This is Fred’s letter to Polly, his mum. It was written on the eve of the May 8, 1915 offensive and signed with the words I’m going to do my duty gladly. Fred survived both the offensive and the war and the regimental padre kept the letters, unopened.
In the note, Fred mentions a papal blessing. He may be referring to Pope Benedict XV’s Allorché fummo chiamati which was issued on 28 July 1915.