I am an Irish boy 9 years of age and I want to go to the front I can ride jolley quick on my bycycle and would go as despatch ridder I wouldint let the germans get it. I am a good shot with a revolver and would kill a good vue of the germans. I am very strong and often win a fight with lads twice as big as mysels. I want a uneform and a revolver and will give a good acount of myself. Pleese send an anencer
Yours affectionately Alfie Knight
Alfi e received a reply from the War Offi ce thanking him for his letter, but informing him that he was not quite yet old enough to go to the front as a dispatch rider (a messenger who delivered urgent messages between command headquarters and the fi ghting army).
Proof-reading
You are already familiar with the Proof-Reading Wheel and should be very familiar with using it for all your writing work. With it in mind, proof-read and rewrite Alfi e’s letter.
1. Add a date underneath the address. You can use 10 December 1914. 2. Divide the letter into two paragraphs. 3. Correct the spellings and add punctuation and capital letters where needed.
Do not change Alfi e’s words or sentences, as that will alter what it is he is saying and take away from his personal style. Rather, just proof-read the letter and tidy it up.