Letter from Pte. Durand

Some Where in Belgium,
July 12, 1915.

Received your kind letter some time ago, while we were in the trenches, we have been out for 7 days to-morrow night.
We have great times when we are out, there are 4 Battalions in our Brigade and we play ball against each other, and I had a weeks leave to Paris and I certainly enjoyed myself. It's the first leave that I have had since I came to France. Everybody gets a chance to go where they want to, some go to England, Scotland, Ireland, but none go to Canada.
I am going to send you some souvenirs. I haven't got many because I never carry anything that I don't really want, but I will try and get you some good ones the next time I come out of the trenches. I found a pair of prayer beads that belonged to a fellow that was buried just out side of our trenches. I am sending you a piece of shrapnel that would have killed me only for my back. It buried itself in my overcoat that was in my pack, and a German bullet that buried itself in the butt of my rifle.
I tried to get a job in the mechanical transport, but I cannot for a while yet.
I don't know if you got my last letter or not, but I said you could send some kind of cake or anything that you think I would like. Some butter and some Abdulla cigarettes. This will be all for now. Write soon, and remember me to all.
From your loving son,
Herb.