He apologised to his mother that the letter was going to be shorter than usual – he had not begun writing it until 4 o’clock, because he had been too busy ‘building a new dugout – or, rather, burrowing underground’. He told her that, once they had heard they were not to be relieved immediately (thus giving them another 6, 12 or possibly 18 days in the mine), they had set to work on building themselves a ‘little bomb-proof dugout’; the Germans did shell ’round about occasionally’, and at least the new shelter would offer some sort of security when the bombs were dropping. And, he assured her, it was good exercise too.

Sherriff’s mother, Connie, in her early twenties, in the 1890s. By permission of the Surrey History Centre (Ref: 3813/14/1/2)

It was Pips’ birthday, and he told his mother that he could ‘imagine him opening his usual little packets containing socks, handkerchiefs, cigarettes etc, and I wish I could get something worth sending him – but I cannot see anything nice, until I have time to go into a larger town’. He had been enjoying the contents of the parcel he had received recently, which had brought back some fond memories: ‘ I had some of Bellchambers ginger cakes for tea, dear – they always remind me of that walk through the park towards Hampton Court’.

As normal in letters to his mother, he talked to her of his longing for leave:

‘I am looking forward to the great day when I shall start home more than anything I have looked forward to before, I think – I shall plan out everything that we can do so we won’t waste any time – of course I shall look forward to the rest as well – and although I hope I shall not absolutely run you off your legs I expect you will have to be ready for some long rides and walks, dear.’

He ended by noting that she must be enjoying her leave from her nursing position, and the extra hour in bed every morning – but ‘it must also be very nice to be getting £20 for your services when you go back – you must feel your services are valuable – I am so glad you have been successful, dear.’

[Next letter: 8 December]