291494
Y.M.C.A. Headquarters
Canadian Corps
B.E.F. France

Sunday Dec 16th / 17

My Dearest Betty:

Sunday morning & Fritz's guns etc busy making their old music - last night we had just sat down to supper, when he began to drop bombs, it id not take us long to put out the lights & go outside to see where he was dropping them - he made a second visit about 12 midnight every day his shells come whissing & screaming over the marquee in which we are living to fall in the fields or town not far distant - Yesterday one shell hit & brought down a large crucifix with its image of the Christ (The Prince of Peace) yesterday I was walking through a near by town with a church when I met, whom do you think? Walter Gordon - he used to keep the Pharmacy in Neepawa he is a Cap't Quartermaster in one the Pioneer Battalions, we had quite a chat. The weather is keeping remarkably good for the time of year, though of course it is cold & damp.

I expect to be leaving here any time now & shall be with the "second division" Y.M.C.A. Capt Hurd is in connected with the Hurds of Wp'g members of 1st Baptist, you might enquire by phone.

I think that you may address letters now to the address as given on the head of my letter, but you can still send one occasionally c/o Bella, I suppose that it will be a week or two yet before I get any letters from you, My - it seems such a long long time without any news from home, but its a case of being patient. How I shall be thinking of you & my kiddies this Xmas-time, God bless & keep you, & give you a happy Xmas, & grant us the joy of being together ere another Xmas rolls round. When I get settled I will tell you about my work as yet, while here I have just been doing a little clerical work. Let me know what parcels you have received from me, also tell me all about your Xmas & New Year.

Remember me to all enquiring friends, I am enclosing a few post cards etc - Bye - Bye God bless & keep you my dears, fondest love & hugs & kisses from

Daddy

Betty xxxxxxxxxxxx
Shirley xxxxxxxxxxx
Billy xxxxxxxxxxx