BR0-01

N. I. H.
Antrim
Wed. 17^th Nov. 15

Dear Sir,

I take this opportunity to write to you, and let you know how I am getting on.

I like this life very much, of course I have to rough it, like millions of other fellows in training but it is a good deal better than I expected.

I must tell you Sir, how my time is occupied and then you will have a fairly good idea of cavalry life.

We rise at six o'clock and groom the horses, then about seven thirty the bugle blows to "File off" and we go back to our huts, some to sit round the fire, others to clean boots, buttons or saddle and bridle.

Breakfast bugle blows at about eight, and I may say I have nothing to complain about the food as regards quantity or quality. After breakfast we sit round the stove till Parade.

Parade is at nine and of course those who have uniform must have the buttons and letters shining. shining. Then roll is called every one answering his number and name.

We are then marched to a large field, the regimental football grounds. Then Sir, the fun begins, but no matter how humorous, some of us may think it, to see a man being slated for his slowness and his mistakes, the order is "No laughing on parade". We laugh at these things that happened on parade or talk them over when we are safely back in our huts.

Drill up here consists of rifle drill, sword drill & foot drill and Swedish exercises. I am only at foot drill yet but I hope to get to the rifle and sword drill in time.

We got Swedish exercises yesterday at three o'clock parade, coat & vests off, suspenders tied round our waists. The sergeant said it would put chests on us and said some of us needed it. He told one chap beside me that he "had a chest like a Lough Neagh kipper". And Sir, after these exercises, I felt sore all over for half an hour.

This drill lasts till ten thirty, then we are marched back and dismissed but not to sleep or perchance to dream. Oh! No. More stable work till about twelve then we're finished and sit round the fire till dinner which is about one o'clock.

Well Sir, today being a half-holiday we were free till 5 o'c when we had more stable duty.

Any one wanting to go home to-day could get a pass which would allow him out till ten thirty that is from one o'clock. But as I have not got my kit or uniform yet, I just sat in here, that is the dry canteen, and read the London News, Graphic, Tatler, Punch and the Sphere. Then having some little time till five o'clock I had a walk into Antrim and did some shopping.

I think Sir, the principal feature of Antrim is the Castle as the town consists of one main street of houses and shops with a Church of Ireland and a Presbyterian Church in the centre on one side of the street.

On other days which are not half holidays of which we have two Wednesdays and Saturdays we have parade at 2.45 and it lasts till till about four o'clock. Then we are free till 5 o'clock.

I am always since I've been here, done after tea, or about six twenty, but I have no uniform, boots or equipment to clean, and I have fortunately escaped squadron guard so far.

We have some good fun in the hut after lights out, why the first night I laughed myself to sleep. I think the reason was that every one of us, thirty in all, were new recruits, and we had no thought of the orderly sergeant or the morrow.

The former came into us we were kicking up such a row.

And the morning well Sir, every morning we have to break the ice in the water barrel. Still I'd rather be here than slacking.

Some fellows here by the way, they talk must have got a cooling, but some chaps would like the colonel to put them to bed and bring in their shaving water in the morning.

The boys or men in my hut are all very decent and there are some very well educated men among among them. Some of them are in khaki and they say to the others in civilian clothes "Go and Enlist". "Why aren't you in khaki". That raised a laugh for a while but is a bit flat now.

When I came here on Monday I thought I would know no one in the hut but I wasn't inside till I met a married man who lives beside me and now I have met dozens of Belfast fellows whom I know. I think, Sir, I will end up now and I hope you will excuse the notepaper. I had to borrow it and the writing and blotting.

One chap is thumping at the piano, another is doing a step dance, two or three are arguing over chess, this Sir, is my only excuse.

Kindly remember me to all the staff.

I am Dear Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
Tpr. W Brown
Reg. No 1839
Hut No 9

To
Mr G. H. Elliott