Dear Mrs. Brooks:

I was much interested in your long newsy letter. To-day, I just got back from spending a week with my family in England. Your letter is one of a big pile which I have to answer. I at once sent a telegram enquiring for Pte. Spicer. He was wounded. The enclosed telegram was the reply I got: 'We have no means of finding out where they go in England. He was wounded on December 21st and transferred to England on the 27th.' So the poor fellow was just in time to spend Christmas in some nice hospital bed. I expect his wounds will keep him from the firing line for some months. Tell Elsie I saw a German aeroplane flying over my house and being shelled all the time. Please excuse pencil, my pen has gone bad. Give my kindest regards to Robert and all my friends.

I am yours very truly,

W. BEATTIE.