Witley Camp
Jan 2nd, 1917
My Dearest Jessie:

Read a letter from you Sunday and another today; was very glad to hear from you, I sat down Sunday to write you but was suddenly told I was to be Orderly Sergeant for week, and so this the first opportunity I have had to write. We have been very busy lately; some men have been transferred from 219th to 85th to bring up the strength. The 85th is going to France in short time.

That is wrong about me being in quarantine. I have not been in quarantine since we came across. Don did not get transferred to 85th. He did have his [? belt] fixed I guess. He went to Bramshott; Vic also. The rest of the boys from here are in 85th now. Dug. is in my section. To bad about Arch. Dickie being pounded up so badly; pack of fools they were; I would like to have walked onto them with fixed bayonets about that time. Such men as those should be over here fighting Germans instead of pounding up their own neighbors. I hope they get soaked.

I suppose you had a fine time last night at Anniversary. How did play pull off. I would like to have been there.

When you talk of the skating and sleighing you are having over there, it certainly makes me feel as though I would like to be there. Hope you need that little box of [?] from Don. and I did you? Was sorry I couldn't get something better but couldn't

You must certainly be glad to have Sade home once in a while. We had a fine dinner xmas., but not like it would have been had I been home. I hope we will both be home next xmas. I think the Kaiser will have to give in pretty soon.

Was glad to hear that old Uncle [? Wm McC] was well and and able to walk to Sellter[?] once in a while, wonderful old man.

Well! I think this is all I have to write this time, write often. Love to Father and [?]

Loving bro. Spence