Letter from an officer

Dear Mother and Father

I hope you are well! I have just arrived at the front line, a mere 50 yards away from the German's. I am eager to make a good impression, although the trenches are a little different to what I had imagined. They're in an awful state! Rats scurrying around everywhere and the beds have no wiring on the bottom! At least I have boots though. Most of the privates have to make do without, the poor sods!

It's not all bad though, the other officers are nice although drunkards! We have a good laugh here in our quarters as we eat our watery soup - the water itself aint great either actually, some sort of disinfectant in it - I can't be too harsh though, the chef, mason, he tries his best.

I went out on my first patrol today, eerily quiet out there. you wouldn't think there was a war going on. But it all happned at once, a deafening sound and all I could feel was profound terror. I trembled behind the wall covered in barbed wire and it wasn't long before the bombing raid was over. Plenty of those here!

I'm missing the comfort of home and school, and I'm certainly looking forward to coming back! Only 6 more days till I'm off duty though, I've even made up a little calendar so I can cross something off after each hour! Keeps me going I guess!

Don't worry about me, I'll make it through.

Jonny