July 29th 1916

Bramshott, Hants.

My own darling girlie,

I have not heard again since I last wrote. You will be interested to hear that I am no longer in A Company. On Thursday evening my name appeared in orders as having been transferred to the Machine Gun Section. Only 12 men from each company were picked for it. I suppose we must have done best in the course. My time in No. 1 Platoon was not very long. The Machine Gun Section have their meals with Details and I think we will probably have a hut to ourselves before long.

I don't think we will be here very long now. Everything seems to be being prepared for an early start. We have had our last pay in England and they are very busy seeing that our kits are complete now. Today we spent the whole morning examining kits and the colonel inspected us to see that our uniforms fitted.

Richard and I have been for a walk this afternoon. Had afternoon tea in Greyshott and are now cooling down in Redcroft. It has been awfully hot all week and I am rather glad to get out of all the marches and drilling in heavy marching order that is going on. Thursday night (my last night with the company) we went to the common beyond Lifthook and maneuvered till near 10. Friday the battalion went there again all day, but the Machine Gun Section stopped at home and did not do any very strenuous work. The S.M. sent for me last night and asked if my address would still be Shottermill! Apparently he was going to get me another pass. However I explained that you had gone away so I would not take one in case you came back. I could not have got it to Bournemouth. Only 65th men and a few other draft men were getting "away" leave this week.

I hope the celebrations went off well today. It must have been interesting for you meeting a lot of relations.

There was a rumour this week that we are going to Salonica, but I think it was the usual rumour.

Now I must stop as it is my turn for a bath.

With best love darling,

Yours ever, Henry.