Jack Coates Esq., 182 Hyndland Road, Glasgow, Angleterre. 4th Royal Fusiliers 7th Brigade 3rd Division British Expeditionary Force Saturday 12 Dec 1914 Dear Jack Am still at the Base - ( No2 Camp Havre) enjoying ease of mud, constant rain and poisonous cold. However I’ve got an oilskin and a pair of gum boots so can keep warm and dry. War is a bloody business. My servant has gone to achete (buy) a rabbit so I hope for a hot supper! Struck oil two days ago and had a hot bath. Shaved for about the 2nd time since landing to-day and scrapped off most of the mud as feel more at peace than usual. Have got a paraffin stove which smells some and a spirit Lamp in my tent so get on fine. Tho’ it’s devilish cold at nights, things are pretty quiet just now - more or less settled down for the winter. Food here is plentiful but perhaps a little plain and gritty, fortunately I’ve got some butter and condensed milk - (rentees) in these parts and with a stuffed rabbit tonight and a bottle of bad beer or some vin rouge I shalln’t care if it snows coalbones. Have had to scrap all my equipment - left my sword at Home - and have just Mills Burroughs equipment fitted (1908 Military Pattern webbing) - same as the men. It’s a good kit tho’ not much to look at. - and when one has a few days growth and hasn’t washed for a bit I can tell you it’s some sight. Henceforward I am a man of peace everytime ! A couple of days ago we had a storm and my tent did a GS (General Standard) Mark I disappearing trick across the meadow. I spent most of the night in my shirt clutching my remaining kit and was dammed near blown away myself! Some wind ! Here is Smith + rabbit + onion + French bread so after all war might be worse from the Bosch point of view anyway. The morale of the Army leaves nothing to be desired! The men swim about in the mud but remain quite cheerful. (E.V.) I am going to send you a French pipe if I don’t get moved to some more bloody spot still during the night - one never knows! The Army in Flanders in 1704 was noted for it’s language - it’s a fool to the Army in France 1914!!! However - I’ll send you a line when I can - cheero and love to Lottie in the meantime. You pipe is my constant comfort in this misbegotten Country. Cheero Yours always Bill
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 19:07:20 +0000
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