France Dec 17 . 17 Dear Mother It seems to me some time since I last wrote you and having received a good mail from you all this week will just settle down and pen the odd epistle to you all. I shall have to write the Ladies Aid for their kind Christmas cheer box, but it is very difficult to compose a letter to them seeing they intend to read it out at the next meeting. Don't you think a newsy field postcard would suffice? However, I will do my best but it is a hard task you put before me. You will probably know what part of France we are in now. tis colder here and last night and today we had snow and for the past week the temperature has been below freezing. Our supply of wood comes from old gun pits and dugouts and together with the exercise of cutting it up for the small stove manage to keep healthy and comfortable. Went down to see Orvil this week, and spent the day from about two pm. until six at night. Managed to get a lift almost home on a motor truck just about 12 miles, but walked it nearly all the way down. We sat around and talked about everything and everybody much worse than a Ladies Aid. His application for the Flying Corps was not accepted "too old". According to the flying corps he has reached the calculating age. Orvil says its funny to be too old for anything, but just the same, I am not sorry. Am going over tomorrow to see Charlie Hewson's grave. I think I know where it is and have asked for the morning off, and will tell you the next time I write. When were up North I revisited Mac's and a few of the others I knew in the battalion. Your parcel No 3 arrived safely this week and is finished long ago with the exception of the Zam Buk and the H2O2. The other parcels I got from the C L Assn. Aunt Agnes, Florence Coles are also finished and I am not sick yet. This American in the office gets quite a few parcels and I think he must have some good friends judging from his parcels. At least that the way I kid him along, but I wouldn't swap with him. Aunt Agnes wrote me this week giving me the usual Scottish news. They are all well and glad in the knowledge that Joe wasn't wounded seriously. Getting busy for Christmas and endeavoring to get Joe transferred to a hospital in Scotland. The expected to be successful but from what I know of Army correspondence, hes likely to be back in France again before the order comes through. It's a great Army. Cast my vote last week for Horatio Hocken. The polling closed just three hours ago. I suppose old R.L. gets in again. In each election now I still wonder what Part Walter Zellar plays in the destiny of Canada. I see MacKenzie King is till Opposition. If he lives long enough until the Liberals get in again, He'll have some position in Canada. I do not altogether agree with the English idea of things and the certain ways they effect the Canadians and will be glad when the U.S. get here, (unfettered by English traditions) and start to do things in there own way. It will make a big difference and when Fritz begins to feel the force and the energy which the States will put into their efforts, then you can begin to look for the end. I give it still one year, this winter and to the autumn of next year. 1918 in my opinion will be the record for guns, ammunition and destruction. Fritz knows it and knows that we know it. Perhaps you think me a pessimist, perhaps I am, but let us wait and see if I have judged it correctly. Am glad to hear Agnes put her odd dollar into the War bonds. It will all help, but as I havent enough to make it worth while, will let it go by, although we all have the opportunity of contributing out here. Am sorry to hear Winnifred Jackson has left. Will she be coming back after the war do you think? Well Mother must close and get into bed. Although this will reach you long after Christmas will Just hope you have a good one. With lots of cheer and good things. Your loving son John