Somewhere in France
24/6/17

My Dearest

I was delighted to receive your long delayed letter yesterday, after waiting two weeks. I was getting really anxious & did not know what was the matter, but you see you addressed it to the 1st D.A.C., so the delay is easily explained.

Dearest I am so pleased you have a holiday coming, it is nice of you to offer to take it when I come. I wish I knew for certain when it will be, but there is nothing more uncertain & it would be most unfair to ask you to do that. There are nearly 200 ahead of me on the leave list & they are only going at the rate of one a day. At the earliest it will be December before I have any chance at all, & let us hope the war will be over by that time.

Needless to say I would love to come when you have a holiday, but you had better take it while the weather is nice. So please do not wait on my account, Dearest, & when I do come eventually, I am sure we shall be able to fix it up somehow.

I guess Harold is pretty sure to get his leave soon, you see he returned from his last leave three months before I came over, so of course he is entitled to come again so much sooner than I.

My friend & I had a day off yesterday, we went to the town where we were billeted last Xmas. There are very few soldiers there now. It certainly is a pretty spot in summer time, we could scarcely recognise it as the same place. We made the acquantance of some nice people during our stay last winter & it was quite a treat to meet them again, we spent quite an enjoyable day.

The weather is unsettled now & much cooler, we have had several thunder storms lately but never enough to make it very muddy. The roads are in fine condition, not too dusty & cycling is quite a pleasure.

Well Dearest I cannot think of anything more to tell you so will close for the present, hoping you are quite well & Dearest I do hope you have an enjoyable holiday & don't worry about me being unable to come.

Lots & lots & lots of love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From Yours only & forever
Fred