Saturday April 7th 1917

Dear Friend Mr Irwin

Just a few lines again to let you no I am still keeping my self in good trim for the hun this spring. Well I see where you mentioned Vanderburg & Taylor & the boys are having great fun with him. I was sent out myself the time that old Charlie was popping[?] up with Mr Wiers[?] team & Believe me we had some fun alright. I dont think Charlie would be a very good neighbor to live beside, for he looks for to much trouble. But iff he is getting real bad and wants to fight I wished some one would tell him that there is a space left here in France for him. That the Kind we need in France now adays yes I am sure that you would have no Bother in picking a platoon of fellows out of that crowd & Miss Elliot got married to a fellow in Westwood. Well iff my life is spared threw this was which I trust in God it will I am going to settle down & make a home for myself. I always had a good righteous life. Which I have not done for the past few years. I always had a stray with Drink & always in trouble with it & Believe me, you would hardly no me now as I have been living a different life & away from the Drink & I feel a new man all together & iff I live to go Back I am going to show the people around there that I have changed my ways in living. Any body can leave the drink alone iff they put their mind to it. Well I see where a few of the old people has passed away & Mr. Peer[?] is very low. Well he is getting up in years. Yes there are a few & I no them very good that should be over helping there Comrades to win this war there is space here for lots of them dont [?] fellows. Well I was out on a raid the other night & Believe me there was something doing we got in to his trench & got a few prisoners & Killed what was in the Dugouts with bombs & we got Back with only one wounded man in the trip he sent over a few saugges But we were Back to our own lines before he could get his guns going & Believe me we have him going now & when we make the advance he will no what us Canadians left Canada for take from me. We got his goat now. Well I suppose Garlick will be back when you get this letter & tell him to Drop me a line I suppose I will have some time in find my Brother Will. But iff I can find our where they are stationed for a while I will write to him poor fellow he can’t write either. But when he gets word from me he will get some one to do it for him. Well as I have told you about all I can say for this time I will soon have to close. As all the Boys from Norwood that are with me here are all well & Killenback told me he got a letter from you & he said that he must answer it. I was out for a rest when I got your letter & is answering it right away. Well I guess I have told you all I can think of just at present & will say Good-Bye hopping to see you soon again with victory won

From pte. H.J. McMaster

France

Write soon

Good luck & Best wishes to all.