Transcription

Some where in Belgium.

No 142556.

1st Entrenching Batt.

1st Canadian Division.

France. August. 19

My own dearest Minnie,

Your two welcome letters came safely this week, and was so pleased to get them. Am glad you are having such a nice holiday, but expect you have it rather too hot, for to go around very much. But I hope to be back again before you go on your holidays next year. You said that we ought to think ourselves lucky we didn't have it so hot in England, well dear, it was hot enough there but when we got to France it was twice as hot, and our clothes just got soaked with perspiration but its not so hot here now, and it's been raining hard for two days now on and off, and there is lots of mud to paddle around in. 

I had a letter from Bella yesterday and they were expecting you down there for a few days but I guess the house is quite different now, than when you and I were there last, dear, but just try and think of when we will be there again. Measles seem to be a pretty frequent complaint these days, but it's not very harmful thank goodness. 

I suppose dearie you would like to know how we live here, well as regards to our sleeping quarters, we have a hut about the size of a large room, and eight of us sleep there. Then in the day time when it's not raining another fellow and myself get a fire going, fry potatoes, bully beef, onions, etc. and live pretty good, but some fruit cake you spoke about would go lovely as dessert, as we tried to make a (custard) one day but (Oh) I wish you could have seen it, it was absolutely rotten, from our point of view, but we get the other stuff cooked to perfection, and when I get back (if) you don't cook the dinner right I'll be able to go out to the wood pile and cook my own, sounds sort of independant, but anything will suit me then, and some of that peach pie, you used to give me would come in handy just now, altho we have lots to eat. 

The reports we get about that Borden Camp, are not very good, and don't show much soldierly spirit of the fellows there, altho it might be worse than we know, but they will know what rationing is when they get in England, and especially over here. 

Your brother's two children seem to be pretty lively and full of tricks, but I guess we did the same when we were kids, so I suppose it's only natural for them to do the same. 

What makes you think I'm thinner¹ dear, I didnt think it was noticeable but I guess the hot weather and work made me a little thinner but I'm just as fat as ever or just the same, and when I weighed myself at Reading I weighed 175 lbs. which is pretty good, dear, but darling you mustnt worry so much, and you will gain too. of course I know its harder for you at home than us fellows here but dear do try and look on the bright side of it.

I'm anxiously waiting for those snaps you had taken and hope they come soon. Well dear I'll finish this after dinner. I've just had dinner so will try and finish this letter. I'm in hopes of it drying up in time for a baseball game this afternoon, but I hardly think it will. We often play hill with the Germans sending shells over which drop in the fields near us, but none have stopped us playing yet, and we often play nearly every afternoon. 

Well Min dear, I'm going to thank you in advance for the parcels you are  sending, and will make up for them when I get back, will have to close now, as I want to have a little sleep before we go out to the trenches to work tonight.

I'm still with the red cross but have to go up in case of any one getting hit, so good bye dearest with heaps of love and kisses from yours everloving and true

XXXXXXXX Dudley2 XXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

¹  *Archivist note:* Writer's page number "2" appears at top of this sheet; physical scan is page 4 of six sides in file group. 

²  *Archivist note:* Writer's page number "5" appears at top of this sheet. Signature embedded among x marks as written.