291494. C.Coy
222'nd Battn C.E.F.
Shoreham Camp
Sussex
Dec 20 /16

My Dear Wife & Kiddies:-

Just a line with enclosed cards I think you will be interested in having them along with Guide & Descriptive books I am mailing at the same time, I hope you receive them safely - you will be able to tell the kiddies the stories etc, & then when I come home I'll have lots of stories to tell you all. You will have lots of picture post-cards etc by the time I get back for I intend to send you as far as possible cards from all the places I visit especially those of special interest, I wished, oh how I wished a 1000 times that you had been with me during my visit to & through the Tower I was thinking of you the whole time - I spent about an hour in the Jewel House looking at the Royal Regalia - beyond all description though when I get back I'll try and tell you about it all. I was also thinking about you when I was walking down Bond St & Piccadilly the home of Fashion & my you should have seen the fashions = short skirts = nobly hats - big muffs & little poodle dogs - I fancy you dressed like some of them - you would have enjoyed it all especially looking in the shop windows = Hatton Garden the place where all the 1st class jewelers etc are was specially interesting windows all ablaze with jewels - diamonds etc - etc, rings - necklaces - coronets - broaches from a few pounds ( £1) in price to 1000'nds of pounds.

Well I wrote you a few lines from London telling you I was in to meet George, I waited for 3 trains, but either missed him or he changed his plans. I was dissappointed. Another item of news in that I shall likely spend Xmas with people after all - I am still waiting to go to the school, these kind of things are very slow, its not likely I'll go in now until after New Years. if I get Xmas leave I shall be going to Blackburn tomorrow (Thursday) I will write you from there.

About the money I asked for, in case you have any trouble getting it, don't bother because I'd rather let the commission go hang than cause you any extra worry. & in case you are able to send it, I think that I am pretty sure in being able to send it back within a month or 6 weeks at outside from the time I get my commission.

It will be some lonely Xmas for without Betty & my babies, I shall think of you filling the stockings & decking the Xmas tree & I know your thoughts will be with me. Good night again dear best love to yourself & kiddies God bless you.

Daddy

Betty xxxxxxxxx
Shirley xxxxxxxxx
Billy xxxxxxxxxx