From: Witley Camp, Godalming
Surrey, Eng.
18 Mar. 1917

Dearest Mother -

Just another few lines to let you know all is well with me. I do hope my letters to you are not delayed and have been going regularly else you might be needlessly worrying. If I did not know that nobody was receiving any Canadian mail, I might be worried a little, but of course, it is just held up somewhere and one of these days we will likely be getting a big mail. For the last two weeks now, there has not been a bit and even then, it was only a small one. The last word I have had from you was received on Mar. 4 and written of Feb. 8 - a month and ten days ago. But, we may expect delays both ways maybe from now on. Yesterday - St. Patrick's Day, was a glorious day here. The sun was shining brightly and it was real warm. I walked to Godalming in afternoon and was actually sweating when I got there. There are some public baths there where one can get a dandy bath for 7d. The soldiers patronize it and it is usually hard to get one, but I had a good one yesterday. I also bought a couple of indelible pencils. Who knows but what it may have been my last chance to get to Godalming. My next letter may be written from somewhere else, I don't know.

Isn't the news from Front encouraging - fall of Bagdad, a few days ago - then fall of Bapaume and steady forward movement of allies. The rather absolute monarchy in Russia was a part of our alliance that didn't seem to quite fit and now it seems as tho without much bloodshed Russia is going to be able to have more democratic government. At any other time I suppose there would have been a bloody revolution. It is a forward step in Russia, much to be desired.

I suppose you will be having warmer weather by the time you get this. You will no doubt be glad that the hard cold winter you seem to have had is about over.

I don't suppose I can tell much about what batteries have already gone and how they go etc. From now on, I will not be able to tell much but, of course, shall try to write often. As far as clothes go, we carry very little more than what is on our backs. Our kitbags are stored away here and we merely take haversacks and you have an idea of how much they hold. We have a lot of equipment of course, blankets, bandoleer and ammunition, water bottle, mess tin, two gas helmets and a steel helmet, etc.

I haven't written to cousin Grace or Aunt Lettie lately so if you are writing to Harold & Cecil, you might let them know how I get along. Well this is all for this time. Very best of love. Even if we do go to France now, it will probably be for a couple months more training at a base.
Yours affectionately,
Gordon