Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. In envelope postmarked Lydd/Loughton, Kent, 6/7 Dec 1916. Describes leave at weekend / potential to be sent abroad in the near future / Christmas leave being given only to men likely to be posted abroad very soon. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/209
Wednesday TINTOWN LYDD

Dearest, It is just as well I decided not
to come home this weekend as in any
case there ain't going to be no weekend, {illegible}
I may be allowed to walk to Cariad's
on Saturday but nothing more. The following
weekend is fairly certain, especially for
those who are going to batteries overseas.
The others may proceed straight from here
to Aldershot or simply stay on with
batteries here. I rather expect to be one
of those going abroad, so that I may have
leave for a week and even more. There
are several things still to do, though I have my
2nd tunic now. I shall have to get something
instead of that great kitbag. It is so
awkward that it gets very rough treatment.
I may use my smaller kitbag and my holdall
and just get a strong pair of straps to
fasten them together. That will be the
cheapest thing to do.
Freeman is at Aldershot now and
having {illegible} time tho not exactly
enjoying it.
You have seen in the papers that
soldiers are not to have London leave
except those going abroad - to save
the {illegible} and expense. That is why
we have no weekend leave.
It keeps wonderfully fine here
The only bad news is that I may have to
be inoculated again. In any case I
see there is an order for all officers
going abroad to be medically examined.
So far it has been all lectures,
with a little interlude in which
men took it in turns to play various
parts in an imaginary battery.
Luckily I don't have a turn. It is
the worst kind of audience to have.
Now I must have a walk,
tho {sic) it looks like rain after a fine
milder day.
I had your two letters thank you,
and I am very glad Bronwen is
better. I must write to Mervyn
next and I will send the (illegible} to
his company.
Goodbye all. Edward.

Mrs HB Thomas
High Beech
Loughton
Essex