Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. Lydd, Kent, dated 'Friday'. Describes potential to be posted without leave / cancellation of Christmas leave / uncertainty over who will be sent where / useful Christmas gifts. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/213
RA Mess
Tintown
Lydd
Friday
Dearest, nothing is decided yet about where I am going, but it is most unlikely I shall be home, unless on the way to Aldershot or France, simply because an army order has stopped all weekends leave except for very particular reasons. So dont expect me tomorrow. Just keep a place for me and if I am coming I will telegraph. The word is that Xmas leave is to be stopped. At least only 20% are to go away
And it is improbable that such a junior officer as I am could be among the 10%. But should I go to Aldershot things might be different. In any case, of course, before I go over I ought to have 6 days leave. It will be annoying to have to stay here. The only way out would be to get Ellis to motor over fo me to spend the day
There, because they say that so long as you dont go by train it doesn’t much matter.
I see that Capt Wylie has gone to Salisbury with his battery, so I may go there. But we have heard nothing more about it. Just make the best of things till I turn up.
There isn’t anything more to say till we are all posted tomorrow. Then I will write, unless chance brings me home, as I hope. Edward.
PTO
If you hear of anybody wanting to give me anything i need the following things:-
an oilskin ((illegible) £1) overcoat.
*arctic socks of a small size for wearing with gum boots.
a 'lifeguard' periscope.
a pocket sextant.
*about 2 sizes too small