In camp.
Fri. Dec 15th 1916

My dear Mother

Just a few lines to keep in touch ere I leave for the line in a few hours.

I'm feeling fine and in the pink. We are taking quite a lot of eatables into the line with us this trip so you can bet, as a crew we are going to make the best of it at Xmas.

I guess we will get it pretty muddy and watery tonight for it has rained more than necessary since we came out so we expect to have a tough job getting to our positions, but once there we shall be O.K.

I haven't had much mail so far this week and your Xmas parcel hasn't turned up yet (plenty of time though) consequently I shouldn't be at all surprised if I received a bunch of it today and then have to carry it in the line myself in which case under ordinary circas I'd say things, but seeing it's Christmas junk I'll be delighted to carry it.

Well I must stop now.
With my very best love
I remain

Ever your loving boy

Jack.