On two sheets of notepaper headed with crossed Union Jacks R.N.B. Portsmouth Sunday .... no date Dear Mother, Just a few lines to let you know I received your letter. It is a nice day here for once, the .... is sharp like a frost. There was a fire in the dockyard this morning. The men of the first and third divisions had to go, when the duty divisional call sounded. A cook's mate got tired of living, so he hung himself in the lavatory one night last week. A young fellow who passed the doctor the same day as I, and travelled here with me, was on the H.M.S. King Edward VIII he had only just got aboard when she struck a mine. Ten men were swept away by the sea, all the rest were saved. He is back again in barracks. There seems to be several patriotic people around home yet. Sorry to hear you have got a bad cold. Mine is a lot better bar my throat is sore. I got a box of Peps, they did my cold good. I have not managed to swim very well yet. but hope to do so soon. We had a pork, potatoes, cabbage and custard and figs. All my pals tell me that I am getting fat all the better (something doing). Hope Dad is keeping straight, and tell him to remember me to J Harrison. Well, I cannot think of anything else to write. Hoping you are all well and better, I remain Your Loving Son, Joe. XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX p.s. Have not got my photo yet. Tell Baby, Joe is (Some Sailor) now. Baby was Marjorie my mother b 6 Sept 1913 Osgodby, Lincs I am still typing these letters as they are written