For other light on what is happening here you must read the papers, if they have anything authentic. We are just a little to the left of where I told you in one of my letters before from hospital. We heard of Italy declaring war last night. Good work! I am sorry about Raffles—but it is getting on now, isn’t it?—near the end of May! I am so glad you liked Rooke’s mamma. I am afraid I don’t know about Carolyn—I think he has got people in town—but I will let you know if I find out when things are quieter here! At the moment of writing there are shells whizzing all over the place—‘Little Willies’ we call their shrapnel shells! I haven’t seen any papers for days—but we shall have a rest some time—when this thing is over. Ever so much love—I am as fit as anything—in spite of their gases. Ever yr loving son, Oscar. I will write whenever possible. I very nearly lost all my kit last night—so you must expect ‘gaps’ sometimes. But a 2 day Gap at the most—I promise you. You should see the mess I’m in after these 4 days!! [16] (24A) May 26, ’15. 6 P.M. A quiet day to-day after our adventurous times lately—weather still lovely—quite tropical heat in fact. The trench we are in now is in a rotten state—no dug-outs or anything—however the Essex are always given the ‘dirty work’ so to speak, and we have already been complimented on our fighting by the General Staff. I have been having a good look at the German trenches through Uncle Charlie’s glasses to-day—They are digging themselves in like fiends—and have dressed themselves in khaki! We have just this moment been firing on a German aeroplane which flew over our lines, but with no result. I haven’t had my boots etc: off since we came up—and don’t expect I shall until we return to billets! (25) May 27, ’15. 6 P.M.