Letters from France | Page 6

which waggons to put my
men on, and he told us the empty ones in front. There were about seven
of them; they all go in a long train following each other, a few yards
between each one and the next. However, when we were nearly settled

the train moved off and left us behind, and I was then told that the
empty waggons were going in quite another direction. According I got
only one waggon and pushed the thirty men into it and rode in front
myself. We got stuck once or twice, and all had to help to pull it out,
and also had to help another waggon which was stuck; the road was so
narrow and muddy that we could not get it out, and so had to leave it
for the breakdown gang.
At night we had a practice alarm and got all the men out with all their
kit packed, and the officers with their valises packed up, all in 20
minutes. At 11-0 at night the men were all asleep, and it took them
completely by surprise, but I am afraid some of the officers cheated and
had most of their things ready beforehand. My platoon was the quickest
in the battalion--14 minutes, though they were rather hastily dressed
and sleepy. To-day we route marched, and are now awaiting a battalion
alarm, time unknown, where I know of at least one officer who has
cheated again.
A new major, a regular, has just come to us--he is to command our
company. Any food would always be acceptable, especially good solid
cakes.
I am afraid this letter is almost as long and almost as boring as the last.
I will close it to-morrow. Tell me if they are too long, and please tell
everyone that the post is the real excitement of the day. Good-night,
little Mother, sleep tight and go to bed early and don't get a headache.
God bless you.
The new major is to be second in command of the Battalion, and Major
Morton is coming back to us.
To-day being Sunday we had very little work to do, only inspection of
men to see if they were clean and shaved, of rifles, ammunition, gas
helmets, emergency rations, &c.
I must close now, as I must go to bed. I will try and write continuously,
and send each letter off when it begins to get too bulky.

Good-night, Mother, and love to all.
From your loving Son, ALEC.

11TH SUFFOLKS, B.E.F., Monday, January 17th, 1916.
My darling Mother,--
Chapter three
now commences. It might be labelled "Reforms in the Household."
Major Morton, as I told you in the last letter, has returned to our
company. Before he returned we had one room for officers, in which
we slept, washed from one small basin, cooked, ate, wrote and received
our visitors. Now, we, Green, Parker and I sleep in one room and Major
Morton in another, and we eat in the family kitchen, while two servants
cook our food. To-day I arose with the lark, which had unfortunately
not been warned of my intentions, and so failed to put in an appearance.
Fuller, my servant, boiled me an egg and made me some tea, which I
ate at 7-0 o'clock, and then set out to Divisional Headquarters to go on
a one day's bombing course. We left Headquarters in two motor 'buses
and sailed along quite happily, as peacefully as if we were in England,
despite the fact that we were some 15 miles or so from the firing line.
On the way there we saw one German aeroplane chased by four of our
own, and I heard that they finally had a battle near here, though I do not
know the result. We arrived there about 10 o'clock and spent the day
bombing, throwing live grenades, &c. We saw all the English bombs
that are in use. I knew most of what they told us before. They seemed a
bit surprised at what we knew; most divisions coming out have not
done nearly as much bombing--I have thrown about 20 live grenades
myself already. Our lunch we took with us. I had eggs, potted meat and
marmalade sandwiches I had made myself. We returned by 'bus, and
had tea with D Company on the way home. The men have just had
tobacco served out to them and are going to be paid to-day. It is very
difficult to regulate their pay, as they are paid in francs, and the rate of
exchange makes it difficult to pay them properly, especially as it

changes from day to day.
I have just been conversing with Madame. I believe she thought I
understood her, as I tried to look intelligent and to make suitable
remarks at proper