St Aubyns Woodborough Road Putney about July 1917

Dear Mother,

I have been granted 10 days leave and am now engage in looking up all my friends and relatives in England and have begun by calling on uncle Geo. He is a real decent chap and so are all the others and they cant do enough for me and in fact it is their special delight to wait on me like a “gippo”. They cram about six meals a day into me and think I am ill if I do not eat everything.

I am now known as Sgt Elkington and know my ? about like a Hun major. I draw 10/- a day made up as follows- 1/6 deferred 3/- allotted to you and 5/6 I draw here. The Sgts have a mess and are bled by everyone so that I need the 5/6 a day whilst out of the line. I have �26 to spend here but people are so kind to me that I feel like Brewster in the Brewster Millions and I am hanged if I can spend it.

With best love to yourself and the girls I remain your affection

Walter July 1917