In camp
Sat. Aug 19th 1916

My dearest Mother

Just a short one this time. I've been to see about my tooth and he has saved it for me for it was a hollow one that looked good and wasn't. He knocked the walls down and I am to go again and have it filled. He also killed the nerve and that was some job believe me.

I received your parcel on reaching camp yesterday, which we did after various minor experiences, and I have today received your letter. The parcel I have greatly enjoyed. Your description of me opening the parcel is very vivid and couldn't have been more correct if you had seen me.

Poor old Stanley Frost. I am sorry about his being gassed. He may last a year or more but if, as you say he has it badly there is darn little hope with that. Ain't I cheerful?

Now regarding Roy Davey I can't give hope. I'm sorry to say but what I heard makes it very very obvious to me that it's certain he wont be seen again. It's like this. I hate to destroy anyone's last hope but I think they would get over it quicker if they knew for sure that he is gone. While visiting the Dentist the first time I met one of his men who had come from the fight sick, and had been sent, when better, to a motley crowd of different regiments to make a pioneer battalion attached to the Canadians. He said that as Roy advanced with his men across No-mans land a shell landed (nothing strange) and Roy is missing. It's too obvious and I've not only heard of many a similar case but I've seen such. I am indeed very sorry for them and I do wish I could give them hope but seeing there is none I feel the knowledge of certainty would be forgotten quicker than suspense. From what I can gather he was rather popular with his men.

Received Punch and magazine today. Thanks very much. I'm short of a copying pencil, please send two more like I had before. They lasted well. Will Minnie please get me a better air pillow this one lowers my head to the floor every night. It leaks around the valves. My chum has a sort of cloth covered one, which makes it very comfortable, and it's bigger. Mine clings to my face and makes such a creaking splitting noise when I move that it wakes me up! So can you please get me a better one?

This is a disjointed affair of a letter but I'm nearly always like this immediately on coming out of the line, so many things happen to distract one but here is something and that's how. I must leave it. I don't claim for it the name of letter.

We went to a church parade this morning at the YM and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's so rare that I appreciate it all the more.

This series of thoughts was thought about two days ago (day we arrived in camp), was started yesterday, will be finished today (& very soon), be censored tomorrow, and posted next day. A long while getting going. Eh! Still they are seldom like that and it's my fault. So forgive as I make up for it when in the line. I can concentrate better there.

I'll end with a comical experience. Eight or nine of us left the line and were journeying out together. We came along the railway track to the place where it is usual for us to catch the train. We found no train and no one waiting so we half concluded it had gone. Anyhow as we had walked a good two miles we said we would have a rest and then proceed, if there were still no signs of a train. We had rested about three minutes when over Fritz sent a fast heavy freight (a particular shell that creates a sort of thunder as it comes) and it landed uncomfortably near us. No further argument concerning the next train's arrival was to be heard and when I looked round all I could see was my pals going like H….. down the track. I naturally caught them up and found one missing. I looked around, no they weren't behind. Oh! It's all right I was told they are a good ¼ mile ahead of us. My! They went!

It was certainly a comical affair, and far more funny to see than hear about and we haven't stopped laughing yet. Why Fritz sent that solitary freight there is a mystery he only can solve. Just a whim I suppose! It was partly the intense surprise and partly the wanting of not being there for the next, that made us scurry and laugh.

Now I must close.

So bye bye

Ever your loving boy

Jack.

Received a letter from Miss. Ryder yesterday and one from Phil Parker too. When I've answered latter will forward it to you, as it's interesting.