France
April 6, 1917

Dear Violet:

I started this letter some time ago as you can see by the date on the other but as we just came out of the trenches about [censored] and I want to tell you about this last trip. It was about the longest I have yet experienced. We were on duty about [censored] that is straight too and the mud was terrible. Our platoon feels pretty blue as we lost the best officer that ever came to France. He was a real hero. And quite a bit of boys from the [censored] are gone either to Blighty or across the great divide. I guess you have heard me speak of Roy Howells he is on his way to Blighty right now, shrapnel in both arms. You see it was this way they call for Volunteers to make a bombing raid at [censored] in the morning. I was one of the fortunate ones that came back unhurt except for having my clothes badly torn by barb wire. This is about all I will be able to tell you. We were paid today 15 Francs and had a bath.

Love to all at home
Jay