France 28/1/17

My Dear Gwen,
Just a line to let you know that I am still going. I am at present down at a school on a three week M.G. course, we return to our units in another five days or so. It is some time since I wrote to you, as a matter of fact I have been waiting for some letters to arrive. Since the Somme my letters have been going to England and wandering through the hospitals before reaching me and since coming down here I have of course received no mail as they hold it for me with my Coy.
I trust you got through your exams all right, and are having a good time. There is not much to write about here unless it is the cold which is fairly severe. We are much warmer up in the trenches than we are down here however the climate does not seem to prevent me from putting on weight.
I hope this finds you all in good health.
Love to all, Rawei


[Note]. I've added a page with a photo of Rawei's family, taken around the time he went away to the war. Click on the link on the side bar or go directly by clicking here]

Trenches 26/12/16

My dear Mother, I have just received your letter of 29th Oct and am sorry to learn that you had not then received my letters of 16th Sept. I did not at first think that my name would get as far as the casualty lists. I have not come across Gordon since the Somme and did not know how he had fared until I saw Stan Green in London. We are having a quiet time here for Christmas, plenty to eat and a house to live in. The house it is true is somewhat the worse for wear, but keeps out the weather which at present is not bad at all. We have had a few light falls of snow but do not seem to feel the cold somehow. Before coming into the trenches this time we were inspected by Sir Douglas Haig. He looked very much like the photos we see of him in the papers.
Well there is not much that we may write of here so I will close. Trusting this finds you all in good health and spirits, love to all,
Your affectionate son,
Rawei