Sept. 26 1916

My Darling Girlie,

Last time I wrote I had just received your parcel. Thanks very much for it. It was a most useful one, the socks just arrived at the right time and the KF&S is a very nice one, also the air pillow. I am keeping the meat tablets and [?] for the march and trenches at present. I am getting all the food I need. We are still at the same little village training, but I think we will be moving in a day or two, and then I think we will march straight for our new front where we will probably have a pretty lively time. No, I have not seen any of those "tanks" yet but I expect I will before long. Today we were out skirmishing in open order. We had an aeroplane scouting over us and dropping signals and we advanced through clouds of thick smoke. We were supposed to be attacking as we would at the front. We had dinner out and afterwards we were given a new kind of gas masks. Much nicer than the old ones. Yesterday we were shown how to fire a German machine gun captured by our bombers during a raid. It is useful to know how to use them in case we ever capture one ourselves.

Sorry to hear Herbert has another cold. He seems rather subject to them. Yesterday we went to a place about 5 miles from here and had a bathe in a lake. It was most refreshing but unfortunately we had a hot march home after it.

27th

Out at the area all day. No word yet of leaving this place. The news from - is very good now. We are getting rather impatient at being kept here for so long. We are having lovely weather here, a little rain in the afternoon, but otherwise it has been perfect. If anyone is writing to George, tell him to look out for me for I don't think we will be very far apart. No more time as Bruin wants me to go in and share a cake!!

With best love to all especially yourself and Herbert,

Yours ever, H Crozier Smith