No. 19

B.E.F.
S.I.F.

20.1.40

Darling,

Thank you so much for your letter No 11 1/2 (it wan’t numbered but I don’t think I can pass it of a full number). It was rather a disappointment not to have a longer letter from you especially as it seemed so fat at first. It was grand to know however that you were both alright, that was the main thing.

I don’t know whether I muddled up the numbers of my last three letters to you, in your No 10 you acknowledge my Nos 14 and 15, yours being dated 29th Dec. Then in your No 11 you acknowledge my 15 again, yours No 11 not being dated.

As far as I can remember I wrote to you Darling on Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, the 6th and 11th and lastly a horrid little letter two days ago which was one long moan. Another point is that Jill’s letter was dated the 12th which means it has taken eight days to reach me which seems a ridiculously long time.

Although several of the boys who received…

…post this evening commented on the time it had taken to reach here.

The weather continues just as cold here. Lots of snow and the degrees of frost each night reaching double figures. They say it is the hardest winter for 20 years.

I personally am feeling much better. Madame is very kind, yesterday morning she came up to the billet and insisted upon lighting the fire. She wanted to know if I wanted any more blankets, her husband was killed in the last war and, as you know, her son in on the Maginot Line. I think she feels for us “pauvres soldats”.

You must excuse this very short letter but my little hand is frozen (literally).

Remember I love you always and always more and more.

Your own,

Kenneth.