Thank you ever so much for the Birthday Present. I am not 21 yet! Remember how we wondered where it would be when I was 20? Dad is very fit and is C.O. for today as Col. Walters is away today. He holds his court at 9.00 and the company captains and the prisoners and the reports and orders are marched in. He got up a competition between the sergeants over 40, the old timers (they challenged) and the officers under 30. The officers marched the 20 mile course in good time and won out. Three of the sergeants fell out. They all carried full packs and rifles and all about 65 lbs. No load to laugh at. Try 65 lbs for a minute. I will have to go and get my present this afternoon and I will tell you what I got. I am doing some stoking after work to get fit. Moseley has had to give up his light shirts owing to a new order. He is a cross man.

Yours Hugh.

I arrived at five after scampering all day. The train was horribly late and I got the 3.20 at Liverpool St, No apparent damage to the station buildings. I enclose a pic of Mrs. Robertson whom I went to see on Sunday.

I now find that nobody wants us and we won’t go anywhere for ages but will sit tight at home as nobody loves us and won’t for a long while. False alarm! Unnecessary sentiments! Splendid holiday! I really did enjoy myself. The motor bike trip capped it. I love tootling along on the right road in the dark and nearly running into people and meeting hills and ups and downs unexpectedly. I liked my bathe this morning.

So, your loving Hugh.

Down for the day to see Seale. He is very fit and will have a week’s leave soon. Hugh