Transcription
France
Mar. 22nd. 1917
Dear Mother:
Just a few lines to let you know everything is OK, have received quite few parcels from home the last two weeks, but have not been getting letters, none of the lads in fact have got of late, I think there was a mail boat sank, also got a letter [crossed out: from] + parcel from Lizzie Boyd some time ago.
We have been in the trenches for some time, I therefore have had no [spelling error: not] much chance of writing, I suppose you have been expecting a letter, for it is about two weeks since I wrote, but sent you a field card or what we
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call a whizz bang over here. I guess there is plenty of snow in Canada yet, as I remember there was this time last year, am now about a year enlisted, + am in France coming eight months. At present we are in the support line, there being 24 men in a small dug-out so you have a slight idea how hard it is to write. There is talk of us going out after a few days more in the front line, but I don't know whether we will get divisional rest, which we have been expecting for this long time.
While in this line we do working
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parties, you have no idea how much there is to be done in the line of bringing up ammunition, supplies + material needed for the repairing of trenches, dug-outs, + also for tunneling or mining.
The weather lately has been very changeable, of course it always is over in this country, some days it will be raining a hour after [Crossed out: it] the sun will be shinning, while the following day it may be snowing. There is now great talk of peace suppose you have seen by the papers about the great advancing which is going on all along
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the line, especially on the Somme, I hope all the reports are true, but a great many of these reports are exaggerated. Ervie is doing fine, had a letter from Earl quite awhile ago, he was then getting his sick leave + thought he would soon be coming back. I also got a parcel from the Womens Club Ottawa, sent by Maggie Garland, it contained a pair sock + alot alot of other useful articles. Did you get the letter that mentioned about sending money. I think I have got all your parcels but they only last a few minutes as you have to share with all the lads. + money would
last a little longer, are the 207th. still in Amherst? got a letter from Clissee about two weeks ago she was then fine. Well you will have to excuse my short letter + form.
With Love To All.
Sefton Stewart.Language
English