30 . 4 . 17 Dearest Mother:- Today's mail brought such a great bunch of letters, two from you, three from Agnes, 1 from Marion and two from Eudora, that I thought Id just sit down and write you all. Am feeling much better now that the wet and mud are [?]. I think that more than anything else is the cause of that run down feeling, and perhaps the war will be over before the reason comes again. Lets hope so, eh? I think your letters, so many at a time, have made me just a little homesick. Its not the first time. I had a bad touch of it at the Somme. The best way I think is to take up your letters one by one, and answer, what you have asked. The first thing you ask is what is my job. In the first place, Orvil got it for me. I have him to thank. He is tired of where he is, and we were thinking, if the war is going to last very long for me to put in for a commission in the artillery. He would to the same, and together we might train in England. There is nothing definite though. And it would be well not to comment on this outside of the house. He is trying hard for what I spoke to you of in my last letter. Perhaps if he gets this (which I sincerely hope he does) he will be content to remain at his present occupation for the duration. At present Im doing absolutely nothing. That is hard for you to understand is not it? However I will explain (not at present) how Im able to enjoy this holiday in the face of such a raging battle going on up the line. Im going to tell you about Fred Anderson. He was in the same scrap which happened a year ago April 14 or so in which Ray was killed. He, (Fred Anderson) Alen Dower and Vincent Crombie and I think two others were sent into [?] were relieved and coming out the shelling started again and two of them were hit. They went on but on coming out found that Anderson was missing. They went back to look for him but, could not find him. There was quite a few missing and Im of the opinion the last of him has been heard from. Ray and the three others with him were never found you know. However it is for the War Office to notify her and you [?] sympathy. Logan Weir was taken sick on practically the same front we are on now. French fever was the diagnosis. He is back in [?] the last I heard from the twins which was a long time ago. The day I was there (New years) his Mother got a letter from the war office notifying her. Her heart (so she told me) was going pitter patter pitter patter all the day. But havent you heard from them at all? My comments on the clipping you enclosed of a certain wedding are not printable. Was glad to hear Russell had joined the Artillery. He shows sense. What is he Driver, Gunner or a signaller. I think a gunner is best after all. I was a signaller but there is not much choice. Bill Hutchins was a gunner in a howitzer battery. I saw him first at a concert held behind the lines, while we were going to the Somme. I guess he'll remember the concert alright. I must thank you all for your kind wishes on my birthday. It passed very quietly indeed. Im beginning to feel "old" and yet Im only a kid. The parcel hasn't come yet with the cake with a nicel in it. If it has, the nickel has been eaten. The mail has been terrible latley. Evelyn Vice and Maud Coatsworth have a rude awakening coming them. They'll rsign alright after the year is up. Margaret McLaren will be better off by far in a years time for experience, pay, and everything else. Im very glad Agnes didn't sign. No doubt Agnes will keep in touch by correspondence with these two young ladies. Mark my words and see if Im wrong. Joe Reddick was in the 13th for a short while only. He went back to Canada before I came in. Two Mackenzie boys went back with him. They were all fourth year students. Hed know only a few in the outfit now. It is surprising how rapidly things change. Next we come to Marion's Munitions. Theres a soft spot in my heart for her. Just to think she's working on those little eighteen pounders, which the Germans call "Wolfs fangs." Well the more they make, the easier to advance. Millions go over in a day now. This last bombardment on April 9 was the best I have ever seen. It is no wonder the huns surrendered in thousands. A lot of them have that far away look. Perhaps you can imagine what it is. Eudora's basketball accounts are quite interesting. She surely will be a husky well developed youngster when I get home. I wish she'd learn to swim as well as she can play basketball. The last few days are what one might call glorious, bright sunshine all day arm and dry. If we were in Belgium I might run amok telling you of the different buds in the woods and around the streams, but my surroundings are a broad plain, with thousands of horses tethered, tents of all kinds and in the distance, a few ruins and the still barren limbs of several woods. The heavies are still working and at night the sky shows up a lurid flash every few seconds, while in the day the planes fly high and low. Oh it's a great experience alright, but for a change Id rather experience the the quietness of the backwoods and the lake. Kind regards and love to you all Your affectionate son John