Shorncliffe
October 1, 1918

My Dear Mother~

There is nothing much to tell you this time especially as the past week has been spent on drill and practically nothing else. Since my stay here have visited Folkestone and Hythe and have found them pretty much the same as before. There is a strong rumour however, that we move in a few weeks time either to Scotland, or Slough near Windsor, our present camp having being found unsuitable. At prsent many of the younger lads are down with influenza and pneumonia has already claimed a few, but having just joined the Army they are hardened to nothing, consequently take sick easily. The service men from France do not swell the sick report to any extent. Personally I could stay here all winter and not take Now Mother there is a few things I would like from home in a parcel as I think Im going to manage this course for sometime yet. First there is my military brushes, a nickel soap box, a pair of pyjamis, or two pair if they are left, and some light socks. Later on I will send for a pair of tan military ankle boots which can be had at Dacks. The price of boots here runs to $15 and they shouldn't cost more than $10 at Dacks. I will send you my size in the next letter. At times I am worried how to manage for money if I get my commission. At present the pay is the same as before until Im gazetted and when I commence to fly in France it raises to something like $6 a day but naturally I do not want to run into any expense until Im actually through. Im trying hard to make this course a success and some Ive to compete with are follows just from College with the previous examinations at their finger tips. I can hardly hope to best them but should I make a real good showing an application for a transfer to the Naval Service would be more likely to receive consideration irrespective of my stay in France. The weather here has been wet and rainy for the past week and today we were ordered not to use our "shorts" on future parades. I think they caused a great deal of the colds and chills around the camp now for in the morning it certainly is chilly. Well Mother will bring this to a close but will write soon again.

With kindest love to you all.
Your affectionate son
John.