1 J2/83 (20) Borden Camp. 25/1/'16. ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS
8th (SERVICE) BATTALION. My dear Father, L'homme
propose but the Lord
knocks the skittles down —
another version of the old
proverb. Everything was
arranged for us to leave
for the Front on Mon:
31st when some sickness
broke out in Camp & 2 2.
now we do not know
when we are going. Perhaps
after all it does not
make much difference
as the War Office has
at last discovered that
soldiers, officers especially
cannot be made in a
day and that other
things besides bravery
count at the Front.
The result is that a
large number of the
new troops, including
the 16th Division, have
been sent back to
the base in France 3 3.
to do more training, so
that though we are
all a bit put out
through so many false
starts and disappoint—
ments we are jolly
glad to remain here
instead of being
stuck in a French
camp away from all
the fun (?). I have been away in London
for three days, a welcome
break from the deadly
monotony of camp life.
I had some little business
to do which I combined 4 4.
with a generous measure
of pleasure and sight
seeing. While at Farm St
I asked Fr Bernard Vaughan
if he could manage to
come down & give my
men a talk; he very
kindly promised to do
so and gave us a
most amusing and in—
teresting talk last Sunday,
quite a distinguished
gathering being present,
including the General,
who was very gratified
by the honour done his
Brigade. 5 J2/83 (21) 5. ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS
8th (SERVICE) BATTALION. Your welcome letter has
just reached me; for
which many thanks. I must congratulate
you on being made an
S.J. — I presume General
of the Irish Province —
That being so I shall be
deeply grateful if you
will see that all future
£5 find their way in
this direction and are
not mopped up by the
Rev Limerick shark! 6 6.
I am sorry I must
cut this letter short
as I am called away
and may not have a
chance of writing for
some time. If any
news comes of our departure
I shall let you know
in good time. Au revoir. Excuse haste
Ever your loving
Will.