Some Where In Belgium
April 2/16

My Dear Little Girl

I have just got back from leave yesterday, and I am now back in the trenches, and while I am writing this behind the ruins of what was once a large farm while over head are screeching countless shells from our batteries and bursting in and over the german trenches beyond. Some what different from the last eight days I spent in England I must say I had a very pleasant trip there and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I went down and visited you cousin Margaret or Peggy who is at the King Edward VII sanitorium in Sussex Co England and had a very enjoyable day together. She is quite a large girl, very fair and decidedly jolly. I intended going to Ireland but there was a heavy storm of wind and snow for two whole days in England and all boats were held up in one or two places, the trains were held up with snow, just think snow drifts in England and that in the last of March too. The wind in London was terrific and in the large parks hundreds of the large trees were blown down. I went and called on Miss Pellys sister and had dinner with them they were very nice to me. I must say. While in London I went to Hampton Court an old palace built some where about the fifteenth century and which was a favourite place for the old kings and queens of England. I went through it and it was simply beautiful inside, the fixtures and tapestries on the walls and ceilings were simply magnificent and price less as well I suppose. I spent over half a day there and I enjoyed it fine. Since I wrote last we have moved to a new part in the line and it's a pretty warm spot at times. about three miles behind our lines is the ruins of what was once a city with a population of about two hundred thousand but there is hardly a building left in it now that is not battered by shell fire, and the germans still shell it every day. I suppose dearie you will be hard at the spring work now and will be very busy I hope that you will be able to get a good man to yours for you. I had a letter from Mother she said she and Rena were up to your Mothers one day she says little Tommy has grown into a fine big boy and is as smart as a cricket and too cute for anything in that little Belgian cap. I also got a letter from Margaret which I will answer when I finish this. I will close now dearie hoping this will find you and little sonny both in the best of health. With love and kisses to you both

Your loving hubby
Tom