Somewhere in France Jan 14, 1917 Dear Dad- I got your's and mother' letter written on December 25th. They came on Jan 12, so that was not too bad. I also got one from Aunt Carrie and one from Aunt Hannie They were delayed though on account of the address being wrong. The mail comes but it takes longer the address had the Division mentioned. That is not allowed in address now nor is the Brigade to be mentioned. The right address 199344 Pte Gordon S Robertson Dcoy 28thy Canadians, B.E.F France. Then c/o Army Post Office London can be added or left off. You ask me in nearly all your letters to tell just what I need and want. The white canvas gloves are just the clear thing they are great when we are using a shovel as piling sandbags. Socks are always acceptable but all other clothing is kept fairly well by the Army. In the way of eatables you always have the right thing in the parcels. Mother need't worry about putting in the wrong things, Everything always disappears. Last night our whole company was on a fatigue digging a trench to lay a cable in. It was to be six feet six inches deep but we were digging through chalk and only got down four feet before it was time to quit. Then we piled our picks and shovels in and beat it for home. At present I am down in a dugout writing by the light of a grease lamp I never heard it called that before but I think you will agree that it is a good name when I tell you how it is made The holder for the fuel is a sardine tin (the one mother sent in a parcel). Then I put in a piece of the cotton which came around the parcel, and covered it with bacon grease- A light was applied (to amend of the wick and the lamp was going. It burns about for hours without filling. There are no candles to be had now whereas next week we may have all kinds. I haven't seen any of the boys for once a week now. I mean Fort William boys. If you don't get any letters from me for 8 or 10 days, you will know it is because I have no light. I'll send off whiz-bangs "though to keep the fell-a-rolling. There is not much news around here so I'll have to quit. Remember me to all. Goodbye, from your loving son Gordon