Harrogate Herald - 6th January 1915

Private H West, [Henry West, 64 The Avenue, Starbeck] of the Royal Army Medical Corps, at Boulogne, writing to his mother at The Avenue, Starbeck, says : 

Dear Mother, Just a line to let you know how things are progressing. I had one of the nicest Christmas dinners a man could sit down to, and, of course, I have a cake of my own. I got as much on my plate as three men could have eaten. It was a proper feast, and we had it in a big wooden hut all decorated with a lot of streamers and different things; plenty of beer, lemonade, and cigarettes. I have got Princess Mary's present, pipe, tobacco, and cigarettes; there is a small photo with her signature on in the cigarettes, and I also have got the King's Xmas card, with the King and Queen's portrait, and a message written on the back of the card. Well, I get the other parcel you sent off with the mittens and cigarettes in, so I think I have got all I want now, mother; you need not bother to send me anything more, as I am well stocked out with writing material and things. I may send the card I got and the Royal presents on home later for you to keep, but I have not time to pack them up, and they might not get home if I send them. Well, I expect you will have had a good time as it was possible this Xmas. I hope we shall all have a better one next year though. I got the "Sunday Chronicle", "Sports Echo", and "The News of the World" this week, so I have plenty of reading at present. Has our Tom West been home for Xmas? I suppose you will have had a few of them over. It would be a nice change. They don't keep Xmas much in France. I think they have their celebrations at Easter, but I am not sure. Well, I must close this time, wishing you all a happy and prosperous New Year and heaps of good luck. I remain, your loving son, Harry.