Norman: 4 Feb 1917 (1918)

Somewhere in France
(The first page of this letter is missing. The letter is written on small note paper with a printed YMCA heading together with ‘Somewhere in France’ across the top of each page).
and unexpected as I thought that they had forgotten all about me. I have had no letters since early in December but now that the parcels have arrived I can expect a big mail any time now. At any rate it shows that the base P.O. has got my new address alright and the letters will be sent on as soon as they turn up. I have been trying to find out where Neil is but so far without success. All I have heard is a rumour that he arrived at the base camp the night that the last draft for up here marched out. All his replies to my letters must be piled up along with the others as I have not received any and I am sure he has written.

I have not heard from Vic for quite a while and I am now not quite sure of his address but I am writing to his old address tomorrow.

The weather here is far from being severely cold the worst feature being the heavy damp mists which hang about all day long and make one feel rather chilly. But now that we have broken into February we are beginning to look forward more hopefully to the end of the winter and to the coming of the spring.

I sincerely hope that by the time next winter comes we shall all be back home in New Zealand. I have had enough of Europe to last me a lifetime not that we are leading a very hard life here, but “God’s Own Country” is miles out ahead of anything in this part of the world. I have seen Alec Young, but not Charlie Musker yet. He is up here somewhere so I suppose I will run across him soon. I have not drawn a pay for a long time now and I have over £5 to my credit in my pay book.

It will come in handy when I get leave. Remember to hand in my bank book for audit early in April. The building Society book goes in early in May, I think.

There will be working expenses (about 2/8) to pay.

Ask Gorrie to keep an eye on my camera. I will want it next summer.

There is nothing more to write about now. Many thanks to you and Gorrie for the cake. Remember me to all.

Norman

4th Feb 1917 (This should be 1918)

I received the tin of chocolates and a “Star” dated Nov 10th today. The chocolates were in first class condition in spite of their long journey.

A funny thing about the paper was that the first picture I saw was a water cart stuck in the mud – an experience that we had ourselves just a few days ago. We have dug up a pack of cards and spend most of our evenings playing ‘five hundred’. Quite like old times isn’t it?

N.S.