Transcription

(Somewhere in France)

142556.

1st Entrenching Batt:

1st Canadian Division

B.E.F. France 1916

My own darling Minnie

Oct 1st

Your ever welcome letter arrived safely to day, and dearie they are always as welcome as the flowers in May, and so cheerful too. I'll have to finish this with pencil as my ink has run out. 

Well girlie nothing very exciting has happened lately, except the Canadians have been in the thick fighting which no doubt you have seen by the papers, and I'm afraid that a lot of my old friends have been killed and wounded, some are I know for they weren't with their Batt. when they came out. of course dear one, I suppose it has to be, but I'm afraid there will be lots of sad hearts before this awful war is over. What made Agnes give you a lecture about writing oftener, did she think you were neglecting your soldier boy in France, I'm sure darling you have been everything to me, and I wouldn't know what to do if ever I was to loose [sic] you and girlie dear, I'm still looking forward as much as ever, to the day when I'm in your loving arms again, which I hope won't be very long now as I know from actual experience that the Germans are sick of this war and I could write lots of the things that have happened since being here, but I'm afraid it wouldn't sound very cheerful if I did, so I'll save it till I get back and we'll be able to talk for hours when I get back, in the little room or over at the Island. 

I'm afraid me being away has spoilt your holidays this year but when I get back, will make up for it, won't we dear (eh), I guess I'll have to wish you many happy returns of the day as your birthday will be nearly due when this letter reaches you, won't it dearest and may you have every comfort and happiness, and enjoy each year a brighter and lasting pleasure, from every thing you do, or undertake. I'm afraid love, it’s impossible to send anything for you yet, as you can realize that nothing is obtainable up here. So I can only assure you of the deepest and truest love and every good wish, that your [sic] worthy of having. And may God spare both of us, to enjoy life together, as that is all we get to look forward to. 

Please darling don't take this letter in an uncheerful way but I just feel as tho I must tell you every [thing] my head contains in regards to you which is practically everything since we parted. I had a letter from Dad today, and they are getting on fine, out at Oakville, and have had lovely weather. I'm glad to say the weather has been fine here, but we get an occasional rainy day, and it gets rather cold at night. but we have been given blankets which make it warm. I have been rather busy this week as there has been working parties out every day and night and I'm sent on the most important ones, that is the ones that are nearest to the firing line, we often go up within rifle and machine gun range, and are shelled pretty often, but they haven't done me any harm so far, and I don't think they will if I can help it, as I want to be able to answer that question (What did you do in the big war daddy) some day, what do you say.

Eric Gooderham wasn't at the front very long, before he got sent home was he, I was talking to a driver of one of the big motor trucks while taking stuff up to the trenches the other night, he used to drive for old Mr. Gooderham so you may be sure we had a long talk together as he knew most of the fellows that I knew in Toronto. Suppose Ontario is really dry at last but I often wonder if it will make any difference to some people. I suppose a large [mass?] will be thrown out of jobs but there should be lots of work in the city now that so many men have left for the army, 

I'm looking forward to some more Toronto papers, as they are always interesting here. Well Minnie dear, there isn't any more to say and I'm afraid you will get tired of reading, so will close with heaps of love, and battalions of kisses from your Everloving and always true

Dudley xxxxxxx

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