Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. In envelope postmarked Wanstrow, Somerset, 16 Nov 1916. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/207
Wednesday
Dearest There isn't much to say that I
can say now. Thank God it has been
fine. for the empty house we are
in is no fun at all. Also 5 of us
have a village room with a fire and sit
in at night where I am now. The
only one not working & that after an
hour's work.
I didn't tell you I found Mother
& father & Reggie in on Sunday, did I?
There was something else I wanted
to mention, but now I can't
remember.
We leave here first thing on
Saturday, but may not leave Trowbridge
till late in the afternoon. I shall
go to Rusham Rd. But in Sunday
if I can I shall try to see Freeman
he is in the ASC at Blackheath
near Greenwich. hard worker
(Illegible). I have asked him
where I can see him.
People are talking about things that
I must begin to try to understand.
On Monday I shall probably go to
Gordon's at 2, returning only on
Thursday I expect that is if
we do get reasonable long leave.

Goodby. I can't write on
this assignment. Edwd.

Eleanor objects to me suddenly ending
that poem.
The 100 last leaves stream upon the willow?
Thursday

Dearest. Your letter came this morning. We will try to
go to Jose's & Freeman's. One I don't know yet
for certain what leave we shall have. Moreover
I don't think we ought to ask Mother to take care of
the house & unless we can find someone who will
it knocks the idea of anything on the head, except
at the weekend. We don't want to spend money
either. So that fence & Mr. Freemans are the
most we can manage. We will manage
something anyhow.
The exam is tomorrow. Today we have
been out all the morning, pretending to be
working a battery. The gun howitzer are all right but we only fired one blank charge, as a matter of fact. I am very
hazy about the work. I must do
at least an hour a day in writing out
notes afresh when my leave comes.
We had a cold night last night but I made sure of being warm in bed
& we have had a fine bright day. Each
day begins with a thrush singing at a
quarter to 7. We work till 10:15 or 10:30
& then go to bed in the bare rooms.
The accommodation is incredibly bad.
I will copy out the verses if there
is anytime, & I feel sure there
will be plenty.
Here's the £1."5 p & I must go.
I have to work till dinner: then
afterwards attend a rehearsal for the
concert - 4 of us are doing
"Mr. McKinley", Tell Bronwen
goodbye. My love to you all. Edy
16 Nov 1916
Mrs H. B. Thomas
High Beech
Loughton
Essex

(red oval postal seal in upper right corner with circular black ink stamp WANSTROW 16 Nov 16)