"We are at rest after some days of trenches, and of course
are not sorry to be able to walk about and get a brush
up--apart from the catering side, which you can realise is
no small item. The weather has been very good of late; and
while we were in the trenches it was fine but cold, which
makes life more comfortable. We had a new system of guards
and work last time, and it was a treat. _I never enjoyed a
spell of trenches as I did that_, although the time spent in
work and other duties and guards was nearly twelve hours.

"Thanks for chocolate, which found a ready home. Girls are
not the only ones who like chocs., judging by the amount
that disappears here. Sorry my last letter was censored. I
am ignorant of what information I could have given; possibly
I had a grumbling mood on and was somewhat sarcastic about
the many defects and inconsiderations in army life."

_Later._

"MY DEAREST MOTHER,

"Just a line to tell you I'm A1. By the time you get this
our rest will be over, and we shall be entrenched. Thanks
for socks. The stove is going a treat. We finished a fatigue
at 4 o'clock this morning and made some porridge. It was
great, and of course up in the trench it will be trebly
handy. We are taking up two big packets of Quaker Oats, and
with the tea, cocoa, coffee, and oxo we ought to do well.

"Glad to hear about Herbert's wound. Sounds funny, no doubt,