Dibgate Camp

Shorncliffe

June 22nd 1915

Dear Mother:-

The weeks seem to fly here. I can hardly realize that it is over three weeks since we came to camp. I have not written to anyone but you and I expect they will feel kind of hurt, but you can tell any of them that I think of them all. I'll have to make out a list of who to write to. We have had three lettres from you; Syd has had two and myself one.

I have just come off a picket so I have a little time before I go on parade again. We have to do a guard or a picket every week, sometimes two or three. I have done three guards and three pickets since coming here, but then it breaks the monotony of trench digging which we have been doing for the last 5 or 6 days. Next week I expect we will do nothing but target practice and after that bayonet fighting. They are getting the 44th and 43rd ready for the front as soon as possible.

I wish you would try and find out about anyone that is wounded and let me know where they are. From what I can learn of Billy Armstrong he seems to have a charmed life. McDonald and Pud got back from their furloughs last night. They both had a glorious time.

We had bathing parade this morning at 6 o'clock and it was fine. The water was cold but you don't notice it, the longer you stay in the longer you want to. We walked down to the esplanade at Folkstone on Sunday and watched the people bathing and boating. Our band was playing at the top of the cliff. We had a bath and came back. We are sure having dandy weather here, never had a wet day since we came. It's regular Sunday School picnic weather. There is always a fresh breeze blowing which keeps it from being too hot.

We all go to bed early here as we get up at 5:30 and those who go to the ranges get up at 4:30. I hardly go outside the camp during the week as there is everything we want inside, wet and dry canteens and YMCA where you can buy hot drinks or lemonade for a penny and write letters or read. The thing that is lacking in these towns is a theatre, that is a good one, and bigger restaurants. If you go downtown you have to wait a long time for supper. The towns are too crowded for the soldiers. When a racket starts the street just plugs up like a drain pipe and then they have to call out the reserve picket. Some of the streets are no wider than our back lane. I tell you it's some fun when a row does start, although we do not get many. The duty of the picket mainly is to patrol the streets and pick up any of the guys that can't navigate.

We are all feeling fine. Oh, by the way, I got my washing back but you can send all the socks you like. Love to all,

Jack