1 28/5/16 My dearest Mother, I have not been treating
you well recently in the
way of letters but really
it has been impossible
to find time for writing.
Every day it is in the same
from early morning till
late at night, one continual
rush. I was so
sorry dear Mother that
you have had so much
worry with cooks etc
I do wish you could
find someone who would
suit. Was glad to get
a letter also from Father
with news of the pistol.
If I have time I will 2
write him a line separately. We are probably moving
back from the Line to—
morrow or day after.
You see we dont get
much notice, for even
yet it is not definite.
We only go a short
distance &, as I understand,
for a short time, in order
to go through some
special training of a
rather strenuous nature,
so it wont mean much
rest. However it will
be a little relief from
the responsibility of
holding the Line. The weather has not
been quite so hot last
few days & there has 3
been some rain which
was really badly needed
to lay the dust! The
Germans too have been
less vicious so things
have been more or less
peaceful & it has given
us a good opportunity
to push on with a lot of
rather difficult work. I spent a most interesting
day this week at the
French Machine Gun School
some miles from here.
Went with 2 other officers
in a Div. motor & got
back same day. Saw
no end of interesting
things & the French
officers took no end
of trouble to show & 4
explain everything. Have sent off a parcel
of warm underclothing
today & hope it will l
turn up all right.
Will have some more
to send later. By the
way the lining you
sent for my waterproof
was not the right one.
It belonged to one of
my coats at home.
The correct one is very
similar & you could
easily make a mistake
with them. You can
recognise the one I
want as there are
elastic bands at
wrists & it is rather
shorter than the one 5
you sent. Would you
please have the other
sent off & then when
it arrives I will send
back the one I have.
The parcels from Fureys
& Malcolmsons don't
arrive so regularly as
they used too but I am
sure it is entirely the
fault of the P.O. Now dearest Mother
goodbye. Don't be
alarmed if you do not
hear from me for some
days as if we do move
it will mean a busy
time for me. Hoping
you are all well & with
fondest love
Your loving son Jim 6 On Active Service
written 28th May — 2nd June
19/16 Mrs. S. C. Davidson Seacourt Bangor Co. Down
JsDavidson 28 May 1916