COU-42

Major T. Coulson
15^th Batt. R.I.R.
B.E.F. France

Dear Coulson,

How the time passes! I was looking at your last letter to-day and find that it was written at the end of June; I had no idea my answer was so long overdue, but what with the stocktaking and the holidays, which are not all over yet, I quite overlooked the flight of time.

My family and I were in Portrush again and had a fairly good time of it, and have all come back well and fit for the winter's work. We have been wondering very often if the "event" had come off yet and you had not told us. I heard that the banns were called at St Luke's recently, so I suppose in the words of the poet? "Now we shan't be long".

I told you in my last letter that Warren was missing, but it now seems that he is a prisoner at Cassell, and although wounded, wrote in fairly good spirits the last letter I saw from him.

McCausland has got his commission and is now somewhere about Salonica or on the way there. The rest of the boys are in France except Butler, who is not - but of him, more in our next.

Hubert¹²⁶ is at present with the 107^th Trench Mortar Battery, after a long spell at headquarters dispatch riding.

We are still struggling along here with a small staff and an increase in issue, but you will be glad to hear that Miss Miller¹²⁷ is able to come in for a few hours each day now.

I still see both Gibson and Milligan¹²⁸ and they are much as usual. Milligan still divides his time between philosophy and local directories and Mr. Gibson dips into all sorts of literature, fiction included.

I have not heard from Captain Simpson¹²⁹ lately, but believe that he is still somewhere in France. I hope you are keeping well and fit and still rising in the scale. I hope we will have the pleasure of seeing you soon, even if it is only for a flying visit.

The Chairman, Alderman Mercier, told me he had a letter from you some little time ago and that he had no opportunity of replying, but he wishes me to say that if you are in town, even for a short time, he would be very glad to see you if you will call upon him, so, with best wishes for your health and safety,

I remain,

Yours sincerely

JBG
Acting-Chief Librarian