France
June 1st 1918

Dear Mother:

Wrote you last on the 29th and you may now be surprised to hear we are now out of the line. We left the same night and after a [censored] arrived at [censored] where we were billeted in a large hut. Also stayed there the next day and night and as we had nothing to do were able to have a look around. In the afternoon went to the top of a hill nearby from which we could look down on the first line for several miles and see the shells bursting all along it. Could also look down on several neat little mining villages with the houses in straight rows and all their red tin roofs showing up. The mines are still running although the long range guns can easily reach them and also of course bombs. It was certainly a treat to get out of the line and not have to wear steel hats and gas masks continually. The country is at its best and the neat little fields look fine and green and the weather could not be better. Yesterday morning we left there at 8AM for our present camp which is certainly a fine one among some trees and it is more like a picnic. We are to have a permanent pass to a village near here which gives us the afternoon unless we are on duty on fatigues or guard. We are living in tents and it is so nice we can sleep outside if we like.

Have not received a Canadian mail lately but expect one soon. Suppose Isabel will be at the camp now and will see this letter.

Yesterday I was down to a small stream to have a wash and to my surprise found Smyth was billeted there. It was practically an accident that he should be so close and I only seemed to have an idea he might be there so I was certainly surprised to see him. There are hundreds of these small villages he might have been in. Only saw him for a short time but expect to see him again this afternoon as he has the afternoon off. He was also surprised to see me.

We do not know how long we will be here. Understand we are out for a rest but of course we do not know what may happen. We can hear occassional large shells bursting in nearby places and it a shame they should shell these places where civilians still live. See some of them out on the country roads although I think most of them get into the deep cellars.

We have a football and baseball team so expect to have some good games with another battery here.

Think this is all today. Hope you are all well and enjoying the summer.

Love to all
Rob