September 11, 1916

My own darling,

I was down at headquarters yesterday for a day's rest and got your letter of 5th and parcel of bread and biscuits from Aunt Helen, also letter from Herbert for which many thanks. I am so sorry you have not been getting my letters. I have been writing regularly, they must have been held back somewhere. We have just finished another 6 days in the firing line. Have had a very quiet time this trip as far as we are concerned, but the artillery have been very busy shelling the Germans, who have not replied much. There must have been some mines exploded somewhere, for yesterday morning and this morning we were shaken up as if there had been an earthquake. We could see and feel the trench rocking. I was so glad to hear that Jack was only slightly wounded. I don't remember any man called Brockinham, or any name like that at Bramshott. Was he in the 54th? I suppose you have not yet received my letter asking for some Gillette razor blades. I am quite out of them. The imitations I got at Haselmere were no good. I am not sure if those tablets you sent for the water were much good but I have not really given them a fair test as all the water we get is brought up in old gasoline tins and nothing will kill the taste. We cannot drink it and are gradually learning to do without drinking. All we get is a very small quantity of tepid tea.

I see Terran and the others some times, but not very often as our different work keeps us apart. Mine is a much easier job at the present for the companies have to do a lot of fatigues and guards which we get off as we have much longer in the firing line than them. It is a funny life we live here. We get up to our little bit of trench (6 of us and Sergeant Hanchard) and here we stop for 6 days. Most of the firing is done at night so we get practically no sleep then and in the daytime we just lie down and sleep when and where we can, generally in the open air, wet or fine. During the daytime 3 of us go down to headquarters, but I very seldom go as I hate the long walk through the muddy trenches and find I rest much better in the firing line. I suppose things will alter if we get sent to a busier place.

Sept 12.

Safely back in our reserve camp. The Germans gave us a warm send off. Gave our communications trench a tremendous shelling in the afternoon but kindly stopped jut before we went out. We got back here late last night. We went off to town this morning for a bath, but the baths were fully occupied so we went on to another place, 2 mile further, where we eventually got clean. While we were waiting for our turn we went and got food and after my bath I went with Sergeant Hanchard and had coffee and cake. We got back here at 3:45 and are having an early supper. So glad to hear that Jack was only slightly wounded. You must have had an anxious time. Those lemonade powders are very nice.

With best love to all and lots to yourself and Herbert,

Yours ever, Henry Crozier Smith