Day before
Disembarkation
[April 1917]
Dear Mum,
I am very busy but you all may like another letter and I dont know when I will write again. We havnt had a very exciting time the last few days. There have been a large number of ships about. After 7 ½ weeks without seeing a single ship it seems funny to see perhaps three at a time.
There are quite a lot of trawlers about. Some day after there will be no danger from disclosing information I will write all about our trip. It has been wonderfully interesting & enjoyable. I havnt had an idle minute the whole time. I packed four days ago and spend three whole days – Good Friday, Easter Saturday & Easter day getting papers ready, in order & signed again, Quite a lot of work. Our papers are even in a better state than when we came aboard. I seem to have more luggage than ever & havnt used ½ my things There is a great temptation to tro trow throw everything overboard. Next time I go to England I will take what I can get into two pockets. I havnt Still sleep on deck. I The weather is beautiful. Some call it cold & wander about in coats but it is just like a spring day at home. You can just see your breath. It gets cold on deck. It rained quite hard last night & I didnt wake. I was sleeping in a coat & have never felt more rested before.
I had to change. I have Sleep in clothes but no one takes submarines seriously I have spent all the morning checking utensils, equitment bedding, clothes etc., a lovely job. 270 sets of everything. I know nothing. We will disembark sometime about 3 hours after arrival & then get orders. We have just had a case of mumps so that will probably mean a fortnight in a sort of quarenteen Camp. I dont expect any leave for a month, or to get to France till September at the earliest. It will be quite funny seeing everyone real instead of on paper. We havnt seen anything of the war yet. I must finish, I have a lot of writing to do yet. I will try to wire & write soon.
Arndell
(written on board the R.M.S. Osterley)
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