Somewhere in France
July 18, 1916

Dear Mother and dad

Arrived safe 'somewhere' after a pretty fair trip. We left South Hampton last Wed and arrived at [?] on Monday. It was rather tiresome for the boat but I guess the horses found it even more so than us on account of having to stand with full packs and equipment on for 48 hours. [I certainly gained more] We passed several large hospital ships on the way and also the largest ship in the world. The [?] I would like to tell you pages and pages about the trip but every time [I start] I bring in something that won't go. Its certainly a sudden change coming from England to France. Every Kid knows two words 'penny and biscuit' I suppose they have got it from other troops so expect them always. We landed at [?] and took the train to - then hitched up and came here- near two small French towns in a field near an old house which the Germans were driven out of not long ago, about three miles from where we landed. They shelled a town up the line last night and about three oclock this morning we could see the star shells. [?] and observation balloons are as thick as flies here. Coming up I passed Fred Mathison sitting on a fence. I guess had time to shake hands and ask for [Sid]. He was away with a fatigue [?] somewhere. They were in a farm house billeted.

Sunday Afternoon July 23

Changed camp a little closer to the front. It is a far better place. Troops seem to be able to take up any camp they like here. Every farm is or has been a camp and as soon as one has a camp on it the farm house is turned into a [?] and restaurant. The people are far more hospitable than in England but it takes a terrible lot of talking to make them understand even a few words. Being alone in a French town is nearly as bad as lost in the bush. The lay of the country seems to be about the same as Eng. A little town her and there and farms in between. The houses are nearly all straw thatched and aold fashioned and there are old dutch windmills with four long fans built on little houses all over. In any house ive been in the floors were cobble stone or flat stone in a lot of places the house and barn is combined like in Ireland only the barn is in front of the livingrooms. I wish you could see the bread. It's the best I ever tasted or saw. It is the pure stuff allright. Barley I guess it is. The loaves are about two by a foot and a half and when you get a piece it reminds you of a lumber yard but believe me its good. I haven't seen any water since ive been here. If you go into a restaurant and ask for tea or coffee they say you mean "bierre.' I am learning French fast. I guess it's the wrong way to learn French as you don't get the verbs and their different uses but you can soon make yourself understood. I'd like to let you know where I am but I guess its impossible for a while. All I can tell you is that we can hear the guns plainly and that we'll be with them shortly. Some gunners of each battery are there now and two have been killed. A police Sergant Jack Cameron and a fellow in the [?] battery. However everyone has a chance and farther than that we can't say.

Belguim
Monday July 24, 1916

Arrived here this afternoon after a route march of ten miles of more. We are now right into it. On the way up just on the border I met [McGinnis] (the eldest and he told me that his brother harry had a let blown off and was at [?] He was on his way back to the trenches. They got cut up two weeks ago. I suppose ill run across all the boys soon I don't know whether all ive said will go but I'll chance it. Got the box today it was great. Thanks to Mr.[?] for cigars. They couldn't be better. Don't send to much as I have to carry everything now as travel as light as possible. (A shell just dropped on a balloon shed in the next field here) all the old soldiers around said it was nothing and went on talking without noticing it but I though it was '[rather] close down you know'. Well ill write once a week if I can find enough news that doesn't concern the countries [?].

Love to all

Bert