251600 Sgt. Sidney Taylor British Army 7th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment from:Lees Road, Oldham, Lancashire This is a letter from Sidney Taylor aged 27 to his niece Hilda who lived with her grandparents (Sid's parents) in Oldham. Hilda's parents were in Russia, her father a manager of a cotton mill, part of an expat community.
Sjt S Taylor. No 36656
7th East Lancashire Regt 30th I. B. D.
Wednesday 31/1/1917 A.P.O. S 17
B. E. F.
France My dear Hilda,
Ever so many thanks for your long interesting and welcome letter to hand this morning. It seems to have taken it a long time to get here. You see I got the second parcel before the other. That came to hand yesterday afternoon and the first parcel I got on Sunday. Thanks so much for the chocolate and the chocolate in Lily,s box (which you put in) and the P. It really is so nice and thoughtful of you and Amy to keep sending me these things of course you know I really appreciate them and I'm afraid I cannot repay you much from here for all your kindness but we'll have a jolly good time when I get back to dear Old Blighty won't we?
You say you expect I should be tired of reading your long letter before I got to the end of it but your letter was most welcome, amusing and interesting, I could have read another eight pages with enjoyment. I can just picture Amy relating the story of the Scotch soldier I'm sure she would have a shock its a wonder she isn't cross eyed with that. It reminds me of the cheap jokes you bought once at a Christmas Party (St James) they too had some reference to stomachs but it was inside that time and not out eh? Trust the same old Amy.
You say your father has been contributing to the Petrograd collection for Christmas Puddings for Tommies in France. Well Hilda we had Christmas puddings on Christmas Day, so perhaps those which were sent were some of the ones which your daddy has helped to pay for.
I'm glad all your teeth fillings are completed now and I�ll bet you 'are glad also its an awfully "nice" procedure I know especially when there is any gold work to be done. I should like to see what sort of work Barlow has made of it. I suppose they are very nice - I should like to see them.
I'm sorry you had such a cold and I guess Woodhead's negligence wouldn't improve matters. I can quite imagine the reception he would receive when Grandma got on the trail.
I'm sure your father and mother will be so glad to hear about your 'being confirmed. Yes Hilda I too hope I shall be home for that time.
So you didn't hang your stocking up at Christmas but had all your presents beforehand. You seem to have done pretty well. I didn't hang mine up either Hilda. I had to depend upon the postman for my Santa Clause. I bet you had a good time at the Conservative Club Party. Do you ......... for you to bring you home? Well I hope I'll be in Blighty next year to do the 'same eh?
Well! it is ever so much warmer today. It was snowing here yesterday but it was the dry stuff like you had in Russia and not at all inconveniencing. Sent a card yesterday to Grandma for her birthday and also a small parcel (neg interest) so you must look out for them. Thank them all for contents of both parcels please. I will write to Annie perhaps tomorrow. Tell Grandma I also recd her letter & 10/- note with yours this morning.
So Noel called for my address eh? Did he know I had left England? I have often wondered about him but have not written to anyone at Dr. Marsden's for about six months so I guess Ernest Barlow (dentist) would tell them. Well Hilda I don't think I have much more today I shall be glad to hear from you have time.
I remain
your loving Uncle
Sidney
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