Reference
X985/11
Title
Letter from William George Tompkins [the battalion on that date was training at Domvast] written to his wife
Date free text
31st December 1916
Production date
From: 1916 To: 1916
Scope and Content
Letter from William George Tompkins [the battalion on that date was training at Domvast] written to his wife as follows: At the top: “E & Spotts Parcel just came” then: My Dear Wife Just a line to wish you a very Happy New Year. Hope soon to be with you again and all over. However meanwhile keep smiling & trusting in One above & praying for the Best of Luck for the Bedfords. Well dear Church Parade this morning a very nice parson too last night we had a concert troupe of pierots in costume, stage & effects as well as you could expect very good turns too some of our old songs & jokes reminding one of Home more & more. Songs such as If you were the only girl was a favourite sung by two one dressed up as a young lady the other a dandy double then we had other songs & a sketch at the finish so you see they look after us all they can and we still get plenty of food everyone in Blighty don’t get bacon for breakfast every morning we do. I have wrote to Bot & Harry. I sent you a Wisbang FPC yesterday. No Parcel for me yet. Hope the Boat is not gone down but I hear the weather has been foggy so caused the delay out here. Hope Mrs V is still progressing. Kind remembrances to all there & Best Wishes for a Happier New Year than ever before also kind remembrances & good wishes to Mrs B & Magg. Hope both are better in health also remember me to Mr Parish & the Clarks. Give my love to Dear M & C. Remember me to Mr Smith and thank him for remembering me. How is Sandy my word if he were only out here he would wish for his Lizzy of perhaps the “Star”. I think he would prefer the Star as much as I long for Caffyns.
Dear Rose I hope you are well in yourself & getting on nicely don’t overdo it you know. I am pleased to say I am still keeping fairly well nothing to worry about yet. I was pleased to see good old Reynolds it went round too. Had some more Xmas Pudding yesterday from one of the boys a parcel don’t last long when once its opened. Remember me to those you write to Aunt Carrie & Australia please. I can never write to Aunt Carrie for I remember one thing she said & shall never forget it but I pray God that I really shall see & hold my own again in Dear Old Blighty. I dare say the papers have got plenty to read in now especially about those peace terms. Well if some of ‘em were out here they wouldn’t talk much they would act & very quickly too & for the best as well. Well now Dear Sweetheart & Wife God Bless You keep you always never forget the Bedfords in your wishes & prayers & now give old Boy and Knibbs a hustle up & pat for me. Keep the gramophone going. Cheer up now with my Heart’s full love.
Many thanks for presents for Gladys, Mother & others. Joe Taylor says I am Duds Roll of Honour you must get one for Bobs. The paper money out here’s a nuisance its all paper money 5d 10d 2½ nick getting a bit used to it now though.
Level of description
item