will write later; this is only to let you know that
I am safe and happy.

Much love to all. In haste,

From your loving Son,
ALEC

A/101 TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY,
101ST BRIGADE, B.E.F.
Sunday.

My darling Mother,--

My letter this morning was interrupted by a message from the War
Office, brought per Second-Lieutenant Lake, of the gunners, that I had
to go to get some tea at the officer's tea room at ----. Now for
enlightenment. You have one son younger than myself, take the first
two letters of his name. Then think of the opposite of a woman crying.
If you cannot understand this take it to Uncle Ted, or some detective,
and you will find out something you are very anxious to know. It is a
good conundrum. Tell me if you get it. To resume. At about 10-0 this
morning Fuller came in and started lighting fires, cleaning up the
room, and cooking my breakfast. At 10-45 five officers came to see
me--I was where? Two guesses allowed. Still in bed. 10-46 message from
Brigade Headquarters asking for a return. I daresay you have seen a
picture taken from the "Bystander" of a scene at Loos during the
September offensive. Colonel Fitz Shrapnel in his dug-out with a
telephone at Battalion Headquarters, his dug-out being blown to
pieces, a shell bursting on the top of it. He received an urgent
message from G.H.Q. "Hello, hello! Please let us know, as soon as
possible, the number of tins of raspberry jam issued to you last
Friday." Just like the staff. They will stand up in the middle of an
attack to know when your return of trained farriers will be in. I am
afraid I forgot most of my returns. I should get, if I were you,
"Fragments from France," by Capt. Bruce Bairnsfather, price 1s.; it is
very interesting and amusing and very true. To continue:--From 11-0
till about 12-30 I ate my breakfast and talked to these two, and then
shaved, washed, &c., and other such details, dressed and lunched off
some potatoes at 2-0, being all I wanted when Lake called for me. We
had a pleasant tea in a farm about one mile from here (see riddle),
and bought some books and things and so back home. I went out to
dinner immediately with another battery in another brigade in our
division, and we were just