Fred 110
70 Cpl F Horsnell
Hut L6
Brigade School of Signalling
Landguard
Felixstowe
Suffolk
6th April 1918
My Dear M & F,
Just a line hoping you are all keeping quite well.
Well I expect Arthur went back today. Where has he gone to?
I suppose Dot told you she saw me at Chelmsford. So near home again and yet so far. I think I shall be going to Dunstable in four weeks time. Hasn't the weather been awful again today, just like it was last Saturday. Well I think we all enjoyed ourselves very much and now it's all over. Wish I was out of this kind of life so I could get home for good. Think I shall stop down that way after the war. I expect Dora will get you down there for a little holiday in the summer. You wait till after the war we will have a bust up [big party or celebration] either at home or down ours. But it doesn't look like ending yet, it seems to get worse. It makes one sometimes wonder how it is going to end.
Well I haven't much to tell you. I expect Jim will write me a line as soon as he gets back. I suppose he hasn't had the luck to go to Shoreham.
Well now I will close with all my love to you all. Give my love to Grandmother. Au revoir and God bless you all.
From ever your loving son,
Fred
xxx
PS
I suppose Father doesn't want to sleep in the pantry now.
Fred 111
70 Cpl F Horsnell
Hut W3
Brigade School of Signalling
Landguard
Felixstowe
Suffolk
[not dated; April – July 1918]
My Dear M & F,
Just a line or two hoping you are all keeping quite well.
I came back to Felixstowe on Monday passing through Hatfield about 6:15pm and saw Ern Cleave in the goods yard. I whistled but don't think he noticed me.
I thought the train stopped at Chelmsford so I could have seen Dot But the first stop after leaving Liverpool Street was Ipswich. I had four days leave, left Dunstable last Thursday and brought Dora and Gladys back with me. We stayed a night at Tooting and then went home on Friday.
Dora and Gladys are quite well and are looking forward to see[ing] you. It’s nice down there by the sea, tell Father he will be able to have a paddle.
Dora wants a little bird. I wonder if Uncle Arthur down the station would have one, so you could bring [it] down when you come. I will make it right with him.
If you get chance to happen of a little kitten could you bring one for little Gladys. Tell Dot she can tie the bottom of her drawers up and stick it down there.
I dug up some of the potatoes at home and they were quite nice ones.
I have lost Lily's address, will you let me have it when you write. I left Arthur's address at home but Dora will send it on to me.
I think this is all for the present.
I suppose little Frank is still a little nib. Gladys said she will let him play with her bat.
Now will close with fondest love to you all. Au revoir and God bless you all.
From ever your loving son,
Fred
xxx