COU-30

3^rd Feb., 1916

Dear Captain Coulson,

We were very pleased to have your most interesting letter of the 22^nd ult. ⁹⁶ I can hardly realise that it was written in a dug-out because the paper was just as clean as if it were issued from my office here. You certainly have faced some of the realities of war, and you have every reason to thank God that your life has been, so far, spared.

I had an interesting letter from Captain Simpson⁹⁷ a week or so before yours arrived. Perhaps you know he is at last on foreign soil, somewhere in France. I think he and his men are being acclimatised and are looking about them to localise their surroundings before coming in contact with the enemy.

I did not think that rum would have been served amongst your men. Of course the conditions, I suppose, call for special rations.

Since you left library work you have gone through many trials as regards your general health, and apparently have come through them all right. I am sure you are now quite inured to life in the open and that you feel yourself much better prepared to meet all sorts of conditions.

We are all well, thank you, at home. Mrs. Elliott joins me, as well as Miss Miller⁹⁸ and Mr Goldsbrough, in tendering to you kindest regards.

Wishing you continued success,

I am,

Yours sincerely,

CHIEF LIBRARIAN



Captain Coulson