Ike Evans, the Ammanford footballer has sent a very informing and interesting letter on the amenities of camp life to Mr. W. H. Jones, the late secretary of the Ammanford football club, and incidentally he gives a brief but lively account of the maiden venture this season of the Ammanford boys on the football field.
He states :-
“Just a few lines to let you know that we are all quite well, hoping you are the same. Glad to know that all is well at Ammanford. Well, I suppose you have heard by now that I have had a trumpet, and I am nearly blowing my brains out with it.
It is a hard thing to blow, and It gives gee-up to the lips. They tell me it is a fine job once you master it. All I have been doing last week is to go out on to the hills and learn some of the calls. I have to pick up everything myself so far, but there is to be a trumpet major over tomorrow, so we will have to do something.
He will take us for riding practice in turns, and before long we will have a horse each, and all our work will be to look after it and blow the calls. There wil be two trumpeters to each battery, and the other one in the 180 th is Danny Walters of Llandebie Road .
“Well, dear Will, you should have been here yesterday to see the great football match between the 180 th and 179 th . We were challenged to play early in the war and we picked a team, and the lieutenant consented to referee, but it seemed that the game would not come off, as there was a parade fixed for four Saturday afternoon, and that would mean five o'clock at least; but the officer went and called off all the players from parade, and so played the game after all.
We fairly set upon them; nearly every time we had the ball we scored; the total score was ....W.... 39 points to nil, and the officer gave us a good word. He promised to find another game with the Irish Fusiliers in a few weeks.
Abbot was in his element, and caused a lot of laughter with his antics.
Well, what ever are you doing down home by putting such things in the Amman Valley Chronicle? We did have a laugh when we saw it was out, as nobody knew that you had come to know about it. Another little joke occurred this morning.
We were formed out to go to chapel, and we were all asked to what denomination we belonged. Some said they were Congregationalists, others said Catholics, others said Presbyterians, and when they came to Benji, he shouted out “vegetarian,” and of course Trevor wasn't far behind with his ha-ha-ha. It is a fine life, and I would not have missed it for the world. The only draw back is that we have been drafted to such a hole. We have heard from Trevor Evans, and how different it is with them. They are in a fine old seaside place, and only two miles from Folkestone; but it's no use grumbling now; we must make the best of it.
“Well no more this time. Should hope to have another letter from you soon. Remember us to all the boys, and everyone at home. I shall no conclude with the best wishes of all the boys.”
