Nov. 1st

My own Darling.

I got a letter from you yesterday. I don't think I told you that Richard S. and Stubbs had been slightly wounded. On Sunday we went for a bath. It was a long way at a village some miles on the other side of town and I had great difficulty making it with my bad leg. But it was worth it, the first wash I had for weeks. Yesterday afternoon we moved from camp in a deluge of rain and took up our abode in billets in the town. About 20 of us are in a ruined house, most of us are on the ground floor which has a nice big fireplace and is dry, except for the rain which comes in through the roof and the mud and water which enter at the doors. Of course there is no glass in the windows. A few men sleep upstairs but there is only one dry corner there. We have to walk about a ¼ mile for our meals. This morning we were told to be ready to move elsewhere at 8:30 a.m. but never went. We had a little excitement at noon just as we had lined up at the kitchen when shells began bursting all round us and showered us with mud and stones. The Germans generally send a few "reminders" to town daily. After dinner we were all paraded to the doctor for foot inspection and were treated to a few more shells. The doctor said he could not make out what was wrong with my leg. It is all swollen up and nearly purple in one place and very painful if touched or if I walk. He thinks it must have been a blow. I may have been hit there by a bit of shrapnel. I got quite a lot of hard knocks but don't remember one there, just above the ankle. Anyway, he says he will lay me up for a bit if it does not get better. I don't think there is much I need in the warm clothes line. Socks are always useful but it is no use sending expensive ones, cheap and often is better. As far as eatables go, cakes, biscuits, chocolate and fancy things like that are nicest, also the tea, etc. tablets. Don't send those soup tablets (except OXO) they take too long to cook and they won't keep in damp weather. The last lot all melted in my pack. Don't send oat cake, the ones you sent were in crumbs. We are wondering if we will be sent back to the front line or moved on somewhere else. I don't think I would be sent up if we went now. I could not possibly make the trenches with this leg.

Tell Herbert he writes very interesting letters. He must not mind if I do not answer them all. You seem to be having a lot of difficulty with the bike, but it will get easy in time when you get more confidence.

Now I must stop with best love to all and lots to yourself and Herbert.

Yours ever, H Crozier Smith

(The cigarettes have not arrived yet. A little fruit, dates, raisins or figs would be nice.

We can buy very little here.

Bill was quite wrong about bread. We hardly ever get any. A little fancy bread is a great treat.)