[typewritten copy]

Petit Servins

France

April 6 ,1917

My Dear Ones at Home,

I have written to you from a good many strange places since I left home, and tonight as I write again “the scene is changed,” and this letter comes from the 'guard room', or 'clink' as the boys call it. Plainly and simply the gaol. No, I am not a criminal nor have I done anything that I am ashamed of. Knowing how much you wished to know of my whereabouts, I took a chance of telling you indirectly where we are, - took a chance and lost. My letter was censored at the base and sent back to the orderly room. This morning I was taken before the O.C. and sentenced to 28 days first field punishment - for giving information detrimental to the maintenance of good military order and discipline. First field punishment means 28 days confinement in the guard room, with hard labour, and the stopping of 28 days pay until after the war. It also stops any possible leave, promotion or good conduct badge. However I am not worrying in the least. The guard room is quite comfortable and the 'ahrd [sic] labour' means no longer hours or harder work than is ordinarily involved in army routine. The $30 pay will be credited to me till after the war. I have done nothing that I am ashamed of, but you know about how much I enjoy being under such a system as is involved in military life. It goes pretty tough being the underdog all the time, and made an automaton and slave to the 'orders' of the few who enjoy a temporary advantage over us. The consolation however lies in the fact that the advantage is only a temprary [sic] one.

We finished the sewing job that Argyle and I were at, and are with the battalion which is out of the line again. Both of us are feeling well as usual, and are ready for the big scrap. This is probably the last letter that I will be able to write for a few days. Who knows but that the next time I write it might be from Blighty?

The weather still continues rather disagreeable. Only occasional days of sunshine, perhaps one in ten. Of course with such wet weather there is an abundance of mud everywhere.

I enjoyed reading the little booklet that father sent over very much. It was so clear and simple and wonderfully well written and well adapted for the purpose - that is reading for soldiers.

Now I will not write any more tonight, but will send you a field post card every day for a few days until I can write again.

I am afraid that parcels from Oak Lake, Calgary, Sue Kerr and Aunt Agnes have gone to feed the fishes as it is over two weeks since I rec'd word that they were sent. Rec'd a nice parcel of candy from Agnes a few days ago.

With a world of love to you all, my dear ones

Your boy

Markle

Pte. W. M. Pecover