France,
May 3rd, 1917

Dear Mother,

Just a few lines hoping they will find you all in the best of health as they leave me. I am thinking that I have been neglecting to write as often, but you can be sure I always write when I get the opportunity. I received your parcel just a day or two ago, and a letter with it. It couldn't have reached me at a more convenient time; about half an hour before a bunch of us made a midnight visit to the Hun; so you bet I made short work of the eats, (while the eating was good). We had the best of luck and brought back more than we went with. I'm sending you some pictures of some of them, in this letter, but they don't look quite so happy now. Although the most of them wear quite a grin to think they won't have to fight again. I'll be sending a cap and some shoulder straps the first chance I get to mail them, just for souvenirs. I could have sent some long ago, but it didn't seem to be worth while, as they are strict in what you send now. I had a letter from aunt Jessie yesterday. She also got one from Joe, but they don't seem to hear very often. She says they are all well, but herself. It seems a shame as she's been ill so long. Mark is in the RFA at Salisbury Plain. Wonder if you got the picture yet. I think it will soon be time I got some out of Marjorie's camera - or isn't it a success?

Well mother, Marjorie actually wants to know why I don't tell you more in my letters, and how they all were in England. I suppose you must worry about them very often, but you don't need to, mother, as everything was going fine with them. Of course food is a bit of a question, when they have to wait so long for it, but a very long way from actually going short. But we have to stick a lot of things for Le Guerre. It was a lot better at Starston, as they had no trouble about getting stuff, and I guess their garden helps out quite a lot. I guess everything will be looking fresh and green by this time out west. You bet it would be nice to be on the farm. It beats this. But I often think that if I had not been out here, I'd be eating my head off to come. So, you see, we're never satisfied. Although I'd like to be back again, I wouldn't have missed coming out here for the world and all. And maybe one would be lonesome back home in civil life again. I don't think a big suit of Peabody's and a straw hat,...and my word, I could go through an awful pile of your pancakes right now, and I guess I won't see a real lemon pie till I get back again. We have been in a regular wilderness lately, and don't get the chance to buy anything, as they seem to have got their wind up, and left the war zone - that is, the civvies. And I guess our transport is too busy to bother with canteen supplies.

Well mother, I was sorry to hear that Joe did not get his eyes fixed, but maybe it's best, as he will be exempt. He will be doing a lot better where he is, and from what I can make out, doing famously with the farm, and will have everything in good shape to help me along with that grant of land I am to get, eh! Tell Marjie I was glad she got the hankies and liked them. That sure was a party they had when the M. Kiddies went away. I suppose you will be getting more new folks around now.

Well mother dear, I'll close now with best love to all, from your loving son,

Frank