n get
no cakes out here. Also I should like you to take my letters to the
Aunts and Uncle Ted any time you go to see them, and read them any
bits that may interest them. You have no idea, but I know you have,
how I appreciate letters, especially the topping long one I have just
received from you. My letters are very much delayed at present as I am
detached from the battalion and being moved about. I have little time
to complete letters before there is more news to tell.

Good-night, little Mother, give them all a good-night kiss from me. I
hope Charlie is fit and well.

Much love to all,
From your loving Son,
ALEC.

11TH SUFFOLKS,
B.E.F., Monday, February 7th.

My darling Mother,--

I think my budget must be growing fast. Yesterday I spent in
organising my battery. I got some green and white paint from the
A.S.C. and painted all my guns, so that they look beautiful now. Most
of my time nowadays I spend in trying to get money for myself and for
my men, rifle oil, baths, boots mended, equipment for guns, and all
sorts of things. This morning I took the whole battery in battery
drill. Most of it's composed by myself, as there isn't a drill book
for trench mortar batteries. It is very interesting, as I have to
think out all my own tactics, and organisation. On every other,
infantry or cavalry or artillery, there are thousands of War Office
books, so that one needs to think very little for oneself.

We are just having dinner, Fiddian, Carroll, who is my second in
command, and myself--quite a nice dinner--while our servants make
merry in the kitchen. The house where I am billeted is owned by a
topping old man. Whenever I pass through their kitchen they all get up
and monsieur says: "Bon jour Monsieur L'Officier." He is a time-served
French soldier, and works in a big wood just near here. We had a
Taube--A German aeroplane--over here this morning. It dropped one
bomb, which did not go off, a few hundred yards from here. I did not
hear about it till afterwards. The battalion has just returned to-day
from the trenches for a week or so before we return to them to take
over part of the line. Where we are going is, I believe, a fairly nice
peaceful spot. I shall try and stir them up if I have h