France; November 5th, 1918

My Dear People,

Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.

I received five letters yesterday - one from Mum (August 5th) one from Nell (Aug 15; one from Siss (Aug 16th); two from Annie (Aug 5th & 12th) was glad to hear you were all doing alright & had been having such lovely rains, it is raining heavily here today.

I went to a small village about 2 miles away yesterday & had a look over a glass factory & a sugar mill. It was the first time I have ever seen glass blown & I tell you they are pretty slippery about it.

In the sugar mill they take the Beet, wash it with Machinery, crush it & extract the juice & then the farmers take away the crushed Beet & feed it to their cows & sheep. The Y.M.C.A. run a cinema show in a big Marquee about a mile away, they are very good pictures & I often go over to them.

Annie seems to be having a tremendously good time at her school, dancing, tennis & so forth.

I am enclosing one of our Batt Xmas cards, I expect it will be a bit late unless the Mediterranean is opened as I expect it will be on account of the armistice with Austria. Things are promising pretty well for a big victory for the Allies & I do not think peace is so very far off now, although I daresay the Germans will want a bit more hammering to convince them that we are the winners.

Well I will close now hoping you are all quite well.

I remain Your Loving Son & Brother,

Tom

France; October 21st, 1918

France October 21st 1913

My Dear People,

Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.

Since, last writing to you I have received 8 letters - one from Mum (July 18th) one from Hilda Taylor one from Hilda Pohlner one from Siss (July 17th) one from Kath (July 18th) two from Annie (July 21st & August 21st) & an immensely good letter from John (July 31st), in it he refers to old "needle" whom I do not recognise, but assume it was someone who was working for you, as the boys do not generally "hit" it with anyone working home. I am sorry the wheel of his bike went "bung". I suppose he is not able to go & see the girl now.

(A bit of advice for Ann) Keep, wide of the "boys", particularly returned soldiers. I guess there will be some "fussing" in certain families who have been blessed with the arrival of sons & daughters.

I was very pleased to hear Georgie Siegert has been reported prisoner of war, I did not think there was much hope for him, his mother will be so pleased.

Annie O'Connor must have had some wedding by the account Kath sent me. I sent home a batch of Xmas cards the other day, hope they get home alright. It has been very, very wet here lately. I went to a French picture show the other night, much fun trying to read the writing on the screen. We are having anther special drill competition shortly & are practising for it now. We have not been doing much parade since we came back here & this spot would do me for the "duration" but some of the lads reckon it is too quiet, they want to be near some big town where they can have plenty of fun, but I don't worry after that sort of fun.

Well, I will close now.

Wishing you all a Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year.

I remain

Your Loving Son & Brother

Tom