No. 30
Witley Camp
August 21st 1918
Dear Mother & Dad:-
Received 3 letters today, one from Frances Novis, one from a girl in Victoria and the other from Phoebe. Frances says that Tom is getting as fat as a hog, judging from a photo he sent them of him and George taken together in France, but I guess Mrs Novis has told you all about that. I didn't receive a letter from you this week, and haven't got the parcel yet, but I guess it will be alright, some of the boys have to wait quite a time after they get the letters saying they have been sent.
Sunday night I went to a lecture by the Rev. [?] Francis who spoke to us recently on what America was doing in the war, I think I told you about him. This time he preached a Sermon, being a Sunday, and I enjoyed it immensely. He is a splendid speaker, the kind the boys will listen to and take notice of what he says. I guess a little religion occasionally wont hurt the majority of us either.
The musical part was selections on an accordion, and that man could sure play, he had anyone I've heard beat a mile, he nearly made it speak, as ma would say. It must have been a dandy instrument, it sounded just like a first class pipe organ, he gave an imitation of church chimes, and the pipe organ after, it was very realistic. He also played "Star of the Eve," which we have on the Gramophone and played it well. Before the sermon we had a half hour song service had a real conductor leading us and he sure made us sing. Never heard more noise from a bunch of men, it sounded [remainder of letter is missing]