No. 1 Sect. 2nd D.A.C.
2nd Canadians
B.E.F.
15/7/17

My Dearest

I was delighted to receive you dear letter a few days ago. You will see by the address that I have changed my quarters & I am not very sorry to be away from the Officers mess. I don't care for that kind of work, the only advantage was that I got some excellent meals, but they are awful long hours & you never knew when you were finished. We moved to a new position last Monday, & I went to the Section on Thursday.

The next night I came on a working party to one of the Batteries. We are fixing up a new gun position & expect to be here about two weeks. I have had a busy week & not have had a chance to write until tonight.

We have to keep pretty low here & we are living in a cellar. Our work consists of making a tunnel under a road from one house to another. It is slow work, we have only done about 8 feet in two days. It is quite a change for me to do any work, but I much prefer to be on a detail like this than to be fooling around with those mules in the Section. I was glad to hear Harold got his leave, I can quite understand he was not anxious to come back to France. I feel quite envious, it seems such a long time to wait several months before I can come, but Dearest it is some consolation to know that every day brings it a little nearer. Perhaps the time will pass quicker now I have to work for a living. It is quiet up here so far & we have had nothing to worry us so far.

I think it was very mean to want you to return some of your bonus money. They might have let you keep it when once they had given it to you.

Well Dearest I must close now hoping you are all well. I am quite alright.

Good night Dearest
Lots & lots & lots of love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
from Yours only & forever
Fred