1 28/11/15 My dearest mother We have arrived
in our new area & things are
rather upside down so excuse
a very rushed letter. Have
not been able to do any writing
for some days as there has been
such a lot to do. The Brigade
arrived back from the trenches
on Friday & it meant such a
rush getting all the details sent
back to their various billets,
settling billeting claims & as
of course the least possible amount
of notice is given. Then the Units
were only allowed to rest 1 night
in their old billets before starting
for the new area so you can't
imagine how difficult it has
been for all concerned. This
2 time we are in quite a big
town compared to what we
have been accustomed to & it
is therefore a very welcome
change. What makes it all the
more pleasant for me is that the
13th are billeted with the Bde. H.Q.s
& the other Batts are in neighbouring
places so it is quite like old
times to see all my old pals.
Saw Gerard of course today. He
is looking well & in quite good
form after in spite of the very
severe weather they had in the
trenches. The Brigade was
very lucky this time as there
were no killed — only a few
wounded. I am afraid there
is little hope for poor Courtenay
Shillington who was in the 107th
Bde. He was out with a patrol
at night, was fired on by a
3 large German patrol & he was
seen by the others to throw up
his arms & fall forward. When
a larger patrol was sent out
later his body could not be
found. Weather very cold at
present — hard frost but fortunately
no snow. One has to file out
as many clothes as possible
to keep warm. I had a
very bad billet last night but
found a much better place today
where I am quite comfortable.
We are evidently to continue
training here as before — I
wonder where we shall go next
time. Hope it wont be service.
And now dear mother I must
thank you for three letters which
have come since I last wrote.
Was so sorry to hear you had not
been very well for a day or so.
I expect it was those oysters.
So glad that K. & Baby go on well
& that father has been keeping
all right. Poor Mr Ward does
not seem in good health. I do
so hope he will soon be better,
things would be very difficult at
the works without him. The socks arrived safely & the
gloves. Thanks ever so much mother
dear. They were all perfectly
splendid. The tin of soda
bread also came & was enjoyed
by all & papers come regularly
so I dont think anything has gone
wrong so far. When sending out
any eatables in future however
it would be better to send only
small quantities & more frequently
because when we move all personal surplus
store one may have, have to
be given away or left behind
4 unless one can find some means
of packing them up. What I mean
is that fo instance it would be
better to send say I lb of butter
each week rather than a box
of 5 or 6 lbs every month.
There is one thing I would
like sent out as soon as
possible & that is my green
canvas kit bag. It requires
some overhaul I think at
Erskines — some of the eyelets
were a bit torn & he could
put my name on it if that
was not already done. I of
course dont mean they should
put on Bde. H. Q but simply
Capt. J.S. Davidson. I did not
think I would have time to
write so much but must now
stop. With fondest love to all. Your loving son James
over 5 I was almost forgetting to ask
you to send me out 2 more
suits of warm underwear
& 1 warm shirt. This should
be sufficient meantime & I will
send back my summer things
within the next few days. James 6 On Active Service 2ndDec /15
Mrs . S.C. Davidson Seacourt Bangor Co Down Ireland JS Davidson