France Dec 8/16

Dear Mary:

Will drop you a line. Wish you would let Fred read it if you see him. thank you ever so much for the parcel it was just the kind for a fellow out here. you were very thoughtful, but do not send any tobacco we get an issue every week. I never like smoking but do take a few puffs but give Joe most all my matches etc. Freds sade they mailed me a box on 10th of eatables which will be great we are not to write very much so I will not write so often hope you keep writing often about the boys how they look in their school cloths, how the house looks. every little thing is the greatest news we are going up the line every day on working parties fritz is getting quite nasty now makes you jump some puting over more heavy pills. I keep changing positions quite often filling sand bags carring up sheet iron and stakes

I wish it would end fefore Sunday morning but no chance but no one is going to gain any thing on either side. I got your letter & one from Fred's which were welcome & Mothers your letters are real life to me. wish I new if I would ever see your dear face again I often think that I will. that no pill has my number we are to have some training after we come out this time we will be in the line four days soon we are just behind for eight days we are not were I thought first but on the right between two towns. Fred's were wanting to know what is needed some throat tablets would be all right to drive the damp out of us socks are quite exceptable one pair once in a while but some ar coming all the time some hair stuff my head is the same as of old. a metal comb would be good I hope you get the money O.K. we got seventy francs this time so will get alonge fine with the boxes coming hope they all get here safe I have quite a cough. our temperture gets changed often

candels take our change very fast Joe lent me five francs yesterday so will get some more. I have been thinking about you & I writeing some of the big head ones about release You over there & I here my legs are quite painful & you are little wife alone & a big family fretting yourself sick & I can serve King & country in munitions I have a notion to it would not hurt some do get out on things like that what I said we are no better than they are if you Mary had got half as mad at the things we people do you would have moved were the boys are. but I hope to be home then it will be all right again I do not know why you like our peoples ways these years & years for what has the working man got more than other places. not as much If I had of transferd might have been in a worse time & place we will pray for the best tell all to write my thoughts are all around you all you must let me keep a store to keep me tied up

Your old man Roy