France
Dec.31.17

Dear Mrs.Fargey,

I just thought I would just write you a few lines telling you some-thing of our life in France. I have received the papers that you sent alright. They are very interesting indeed especially when in the trenches. I have been getting a great many letters and parcels these days [?] [?] because it is Christmas and New Year's time.

We have been having some fine weather lately. Have had quite a snow-fall which has made it more or less drier than before when it raining all the time. The grass is till as green as ever peeping out here and there from under the snow blanket. It is exceptional here when it is freezing, in fact, it never goes much before freezing point. It is a good thing we have not got the Canadian winters here because it would be terrible in the trenches especially when it thawed.

I am so glad that Mr.Pringle wrote to you about Jim's grave. He is certainly a new man. All the boys just love him. He comes night into the trenches with us and reads out of the "little Book" words simple and concise of God and about Jesus Christ who came into the world to save us. I shall never never forget poor Jim. He was a good lad with a splendid character and a perfect hero. David Matthews another good man has now gone too but they are in a land for better than this where there is no war. It is hard for us over here where men are killed every day to imagine the pain and distress this war is coming to our dear ones at home. We are no hardened that we think so little of it, but we cannot help it because we would ever be mourning the losses but chaplain are daily finding amusements of different kinds to keep us cheery. This is an awful life in a way, what with the drudgerous marches we have and the discomforts in the trenches and so on. Remember, Mrs Fargey, that if you want anything done out here for you in the way of looking up friends and or getting information of the whereabouts of anyone I shall do all in my power to find out. Iam going to see Jim's grave the first opportunity I get. There is a special society in France to keep soldiers graves tidy so I have no doubt that all the cemetaries where Jim's body is are will kepted. Remember, I am only too glad to do anything for you or for anyone else in Belomont or elsewhere. I am expecting in chance before many months to get home and see you all again but I shall have to come night back. I hope this war is going to be over before long so that we can go home to stay. You have some idea what a great and glorious day that will be for the world.

Well, I think that I have said about enough for now. With best wishes to all for a Happy New Year.

Your very sincerely
Leslie D.Smith