Belgium April 15, 1916 Dearest Mother:- This is the first opportunity of writing you I have had for the last couple of weeks although you have been constantly in my mind since the unfortunate death of Alister. It was a hard blow indeed. He was one of the finest men in the section, cheerful under any circumstance. Oh its impossible to inumerate his fine qualities. I thought the world of him and think more of him now he has given his life for the principles of what this war represents. Later on, Mother, we were moved to another part of the line, the fighting, or at least the artillery was very active and there we lost Ray and three others. There is nothing too good to say about them. They are the boys that maintain and help make the name the Canadians have won out here. There is little more to say Mother. There is lots of hard work ahead yet. Please don't worry about me. I am in very good health but upset after the loss of Ray and Mac. Your loving son John.