Gn. S.J. Holmes,
5th Can. Div. Art.,
Trench Mortar Battery,
Army P.O., Lon. Eng.,
May 6, 1917

Dear Jennie.

Was ever so glad to have your letter a few days ago, a letter from the home town goes good any time over here. No doubt Jim has written with all the news of camp so I will not make you weary of soldier life. Was up to movies last night and Charlie Chaplain was on in a boxing contest and he was great fun. Had a serious accident the other day when I went down for my laundry to our old friend, our washer-woman and lo the whole place was under quarantine and over here we can only have a certain amt. of clothes and mine looked rather pale so I wondered what I would do. The lady was swearing and said she couldn't let me take it out on acc. of the neighbours sping (sic) on her. So I proposed slipping on a shirt etc. and she was game so I pulled on a shirt on the side and came back to camp laughing all over.Those measles are a bad thing you know. You know lately there is a great food scare and for a time the rations were cut down. A guy was returning from the front lines and his little friends were playing tag on his back so he stooped to pick one off and as he did a bullet passed through the edge of his helmet. He looked at his little friend and said: Well old boy, you saved my life, I can't give you a blighty or a V.C. but I'll put you back to your rations so he carried on his little friend. There was a fellow courting a girl you know and he continually kept remaining late in the evenings so one day daddy said "Daughter does your mother never say anything about your man staying so late in the evenings. Oh! Yes daddy she says the men haven't changed a bit". Well Jennie we are still in England and having an easy time without a doubt, have no word of France yet, but it may come any day now, the sooner the better. Was out for a little walk this evening and I noticed a fair young dame passing me give me the look and continue on. I guess I have lost my fancy for women for there are so many substitutes over here its (sic) better to stay away. Anyhow after a time she stopped and started back to meet me, stopped and asked me about a Lance Corporal in the 104 evidently she was to meet him and he didn't appear. If I had of been over home I would no doubt tried to act as a Lance Corporal but my heart couldn't make an extra beat and finally she saw I wasn't struck so she bid me au revoir. Saw Ernest McLean, Ralph and Alf. a few nights ago. Ernest is camped very close to Jim and I. All the fellows are fine except Shorty Spencer who is sick at present.

Well must ring off now my best wishes for all

Sincerely
Stuart