No. 67.
France
9/4/18.

My dear Mater.

I have several of your letters now, also parcel containing honey, coffee, cookies, etc, all jake. Those little oat cakes were certainly fine, also the chocolate peanuts etc. Parcel arrived night before last and one of the other boys in the office got one too; needless to say I was sick all night. Miriam’s second parcel arrived last night, I am sending her a note to day. Three of our attached officers left for the line yesterday. Things have slackened up a bit, so I am not so busy. Was actually at a movie last night.

That money-order has not come thro yet, but will likely be quite a while coming thro the G.P.O.. The record office, apparently does not know I have left Eastbourne yet. I am not in need of it tho. We have been getting 45₣. per. month, or 25¢ per. day, but I hear it is to be cut to 30₣ or almost 20¢. per. day. The balance is held till we get leave, or really require it. Don’t be alarmed if you receive a cable from here or Blighty, as I may send one any time, and will certainly do so, as soon as I land in Blighty, on leave, or otherwise.

I will try to write Mir. a note some time to-day or to-night, glad she did so well on her exams. Of course Nert. will make out O.K.

Yes, I got the calendar, thanks, thought I mentioned it. I have it pasted onto my pen holder and it is certainly useful, being the only one in the office.

I see Seball did not get many votes overseas, of course I put mine for D.S.

My letter No 52 – 21/1/18. Seems to be the one that is missing, which is quite all right, as from then till the end of the month there was every reason for it. I don’t see however the one of the 25^th arrived, it must have had some experience. That nail I sent home was about all I could find of one of our buildings one morning about that time. That honey pail with the white sox came shortly after we arrived here, the handle was in the top. Since I have had another one. The votes were closed absolutely. In our case, I suppose most, the officers were strangers.

Those little tarts Hazel sent, were absolutely fresh and O.K. Of course, each one was well wrapped in a couple of waxed papers and all in a tin box, practically air tight.

Yes, I knew Bob Inch had come over. Dont suppose tho, that I will run across him. If he is lucky enough not to get napoo, he will soon be Captain again, if not Major.

I have had several packages of papers, Sat. Nigts, Free Pres, etc. Gert Bosworth is also good to me in that line and sends Toronto Sat. papers with “funnies” etc.

Exchange, is not so much. It is cheap, $1⁰⁰ is too much per 5₣ note. If 5⁰⁰ is sent from Canada, it is worth £1/–/10 in England and the £1/–/– is in turn worth 27.30₣. over here. Of course it does not amount to much on 5⁰⁰ but counts up on larger sums. I think my postal orders should be made payable at A.P.O. 4 France, and in English money, but the one thro A.P.O. London, will no doubt be along.

I think Floss, intends to continue in business for duration at any rate. She attended a night school for the winter and took stenography, book-keeping etc. It will be up to the girls to do a great deal more of this work, all the time. Carbine turned up O.K., I was afraid it went when your letter #52. went but not so.

I am not learning any French grammar, just a few phrases, that one naturally picks up. I would like to, but have not the time. We are pretty free from rats and mice. Have had one or two tho.

The package containing the new part of advocate has not yet arrived, but will be along.

Why yes, I remember Geo. Strong, very well, I had a little picture of him. Of course I don’t remember him tho. I knew Glady Whitely sister, Vera, quite well. I think I told you of Sister (Mrs. a widow) Whitely who was one of our originals. Her husband was related to the Dr. She was taken very ill after coming to France and the last I heard, was in Boulogne, I believe her trouble is like Uncle Richard bad-stomach. She will likely never leave France. No-one told me anything of Uncle Evans, Cousin Lexie said he had retired. What about it?

Had another letter from Walter Barnard and imagine he is further South now.

Glad you can lie in bed a little now. I lie in till eight or nine, two or three mornings a week – I Don’t think.

Yes, had Easter cards from Audrey and Mrs. Aldrich also Trinity.

It would be fine if Kim could buy the cottage, altho I though I would like it myself, if I ever stayed there.

Very likely Frank Waller is over now and I think the 5^th is a thing of the past.

Say! Mir. sent a comb of honey and it arrived in absolutely perfect condition, not even a dent in its surface.

Don’t worry about clothes. If I have an idea I will be up thro the night, I only take off puttees, shoes, tunic and cap – we usually have a pretty good idea at 9 P.M., if we have to get up. Then, when I do wear my pyjamas, it is over my underwear, we have to get out of bed and beat it for a dug-out and they are very cold so have to be warmly dressed and make some time getting there too. My present pyjamas will last a while at the present rate I guess. That [?] surely wears well. Don’t send any clothes at all, please. I have, or can get all I need and don’t want more than necessary to carry, because you never know when a move will come.

No Anne Wilson left us before we left Eastbourne. It seems to me, that I heard she had gone to N.Y. where her Father was very ill, or being operated on.

We have three chaplains. R.C., C of E., and non-conformist.

Must get to dinner.

Your loving son,
Worth.