Sunday 28th July, 1918
The same place
Somewhere in France
Letter No 86

My dearest mother,

As I am at the Div'l Wing for a few days my post will take at least a day longer to arrive and of course there were no incoming letter for me yesterday. If all is well I ought to receive a few today.

To continue where I left off yesterday when writing to dad:- I have been to this village once before when I lived in a tent in the woods for two days after leaving the trenches after my first week in the line. You will remember that I left here in a lorry when I went to G--- for the rest. I have been to most of the little places round here more than once now and the country side is beginning to get familiar to me.

When I arrived here on Friday evening I went for a stroll round the village with Stanfield - who, by the way, is taking Stu's place while I am away from him. I don't think there is any particular feature about this place to distinguish it from the usual type of village which I have described on more than one occasion. The village is fairly compact and consists of several streets of the usual type on the slope of a hill. The church, in the main street, is a red brick edifice with a landmark spire visible above the trees which seem to surround it.

The weather has been bad since I have been here and everywhere there is mud. It must be horrible up the line at a time like this.

Yesterday, between the showers, I was on parade doing the usual "stunts" i.e. jerks etc., but most of the time was occupied with a lecture on the L.G. I think, by this time, that I know the jolly old gun inside out or if I don't I never shall do.

Nothing particular happened in the afternoon, but there was to be a concert given by the Follies in the evening which owing to the rain was "washed out". Instead Stanfield and I went to the next village where there was a YMCA and spent the evening there. Everywhere we went we saw large numbers of American troops and it was cheering to know that they were ready to take their places in the line to give us support.

At present I am billeted in a barn and appreciate the additional comforts this brings after the line.

I hope that you and dad are keeping cheerful and well. Give my love to the boys, Grandma and Cookey.

Grandma's cake was a very nice one and needless to say it has nearly disappeared.

Now I must conclude for a little while with fondest love from your most affectionate son,

Dinkey xxxxxxxxx