Shorncliff June 25, 1915 Dear Folks: Saturday morning about seven o'clock and down in the Y.M.C.A. tent. Gos and I were on a picket and when the picket arrives at the appointed spot some other Batt. say they are doing the duties. So, we are living in hopes that now we will miss both picket and parade. In the meantime, we sit at ease here. Don't just know when I penned my last note home but at any rate, nothing exciting has happened except Jack Crawley was up to the tent last night. Unfortunately, we went into Folkstone but know where his camp is so will see him tomorrow. George Blackwell was also located the other day. He is in reserve signalers to the first contingent. Hubert Brown, from what I can make out, has gone. Was into Folkstone last night-got some pictures that were getting developed and, may say, they are poor, most all too dark. I think it must be in the finishing; at any rate am having them do some more. Won't be done till next Friday, pretty slow but I won't likely be in till then anyway. There is a lacrosse match in Folkstone, the first ever played there-guess that is true. Imagine the natives will think it's a savage game, if they go to see it. Am eating considerable strawberries these days, six pence or eight a pound-great big beauties. Well, Saturday over and we did not do a picket but got dismissed. Gos and I immediately went to Hythe where we had the good luck to see no military police. We secured two wheels and started out. We rode merrily along country roads; paid a visit to an ancient church. Then, on our way, I suffered a puncture and, after we walked a mile or so, landed at the The White Oak Inn where the landlord kindly offered to repair it. In the meantime, our appetites had reached alarming proportions and, on inquiring of the host what he could give us to eat, the reply was bread & cheese & beer (a very common meal here among a class) on so short a notice. On finding we had lots of time, he took us into a very old and comfortable room and, in time, we served with ham and eggs (good), bread (no butter at rooms here), some kind of fruit. We did very well eating a whole loaf. The host came in after and told us yarns of his travels, as he had been a sailor. Also had experience of hearing a parrot talk and talk well such sayings as "get up", "good morning" and so on. This was an African one, I think- a nice gray colour. On Sunday morning listened to a very good parson. . One his statements caught my eye. That this country must be united in finance, in labour, in every way or else their prestige, church, homes, everything they hold dear would be trampled underfoot by the Allies of Satan. Pretty good, eh. On Sunday afternoon, I had the pleasure of seeing Johnny's smiling face [Jack Crawley?]. They are camped about two miles from us. They were just getting their horses and Jack pointed out the little mare to me. They had a good trip over, being only a little over seven days. He also had his sayings about the speed of the motorcycles on military service. One phoned him, from the Brigade office, that he had left and they answered, from the other end, that he was there. All this week I am on early picket parade every night at six and in case of a [?] we have to turn out. Last night we did shifts. I was on from two to three -parade just the same. It was not very hard but a nuisance in the evening as you have to change from fatigue clothes to our clothes that you saw us in and put on puttees- a thing we don't wear for regular parades. Dress for it in just pants and fatigue shirts. In fact, most any dress you like. The whole Batt. is on guard or picket this week as we are orderly Batt. for the Brigade. Say if those pictures Nita took when I was home (which seems some months ago; such a change since) are any good ship along one of each, will you? Wish I would get a letter sometime soon though hardly expect one till next week, anyway so I would have some idea what was happened and comment on it. Gos has had several letters from [?]-none from home. It seems Jim Whittaker is in the officers' training [?] in Wpg. Gos parades with the Coy. just the same. Had a good laugh the other day. He was telling me, in the tent, of receiving two invitations to spend his holiday: one with his uncle in London, another from an aunt in Ireland. The aunt lived in castle near some place, went on to tell about the castle. When Bridges, the most sarcastic & ready witted you would meet in a week, asked him, with every appearance of being interested in the answer, what he would receive for caretaking. There was some roar-it came in so well. Gos certainly gets along well here and we spend a fairly merry time in our tent. Doc Latimer did not come over with the mounted rifles-reported he had fallen off his horse before the troops left. Sewell gives the truth as; he fell off the water wagon, from reports here. Vic Latimer here, in the same Squad as Jack. Well, hoping you an all G!R![?] and not worrying unduly as to my welfare as I am in the pink of condition. At times, when I think of home and country, a little lonesome. Jack is over here; has lots of friends in this country, no addresses. So long for this time. Love to all, Perry