France, July 12th 1918

My Dear Mother:-

As I write the date it reminds me that today is Orangeman's day but evidently that party has few followers in France for the day is passing quite unnoticed. I am earning my $1.10 under rather false pretences today as I am not in parade, my boots being in the bootmaker's hands for repairs. The day is rather wet and chilly and so far this morning I have spent my time sewing buttons on my tunic, the government considering my old one had done its full quota of service, issued me with a new one recently, and in sewing up my canvas shoes.

Your parcel of May 15th, I think, reached here yesterday. Many thanks. I will write to Barbara today for the candy certainly tasted fine. The razor strop was just right. I won't be forced to be continually borrowing now, something I never like to do. I also got a parcel a day or so ago from Fideli's [?] Bible class with some very nice things, a Vernan suit of underwear, some home cooking, two pair of socks that always come in handy etc. Mrs. Hector Stewart's name was in the parcel and one of the pairs of socks were furnished by a Mrs. W. J. Carter. You can extend to them my appreciation of their kindness.

There is nothing unusual happening these days. The weather has been rather wet for the last week or so. I got the $2.00 changed last night, eleven francs, and then Bob Paxton, a Winnipeg boy who came with us from Regina, and went for a walk and we even went to the extravagance of buying a bottle of wine for six francs and over it discussing affairs and relating reminiscences of our old days in Regina. About all we can do here in the evenings is go for a stroll and then come back to the hut and read until it is time to go to bed. There are rumors of us moving to another town in a few days. I hope it is true for naturally a change is very welcome. There are no attractions that endear one to any place in particular in this land.

Well, I think I'll close. Best wishes. Hope you are all well. With love from

Yours

Frank

[On reverse of last page of this letter]

Don't be afraid of the envelope. These are what are known as "green" envelopes. Letters contained in them are not censored by an officer of the unit altho' they are liable to censure [sic] by the Base authorities. There is nothing that I have to hide but as I have one I might as well use it. We usually get one a week.