I received your welcome letter at dinnertime today and was so pleased to get it and to learn that you were well and comfortable. I hope to get home on Saturday afternoon leaving here at 5 o'clock so will be home for tea, I am not sure yet. We might get inoculated on Sunday, in that case we will not get leave from Saturday till Monday. I am going to apply if we are not inoculated and if I get leave (Gavin has promised me to let me go) I will send you a wire on Saturday morning or early in the afternoon so arrange for someone to be at home for the wire. Captain Wardrop [23/12 Charles Lawrence Wardrop] told me to bring you & we will have afternoon tea with him. He is so good to me. He came over to me today and in front of all our Squad he spoke to me. Oh I have lots to tell you. I am so happy & popular and really dear (this is private) I am well liked and thought so much of by my mates and I am Section leader for Drill

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and the other[s] take their time from me. There will be good luck in you callin' me Corporal Norton. There is a great big chance for me for promotion and I will get it I am sure but don't say anything until I get my stripes. Gavin is 'top Dog' and if I can keep going as I have been doing I am right I know I will be a success. I know my work and only want practice and I will get on rapidly as there is a plenty of room for trained men. Dear will you ask Ada to knit a scarf for Bill Neuman? if she can it would be so much appreciated for night guard. I have not got any night work so far but it will come. Will you look up all my photos etc in connection with my launch.

And the Boys would like King's wife to bring out some cakes on Sunday! Don't bring fruit we get plenty. Only buns & cakes would be nice we are looking forward to them and I will meet you right along the fence and if I miss you you can easily find our tent. Will write tomorrow night

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This afternoon we went to bathe in the river and it was cold. The boys said if King went right in they would follow. So although it took a lot of courage I plunged in and swam across, there was only three others did it. There was 3000 men bathing and we did stir up the water. Can you let me have a dish towel on Saturday night? God bless you all. I am so glad you sleep so well.

best love from soldier daddy

I just love this life

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Write to me every day dear."