France

Wed May 16/17

Mrs H. Johns
Elimville
Ont. Canada

Dear Mother:- Well Mother a week soon slips around when a person is on active service. At the rate the weeks are going it will soon be summer again. I was up the trench to a Y.M.C.A. hut for a newspaper just now but got there too soon so did not wait 'till they came in as I noticed a sign up saying it was "Mothers Day" in England, Canada, and U.S.A. It advised every body to try and write home to-day so I came right back to my dugout to write to you. I am glad to say that all your boxes got here safe and sound the cherries are sure good I will finish them at supper time. The weather is a little cooler this last two days. I do not wear any underclothes now I find that I have more peace since I left them off

Jackson came over last night to tell me that he had got the box that you had sent him he seemed quite tickled. But cannot understand why he gets the boxes you send him and not the ones from home it does seem queer

The place where we are at present does not get shelled much just one every half hour that's about the average and they do not come close to where we sleep. some are gas shells but he does not send enough to do any harm as far as gas goes. I am still on mess-orderly its not a bad job I sent one of the boys a little paper which they print over here. Well Bye Bye Earl

P.S. Hope this finds you all well. E.J.
E. McFalls just came over to see me in my new home. I am going to feed him up on cake and cherries.
E.J.