[transcription and footnotes have been provided by the collection donor]

France
Feby 9 1918

Dear Father and Mother:-

Received three letters from you when I arrived back off leave yesterday^[190]. The last one was dated Jan 1st. I wrote you while at Halsalls and told you of the time I was having there and sent you a PC from London. I stayed six days in Liverpool and saw the Jones and Binchens. I went with Hilda^[191] to Haylake one after noon and had a very nice time. We walked to West Kirby along the sea shore. When I left L-pool I went to Uncle Henry's for a couple of days and saw the Coulthends and a lot of other people Father would know. Also saw Ascnigg church^[192]. I didn't go to see anyone else although I meant to but I just didn't seem to have time. I never saw 14 days go so quickly. It is not very cold here but it is damp most of the time. Had splendid weather in England while there. Will write again very soon.

Your Loving Son
Rich
911016 R.W. Mercer

Footnotes
^[190] The Borden Battery at Verdrel, France had just completed Bath Parade and instructions on wiring. Pte. Richard Mercer is probably writing this letter in his tent, fresh from a bath and wearing clean underwear and most importantly, clean new socks.
^[191] Hilda is the daughter of Bess Halsalls from the Liverpool area who is a very good friend of Georgina Mercer. A photograph of Hilda is contained in one of the Mercer family albums. In the photograph she appears to be about 16-17 years of age.
^[192] The significance of this church is not known at this time. It might be where his parents were married and/or where Pte. Mercer might have been baptized before coming to Canada. Further research is required on this subject.