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David Stuart
with a lad who sleeps next door to me when a
man came over to us, and asked us up to a
soldiers' meeting in Rose Street. We went, and
we got tea and sandwiches and cakes and bread
and butter, as much as we could take. After that
there was a concert, with soldiers singing choruses.
They are asking us up again next Saturday, and if I am
in town I will go.
" I received the little note from Charlie, and I will
never lose hold of it, as it was a nice little note. I am
glad to hear that he is always singing and dancing as
usual. I keep up my spirits and health all right, as long
as I get word from home, as it does do a lad good. You'll
know that, father."
" 18th March — I have had to have my rifle cleaned
thoroughly with boiling water three times a day.
The bullets rust the barrel, and we must be constantly
cleaning it. I finished my firing on Wednesday, and am
in a training company now. I have to parade every
morning with the kilt and full marching order ; in
the afternoon, with the trousers and skeleton order."
" 28th March — Thanks very much for the stamps,
as I was burst this week. I only got a shilling this
week for pay, as I am two shillings in debt. They
said that I was overpaid in Dundee when I left. I
can't make any better of it
" We are getting the gas helmets now, and we have
to go through gas with them on Tuesday. Oh, what a
nasty smell the gas has ! To-day we were running
round the square with the helmets on, and a few lads
had to fall out sick. Write soon again, as I like your
letters."
" 29th April — You ask how I am getting on —
First-class. I am picked to go through a special course
of signalling, which lasts four months. So you see I
have landed lucky. Last Monday we were on night
operations, and we had to bomb trenches with gas
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