October 1, 1915

My Dear Mother and Father:-

All your letters dated about [?] Sept 14 - received day before yesterday. There is not much of interest at present. We are going into the trenches again this afternoon sometime but will be relieved in a week or so. The weather has been very disagreeable and wet the past week. I think it is caused by the heavy bombardment which has been going on continually. The advances made by the Allies in the past fortnight has been considerable but you read this from the paper so will not repeat old news.

How is everybody at home. Have had letters from Cousins Joe and Aunt Aggie and the twins recently. They are sending parcels each week and have been very good to me indeed.

I received the cigars you sent they were in good condition but kindly do not send very many as they are hard to carry and keep properly. I would appreciate cigarettes in small quantities at a time but every week or so. I am well off for socks when you start sending them.

I wish I could write and give you a description of everything but as we are on our honour it is hard to draw the line. I do think thought the Germans are about ready to call quits if they could. The prisoners taken recently were half starved cold and wet and were glad to surrender. They were mostly young boys age 19 or so or old men. At night they keep up an incessant rifle fire for the only reason we can see to keep their courage up. Jack and Bessie sent a number of cigarettes and a pipe. I wrote them a couple of day ago.

Will close now with best of love to all I am

Your affectionate son

John

P.S. Many happy returns to Father. Oct. 5/15