Private Walter Gale, Army Cyclist

I am getting on much better and feel much better in myself. I think I must have got some gas as I was so sick when I got down here and could eat nothing for four days. The Germans are using it in their shells. I was Brigade orderly and had been up to the trenches twice before I was hit. Of course I was wearing a pack over my mouth, but it was only one that I had made myself. The Brigade Headquarters was only about 150 yards from the trenches, it being what was left of an old farm house. The Germans must have known it was being used for something for they were shelling it the whole of the time and it was there that I received my souvenir. Well I was very lucky, for from the size of the piece of shell, it was high explosive, it looks as if it must have killed me. I have got the piece and will try and send it home, as I am not expecting to get home now. My wound is going on all right. Well, I don’t see how anyone would have know before you at home that U was wounded, as I was hit on Sunday the 9th, and wrote you first. There was a small parcel for me yesterday and the Corporal brought the mails up and left it in his hut, but someone had more right to it than I, so he pinched it, and I don’t know who it was from. Parcels with money should be registered. It is a great mistake to write “Cigarettes” or “Chocolate” on a parcel as they are often taken out when they reach this end. I don’t know what became of the other parcel you sent. We are in huts here, four in each hut, they are very nice too. Please remember me to all friends at home.