Aunt Agnes.
April 18. 1916

Dear Mum.

Dont be surprised at me if I dont send home my monthly bank roll. I have to get my teeth fixed and it will cost me seventeen dollars.

I joined the Y.M.C.A. today and enjoyed a long swim accordingly. What surprised me most was to see about twenty prosperous business men pouring in perspiration as the result of a system of exercises they were undergoing as I watched. There was one gray-haired old gentleman who looked about sixty. He was prespiring like the deuce and seemed to enjoy it – the old beggar.

I am writing this epistle at Aunt Agneses.

We go for a route march almost every-day. I would not mind the training if I thought it might help us get to the front. When you stop and think of the cry fore more men, more men, when a rotten lot of grafters keep men at home who are only to eager and anxious to do their share – these men by the way committing this sin for the sake of a few filthy hits of money – it is enough to drive those men to rank mutiny. If I could only transfer with the hopes of a rise I would like to do so tomorrow. It is not much use transferring however if I cant step to something higher. Id like to try for a commission, but would rather wait till I had been under fire some time.

Your loving son
Sid

P.S. Give my love to Dad and the rest