England Feb. 25th 1917

Dear Ollie:-

Sun. once more and very near bed time at that.  Have been putting off this job all day it’s sure an awful job to write when we get no letters but will try and scratch a few lines every week and let you know how the mumps are progressing.  We haven’t had any more cases since last Sun. but likely we will have before the wk. is out.  If we do it seals our doom.  It will be Bramford for ours and 15 weeks training before we get a chance to go to France.  Had a letter from Angus tonight.  They are at the front.  Did not stay at the base at all.  He said he saw an air fight.  Brought down a German Zep.  It’s Hell to have to stay here and do nothing.  It will be 16 months the 6th of next month since we went to Halifax.  It’s sure a long time to get to the front but suppose will do just as much good when we do get there.  We are having a hair-cutting bee here today.  All hands are getting it clipped short all over and shaving off our moustaches.  We sure are a bald looking bunch.  I shaved my upper lip before Xmas but had to let it grow again for my lip cracked so I couldn’t shave.  But it’s spring now so I reckon I can stand it now.  It’s started in raining again for a change.  Reckon we are done with cold weather for this year and will either be home next winter or in a hotter place.  Hope it will be home. 

Well we are not doing much but guess it’s the only way to get rid of the mumps.  Of course we do enough drills to keep up our muscle.  I tell you I can show you a few things in house cleaning if I ever get back.  I sure can scrub floors and wash windows with the best of them.  Can also do a pretty good job at the wash tub.  We wash every Sun. and do all our odd jobs besides like greasing boots and mending.  Godfrey it’s sure raining some tonight.  I suppose I am a fool to wish myself out of here but would gladly change places with any of the boys in the trenches if I could.  Mud or no mud, lead or no lead.  I couldn’t worry more than I do here.  I don’t sleep much nights.  It’s not very pleasant to lay and wonder when and who will be the next one o wake up with a swollen jaw for they always some like a thief in the night.  One or two of the boys are hoping for another case I know but hope t God they get disappointed.  Angus says he seen two of our boys who went in the first draft.  They are in a working Bn. Don’t do any fighting only when they have to.  Must saw off.  Haven’t said anything but have don’t damn well to spoil as much paper as I have for there is nothing to write about.  Haven’t been out of the hut today only to wash.  Squire and I both have nice colds. 

Jack