Victor Paulin to Edith Nickells Paulin, 1917

Stockbridge

Royal Flying Corps

 

December 28, 1917

 

Dear Mother,

 

Steno, I am again just before bed scratching off a few lines, no mail has arrived from Canada yet.  I received a letter from “Ruby”enclosing a picture, of herself, which I answered immediately, she says Wilf has not written her for 12 months.  I wrote back saying I would write him a scolding letter.  I also had letters from Ben, Wilf and George.  Wilf is, at present on leave he is going up to Aberdeen, whatever for

 

2

I can’t tell you, and will stay off at B’ham for a day to see Ben.  George hasn’t got anything to say in his letters at all, never mentioned being gassed at all.

 

I expect 4 days leave soon and will go and see Ben and Ruby, also Mrs Pauline in B’ham.  I am afraid I have forgotten if she has children or not, and I might make a break in showing her how ignorant I am regarding some of my relatives.  She has been to see Ben, and asked Ben about “Sid”, Ben didn’t know know of any other “Sid” but Sid Thomson so I concluded it

 

3

Must be he.  But couldn’t figure out how “Sid” knew Aunty “Emmy”.  I think thats her name.  I’m only making a rough guess.  So I am going to wait until she writes me, and kind of break the ice a little.  I might get real hold of one of these days and write, “my dear aunt” but no “Emmy”.  It would be a good one on me if I wrote “my dear Aunt Emmy” and her name was “Maud” or something of that kind.

 

How is Dad?  I wrote him about a week ago.  Yes I ought to get a bunch of letters, for the letters are written, I must have scrawled off about 100.

 

I had a quiet Christmas

 

4

went for a walk around the courtyards, Hants is a very pretty country.  W is had a y~~~ feed for a change, that was the only thing that made it seem the least bit like Christmas.  I ~~~ was getting better now, but when we ~~~~ here, Wow! W~~ kicked every day, they curse through with a little service.

 

Well Ma, I hope this letter is not a “fearful bore” (English for D- nuisance) it is near the end now.  Love to all, and heaps to Dad and yourself.

 

Your loving son

Victor

PS “How’s Toby” and Mrs Jones?  Don’t confuse the two!