Item 01: Alan Keats Gordon letters to Nellie Clark, 18 August 1914-30 August 1916 - Page 272
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[Page 272]
I have got over all my nervousness from shell & rifle fire now, although today I, & the sergeant, were looking over a parapet, & a bullet came rather close, just skimmimg the parapet, in my hurry to duck out of the road, I hit him on the jaw, & of course he felt annoyed. We are a very happy family & as a small unit, we manage to live rather well. Our sleeping quarters are slightly cramped, two having to get into the one dug-out. We have to take it in turns, to turn over during the night, doing it by numbers, & sometimes a few lurid expressions. There is a break of twenty-four hours here, Nell, owing to a severe attack of my old, complaint, the result of high living. I did not know what to take for it until I remembered those pills Mum sent, two of which cured me in time to enjoy a good breakfast. It is rumoured that the French shook Fritz up down at Verdun,the other day & that he retreated seven miles. I have a book here I wanted to send you but find it hard to get away, The book is called, Fragments from France, by Bairnfather, & is really worth having. I think it costs about eighteen pence, & you would very likely get it from G & Gs that is if Dad has not all ready got it. This letter is short & sweet, but under the circs, could not very well be otherwise. Best of love to you & all at home from
Al.