(pen scribbling)
HIRAM: Of course the Germans have become interested in my gun.
Now around this time his Royal highness Albert Edward
Prince of Wales visited the Kaiser
when the conversation turned on arms
the prince asked the Kaiser if he had seen the Maxim gun
he said he had not.
But that he had heard alot about it.
Well now the Prince said that it really was a wonderful gun
and that it loaded and fired itself over 600 times a minute
from a single barrel by energy derived from the recoil.
As the gun was at Spandau only a short distance from Berlin
the Prince suggested that he and the Kaiser should go out and see it together
A day or two later when everything was ready
the Prince and the Kaiser visited Spandau
where elaborate preparations had been made
in the showing of all forms of machine guns.
One man advanced
took his seat on the trail of the Maxim gun
touched a button
and 333 cartridges went off in less than half a minute
all of the Maxim's projectiles were in the bullseye
and the hole at the centre of it had been shot away!
Now the Kaiser walked back
examined the gun and placing his finger on it said
(taps finger)
"That is the gun, there is no other!"
Since which time vast numbers of Maxim guns
have been acquired by both the German military and naval services.
JACK: 16th February.
Well, I shan't be bobbing home on leave for a bit.
Chaps wife wrote to say that married soldiers
are to have leave every 6 months.
In that case I shall be home for my birthday.
O I hope so.
Well I.. I think there is nothing else my chum.
Goodbye darling, your own Jack.
WIFE: 3 Sterling Street, Doncaster, England.
21st February 1918.
O Jack how glad I am that we've got in touch at last
made one begin to feel desperate.
Yes I think it takes about four days for your letters to reach me.
Busy morning boy, so will write after dinner and send by evening post
(kiss)
JACK: 26th February. I had your letter yesterday
nothing to get desperate about.
I can carry on my present job for the duration.
WIFE: Can't wait for this afternoon
I feel as if I must let a little steam off
I heard too that leave for married soldiers is to be every 6 months.
O boy its to intoxicating to think of.
Its so lovely to think that you will really get my letters now
it puts some heart into me.
JACK: Yes the leave is very nice but
I'm afraid that military contingencies will not allow it when the time comes.
O but lets hope they will.
WIFE: O Jack I have written and written, smiles and tears but
I feel jubilant this morning.
JACK: Well I don't see any necessity for tears, it should be all smiles
it is for me, and yes you've written letters and letters but
incidentally I haven't been to bad have I.
WIFE: O mother is very glad you're getting plenty of food.
JACK: O.
WIFE: She's been busy preparing pickles for when you come home
JACK: Bravo for the pickles! (both laugh)
WIFE: O we get what we need, the worst is standing for it.
Mother was an hour and a half getting suet this morning. (jack laughs)
O you'll know by Jacks letters thats he's in good spirits and going to school.
Peg too is merry and bright.
I think she has a daily practice at the trapezes down by the Shakespeare drinking fountain.
JACK: Tell Peg that daddy used to swing on the same bar when he was a boy. (wife laughs)
WIFE: O and she was taking off the market men last night (both laughing)
O you would have rocked with laughter Jack.
JACK: O I should very much liked to heard her taking off the market men.
WIFE: And then she was Jack's hoss.
(both continue to laugh)
Well it was a wet night and they had to give vent for their energies indoors.
I have a fire every night in the front room
and they play nightly in there, or knit or draw.
I will send off the diary tomorrow.
Goodbye till then.
Your own darling.
JACK: God bless you all.
Your sweetheart.