4 May 1917 Emmanuel College Cambridge
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Don't forget to address my letters c/o Mr Rule will you.
Bill
Emmanuel College
Cambridge
4th May 1917
My dearest mother
It is your turn again, good me it does not seem over a fortnight since I wrote last but By Jove when I come to think of the date it jolly near is. I am still going strong and in the very best of health, the last week or more has been beautiful weather and in consequence plenty of sport has followed. More boating and cricket for me and for many others tennis too, but as I can't play cricket and tennis at the same time, tennis has got to stand down.
Last Saturday afternoon I donned the flannels again, little did I ever think that I would be playing cricket before I saw Australia once more, but you never know. I only made 3 runs but was in good form behind the wicket, stumped three
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and caught three, the fellows think they have a "find". I only hope I can keep the form up. I'm afraid the Australians here can towel the others up in any sport, I don't know what it is but we all seem twice as active as the majority of the Englishmen. My room mate is an Australian of course and happens to be a cousin of Armstrong the cricketer. Nice fellow too, needless to say he is one of the team. Very funny last Saturday at the match he was acting umpire when I stumped the three fellows and I told him if he umpired every match he would be on a whisky for everyone he gave out. I hope he doesn't think I mean it because this chicken at the present time is "stiff". Yesterday we went out for the day digging trenches and making a general mess of things in general, the military put it under the heading of "Military Engineering". It made me laugh to see some of these "haughty daws" using a pick and shovel, talk about "dopes" they're the limit!
On Anzac Day Roy came down to see
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me and I showed him round a bit besides taking him for a row. His first words were when in the boat "Reminds me of Tuggerah". Armstrong took our photos on the lawn in the College and we also had a photo taken with Herbert Bancroft in between us, he is at Emmanuel too. Rob is well and has had leave to Scotland so I believe, good luck to him.
Funny that he should be writing home for money too, but it is a necessity in this country. I hope you've got my cable by this time asking you to cable 20 pounds through Thos Cook and Son London, my account will easily stand that won't it? Never mind the money I asked you to cable through the C'wealth Bank, they act too slow and I doubt now whether they will do it for soldiers.
I didn't forget you mother dear on 24th April nor little Ron on 14th. I received a letter from Mrs Walker in London a few days ago in answer to one from me and she asks me to come and see her when I go to London on leave.
Well drill now dear. Best of love to all and tons for yourself.
Ever your loving Son Billy XXXX
Don't forget to address my letters c/o Mr Rule will you.
Bill
Emmanuel College
Cambridge
4th May 1917
My dearest mother
It is your turn again, good me it does not seem over a fortnight since I wrote last but By Jove when I come to think of the date it jolly near is. I am still going strong and in the very best of health, the last week or more has been beautiful weather and in consequence plenty of sport has followed. More boating and cricket for me and for many others tennis too, but as I can't play cricket and tennis at the same time, tennis has got to stand down.
Last Saturday afternoon I donned the flannels again, little did I ever think that I would be playing cricket before I saw Australia once more, but you never know. I only made 3 runs but was in good form behind the wicket, stumped three
[Page 2]
and caught three, the fellows think they have a "find". I only hope I can keep the form up. I'm afraid the Australians here can towel the others up in any sport, I don't know what it is but we all seem twice as active as the majority of the Englishmen. My room mate is an Australian of course and happens to be a cousin of Armstrong the cricketer. Nice fellow too, needless to say he is one of the team. Very funny last Saturday at the match he was acting umpire when I stumped the three fellows and I told him if he umpired every match he would be on a whisky for everyone he gave out. I hope he doesn't think I mean it because this chicken at the present time is "stiff". Yesterday we went out for the day digging trenches and making a general mess of things in general, the military put it under the heading of "Military Engineering". It made me laugh to see some of these "haughty daws" using a pick and shovel, talk about "dopes" they're the limit!
On Anzac Day Roy came down to see
[Page 3]
me and I showed him round a bit besides taking him for a row. His first words were when in the boat "Reminds me of Tuggerah". Armstrong took our photos on the lawn in the College and we also had a photo taken with Herbert Bancroft in between us, he is at Emmanuel too. Rob is well and has had leave to Scotland so I believe, good luck to him.
Funny that he should be writing home for money too, but it is a necessity in this country. I hope you've got my cable by this time asking you to cable 20 pounds through Thos Cook and Son London, my account will easily stand that won't it? Never mind the money I asked you to cable through the C'wealth Bank, they act too slow and I doubt now whether they will do it for soldiers.
I didn't forget you mother dear on 24th April nor little Ron on 14th. I received a letter from Mrs Walker in London a few days ago in answer to one from me and she asks me to come and see her when I go to London on leave.
Well drill now dear. Best of love to all and tons for yourself.
Ever your loving Son Billy XXXX