Transcription

March 4th 1917

My Own Darling Minnie.

It's now Sunday morning, another week has passed in the history of war, and a week since I wrote to you, I had intended writing on Wednesday, but darling owing to the unforeseen happening, I was kept busy for several days, as there was an awful amount of wounded and killed [redacted]¹ night, and no doubt you have read by now that a [redacted] suffered the brunt of the attack, but managed to get a bunch of prisoners, and our M.O. and I had the task of attending to the wounded Germans, who were captured, it wasn't a bad job, to some we get, and was the first bunch of prisoners I'd attended to for some time. However they all seemed to be happy they were in our hands, and I managed to get some souvenirs from them, and two who were badly wounded in the legs and back, tried to get their gold rings off their fingers for me, but they were too tightly on, and they really looked disappointed when they [illegible]2 me something in return for fixing their wounds. I also helped [illegible] and saw every thing they had, some had pictures of wives, sweethearts, kiddies, etc. and some were fine looking women too, and we let them keep all photo's and if we happened to pass one in the bay they would ask us for it. 

Poor fellows they were covered in mud from head to foot, and one told me it was like a mud hole, in the German trenches, after our big guns had done blowing them up, he also said that nothing could stand our artillery fire, which I could fully believe as we watched it effects so often. 

Now darling I must thank you for your letter, which come safely this week and was rather disappointed last Sunday when it didn't come but the following day brought it alright, and I think I read it over a dozen times, you ask me how I'd like to have you for a nurse, well darling you know I'd love to have you now, as a nurse or any thing else, and I'm sure you would get anyone well in a very short time, with that pretty smile, and loving way, one would have to be nearly dead if he couldn't get well in a few days, the trouble with me would be, I'd always be sick in bed if you were the nurse, however dear one, you will be more than a nurse to me some day, soon I hope and then darling we will make up for all our time we have been apart. 

The cooks have just called out (dinner up) so will finish this after I've partaken of the refreshing feed. 
 Here I am again we just had a mess tin of tea, all our bread was eaten at breakfast so we had a hard biscuit instead. won't I be glad to have a (decent Canadian Meal) D.C.M.) again, cooked by the girlie who is so anxiously waiting and longing for me to get back, I'm sure dearest, this army food has made me long more and more every day to be back again with you, and one thing I'm sure of, and that is, I won't be a fussy old man to suit, at least as regards to food, as we eat almost anything now mostly stew, I had a letter from mother the other day, and evidently they are expecting Ruth to get married this summer, as they said they were getting the house prepared, for Mauds Holiday and Olive coming home, mine also and Ruth's wedding, so I guess they will be kept rather busy. I would like to be home, in time for it all, but sometimes darling, I can't help thinking that it will be a little while longer before I'm back, and at others it seems only a short time to wait; however, there is one thing I'm sure of, that the truest little girl in the world, will meet me with open arms, when I do get back. 

What does she say about Andrews now, I suppose every little trouble has blown and she will soon be getting near the time for leaving, and getting things ready for the event, which I trust will be a happy one, and I only hope she marries a man who will return her love with his deepest affection. Of course darling dear, I've never seen him and haven't the slightest idea what he's like, and have often wondered why he went to the States, was it because he didn't want to do his bit for his country or is he an American, if he went, because of the war, and to get out of fighting, I hope they never get married, as the fellows who went away to fight are going to get the jobs that slackers are holding, but I hope he has some sensible reason for staying back, and letting others do his part. 

I received another parcel of papers from you which was very acceptable, as we were out of reading of all description and they passed several hours away. I also received a parcel of knit shirts, tooth brush, paste, and pr (pair) of socks, from a Mrs Slade Barker, in England, a person who I've never heard of before, but the shirts were very welcome, and have replenished the supply, so that is another letter I have to write today.

The weather is much brighter now, but still stays cold at night, we have to rustle some wood to keep us warm. Well my truest lover I think this is all for today but will write again on Wednesday to the only girl in the world I love, so good bye dearest, heaps of love and kisses ever your true³ soldier lover

Dudley.

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¹*Archivist note:* Two passages obscured by white redaction strips on the scan — marked [redacted]. Likely unit or place names withheld in the archive copy. 

² *Archivist note:* Two words lost to paper tears at left margin — lines reproduced with [illegible] where text is missing.

³ *Archivist note:* Two words at start of page crossed out in original ("and", "s