1 11th Jan. 1916 My dearest mother — we are now back in
our old quarters & what a dreary spot it is
compared with the place we left. We arrived
on Saturday & were told we should find that
the previous Division had carried out all
kinds of improvements but of course as we
quite expected, practically nothing had been done
in this direction. There is a very big scheme
now on foot to improve all the billeting areas
so as to make them more comfortable for the
men — for instance repairing buildings, constructing
wash houses, drying rooms, incinerators, etc etc.
The regiments are therefore being largely employed
on this work & if it is not exactly soldiering it
is a welcome change to the continual training.
Machine Gunmen & Grenadiers however have
to continue at their own special work — I rather
wish it was otherwise as it would be a pleasant
change to be turned on to something new. You
have no idea how deadly dull it is here.
Imagine what it would be like to be in a
little village about the size of Portaferry, with
no railway near at hand & away from the
sea. When we came here for the first time 2
it did not seem so bad but to return here
after being in a good area is very disagreeable —
we should all have much prefered going back to
the trenches. The parcel from Thompsons — I
mean Malcolmsons — arrived all right & also one
from Pattersons & I have just been told there is
a small wood box for me in the Bde. office which
is probably the one with apples from home. Thanks
ever so much for all. Was so glad to hear from your last
letter that Kathleen is getting along all right though I
am sure it must be very tedious for her that the
progress is so slow. 3 On Active Service
Rcd 15th January/16
Mrs. S. C Davidson Seacourt Bangor Co. Down Ireland JS Davidson