He began today’s letter by apologising to his mother for not having written in several days – partly because [as he had previously told Pips] he had been very busy, but also because he had come down with a bout of ‘Influenza’. He had not wanted to go no duty the previous night, but once he did so the night air had ‘braced him up’, and walking to the Quartermaster today had continued his progress, although he still had a slight cold in the head and throat. He assured his mother that she needn’t worry about him, and that he would certainly of to see the Doctor if he felt it necessary.

He had been busy because of his Battalion’s new commanding officer, Lt Col Swanton:

‘[He] is so energetic that he comes round on the quiet and sees men of the East Surreys attached to my party in a dirty condition – the reason being that they have just come back from working, and also that the selection of men sent to me are all the worst, because they want to get rid of them from the Battalion. Of course, I am blamed for their dirtiness and have probably got in his bad books, if so I expect I will go back to the Company soon…[but] I cannot tell a bit what is to happen – I must simply wait and see and trust that what does happen is for my good.’

1916 Christmas Annuals

Bundy had sent him a copy of the magazine Winter’s Pie, for which he was very grateful, and it made him think about a few of the other Xmas Annuals he should like to receive -such as Holly Leaves, and Pears’ Annual – if his mother could arrange it. He told her, as he had Pips a couple of days before, that he hoped he would stay where he was until at least Xmas, since he would much rather spend it with the RE than with his Battalion.

He ended by promising to write more assiduously in the days ahead, and by stoically accepting that the trying time he had faced recently – due to the Influenza and his C.O. – was probably just the price he had to pay for the easy days he had enjoyed earlier.

[Next letter: 28 November]