France,
September 29th / 17
Dear Marjorie,
Have you been wondering why I have not written? I suppose you have if you really look forward to getting my letters, received your note included in Ella's letter written up the lake and have been intending to answer it for some time, but never seemed to get time. Do not think that I have forgotten you for I have not by any means. We have been very busy lately at one thing or another. Have been on duty nearly two days at a time sometimes lately, but things are getting steadier and we will be settled into our ordinary routine or rut rather in a day or so. We are having great weather over here during this month. The days are comfortably warm at present with clear moonlight nights. I suppose you are having it too though. You have an advantage over us though in going somewhere occasionally, or sometimes do you too not know what to do with yourself? I hope not at any rate. Some of the boys are on leave in Paris or Nice. I may also get a turn some time. That is if the war lasts long enough, but in event of it coming to a halt at any future date I willingly will renounce my chances for leave. It is just a year ago this week since we set foot on this side of the ocean. In some ways it seems a lifetime and yet at other times it hardly seems possible that it has been as long as it has. I have given up prophesying when the war will terminate. I just state now that all other wars have had an end, therefore, there must be an end to this one somewhere. Very encouraging when one thinks of it. Don't think that I'm trying to be sarcastic for I am not.
This used to be a great coal mining district in pre-war days, towns or villages composed of hundreds of miners dwellings, all brick and all built the same are linked together in what seems to be an endless chain or circle sometimes. These are all deserted and shuttered for miles, it certainly is a God forsaken area. It hardly seems possible that it will once be habitable again so great is devastation. Only yesterday I picked some large white roses off a bush in what used to be a garden. How is your school coming along these days? Write and tell me the news some of these days and please do not thinks that I forget to write Marjorie. I will say good night now with heaps of good luck.

As ever, Gordon