Sling Camp
Bulford
25/1/18
Dear Uncle Julius
In response to my telegram asking that letters for me be sent to Sling as before I have your letter enclosing several, and also a periodical, all of which I am glad to receive. After sending word that I was about to leave for Torquay, you would be surprised to learn that I was still here. We have been told that it is on account of measles that we are being held back, but whether it is owing to measles here, or measles at Torquay, I am not able to say. The malady is not very prevalent in the camp, but some of the reinforcements that have lately arrived were isolated on account of there having been sickness on the troopships. The latest information is to the effect that we are to go to Torquay next Monday. I won't be sure of it until we are actually on the train.
Fortunately the weather during the last two days has been mild and comparatively dry, and in those circumstances, Sling is not such a bad place to be in. I had more than one try to get leave without avail. I could not even get so far as Cockford which is only about eighteen miles from here, but I believe there will be no trouble about it when I get to Torquay.
We have snow here but not so heavy as you appear to have it. It is lucky you had that tree trunk removed from the bottom of the orchard for if you had not lost it altogether it would probably have caused worse flooding, through checking the flow of flood water.
I had a letter from Jack a few days ago, and one from Aunt Lottie a little earlier. It is cheering to know that Aunt Lottie is still quite bright but it would be better if we could hear of some improvement in her condition. I must have told you, I think, that Aunt George had written a letter which was sent to Aunt Lottie to be readdressed to me, and since then I have had two more letters and a parcel. On my next leave I shall have to include Fairmount in the places I have still to visit.
Since returning to Sling I have not been further from camp than the village of Amesbury about 3 and a half miles away. I did not see much of the place when I was here last year and I was surprised the locality so interesting.
What a lot of peace talk there is in the papers nowadays. I can't see what use it is talking about peace terms until Germany has acknowledge herself beaters. There are a good many encouraging features though as regards the present position. The Germans are evidently finding it very difficult to carry on their U boat warfare, on the various fighting fronts our defences are probably stronger than they have been at any time since we began fighting. It almost looks as if both Turks and Germans have reconciled themselves to the loss of Jerusalem.
I hope that my next letter will be written from Torquay, and I will ask you not to post any more to me here, but wait until I write again.
In an earlier letter you asked me about the snapshots I took at Badsey. The films have not been developed yet, but when I have got them done I will send some copies provided they are worth sending.
Best wishes to all.
From
Your affectionate nephew
Bernard Sladden
