France
Nov 1/18

My Dear Auntie

I was so very pleased to get your very kind & interesting letter of Sept 20/18.

I just returned to France this week after having a few days leave in "Blighty" needless to say I enjoyed myself [?] & met very many old friends. Many Chums from my unit who had been sent there wounded I was very pleased to hear that Merville & Herbert like the army life. I do hope they may never have to come to France although conditions are very much easier out here than we have ever known them mainly due I suppose to the large numbers of American boys now out here & we shall always remember with the keenest gratitude "Americas" great effort at such a critical time for us.

Kindly convey to "Merville" & "Herberts" Auntie my very kindest regards & wishes whom one day I sincerely hope I shall soon meet.

Thank you very much for your birthday greetings you are always so very thoughtful.

Conditions in England are very much better than I expected to find them I could always have plenty to eat without the slightest trouble. I had the opportunity of meeting quite a number of American editors in Britain as a chum of mine was responsible for their tours & accommodations both in Britain & France. The weather is continuing very good which makes things considerably more comfortable for all.

Father Violet & Bill where all quite well in there last letters, they write me very frequently & I cannot possibly tell you how pleased & proud I am of them Auntie.

I shall never forget the experience of first meeting these poor "French" people who have lived so long under the Germans. nothing we have read has been exaggerated about their harsh & cruel treatment & they are just like released slaves in their effusive gratitude to us. The "Huns" took every single head of live stock even chickens & burnt many homes & their crops. This treatment has made us all feel very bitter towards the "Huns".

Well Auntie it is getting late again & I am much afraid I shall have to close again. With Kindest Love Regards & Wishes to Uncle Henry, Edith, Daisy & all the others.

Your Ever Devoted Nephew
Arthur