Dear Gracie,

I received your letter last Monday morning. I really fell that I can hardly thank you enough for all your ripping letters, for if it were not due to the fact that you keep me well posted I should be in complete ignorance of all that goes on at D.G.S. for my young brother does not consider letter writing to be in his line. Your Artillery list, I frankly own, did come as a very big surprise. I suppose there are an enormous number of "Old Boys"who are serving the colours in different units and whose names we have not got down on the roll at all. By the way, I hope you will all forgive me for not calling on you when I was home this last weekend I had from Saturday night until Sunday night. I had thought of running up to see you on Sunday afternoon, but when I got home I found my Mother was so run down that I decided to stay with her the short time I was home, and try and cheer her up a bit. Tonight our little party decided to move from our present abode and take up our quarters in the " Westward Ho ". This will be altogether a change for the better, to say nothing of the fact that it is about 300 yards nearer my men, which is a great advantage in a good many ways. The good ladies down here are being paid 17/6 per week for boarding and lodging each man, As some of the houses have taken in 8 - 10 men you can imagine that they think the soldiers a God-send, for not only are their houses empty throughout the winter months but this Summer was practically the ruin of a good many. Thank you ever so much for sending on the programme of VB Social. It is ages since I saw a programme of any description let alone one from the school. I can quite imagine Hunwick practising his grand march at every possible opportunity I feel sorry for you. However his selection afterwards apparently made up for it. King's 'Charge of the Light Brigade' I remember quite well of old. It was rather painful then, and is apparently on of those things that do not improve with keeping. Talking of Needham reminds me that I have not seen him since we finished mounting our guard at Hall's works, and that seems ages ago now. Thank you ever so much for backing my .......er.....mou........moustache(?) against his. It really gives me some encouragement. I know some people, who, had they heard your remark, Would have said that it did not say much for Needham's upper lip. Ah well! Its not my fault!! Fancy Summers getting his captaincy (please don't tell him I said this.) Please tell him I congratulate him most heartily He had better mark tine a bit now for I have enough majors to salute already. You say Ashton has got his commission. Has he heard yet to what unit he is to be attached? Everyone has been thinking when they will get their Christmas leave. "B" Company officers have just drawn lots. My slip of paper was dated: Dec. 22 - 29, so I am one of the most fortunate. I really did not expect to spend this Christmas at home. of course, I may be stopped now, for whatever we arrange among ourselves now, is always subject to the approval of the Orderly Room. Although I also wanted to tell you lots of other things, I think I had better leave them for a later letter, or until Dec. 22nd. for I hear my bed whispering sweet things to me. My kind regards to all at D.G.S. " PeTer ".