Wynne's Diary

As before, I have left it uncorrected. He has finally received leave after over 3 years at the Front, and has returned to Hale. William worked with the Jacksons while they lived in Upton Lodge, Upper Hale. See May for previous letter.

27th July
Dear Madam
Just a few lines in answer to your most welcome letter which I received quite safe dated the 24 July I am so glad to know that you all are keeping in the best of health as I am A 1 at present but it is not very lively down here for a young fellow like me for there’s not any more young men I know in Hale or heath End so I am longing for the time to come to join my unit and be back with the boys once more for its jolly more lively out there than it is here.
Yes Madam they have gave me a leave at last but I don’t think it is anought (enough) for being out there for three years and months and seeing the different countries as I did for they have only granted me a fortnight that was from the 18th of this month to the first of next so you see that a week have gone already. I have seen Mrs Sinnott and Mrs Amey and they all was surprise to see me and also I went up to London to see Mrs Young. (All the aforesaid were servants at the Lodge).
Well dear Madam I went by the Lodge the other day and it was looking quite alright but not so good when I was there for there don’t seem to be any life there at all, yes madam I would very much like to see you so I could sit and have a quiet talk and tell you where I have been and what I have seen for I have travelled through eight different countries since I lift Blighty, that was the 21st March 1915 and I am sure you would be interesting to hear what I had to say but I supposed I will have to wait until this awful war is over if I am spared to come back for they say it is all fair in love and war and if it is my time for me to die I will do my bit with good hearth and the same as every other Brittish lad who have laid down his life for his country.
I saw Baker the other day when I was up Hale and I was very upset to hear that he was one of them fellows that wont fight for his country because he don’t like facing the cold steel and doing a bit of killing, a big man like him seeing these young men go out into the hardships where we are doing a bit of fighting. I don’t call him a Brittisher at all. We are all quite well at home and Mother is looking a lot better than she did when i away to do my bit at the age of 17 and 6 months. I will now bring this letter to a close hoping that it will find you all in the best of health
from yours truly Servant William