The contents on this page remain on our website for informational purposes only.
Content on this page will not be reviewed or updated.

 
 
Return to letter index page
Stationed at Gidea Park, Essex

November 13 1915

Dear May

I hope that you, Aunt and Dad, and the boys are in good health, as I am in excellent health, in fact I have never been otherwise since I have been here. I received your parcel safely at 10 a.m. this Saturday morning. I did not think that there would be so much chocolate as there was, and I was highly pleased with it, and I thank you, my dearest sister, very much for it. Of course, I gave some of the lads in our room a piece, because they always share their parcels, you can bet that I had the lions share of it though. They all said that it was good stuff. We never went that 12 miles route march after all because it was so wet. We have had it very wet on and off ever since I have been here, and our camp and the fields round about are in an awful state. But in spite of this, I am healthier than I ever have been in my life. We do not take any notice of cold and wet. You get quite hardened in a short time. But there is one funny thing about our regiment, we never drill if it rains, unless we are under shelter. Our recruits are still rolling up about 20 a day. But I see that they will have to buck up if they want to avoid having conscription. Our men say that there is not a better man going than our Captain for know-ledge, and he says that we shall pull through this war, but it will be a long and hard struggle. His opinion is the same as mine that the war will be won by sheer weight of numbers. He says that if we had 10 millions of troops fighting the Germans, we could not break through at present, because the German positions are like ours, impregnable. The captain says that as sure as anything the whole of the K.R.R. will go to the front sometime. There is a strong rumour that when we go we shall go to Serbia, because we are the youngest and most active infantry regiment in the British Army. There are many chaps being made Corporals and Lance-Corporals in our regiment, but I shall not bother about a stripe till I am a bit bigger, as there might be some jealous remarks about my age. I have plenty of time yet, and as I have told you before when I start going, I shall keep on rolling. Give my love to Aunt, Dad, and the boys. I will write you all a nice long letter tomorrow, Sunday.

With love from your dearest, loving Brother Albert.

Return to previous letter
Letter 3
Go to next letter