Envelope with two One-and-a-half-pence stamps Envelope and Headed Note Paper to match with the badge of 'Duchess of Albany's Sailors and Soldiers Home, Edinburgh Rd, Portsmouth December 13th 1915 Dear Mother, Just a few lines in return for your your welcome letter. Pleased to hear you received my clothes alright. I have had four double teeth drawn, so I shall be nearly toothless now. Saturday I was ashore, so had a good look round the town, and also the port. Had a good view of the Victory. I expect to go on board a training ship on Saturday, named the Dia-dem. Our company will finish squad drill on Thursday. I shall be a real "slavey" soon, and shall be able to do all your washing when I come home. We go to Church every day in the theatre. Shall soon be a fire-man am in the fire-escape's crew. I have got a real bad cold, can hardly speak some times, and have got cold in my gums. Do not base your thoughts on my coming home for Exmas, because I expect there will be no Exmas leave granted. If not I shall not come till I have finished training. Glad to hear you are all well, and that Dad thinks a bit about me. Will let you .. if any-thing different happens next week. Must close now, and go to barracks. Thanking you for the parcel, with best love to all, I remain, Your loving son Joe XXXXXX XXXXXX Joseph was born on 5th Feb 1896, his birth was registered at Hainton Lincs Certificate No C80937. Joseph was baptised 15th March 1896 at Hainton, Entry No 510. His was father was William Lee Smith and his mother Mary Ann nee ROSSINGTON. He was their eldest child. The family used LEE SMITH as their surname, I have envelopes addressed to them in this way, there was no hyphen. William Lee SMITH's mother was Hannah LEE, and LEE has been used as a middle christian name in the family right up to the present day. William's brother Bernard Joseph SMITH went to Canada, and LEE has been used as a middle Christian name over there as well. I have a very tattered postcard, date stamp is 30 November 1915 Portsmouth. Joe wrote;- Dear Mother, just a few lines to let you know I am getting on alright. Am sending my civil clothes to Claxby St; tomorrow, so inquire on Thursday. Got vaccinated today, and I expect having some more teeth out soon. With best love, Joe p.s. Am spent up J.W.Smith, 1K Mess, R.N. Barracks, Portsmouth