Jan 3, 1917 Dear Brother & Sister & Baby, I write you these few lines to let you know I am still alive. I am writing this in an old French farm house back of the line somewhere in France. Well it is nearly three months since I heard from you & I have wrote two letters to you since but I think the letters must get lost as I have had letters from home which have been two months. Well anyway that aint going to stop the war, is it. I am glad to say I have been on leave & sure had a great time for ten days but the time seemed to go quick. I stayed at Nem's place for six days. I found them all the same as I left them, only Ida got married, but I sure had a great time. I went to Rugby for a day to Sordens & to see Mrs. Fernyhough & they wanted me to stay for the duration. They all treated me fine. I stayed the last three days in London & believe me it seemed like H---- coming back to this hole. It has rained nearly every day since I came back from leave so you can just imagine what a state the trenches are in. Up to our knees in lots of places. I seen Bro Joe while I was in England but he is out here now in Gerald's old Batt. They are in the trenches at present. Expect to see him any day now. I sure do feel down sometimes since he came as I often think of poor old Mother & Florie as it is bad enough one of us out here, let alone two of us. Well Jim, Len Gavel is still with us. Dave Travis is down at the base for duration. You will be surprised Jim, when you hear of boys that have gone under. Sorry to tell you I lost my best pal. That is Arthur Taylor. We have been together since we joined the army & everybody used to take us for brothers. I don't know whether you know him or not. He lived quite a while in Moose Jaw. No doubt Mother will tell you about it in her letters. I think it is about time this game was over. I know I have had enough of it, 18 months is long enough for anybody & I think by the time you get this letter you will notice in the papers where we have been at Fritz again.  Well my dears, I think this is all this time. Hoping this will find you both & baby in the best of health as it leaves me the same. With best wishes for the new year from Bro Sid. P.S. I am sending a photo of myself & two or three of the boys.