Z1360/1/36

Letter (4 sheets) from Wilfred Hammond, marked: BEF France December 7th/16. My Dear People, At last I am writing again, wonderful though it may seem. I have had a number of letters from you all and am conscious of my neglect of duty. Let me “kick off” by thanking you all for the last parcel received. The sausages were carried to the trenches where we made a meal of them. I am living quite well just at present owing to the fact of my being Orderly Sergeant. The Orderly Sergeant is the chap who trots about giving orders for parades and who always carries a note-book. He is also the fellow for whom the R.S.M. blows a whistle, plays a bugle or sends a runner. The Orderly Sergeant also has to be with the Company Sergeant Major most of the time, so as he has a bat-man to do his work, we all mess together and shell out between us, thus getting fairly good grub. Then again I have a little show on my own when back at the camp and a franc or two with the cooks works wonders. Yes, Mother, I do receive the Overseas Mirrors and have meant to mention it before. I see a number of others so if you feel like it you can knock them off. Talking about papers, you should buy a copy of the Xmas number of “Blighty” for yourselves. I note the hat episode but it won’t be complete until you have both finished your hats, found that you each hate your own but love the others, change over and then dump the lot. By the way Eva, don’t you go about spreading false rumours about Floss. I wouldn’t do the poor little dear in. I thought of asking for her to be sent out here only I know Mother would miss her, poor thing. What a mess they have made of young Eva, who did the deed? She reminds me of the Fairy we saw at the Pictures years ago. That was excellent photography that you sent to me. I particularly like the one of Mother, with the kid in the doorway. I should like to see the “youncker” in her new costume. Talking of that French phrase you were asking about Eva, it is time for me to do the Na-pooing act. Yours with love, Wilf

7 December 1916

From: 1916 To: 1916

item

Hammond, Wilfred,
Hammond, Eva

France, letters, service personnel, overseas (WW1), King's Royal Rifle Corps, , money, cooking, newspapers, Blighty