Transcription

9. 10. 16.

My dear Mother,

I have another letter from Cecily to acknowledge, also ones from G & W. Another very peaceful day from our point of view, though we have been strafing all day with every sort of trench engine.  I was awoke at 4.45 this morning by Master Brooks with the horrible news that the Bosch was in our lines, or rather in a crater outside which we hold, so I hastened up expecting to find the trench full of Bosches.  However by the time I got up, I found that he had been ejected – however he had taken 2 of our lambs with him as souvenirs, & these I think were all he came for, as he didn’t make

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any attempt to hold the place.

We bagged & brought in one of his officers & are certain of getting one of his party & possibly more, so I don’t know that he got much the best of it, though I regret the loss of our 2 lambs.  There are a lot of these kind of shows up & down the line now, mostly on our part & I daresay we shall have to do another before long.  I was v. glad we got the officer, as he was a very good card to play when the G. O. C. came round, as if we had got nothing

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he might have been a bit nasty but as it was, butter wouldn’t have melted in his mouth The staff get quite indignant if our posts get rushed & equally so, if we don’t rush the Bosch’s when required – however I suppose they are paid to be so.  We go back to the support line to-morrow which is stuck away in an arid waste miles from the nearest village & quite untroubled by the Bosch.  So I don’t know what we shall do

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with ourselves though there will be no difficulty in finding work for the men.

I enclose a drawing which may convey something to someone.  I have not seen the subject but had it described more or less accurately & am not giving away secrets as the Bosch has seen it.

Love to all

Jack