March 26th 1917

My dear Leighton,

I was very glad to get your letter of the 21st which arrived yesterday. I am afraid you can't expect very much sympathy for your sad? plight. It has been raining and blowing a gale nearly all day and my stove insists on smoking. Consequently my imaginary picture of Blighty makes it appear more than usually inviting. Being made into a plaster saint however must be rather annoying even if you do have a dear sweet thing attentive to your every wish. Are you on champagne or ale diet?

Maclean and Mackenzie are in the line at present but I go in to-morrow to relieve the latter gentleman. They have been pretty busy lately strafing the Hun both by day and by night. Night firing has become the fashion lately. It is good stuff too although rather a nuisance crawling out of bed at unearthly hours. So far we have not found any more officers although Brigade are on the look out for one or two. I wish Halton would return to the fold as it is not easy to get officers as full of energy as he is. Thomson is still with the 10th Bde. and is looking better for the change. I saw him for a few minutes yesterday. He does not know how long his job will last.

The rude Hun has been more active lately with his shells. We had one man killed and another wounded, both of them new men, in a little artillery straf early one morning last week. Of course our own artillery is throwing over quite a lot of stuff.

This is only a note but I must write some more letters before turning in. With best wishes, I am

Yours faithfully

[?]. S. [?]edley

P.S. I am fixing up Elder's papers. Had to change the form as he wished to have course in England, also M[?]. [?] S. [?]