Transcription

B. E. F.

France.

July 25, 18.[note missing]

My own Dearest Minnie

Just a few lines tonight dear to let you know I'm still well, and feeling fine. I should have written before but, I was sick for three days with that influenza so didn't feel very much like writing. I received long letters from you the other day, and was glad to hear you were still well, and having a fairly good time out at the Island. but I still wish the same old wish dearie, that I was back with you [go?] and we would have a lovely time, with a canoe and just you and I. Wouldn't it be lovely, to go and have a nice canoe trip tonight, instead of being down here in a dugout in the trenches writing this, but it won't be long now darling before the boys are back, and I'm living in hopes that this fighting will soon bring the end, as I don't see how they are going to keep it up much longer.

I like the pictures you sent, but I wish I was the soldier in the picture instead of the one that is there. but I know you would sooner have me out here than at home as a [coward?] wouldn't you dear. I saw in the Toronto paper that Jim Barton has been reported prisoner of war in Germany. I do hope its not true, as his people will worry so much about him, but I know the division he is in, has been in some tight holes this year, and perhaps he got taken there, but I hope he is safe in some hospital in England.

Well I wonder what you are doing tonight dear, I often wonder when I'm sitting down or doing something quiet, what the ones at home are doing especially at night when the guns are the only things that break the silence, and I often think too, darling one, of how happy we shall be some day D.V. and when we are together, and nothing to worry us, and I guess it is what Dad said in one of his letters, that he hoped I wouldn't be long now before I was back at home, and said to keep [trusting?] in the one [I love? alone?], and everything would come out alright. Well Minnie my darling one, I'm afraid there isn't more to say this time, so will have to close, trusting this reaches you safely and in the best of health as it leaves me. with heaps of love and Xs, from your loving and truest soldier lover.

Dudley

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