[May’s copy of David’s letter]
David to May 14th May 1917
I expect this will be the last letter you will get for perhaps 3 days, as tomorrow’s post goes out before we shall be bank in camp from the railway and Wednesday & Thursday we shall be on the road back to our old quarters, and I shall not be able to post letters.
To-morrow we shall be at work as usual but the next day we start at 5. 30. a.m. which means of course that we shall have to be up about 3. o’clock.
Last night I woke up to find a terrific thunder storm going on. There was a gale blowing with it and the lightning was almost continuous lighting up the inside of the tent, although of course we were completely shut in. I expected the tent to be lifted and blown away every second or to find myself suddenly floating down the valley on a sort of tidal wave.
However, the tent held although sheets and other things were being blown about outside and we really got very little water in but a great many of the other tents were flooded. It lasted about 20 minutes perhaps, and then I tucked myself up and went to sleep.
I had to be up just after 5 this morning as I was orderly officer and had to dismiss one of the guards.
I then got ready to take the company to wash at the stream, but found that all the orders had been suddenly altered.
We spent most of the morning on the range and at drill (this being our day for training) and this afternoon we did another outpost scheme.
As usual I got cornered by the colonel who asked me all sorts of questions which I wasn’t prepared for. He ought to give me fair warning of this sort of thing and then I might answer his puzzles better.
He went off after a bit (in disgust I expect) and left me to myself much relieved that he had cleared out.
I got back to camp about 5 saw that the men’s teas were alright, had my own, then inspected and mounted the guard, dismissed the old guard, inspected my own platoon’s rifles and then had dinner.
In the middle of dinner I had to go out to have the orderly sergeants report their companies present and then go to the colonel to report the battalion present and now I am waiting for 10.15. when I can turn out the guard, visit the prisoners and sentries and go to bed.
I got a parcel from Mum to-day with your socks in it. You are a dear to make them for me. I really wanted them too as I was running rather short.
Must go out to the guard now. Goodbye.