Sherriff told his mother that today would be their last day before moving up into the line again, but he was still hopeful that ‘it will not be long now before we go into rest for a month or so, which will be a great rest after so long in and near the front line.’

He believed he might be given a special job of training men to build dugouts:

‘I was asked by the Colonel to design a shelter as he thought my knowledge of Tunnelling would come in useful and I have sent in my design which he seems quite pleased with (or perhaps I should not be so sure about it yet, as all he has seen is the drawing, whilst the chief business is in the constructing), but still it would be very nice if I could have a free hand in making one or two of these things as it was what I should have done if my transfer to the RE had come through alright.’

James Whale’s Design for the Dugout in Journey’s End. By permission of the Surrey History Centre (Ref: 2332/6/13/4) and the David Lewis Estate.

He told her that he was finding the fine, cold weather very healthy, and that he was quite well, and hoped to remain so all the way through to his leave. On that score, however, he was rather disappointed that leave would not now be possible until he had served at least six months. ‘The reason officers have got to wait,’ he told her, ‘is because there are so many men in the Regiment who have not had leave for 12 or 14 months and they are getting them away first, as I suppose is quite fair – so let us look forward to that great time to come when I should get ten glorious days at home.’

Before ending, he thanked her for the socks he had just received in his latest parcel (which must have been delayed since she had sent it before Xmas), and told her that he hoped that ‘home has still got its dear old homely look – I should love to see the new oak table and other furniture, the place must look quite Romantic and old-fashioned now.’

[Next letter: 11 January]