Wednesday 18th
Dear Mother
That address I gave you yesterday is all right, as I hear tonight I am to be permanent. I am quite pleased as it’s a good job & later on I’ll get a regiment if I want one. I want some breeches. There should be two pairs arriving soon from Karachi. Send me the new pair will you, as I only have one pair here & I’ve bust them already.
I can’t get any leave yet I fancy. We can go to Paris, but I want to save up my money for home. Tell the girls at last I’ve heard a gun fired in anger in the distance! but I’ve not been in any battles yet.
I am longing to hear if Topher is anywhere near & if I only had his address I might find out & if he’s anywhere near I could hop over & see him.
It is muddy out here & cold, but if it only stays like this I shan’t mind. I am at a place quite near a place the cathedral of which you’ll see in the last Sphere all sand bagged. The door I think it is. I might just as well tell you the name but it’s so mysterious like this & perhaps you’ll spend 6d. Could you get me an acetylene lamp like you sent Topher.
Must write to some of the girls.
yr loving son
Richard.
Martinpuich
http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/60708/MARTINPUICH%20BRITISH%20CEMETERY
Nr Amiens
http://www.pictorialgems.com/1916-French-Church-Architecture-Amiens-Cathedral-Sandbagged.60745
