Flanders Apl 16th, 1916

My Dear Doug.

was so glad to get your letter of the 11th inst. got it 2 a.m. this morning some hour, just got in from a fatigue we worked on a communication trench between the front line supports up on the left of where we were when you were with us

I am glad to hear your arm is showing improvement, & is no more Serious than you say, what do you think they will do with you? Keep you hanging about England or send you back to Canada? The 19th are in a new tent camp about a mile up the road from where we use Stay while in the M & N trenches. the town is quite a Size. lots of eggs & chips beer & champagne, but I don't indulge very much in it.

I suppose you have heard all about the ingagement the 19th have just come through poor old A Company Suffered pretty heavily 45 killed & wounded, when you see the casualty list you will see a number of your old friends for Six days we were on the go practically no sleep, & what we did get was only a couple of hours during the day. for 60 hours our Co held the front line, & two other very important positions. during the day we were dug in. & had to Sit tight all day unable to move or do anything. the way the Huns Sent over the Shells was a crime, it was a the worst concentration of fire on this area of the line. & I dont know how any of us came out alive. we were there for three nights, the Huns tried to bomb us a couple of times but without Success, we got back to our transport lines 6.30 am where they fed us all the bacon bread Ect we could eat, the rum flowed like water. & the boys sure did take advantage had a good Sleep & moved down to our present camp.

There were Some awful sights dead men every-where. I dont want you to have any nightmares So will conclude let me hear from you Soon. expect to go to the Hell hole Soon & hate the thought of it. take care of yourself.

Your old pal,
Jack.

(over)

Had a nice letter from Mrs Tory & Gussie. also Elsie [?]. Muriel very sorry to hear of your illness How is Mabel? hope you hear from her regularly

Jack