Living in today's generation, communication is key. It's instant, it's constant, and it's necessary. Adults can constantly make jokes of how obediently teenagers will give their attention to a phone signaling a new text message, but to the teenagers of today, it's just how life is. The need for constant, easy, and instant communication is part of how we are growing up.
So naturally, considering the idea of being a soldier fighting in World War I is a regular nightmare. Their only means of communication with loved ones was through letters- and it was close to the farthest possible away from "instant." There would be unfathomable amounts of frustrations paired with such methods. In a letter Bill Appleyard writes to his mother on Sept 3rd 1942, his biggest concern is how much she is worrying about him. He assures her of his safety and comfort in the area he is in. But think about it. It took at least a week for the letter to get to him, and at least a week for it to go back to her. That's half a month spent fretting without any encouraging words heard from the other end. Appleyard also mentions that "in times when living under great strain, the letters bring hope." Imagine, stuck fighting for your country in the dessert, and because of such a slow method of communication- hope is delivered few and far between.
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