Today I received two more letters from you dated 12th & 30th of Dec. & I have determined that I shall not be so long in answering them. Please forgive me for being so dilatory before & believe that I will not be guilty of a second offence.

Now Daisy it is good of you to write as you do. I think I told you before that letters in the trenches were appreciated more

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than anything else. You are a 'dear' to write as you have done & I hope you will continue the good work. I believe you told me that you could write a decent letter & now I have no doubt about it.

First, to satisfy your womanly curiosity I shall tell you a little about my doings. You already know that I joined up with the 2nd Auckland Battalion on Nov 25th last so I am getting to know a little about this war game now. I'm generally considered a 'lucky beggar' & my luck still seems to hold good for on my arrival I was given charge of a company & I’m not likely to lose that much

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I think I am the only one of the officers of the 16th reinforcements who has a company to look after. Well, I hope that when the hot work comes in the spring I shall be able to do the job & that my lucky star will still keep going. Which latter reminds me. The charm you sent has not yet arrived, but when it does I shall wear in [it]. I'm not a bit superstitious. I don’t believe in charms etc any more than you do but I shall keep it with me & it will remind me of a dear little friend in sunny Capetown. Do you think that that sounds as if I needed a reminder? You know that

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the charm is not necessary, Don't you? It is true though that it will be a reminder. I've had a good few things given me & as I use them -- a pair of gloves, a holdall, a razor strop etc -- I often think of the givers.

Just as I wrote that I looked up & my eyes fell on a photo of Mrs King & my little one, Myee. I don't need any reminder of them but I carry it all the same.

Do you ever, Daisy, worry about life & its riddle. Hundreds have wondered & attempted to solve the riddle of the Universe & as I think of my life & especially of the last 7 years I too wonder & wonder. Will the mystery ever be solved

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of what is there beyond this life? I wonder. Do you, Daisy? As a youngster I used to enjoy climbing a hill & then lying on my back gazing away into space & wondering!! But we never get any further : Do we? What are your ideas of life & the hereafter? Too big a question to answer perhaps, but I should like to know some of your thoughts.

Now to return to more mundane things. Would you believe it last Saturday I journeyed to a township 20 miles away in order to play football. Fancy football in wartime & in a war area. Army commanders are more sensible now & the value of

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games in keeping men fit is recognised & when we are not in the trenches we encourage the men to play. The match was 1st Army Officers v N.Z. Officers. We had a very enjoyable game & won by 17 to nil. By the by -- are you fond of games?

We are right into the winter now. This week it has been snowing & there is about 6 inches of snow on the ground at present. We indulged in a bit of snowballing today. I suppose you have seen snow like this. It looks very beautiful & I wish I were allowed to have my camera here. I could get some great snapshots. Our troubles will come when

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it thaws - then we will have slush everywhere & creeks overflowing - sides of trenches falling in etc, etc.

Do you know I think I have written sufficient about myself except to add that I’m keeping tip-top & feel very fit & also please address my letters to 22513 Capt. HW King

2nd Auckland Battalion

N.Z.E.F. France.

Now, I wonder if there are any questions in your letters that need answering. You know a woman always asks questions.

Yours of 27/11/16

1st The journey Capetown to England took 26 days

2nd Yes some promises are made to be broken

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(3) Yes I can be cheeky (am fond of pretty cheeks) & I can be otherwise

(4) Your photo not yet received but I certainly shall tell you when it arrives whether it is like you

Yours of 12/12/16

(1) Photo not yet received. D--n those postal authorities

(2) Got to actual firing line on 16/11/16.

(3) Have not yet met Sgt Aaron

(4) Yes 'you tease' I have been to Auckland & it is 'tres bon'.

(5) Yes you mentioned that Mrs Stodel had charge of the Refreshment Stall (& two Quakeresses)

(6) Charm not yet received. I repeat most fervently the last portion of (1) above.

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Yours of 20/12/16

(1) I did enjoy my Xmas pudding. It came all the way from Chch

(2) 'You wretch'!! -- Yes I would like to join in the picnic to Camp Bay

(3) No I did not visit Milnerton (but I did visit Mt Smart)

(4) No your photo not yet arrived. This time I'm silent (silence can occasionally be more eloquent than words)

(5) No : you had not told me about landscape painting. Hope to see some of your work one of these days

(6) I am getting on O.K.

(7) Yes old Hun wants peace & he is going to get it some day

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(8) Have seen Flanders in winter only & I don't think much of it.

(9) Lyttelton is the chief port of Canterbury (frozen mutton). It is a small place -- uninviting & 8 miles from Chch by railway. Train takes 25 minutes to do the journey & passes through a tunnel 1 1/4 miles long

(10) I have not seen Lieut Good since 28/11/16.

Now young lady, I think that is one back on you. Next letter I write I shall ask questions.

I hope you will send me a snapshot of the little Quakeresses who look so angelic (I.D.T. either). So you

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think you will call me 'Your precious little Baby' when I get back to Cape Town. Just you look here Miss Five feet two -- I'm 5ft 8 1/2 in & I weight 13 stone so if you are going to adopt me you must have assistance. Perhaps Nannie will help you to look after me or do you think she will be kept busy with someone else -- Her 'good' little baby wouldn't require much attention. Daisy! You're on the downward path -- fancy winning 14/- at the races. Gee what a pity about that last race.

Oh, by the way, I’m going to ask a question. Your last three letters are here

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They began thus

27/11/16 Dear Kingi

12/12/16 My Dear Kingi

20/12/16 Dear Kingi

I suppose I must take that as a reprimand for not writing. Well you've sent me two letters today so you are 'my Dear Daisy' awfully familiar & all that 'bally kind of rot' but it sounds very nice.

However, excuse my nonsense. I am cheeky some times -- nonsensical at others & sometimes just natural.

Well girl I think I must ring off & get to byes. I am looking forward to getting that photo & will let you know as soon as it & the mascot arrive. I hope you

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all had a jolly time at Xmas & New Year – I do most sincerely wish I could have been there. I'm certain to have enjoyed it all but who knows -- the time may come again when I shall get to Capetown. By the by, is Capetown spelled Capetown or Cape Town?

Also, Daisy, please don't apologise for your scrawl. It is not a scrawl & even if it were it is nevertheless much appreciated. I'm not going to apologise for mine but you might correct any mistakes you see because I’m going to correct three of yours

Khaki not Kharki

Lyttelton not Littleton

Auckland not Aukland.

Now,

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You must not mind my doing that. I am always grateful to anyone who corrects any mistakes in my English. I've not yet met the person who didn't make mistakes & I have always considered it much kinder to correct anything rather than let it go on. Do you understand?

Please thank Nannie for her love. I shall write to her one of these days. I received both hers and your Xmas cards. They are very good & I thank you both for the wishes they convey. Please remember me to your mother & wish your sister success in 'Mr [Manhattan'?]. Was it the younger sister I met? How many questions is that?

Best wishes for 1917 & love to Nannie & yourself

From

Yours sincerely

(Signed) Kingi

P.S. Nil"