August 5, 1916

Bramshott

My own darling girlie,

Still no letter from you. I hope you got the watch all right. We have not yet had definite notice when we leave but it is almost certainly next week, probably about Wednesday. They are taking up our kit bags today. They are stored in England when we are at the front. This looks like starting soon. I don't think there is any doubt we will be off before next Sunday. We finished our shooting yesterday and marched home after supper. I was lucky and was sent in charge of a kit wagon so I had not to pack my harness or rifle but I had to walk most of the way. The Machine Gun Section have been moved to a hut by themselves, so I had not a long stay in No. 1 Platoon. General Sir Sam Hughes is coming to inspect us on Monday, so we will have to march out to Hankley Common again, where the King saw us.

I met Max last night, he has also become a machine gunner in the 72nd. He was shooting at Longmoor same time as we were, but at a different range. I have a lot of socks that want small holes mended. I will let you have them and you can send them out at intervals. I can only take what my knapsack will hold so can't take very much.

Now I must stop with best love my darling

Yours ever, Henry