Folkestone Jan 21st [1917]

Dearest Mother + Father

Your letter and Elizabeth's arrived a couple of days ago and I was very glad to hear from you as it is the first time since I left France. I hope you are not worrying Mother Dear because there is no need as I am alright and it will be some time before I go back to France again. My chum came on leave and I missed him so he went back thinking that I had done so. It will be quite a while before he will get another chance. I am rather sorry about it because we have stuck together for over two years now.