Transcription
SomeWhere [crossed out: In Belgium]
Aug 20/16
Dear Mother --
Just a few lines to let you know we are all well, hoping you are all the same. Did you receive my letter written shortly after we arrived in France! Stopped in France a few days, and then came right through to Belgium. France + Belg. [abbreviated: Belgium] are more like Canada than England, the crops being splendid.
You already know that they are very particular about any information given, making it hard what to say. The airships are continually flying over our heads, it is certainly great to see how they can handle them, quite often shells are to be seen bursting all around one, from a distance they seem close, but they
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possibly be very close, when not doing any harm. It is said the Germans are very done out on this front, but are causing quite an excitment yet. Our camp is surrounded by Belgium crops and houses, the Belgians are somewhat like the French, except for their round face. I forgot to tell in my other letter of receiving a cake when in Bramshott, but didn't know whether it was from you or Clystal, anyway the box was all broken up together with the cake, but we certainly enjoyed it. One thing missing most now is money not being paid for about a month + and only getting one franc or twenty cents per day. Some of the other fellows have gotten word of different parcels which were sent, but haven't received them yet, a parcel mostly takes about a week longer than a letter.
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The other evening we were very much surprised in seeing Roy Tubman and Tom Touchette, a son of Mrs. Rob Hills. Toy looks fine, he has been over here ten months, and says has certainly been very lucky, having some close calls, Touchette knew quite a few of the boys on account of coming over in the 77th draft. I haven't yet got a envolope [spelling error: envelope] for this letter, which is a very scarce article here. The Germans seem to know every move, having up on a sign board ""Welcome 73rd"". The British artillery seems to be landing over the shells much thicker than the Germans. We were told Alvin Danby was quite close to our camp but first moved away a day
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we came in. How is Pa and George getting along at the harveset, I suppose they have it almost finished by this time. I guess George and Irene throws on while Eva moves back. You will want to get Clystal up for the potatoe [spelling error: potato] season.
How is the 207th getting along recruiting, I don't think Channon Hall would be able to stand it over here. We feel very bad for poor Arthur being separated from us, but the last time I saw him was in Bramshott, he was then looking fine, it is said their quarters is about a mile over from us. One companion we always have is our gas helmet, in fact we carry two all the time. School will soon be starting again, George will want to start as soon as possible.
Best Love To All
Sefton
P.S. Same add.
To Army P.D. London. Eng.Language
English
