eating, but it was very good.
I had a Trinity Hall man on my right and a Caius man on my left, both
of whom knew several friends of mine. One of them was a captain, and
in his battalion was Kenneth Rudd, a great friend of mine at Jesus.

We returned in waggons, big motor transport waggons. We finished
loading, and then I asked the A.S.C. officer which waggons to put my
men on, and he told us the empty ones in front. There were about seven
of them; they all go in a long train following each other, a few yards
between each one and the next. However, when we were nearly settled
the train moved off and left us behind, and I was then told that the
empty waggons were going in quite another direction. According I got
only one waggon and pushed the thirty men into it and rode in front
myself. We got stuck once or twice, and all had to help to pull it
out, and also had to help another waggon which was stuck; the road was
so narrow and muddy that we could not get it out, and so had to leave
it for the breakdown gang.

At night we had a practice alarm and got all the men out with all
their kit packed, and the officers with their valises packed up, all
in 20 minutes. At 11-0 at night the men were all asleep, and it took
them completely by surprise, but I am afraid some of the officers
cheated and had most of their things ready beforehand. My platoon was
the quickest in the battalion--14 minutes, though they were rather
hastily dressed and sleepy. To-day we route marched, and are now
awaiting a battalion alarm, time unknown, where I know of at least one
officer who has cheated again.

A new major, a regular, has just come to us--he is to command our
company. Any food would always be acceptable, especially good solid
cakes.

I am afraid this letter is almost as long and almost as boring as the
last. I will close it to-morrow. Tell me if they are too long, and
please tell everyone that the post is the real excitement of the day.
Good-night, little Mother, sleep tight and go to bed early and don't
get a headache. God bless you.

The new major is to be second in command of the Battalion, and Major
Morton is coming back to us.

To-day being Sunday we had very little work to do, only inspection of
men to see if they were clean and shaved, of rifles, ammunition, gas
helmets, emergency rations, &c.

I must close now, as I must go to bed. I will try and write
continuously, and send each letter off when it begins to get too
bulky.