6. Pa is always going to write, he will one of these days

Elsinore

September 16 1917

My dear darling boy,

Another Sunday and another letter, but not a line from you yet and it is getting on for 6 weeks now. You must be near London now. I know dear Norman that you will let me have a line that first chance you have or a Cable or something. I would give anything to know this day where you were and what you are doing. I suppose you have services on board very Sunday. Do you get the papers I send? You will see the Strike is not over yet, Is it not terrible the way they are leaving ones women and children starving and the fools of men walking about. They will find their mistake out directly when they loose their billets for the Government won't give in and the men will be beat for once but it might teach them a lesson. 

I don't suppose there are any transports going now unless they are got away by Volunteer labour but I think the strike will soon be over now and most of the Tram and Railway men are going back tomorrow and I think the men at the Docks. So I suppose they will struggle in one after another, if that and then War was over what a happy time we would have.

I am enclosing you another post card that came last week. I think from the Secretary whose place you took at Moor Park. He had not arrived home then, at least he wrote it at sea and posted it when he arrived home.

I have not been up to Illma's yet. There has been no trains, only the evening train going up for some time but now the morning train is running, so I suppose the Midday will soon be going. Eileen and Claude come down every day. Eileen came out last week and stopped from Friday till Monday. She had a tooth out at McManus's [dentist?] Uncle Willie was out one day. He wants me to take me out one day next week. I may go. I sent the piece out of the Balmain paper to Uncle Robert and told him and he could put it in his paper if he liked and has put it at the end of it. (Mr Barwick is a representative of the Old and Truthful, and which no doubt is a measure accounts for the young patriots' lofty aspirations) 

Things are just the same here. I have given all your photos away now, 4 dozen of them. If anyone wants any more they can pay for them. I suppose you find enough to do one way and another. What sort are the Chaplains I see you had some nurses on board too. The girls all ask after you and want to know if I have heard from you yet. Pa is alright again and sends love to you. He is always going to write. Will one of these days. 

The Confirmation will be next Friday. Mr Wilton is coming too and the Bishop is coming to St John's to confirm them. Mr Wilton will be here till the Wednesday after. Mr Manning is going back with him for a holiday. 

Goodbye dear Norman with heaps of love from your loving Mother.

[Dear reader, I have started to add paragraphs for your reading comfort! OmaRose]