Bandsman Cuncliffe 163067
Band Headquarters 84th C.E.F.
july 6, 1916

Dear Kiddo

I write these lines hoping to find you all well as it leaves me at present it is just a week since to night that we got here and we don't know what they are going to do with us, all the men have been taken away, but the two bands, the Officers, and the Sergeants, we have not been paid our last months money yet, nor is there any sigh of us getting any passes, things are quite a lot different here, up to to-day the food has been rotten, but to-day it was quite a bit better, we are doing the guard's and fatigues, so far, the King was here within five minutes to walk of us this afternoon and I did not go to see him, because I was tired , having been on guard all the night before, I got a letter from George to-day and he wanted me and bill to meet him at Charing Cross station London on sunday morning, but we could not get a pass. London is short of fifty miles from here George's band has been picked to go to London on saturday to play for the presentation of Color of something of the sort and they are staying over sunday in London, last sunday we went to a pretty little spot called Frencham on the borders of Hampshire and surrey. the band had to play for a lot of officers, both Naval and Military, there was a lake for boating, beautiful rose gardens and lawn's, a big hotel where they gave us all the drinks we wanted also smokes, and a supper, the sunday morning we went to the Wesleyan Babtists for the service, and who should I see but Harry Whitfield. He is Corporal in the engineers, and he was surprised to see us, did you get those pictures all right, I am just longing to get it, so that I can have something to look at, how are you all getting on, Mary and baby all alive and kicking I suppose, I wish I had them here, so that I could give them both a cuddle, and lots of kisses, also yourself, consider I am cuddling you now, well Edith to consider she has had a little cuddle too, I know how she likes them, especially the kisses, tell Aunt Ellen to think herself lucky that she is not in England now, because everything is so dear, that she would not be able to live, some thinks are two and three times dearer than they used to be, for a plate of fish and chips, they charge four pence, well I guess I will close my letter now with best love to all so ta-ta for the present from your Loving Husband

Herbert

xxxxxxxxxxxx
divide them

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx for
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx for baby

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xXXXX x
xx for yourself xx

p.s. please write straight back as soon as possible and so often as possible H.C.