In his previous letter Sheriff had told Pips about his return to the Battalion – now he let him know what happened after he got there:

‘After sleeping a night with them I journeyed on by a cart to join my Company, which is now away from the rest of the Regiment [near St Omer, although he cannot say so], attached to a school for training purposes – I am hoping our rest out here may last for a period of ten days or so – you cannot tell though, as I have often said before, but just at present we are in a very nice country a good distance from the line and it was rather nice to find them out here as it breaks the journey back to the line which I trust will not take place for a bit.’

They were living in tents, and messing with the officers from the school in a large marquee – and he rather missed the comfort and privacy of his own bedroom.

Although he was happy not to be back near the front line, he was nevertheless feeling the effect of being back again. His days in England had been some of the happiest he had ever spent – the weather had been perfect, and everything they had done had been successful. He was pleased that Pips had been able to take some holiday time, so that he could spend the days equally between his two parents. He hoped that his next leave would be as successful, and that he would soon be home again (‘I hope permanently’).

[Next letter: 11 July]