London 7/3 1918

My Dear Mother:-

After a rather exciting day yesterday, we are back in the big city and now have until tomorrow night to enjoy a life of ease and comfort. Have just had a very nice dinner - in spite of rations - and before we set out again I will write you a line. I am back again at the Catholic Hut which is my favorite stopping place in London. A soldier gets very courteous treatment here and [it] is a handy accommodation hut in which to pass spare time.

We left Seaford yesterday morning at 7:30 and stopped at East Croydon - just out of London - for dinner. Then at two o'clock we got a train for Epsom. We got off at Epsom Downs - found out that we had to walk to Epsom town - about four miles away. It was certainly a lovely walk and the scenery was really grand. No one seemed to know much about any race and finally we decided that it must be back towards the Downs. So it meant another walk - which was undertaken after one had satisfied our hunger. We finally reached the scene of the race - it was run on the old Derby course - a most historic place. The Machine Gun Team ran a splendid race and won by quite a good margin. I would like to have had a place on the team as the first prize was a very nice silver & gold medal for each. Later a photographer took a picture of the team & supporters and I will send one you one if we get some later. Last night we came into the city. I guess Andy must have gone to the Training base in France. At Epsom is a large convalescent camp for Canadian troops. I didn't have time to look up Jack Charles. It was quite a treat to have a real sleep. This afternoon we are going to a theatre and also have seats for tonight & tomorrow's matinee. Tomorrow morning we will go to see the collection of war pictures which are now being shown at the Grafton galleries.

Another runner, Shoemaker, from Vancouver, and myself are together on this occasion. Today we saw a battle-scarred tank & an aeroplane which made the trip from Turin in Italy to London in under eight hours. They are used for advertising purposes in the Victory Loan scheme.

Well, I guess I'll close. Best wishes and love from

Yours

Frank

#2233344 F.C. Cousins
No. 1 Co.,
C.M.G Depot.
Seaford
Sussex
Eng.