Transcription

(Somewhere in France)

142556.

1st Entrenching Batt.

1st Canadian Division

France

Sept 18 1916

My Dearest Minnie

Just a few lines as its now Saturday afternoon and a short holiday. There has nothing seriously happened since I wrote last a few days ago, except a lot of the fellows have gone away again to join some battalion in the trenches. The weather is turning colder now and its been raining on and off for the last few days, but we are in good billits [sic] and don't mind the wet so much as we did. 

I often try and picture you in Toronto, and how I'd like to call around some time and surprise you, I don't think I'd ever leave there again, but dearie I hope it won't be long before I'm back to stay, I haven't received that letter of Agnes' yet or the one with the snaps in, but every day I anxiously watch for the mail. 

I heard from Maud yesterday, she said they had a lovely time when you and Bertha went down home, how I'd of loved to have been there, but must look forward to next year if possible. I saw most of the old 76th boys yesterday as they were moving their billits [sic], and they all looked well, but rather rough, as we all get that way out here, shave every three days, never clean our buttons or brass, so I'm afraid I'd look rather tough myself if you could see me some times, but darling, our hearts are always with the loved one, and the ones at home, so it doesn't matter what one really looks like here does it birdie (eh) Well I can't think of more to say just now but will be writing again soon so good bye dearest with fondest love and kisses from your ever loving and true

Dudley xxxxxxxxxx