France
17 . 3 . 18

My darling girl,

Have now arrived at Hdqtrs 1st Division, we left the Base yesterday morning at 6-30 am & arrived by train to railhead at about 11 a.m., we remained there until this morning & all the officers for the 1st Division walked to this place which is about 8 miles from railhead, reported to Hdqtrs & I with the other officers of the 2nd Brigade were [sic] posted to a Cy at this place & strange to say the Adjt is Dan Brosett so am again in luck; as we may have to stay here for two or three weeks, we are billetted [sic] here, this is a little town, population about 2 to 3 thousand, there are two of [sic] three coalmines close by. Things are fairly quiet around here, of course we can hear the guns roaring in the distance & occasionally they tell me they drop a shell from one of their big guns in the vicinity of the mines. I understand that Fritz makes occasional visits with his airoplanes [sic]. Well girlie this is my birthday am not quite sure whether I am 39 or 40 . I expect to get some mail in a day or two. When I probably will be able to write you a longer letter, anyway dear I feel pretty tired after my walk & we are just going to have supper. I wonder if this letter will get you before you leave Godalming. Fondest love to you & kiddies.

Yours lovingly,

Jim