Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. Lydd, Kent. Formerly in envelope postmarked 2 Jan 1917. Describes firing practice and proximity to guns / surrounding countryside and its wildlife / possibility of embarkation leave and it being possibly shortened / New Year's dinner. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/215
Lydd
January 1
Dearest, the first day is easily over I did what I had to do quite passably. The crack of 16 rounds didn't do more than sting my ears though I was only 20 yards away. One thing and another made the show last from 1 till nearly 4. And all this evening we have been working for tomorrow's shout. It was a beautiful day and a thrush was singing in the gorse in the shingle close by. Some sheep feeding 100 yards off in front of the guns only scampered a little
at the report.
The only birds in the camp are starlings. They live in the hut roof. But they make the sounds of many different kinds - blackbirds song and seabirds whistle among others.

I hope I shall get mobilization leave. In orders today - as a New Years treat we were invited to shorten our leave in order to end the war quickly. But we had a special dinner in the evening - turkey and Christmas pudding and dessert.
No letters at all today. This must serve for a letter . All is well

Goodbye all Edwy