France
16/6/17.

Dear Mother:-

Just a line to let you know I am well and alive. We are now in the line, have been for some time. My Company Commander is back so I am doing line duty as before, so far have not had anything very exciting and seem to be standing it very well.

The weather is extremely hot and the tranches dry and clean, but the loss of, and irregular, sleep has a sort of nervous strain on one and sometimes it seems impossible to sleep after having lost a certain amount.

We are in a dug-out about thirty or more feet below the ground, so the atmosphere is cool and more or less damp and not very well ventilated, and there is always someone up and talking. Otherwise it is an exceptionally fine one. With a piano in it. I think told you of it.

With love to all.
Alex.