Sherriff wrote home to his mother:

‘Just a line to tell you I am quite well at present, but have got very little time to spare as we are in the line and we have pretty long hours of duty, so you will excuse this scrappy line, dear, until I have the opportunity of writing something longer.’

He went on to thank her for the latest parcel he had received, ‘full of delicious mince pies, chocolate biscuits etc – including the very acceptable bundle of toothpicks and surveying book – it is so nice to know that I get everything I ask for…’

And with that, he was off, for he was due on duty once more…

[Next letter: 14 January]