17/6/17.

Dear Mother:-

Your letter May 31st and mailed June 1st in Montreal, received last night while I was (and still am) in the trenches. I think this is the quickest time in which a letter has come from home. Glad to hear you are well. I have been quite well, and am, with the exception of a boil which is now quite on the way to recovery. It was quite painful, but now is doing fine. The weather is hot and the trenches dry, although they are a little dusty, still we go about without tunics and are very comfortable. Sorry to learn that Margt. is no better.

The hopes of my leave are not so bright now, that is, for leave in the very near future, but still it may come soon. You know there are only two things we look forward to here, that is, going out of the trenches at the end of a tour, and leave. Although leave to England even now is not "bomb proof" since these raids are still being carried on, as no doubt you have seen by the papers.

It is wonderful when one thinks how many hearts and hopes are affected by this War directly and indirectly. We have read of great events in the world's history during different ages, but none has been so far reaching as this, and no one wish and hope has taken hold on the world so much as the one you express. We look and long for peace, but at the same time feel that although it is sure to come sooner or later, it may come too late for us individually. I do not wish you to think I am despondent, for they say here I am the most cheerful of the lot, and I think I am, but one can hope in the midst of it all. I feel more sorry for the wives of young married men with families of young children, with practically the life of the family just starting, such as Donald’s, and the bitterness of hoping against great odds.

When I look back over your life and father’s how calmly and placidly you bore all trials and how now come to the twilight of life you seem to both be so happy and content and assured that “Come what come will" all will be well. It is a wonderful inspiration to me and I see no reason why I should not see things in the same light. I have never received the Magazines you speak of. You should write the publishers and ask about it. Of course it should be here now if you subscribed at the beginning of the Winter.

I think I told you the O.C. of this battalion and the original battalion came from Ottawa, so there are many here interested in Ottawa.

Love to all. Did the Dr. ever got my letter written quite a long time ago, December I think?

Yours affectionately,
Alex.