Aug. 5, (1916)

Dear Friend Lola,

Received yesterday with much pleasure and surprise, your most welcome parcel. I must add I am very much indebted to you for your interest in my welfare since I have been out there on active service for as you may surmise Lola a parcel means quite a lot to us boys these days you see it is quite a change to receive something from dear old Canada and I account especially thank you for that box of what do you call them? Sweeten dates. They were lovely, quite a change to the candy we get here, and the box also came in very handy. Well Lola, things have changed here very much indeed since I wrote you last. You will note by the papers that we are advancing every day since the big British Offensive started some weeks back and we are gaining ground and many prisoners have been taken both by the British & French. Also the Russians are having great success and are still going strong and I sincerely hope they continue for I am afraid this is the only way we will win the war but do not be in doubt as to who is going to win this war Lola; for I may state that if this big offensive continues another month and we manage to have the good fortune to have the luck we have throughout the war I think myself we will all be back in Toronto for Christmas.

Well Dear friend I trust you are enjoying the very best of health and I also hope that your Pa. & Ma. and Jennie are the same as for myself I have never felt better. I am almost burnt black with the sun for at times the sun will almost scorch the hide off one and the next day it is raining so you see we have very uncertain weather here. I went over to the 2nd Div. the other day and saw both my brothers. Alex is looking very well indeed and Henry is just about the same. I also saw the rest of the boys from Huttonville. They are all looking fine and standing the hardships fine. Oh boy Lola would you mind sending me Freds address please? I may be able to locate him providing he is not out of my area.

I have met quite a number of Brampton Boys here lately. It is surprising how one meets so many fellows out here. It would be the last place one would think of looking for them.

Now Lola I haven't much more to say at present being very busy as usual but please tell Jennie & Father, I would like to hear from them any time they have to spare.

Now I will close hoping this finds you all in the very best of good health.

I Remain Sincerely
Jack B.