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Date: August 19th 1915
To
Mother
From
Jack
Letter

Otterpool Camp, Kent
Aug 19th ‘15

Dear Mother:-

I am writing you this letter in a dickens of a hurry. We are kept so busy these days that I don't seem to gave time for anything except on Saturday afternoon, when it keeps you hustling to get cleaned up for Sunday.

For the last two weeks we have had hardly anything but route marches and skirmishing, in fact we slept out two or three nights. I have been busy washing socks and towels ready for Monday when we expect a sixty mile route march. It would take us about three days. I hope it doesn't rain. It's fine sleeping out when it's dry but miserable when it's wet. We put one blanket and groundsheet on the transport and carry our greatcoats, mess tins, etc.

I did not see Dad last weekend as it was too busy. They took us to an old-fashioned church, St. Mary's. We had a 2½ hour service so I missed the train. The boys are threatening to turn nonconformist now.

I received a letter from a half-brother of Grampa Row's by the name of Prescott Row, inviting us up to London for the weekend but had to turn it down as it was too late to apply for a pass. I also received a very nice letter from Grandad last weekend. I'd told him all about our eventful weekend in Tunbridge Wells.

Next socks you send be sure and darn my name into them as they are always getting swiped.

I was down to Folkstone on Saturday night and saw Charlie Chaplin and the animated cartoons.

McElheren and Rogers are away on long leave now. It gets dark about 7:30. There's lots of wheat around here but the rain is holding up the harvest. Syd is fine and so is Dad. I'm feeling like a young fish.

Well good night Mother. Give Phil a good licking for me. Love to all.

Jack