LETTERS FROM AMMANFORD SOLDIERS.
Nicely Written Letter to Fred Jenkins
A letter written actually under fire has been received by Mr. W. Finch, of Pontyclerc House, Ammanford, from his brother, Private Joe Finch, of the 1st Shropshire Light Infantry, who is well known locally. Although the conditions were far from favourable for letter writing, a perusal of the copy sent shows that Private Finch kept a cool head, and “aerial navies grappled in the central blue, “while the penmanship under the circumstances is exceedingly creditable, and proves that he is not subject to “nerves.” He has a kind thought for his widowed mother, and others of his relatives and friends, particularly his little nieces.
The letter reads as follows :-
Dear Will, – I now take much pleasure in writing you these few lines in reply to your kind letter of to-day, hoping this will find you, Sarah and the children in the very best of health, as the same leaves me at present. Dear Will, I was very sorry to hear of
Maud being so unwell, but I hope she is by now quite herself again.
As I have not had any pay since three days before I left England , I have not any chance to write home until I get more of those army pay cards like the one I sent you. So I should be very pleased if you would let mother know that I am quite well at the time of writing to you. We shan't get any more pay now till we come home again, but for myself, I don't mind, as we could not spend it the trenches.
But I would like to send mother some. However, as we don't draw any I cannot send any. I hope mother will be alright again till I come back, that is, if I am fortunate enough to do so, which I hope I shall do, even for the sake of that rhubarb and elderberry wine you have got there, and also for a bit of Sarah's Xmas pudding.
I hope you will be able to make out this scribble, as I am writing it in the trenches, with shells flying over all the time, both English and German, as well as plenty of aeroplanes. As you said about my always being a first-class shot, I think I can still take a good aim, especially when the target is a German.
I got four bulls and a centre in five rounds practice at the range in Ireland (Eh?).
Dear Will, many thanks for this sheet of paper and envelope which you sent. Please give my love to all at home, and tell mother that if I get the chance of obtaining a sheet of paper I will write her a few lines. Please give my kind regards to Dai, and Bess, to P. Rees and to all the boys in the yard of Messrs. Lloyd Bros. Dear Will, I think I have said all, everything, now so I will draw to a close with ever fondest love and best wishes to all – Nos da.
In a postscript he adds : This letter I received to-day, Sept. 25, was posted in Pantyffynnon on the 12th. So you see we don't get them very often. I hope the next will come alright.
He sends kisses to his nieces, "with love from Uncle Joe."
