Arthur 24
024042 Driver A. Horsnell
ASC 9th Reserve Park
BEF France
16th October 1916
Dear Mother and Father,
Just a line [in] answer [of] your letter which I was please to have and glad to hear you are keeping alright as I am alright up to the present.
I am sorry to hear about that fire. How did it start? They couldn't have been at home. There's always something when there is trouble on.
I have seen Cherry Cloughton but I never had a chance to speak to him as he was going up to the trenches. We pass each other along the road. Father will no him if you don’t. That's him that used to work for Daniel Good.
Fred is on the same part of the line as I am but I can't run onto him yet. I see 3 fellows belong to the same lot 7th East Surreys. I might get a chance of seeing him when he comes out of the trenches. Anyway I shall have a good look out for him.
You can give Grandmother my love and tell [her] I will have a game of drafts just something to past the night away.
I haven't anymore news to tell you just [now]. I might be able to have a little more next time.
So goodbye.
Love from your son,
Arthur
xxx
Arthur 25
024042 Driver A. Horsnell
ASC 9th Reserve Park
BEF France
[not dated; mid-October 1916]
Dear Mother and Father,
Just a line in answer of your letter which I was please to have and glad to hear you are alright as I am alright up to the present.
I see were [where] the Zepplins have been over again and was lucky enough to bring two down – he isn't getting his own way now.
I hope Grandmother is alright.
The weather has been a little better this last day or two that’s better – a couple of days rains makes it awful for travelling. We hope it will soon be over so we can get the old times back again.
I see in the paper were [where] A. White got killed. It is one of George White’s sons that belong to the Salvation Army.
I heard from Fred yesterday. He is still alright that's one good thing.
I haven't anymore news to tell just now.
So goodbye.
Love from your son,
Arthur
xxx
Arthur 26
024042 Driver A. Horsnell
ASC 9th Reserve Park
BEF France
[not dated; mid-October 1916]
My Dear Sister,
Just a line in answer to your kind letter which I was please to have and glad to hear you are keeping alright as I am alright up to the present.
You want to no if the eatables were alright. They was tribon [tres bon]. You want to no why I haven't had a leaf [leave]. You no it is stop and when I have a leaf [leave] I want one for good of course. If ever I get the chance of haveing one you can bet I shall take it.
I got the books alright. I see in the paper were [where] the Zeppilins have been over again – brought two down in our old county. He isn't getting much of his own way now.
You can give my love to Florrie and tell her I am alright.
I haven't anymore news to tell you.
So goodbye.
Love from your brother,
Arthur
xxx
Arthur 27
024042 Driver A. Horsnell
ASC 9th Reserve Park
BEF France
27th October 1916
Dear Mother and Father,
Just a line in answer of your letter which I was please to have and glad to hear you are keeping alright as I am alright up to the present.
I am sorry to hear about poor old Fred but still I think it is the best according to wear he was. I should have like to have seen him as he was on the part as I was. I see some of the same lot as he belong to.
We are getting some comical weather just now. It's up to neck in mud now.
The next time you write if you don't mind just make a little parcel of it that's a pair of hedging gloves. I got a pair of woollen ones but they will soon wear out driving. I thought of putting them on top and it would keep my hand a bit warm. I will make write with you before long. I got the paper alright.
Well I was thinking that it won't be so long before Christmas now but still I hope I will be home to see [you] by then. I suppose I will have an idea. I don't no exactly the date I come out to France. I don't know weather you do or not. If you do let me no the next time you write. I think it was the fourth of July. I know it was in July but I don't know the date.
While I am writing this we have got the old Quaker Oats on the boil. Of course we are not going to school now. It's as good as a 5 quid on a cold night.
I think I have told you all this time.
So goodbye.
Love from your son,
Arthur
xxx
I just say you think I am a long while writing. I no how you keep looking out for the postman when he goes by. Then you say I can't understand I haven't had a letter from him this morning.
Arthur 28
024042 Driver A. Horsnell
ASC 9th Reserve Park
BEF France
[not dated; October 1916]
Dear Mother and Father,
Just a line in answer of your kind and loveing letter which I was very please to have and glad to hear you are keeping alright as I am alright up to the present.
I couldn’t make out were [where] the letter come [from] for a minute. I hope he enjoyed himself. I can guess he did. I shall make the best of mine when I get it. His letter was a long time coming. Posted on the 20th and I didn’t get it [until] the 25th.
The winter has just started now. Snowing and frezzy [freezing] like the devil now. Thinking to myself what a nice day Fred had to come back on. I don’t want my leaf [leave] until the weather is a little brighter.
I thought to myself when Fred come back Mother had to shed a tear or to [two] but still the war won’t last for ever of course. You no it’s no used of being downhearted. Anyhow it takes a lot to upset me but still I’ll make best use of the fire when I do come home.
I’ve been through those places were [where] Fred stops when he comes out the trenches but I am some bit from there now.
I hope you are alright.
I wish you all the best of luck.
Love from your son,
Arthur
xxx
Don’t forget the parcel.
Has little Albie listed yet?
I just burnt the corner of the paper when I was reading the letter. Thought I just say you will understand it.