As you see, the name of our battery is changed. We are in billets at
present, in divisional rest, none of the Brigade is in the trenches.
We do not do very much. This afternoon we fired about 30 rounds for
practice. Rest is chiefly a social and bathing time. We had a good
wash yesterday. Two visitors came to lunch to-day and two are coming
to dinner. Will you look in the papers every day at the "Gazette" and
tell me when I become a First Lieutenant; my name went in a month ago.
I never see the papers. Again this week, I have not received "Punch"
or the "Tatler." I am afraid this will be a short letter, as I have
little news, and I don't want to write just for the sake of filling
pages; when I have news it is easy to write, and to you is, I know,
interesting reading. But, as you know, the happy and the righteous are
generally uninteresting, and we are very contented at present. We fire
most of the day for practice, and, as I say, entertain a lot of
officers, and go out to meals. I know almost all the officers in three
Battalions in the Brigade now. It's been beautiful and warm this last
week. If things go on as they are doing at present I should not like
the war to stop. It is very nice being out, and I really enjoy the
trenches.
We went into ---- (do you know where now?) the day before yesterday,
and went to the Divisional Pierrot Troupe, a sort of Follies. They are
quite good, and have a sort of theatre, in a disused college--College
des beaux Arts. It is always crowded with officers and men.
Much love to all, from your loving Son,
ALEC.
101/1 TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY,
101ST BRIGADE, B.E.F.
Sunday.