91福利社

Schwiednitz
October 2nd 1918

My Dear Parents,
Time has once more arrived when liberty is taken to write a few straggling lines, to my loved ones who appear to be living in realms unknown to me; it seems so strange & mysterious, and nothing short of a miracle would have to occur in order to make things in the outer world more realistic. I seem to have lost all conception of what it is like to be free, perhaps this state of stagnation which seems to have come over me, is welcome, as otherwise I might become melancholy, and morde. Referring to my notes on correspondence I find that I鈥檝e received letters from Dad Aug 14 and Mother no. 16 Aug 9, Jo Aug 1 no. 8 & Aug 17 no. 9. All your letters arrive in numerical order I needless to say all photos reach me safely. The last I received were two of Julia & Jo in connection with a wheelbarrow. All my pals express their opinion in saying what a fine sister I have, of course I agree to everything nice when referred to dear Jo. Now that I鈥檝e soft soaped you (although the facts are true) I want you to send me those photos which you think too nice, or too - well you know, anyway I鈥檓 old enough & quite capable of standing the shock. Of course I won鈥檛 show them to anyone. My parcels are coming in OK now, and the sowing outfit has safely come to hand. I felt when I handled it, a certain influence of love so characteristic of home, oh, I wish I could express my gratitude for all that you have done for me, but I cannot, it is beyond my capabilities, the value of having loving parents has been very severely brought home to me recently, my inseparable chum 鈥淲illiams鈥� has been informed of the loss of his father, poor fellow, he is terribly cut up about it, and to make matters worse, there seems to be nobody capable of looking after his Mother, and he fells so helpless in the matter. So the agreement of exchange has fallen flat! well, well, s鈥檖ose must look forward to a few years more in this country. What a disappointment to some it has been, I鈥檝e got beyond everything now, & if it rained 鈥淔ord cars鈥�, I don鈥檛 think I鈥檇 w orry. Have been so busy lately with preparations for the coming show 鈥淭he Girl from Oolong鈥� which takes place next Friday, so - much - so that I did not utilise a post card which I had to my credit for the month. between farming, & Property making I鈥檓 apt to forget sundry duties, especially the cooking. However, there鈥檚 been a lull in the storm, & this afternoon I have done some washing, 4 shirts, various socks, cap covers, & a towel, which is rather a big deal for me, as it鈥檚 a job I detest. I鈥檝e received five tins of tobacco so far. I guess you get my acknowledgement cards. Have not played football lately, it鈥檚 rather a question of shoe leather, I have to think of the future. Yes I did receive Daff鈥檚 letter, (awfully good of her) but she鈥檚 taking long enough over the second. Have not heard from Dorothy lately, I wonder what鈥檚 smatter with 鈥楨r. We did not get the billiard table after all, like a lot of things, it turned a 鈥渨ash out鈥�. I鈥檓 getting quite a good collection of photos (varied) which will prove worthy of Jo鈥檚 hordes (which by now ought to be swelling some). I鈥檝e got Chu Chin Chow on the brain, & I will have until the termination of the show. The weather (Alfred鈥檚 topic) is getting colder & signs of the coming winter are to hand. One thing I鈥檒l miss skating here, as it appears we are not allowed such facilities. Jo says something about writing to a pal of mine at Str枚hen (Julia told me I should say) however if it was Charlie Trooper I鈥檓 afraid the bird has flown to another camp, nevertheless your letter will be redirected.
I wonder whether the Board of Education will send me those books? As it is now, I鈥檝e difficulty in getting a loan of them when required. Fancy the Marconi Co. not increasing our pay, I suppose they think they are doing enough in keeping us here and sending no parcels. Our 鈥淯nion鈥� are trying to float a scheme whereby our colleagues may send us cigarettes, a fine thing if it comes off, although personally I鈥檓 not keen on cigarettes, much prefer the pipe. I am keeping very fit physically & have rid myself of boils, but do not expect to remain for long enjoying such unmarried beauty. Everyone knows me in this respect & am quite a noted character for eruptions of allsorts.
Now I must conclude trusting all is as can be expected under such miserable times as these,

So I鈥檓 sending you this little letter,
And think it hardly kind,
That it should go to you today,
And leave old Reg behind.

Heaps of love & kisses,

Your ever loving son
Reggie.

A.R. Beynon 131
O.G. Lager 1.
Schwiednitz.