Letters from George Alexander Hugh Murray to his family, 1917 - Part 15

I have absolutely nothing to say I am quite well & as
for as known Les is the same
Will I must close so Au Revoir      
your loving Brother
George
[*A Preedy?*]

France
18-12-1917
All at home
It is now some time since I had a line
from you but the chaps in the company may be
holding them for me until I get back which will
not be till after Xmas for I have this school on
21^st & go by train to a Reinforcement camp till
the Battalion comes back from the forward area
so this year I will miss all the comfort funds
from Australia and the place I am to go to is
well out of the way so cannot hope for a good
feed like the last one.
The officers school starts in England the first week
in the New Year, and I may be lucky and get
across but there are more ahead of me ones
that have just come over, never been in the line
but have yards & yards of references from people
at home. That's the thing that gets the biggest dope
along, but not for mine, if I could not earn
promotion by fair means I would gladly go with
out it but it hurts very much when you
see men getting pips but asked to instruct men
in army tactical exercises, they would not have
the slightest idea about it. Some do not hardly
know right hand from left
Sunday last there was a very heavy fall of

2
snow and we put in two hours snow balling each
other. After that we had to drill in it. During the
night every thing was frozen hard & fast & a
lovely sight it is & it may remain like it
is for weeks to come. Before this time last year
there was snow & rain in [[?gales] but that winter
was considered the worst on record for about
thirty years
I had a letter from Les a few days ago. He was
quite well and in Belgium when writing. He was
telling me about the narrow escape he had. Got
blown up with a shell along with some of his
mates but none were wounded.
I have not seen Les for a long time. In
fact not since before I went on leave to
England. We always seem to miss each other
like we used to do.
Will I cannot think of any more to say so l will
close hoping you are all well as it leaves me at
present.
With fondest love from your
loving brother.
George xxx

Y.M.C.A 

On Active Service
WITH THE BRITISH
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Y.M.C.A.
France
31 -12-1917
All at home
I have not received any mail for
a long time in fact no one has. No Xmas
parcels up to date. They may be held back
until the unit goes further back.
It is terribly cold weather here now I can
hardly hold this pencil, but so far it is not
so severe as last year
This is the last day in the old year. Tomorrow
A starts a new one with dangers unknown
but they have to be faced.
I am back again from the school. It look
me three days to find the Batt. No one
seemed to know where It it was.
When I got back I had to answer
for the letter that Dad wrote to the 
Military. I had to give an explanation
for writing it. I do not know how it

Y.M.C.A 

On Active Service
WITH THE BRITISH
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Y.M.C.A.
will succeed & what may arise from it
but I think there will be some further 
trouble for me.
The conscription has gone wrong again.
This time I thought there would be a

big majority of Yes, but so far it is
the other way. If it fails this time
it more than likely means the
cutting up of a division which has
made its name however all over
France & is talked about even in
England.
I have to go on Parade now so I must close.
I had a letter from Les a few days &
he was then quite well.
Au Revoir
Your loving Brother
George