Somewhere in France

July 3, 1917

Dear Lillian,

Your letter of May 28th received to-day. I certainly was surprised to hear from you. also had a letter from Hadden the other day which also rather surprized me but as you say this world is not so very large after all.

If your writing and the run of your letters is anything to go by you certainly are a changed girl since you left Halburt and by what you say of Dur[?] didn't think you remember me very well you say he is tall like I was wish I could say I was rather, Bruce Ray and [?] are all taller than I am. I am what you would call the runt and also weigh the least so you see time makes some changes, the only fault I have with it myself is I am a little broader than I was [paper folded] bad way to be eh?

But I sure was pleased to hear from all your people have often thought I would like to see you all come east and see how we compare we used to be match up pretty good, all about the same age, but our family is quite small now, only father & mother Bruce & Ruby Chit[?]& Bill, and Chester & Bill are both small for their age it did not seem like going home not to find Lip Hill & Ray and things have changed very much around the old homestead and up in the farm never seemed like home to me and I have heard that Bert has killed in action. Add more Gloom to our once happy lives eh?

I note what you say about the once brilliant 4th class never crossed my mind before. Ralph certainly holds the record eh? Pray what made you think I would ever be lucky or unlucky enough to get married I am sure my actions never pointed that way, and who is the Miss you speak of?

Funny the dream you had about me with a mustach and "as a matter of fact" I did wear one when I left Canada and I suppose Ruby or some one has told you eh? but I cut the brute off shortly after coming to France 3 months ago.

Yes we do see some terrible sights over here. I was up the line Sunday and I sure was glad to get back alive, and wish I never had seen what I did which s too terrible to relate, but I hope this business could soon be over. My address is [?] R 1102389. 7th Battalion CRT BE7 France, Headquarters Staff am with the Engineers Office at Headquarters and am inside all the time, but its not very pleasant around sometimes when Fritz starts shelling.

Again thanking you for [line illegible due to fold in letter] hoping to hear from you again at any time.

I remain Sincerely,

A.H.Roode

PS. Kindest regards to all the family would be pleased to hear from any of you.

Say is Victor married?