Somewhere in France,
August 16th, 1917.

Dear Mother,

I have received your welcome letter again today, so I'm writing you right away, although it's only two days ago since I wrote you last, but I know you won't mind at all. I know I never do. It is the way I seem to get them now. I get them all in a day or two, and then they come to a full stop for awhile. I got two from you this week, so that is doing good. I got one also from Starston, and they are well, except for Auntie Jessie. From what Uncle said she was rather poorly, but I guess she may feel better after seeing Roland. He was home on ten days leave, and is now back again, and they say he looks a lot stronger since he has been out here. I don't wonder, if he is anything like me. I think this beats drilling on the square, and I don't know when I shined my buttons last. I guess bright buttons are too conspicuous out here! But they won't win the war anyway. I was glad to hear you are doing so well with the Soldiers Aid, and I'll send you those names again. There's just 0 A Davys and C Shell that I know from our lot.(0 A D's 1000253 A Co'y 27 Batt Can- BEF and C.S. has the same address as mine NO.1000982) He and I are the only Swan boys together in this bunch, and I really don't know what we do want out here, and if they are all like me, it is not much. I think that Players cigarettes and socks please the majority of us most, although we do well in those just now, and get looked after better than I ever thought we would. But I guess it's the rule to look after those up here. We get issued cigarettes and tobacco every week, and anytime we get a day off we can go to the baths and get a change too. It was my day off today, but I only got up at dinner time, as I was out all night waiting for the rations to come down. It just depends on how Fritz behaves, whether they come on time or not, and then it's some job carrying them home in the dark, as there's barb wire and shell holes everywhere. But I got wise by this time. I think there's enough wire to fence Canada around here. Well Mother, the Germans around here don't look anything much, and by the time the Canadians are through with them, there's not much souvenirs left of them. They seem to think they are in for a good time once they are captured, and don't want to run away at all. You asked about Gordon. I haven't seen him out here yet, but some of the boys did. Time seems to pass quick, as it seems no time since we left Eng. But I guess it being on the go so long, I'm not much an earlyworm for bed as I was at home. I'm getting so that I can sleep at any time and anywhere. We don't carry blankets in the summertime, so we don't have any big packs to worry about. I was glad to hear the crops were looking so well at home and I hope that they keep that way. If it fetches as much as it is now, it will be a car next summer, eh? I was so sorry that Dad was poorly, and hope he gets his teeth fixed. And be sure to use those checks, won't you? We get 30 francs a month now. That's about 6 dollars, but that gets us a lot of little comforts. We generally have a YM near us, and can get everything but a good pencil. I'll be sending you that picture like Auntie's. It's the last one. I'm sorry I did not send you more, but they went so quick, as I left some in Eng. So you visited Mrs. Anderson. Glad to hear about her. And you seem to have visitors lately. I wonder, do you ever get the preacher's wife, Mrs. Allenson. I'd a letter from Bertha, and she mentioned her being at Benito. Well mother, I'll have to close now, hoping this will find you all well. Give my love to Marjie and all, not forgetting yourself, from your loving Son,

Frank

P.S. Don't worry, I'm doing fine.