Somewhere in France Oct 28th 1917 Dear Mother: Left our billets yesterday morning in motor lorries and after about 2 hours arrived as far as they could take us. We then got out and walked to our gun positions through mud and water up to our knees. This part of the country is all full of shell holes and as it has rained considerable lately they are full of water. We have relieved an Imperial Battery and for one thing are lucky to get their dugouts. The only trouble is there is so much water you cannot dig below the surface or if you do the holes fill with water. We have had our baptism of fire since arriving and today it has been especially lively. I have been splashed with mud from several bursting shells. You can hear them coming generally and get time to flatten in the mud. Oct 29th. Received your letter of Sept 5th this morning. Having been almost eight weeks coming. That was all the mail I got. We were not able to do as much during the night as we should as on account of the mud the gun would skid and bury itself after every round. There was a continual roar all night. Sometimes the firing was very intense. It is certainly a great experience. The nights are very long which is not very pleasant, and also quite chilly. One of Mrs. Strachans sons works the farm she is living on and another has a farm about 8 or 10 miles away. Most of the time I was alone but I met a 64th Battery boy in Edinburgh and was with him for the day. You seem to have had a few good catches of fish Also plenty of Porcupine. That was a bright idea of the horse to stop on that hill. This is about all the news today will write you again at first opportunity. Love to all Rob