Same address
May 2/17

My Dear Betty:-

Just another few lines this week, you ought to be getting a regular pile of letters - cards etc at once, I have mailed 2 lots of cards each to the children & one to you (unless I enclosed yours in one of the kiddies) I have also written one letter & mailed a small parcel which I hope you will enjoy - two small books - "gems from Tennyson" & a "Biography of Tenneyson" enclosed also you will find two bits of German Zeppelin - which Lieut Robinson V.C. now a prisoner in Germany, sent in flames to the ground = one is only a very small piece inside one of the books, the other is larger, it is quite a curio & such pieces are very scarce.

I received your parcel O.K. on Sunday morning & am enjoying the contents very much - my, its good to get a taste of the old home cooking - to know that your hands have made it etc, etc, it is quite a treat too to get the Canadian tobacco - I would not send any more tea or cocoa dear, we can't get sugar anyway for the cocoa, & I wouldn't bother sending any - a few eats like shortcake once in a while with a tin of tobacco will be alright. You will have received the transfer for $125.ºº I hope ere this.

I have sent all my surplus baggage to Rose to keep for me until I am ready to return to Canada - but if anything should happen I am telling her to forward the things (excepting, under-clothing socks & boots) to you, there are a number of small things & a pair of brown leather leggings - a waterproof or rubber coat & a new suit of Uniform also my cane, the one I bought at Dingwall's much the worse for wear now. Well I am still in England, though I am ready whenever they like to send me, to go to France even though I were to go as a private - One hardly knows what to think about the war sometimes we feel very optimistic about it ending this fall then again one thinks that it is likely to last another year or two. The Submarine Question is a serious one just now but we feel confident that we shall solve the problem in the end. I only wish that some of our Canadian slackers could see something of conditions over here & be made to realize that in keeping themselves back - they are holding back the day of final victory, & consequently adding to the hardships & suffering of the soldiers & people here & in France. There comes into my mind in this regard, an epitaph inscribed on a soldier's tomb in Greyshott church yard, it impressed me very much, & I took a snapshot of the grave etc, which I know you will be very interested to have if it comes out well, = He was only a boy just 18 yrs - a sub-lieutenant, & curiously enough, he had belonged my own old regiment, the 65th 1st York & Lancasters. I'll give you the description of the shaft, & the inscription upon the foot of the grave = A white marble cross - hanging over the arms of he cross, his Sam Browne belt & sword, his cap hanging on one arm of the cross also, & at the bottom the crest of the old regiment. The inscription as follows.
In loving memory of Arthur Cyril - 2nd Lieut 1st York & Lancaster Regt. 2nd son of Sir John & Lady Brickwood. Died in the military Hospital Boulogne - After being 7 times in the trenches; aged 18 years. "One crowded hour of glorious life Is worth an age without a name." And is that not true? Oh, if only the young stay-at-homes in Canada could be made to realize that. Tell Shirley & Billy about the heroic young soldier boy - sleeping now in the quiet corner of an old country English church yard - his grave shaded by the old yew tree & weeping willow, while on his breast there lies an unfading wreath of laurel emblem of the deathless mame which his noble sacrifice has won & that fuller - larger life, which always springs from the life laid down = He & all such have died that others might live & in living be free & tell them also, it was & is for this that Daddy left his dearest - his wife, & kiddies, & also that it was for this that you their Mother was willing to have him go. But there I am wandering again. You will be interested as well as pleased to know that I have got the entrè into several splendid old homes, & once or twice in the week get a glimpse & taste of civilization - I have told you about Lady Tollemacke, I have a standing invitation there & last evening I spent at another aristocratic home - a Lady Buley, & met others who have extended invitations so that as long as I stay here, thing's will not be so bad from now on.

Don't bother about pyjamas, one never knows when they might be moving, & I could not take them to France, I still have the others, the little flowers I am enclosing are "the first primrose", & the first "daisy" I found, tell Shirley & Billy that I hear the "cuckoo" also every night.

Well "good night" dearest, fondest love & many kisses to yourself & my kiddies

Yours lovingly & longingly

Daddy

Betty xxxxxxxx
Shirley xxxxxxxxxx
Billy xxxxxxxxxxx