2/10/18 Dearest Mother. It's two or three days since I wrote anyone in the family, days in which I have felt so lazy that it would have taken a 5.9 shell to move me out of my indifference and during which I have taken my first real bath. But Ethel says that when she feels lazy she must be sick so I shall not apologize for not writing - tho' personally think laziness is a mere matter of overeating and a sluggish liver. Today I have made up for it by writing eight letters and am still going strong having yet to write or finish a letter to Steve and one to her dad. During the last few days I have had several visitors including Mrs Kingman of Montreal, Mrs Oack (Wilf boyd's sister) Mrs D-H from the strait settlements & Aunt of H.R.s also Miss D-H from Rymington who took your address with her and is to write you, George Holman who is over on leave and some others I do not remember. All the ladies brot or sent flowers and Mrs Kingman sent me a book and some tomatoes lovely big red ones. Among the list of honours in the paper the other day was a V.C. to Jim Hait who was one of my officers at Vimy Ridge. Poor chap was killed by a shell in the Amiens show after he had taken a wood full of M Guns by a bayonet charge. I am enclosing his picture. I am also sending you the first three pages of this book in which I am writing. They were memos re the company made before the show of dept 2nd when our brigade broke thru the Wotan or Drocourt dugout line. I got wounded. Tell Ethel to paste them in her scrapbook. The news in the papers is good especially where the Canadians are pushing but they are paying an awful price for the supposed honour. Still its got to be done & the war is nearing its end fast so it is worth while after all. My temperature was steady for two days but has taken a jump last night & today again. However we are getting on so Cheerio Your loving Gord Why don't you all write. Or if you are where are you sending them to.