hope they have not forgot there Old Brother Bob. Well dad give my love to all and tell them to write I am sending them a nice little Present and you to dad and Dear Old Mother so buck up Mother & dad God Bless you all God Bless the boys to night I shall write soon again good night all
Yours Truly
From your loving Son
Bob