Despite being in rest with his Battalion in Coyecques, Sherriff had not written a letter home in some days. Perhaps conscious of the omission, he wrote a quick note to tell his father how he was doing:

‘Today I have been out with the Engineers on a short course lasting two days – the weather still remains beautiful and wandering about the country is very nice indeed – in the afternoon we put in a steady 2 hours trench digging – and in the evening I went for my usual walk to watch some football in progress. After the incessant rain the country is now bursting out into flowers everywhere and this piece of country is particularly fine with the early spring flowers. The country is very much like parts of the South Downs although more cultivated and parts of the river remind me of parts of country round Winchester.’

He had no idea how long they were likely to remain in Coyecques, but hoped it would still be some time. And, with that, he signed off, promising another note the following day if he could.

[Next letter: 6 May]