8. I see they are raiding England yet and near your quarters

Elsinore

September 30 1917

My dear Son,

Another Sunday and another letter. I wonder how many more before I hear from you. I wonder where you are now. You are going into  the eighth week now. You must be near your journey's end. You will have to give me a long account of your trip and what you did every Sunday and other days. I expect I will have a long diary of it all. 

Well Norman we had another social last Monday night as a farewell to Mr Wilton. I told you in my former letter. He was here for 3 or 4 days, so we had a service last Monday night and was disappointed at the few that was there. Then they gave him a social in the hall after and not too many were there, mostly children. Nothing like your night that was the best night we ever had in there, don't you think so. Mr Wilton went home on the Tuesday and Mr Manning went up to Bathurst on the Thursday for a holiday. Mr Wilton's Curate is down here today, doing the services. Mr W will be home next Saturday. 

Matey Elliot was at Church this morning in his uniform with his girl. I don't suppose he will get married before he goes. His mother hopes he won't. John Storey is in the Officer's School with Matey at Moors? Hall. They may be there for 6 months. I suppose the War will be over before they go. 

I see they are raiding England yet and near your quarters. Mr Fisher had his window broken near Australian House so he must live near there. You be careful my dear and keep out of danger. You never put any address on your trunk, it was alright on the boat, but when you get to England it might go astray, but perhaps you did it on the boat...

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Everything is just the same here. The garden looks nice and green. I suppose the place is getting fresh over there now and getting cold.It is getting hot over here. Yesterday was very hot. I am going up to Illmas tomorrow and I hope it won't be too hot.

I saw Ethel Dolphin yesterday. She was so sorry she couldn't get in that night of your affair. [farewell] She got your address and is going to write to you.

Now dear Norman I must finish. Pa sends best love and hopes you are well and I will leave you in God's keeping to bring you back safely to your loved ones is the earnest wish of your loving Mother.