Somewhere in France
Tues. April 3rd/17

Mrs. H. Johns
Elimville
Ont. Canada

Dear Mother :- Just a few lines to let you know I am well and seeing life. I hope this finds you people well also. no doubt the damp weather is trying for you I know it is for me but not in the same way. I mean the mud and the water. It rains or snows every day Last night we went on a working party. It took us about an hour to get to where we was to work. It snowed all the time and I don't think I ever saw things covered so quickly Just in one hour there must have been two or three inches of wet snow. fell. The flakes were more like snowballs It stuck to everything and melted say maby we were not in a mess. It was late when we got in and after we had a sip of rum we turned in to have a little sleep. and steam dry our clothes that dry them by the heat of our bodys. We slept so lat that breakfast was over before we knew it so we missed a feed. Our little tents were never meant for a preachers son as we have to go in on our hands and knees and I can assure you it is a pleasure when one has muddy boots and putties on and have to crawl over the blankets and when one gets in he cannot sit up straight. The tents are just a covering for the War Deparment trucks which carry 3 tons. put up in this shape

Fritz throws a few shells near us at a little villiage once in a while. But that is nothing to what he gets in return, It must be awfull over in his lines one cannot help but pity the poor beggars that have to stay in them. I got your box yesterday. The mits come in handy let me assure you. I still use the wristlets they are nearly as good as mits . I gave all the smokes away as I dont use many of that kind. The ones that got them said they were fine . We were issued with chewing tobacco nearly a week ago Mcdonald chewing I took one little nip of the corner when I was on working party the other night It gave me the heart-burn so I'll give it away I guess. I saw Jim Howe last Sunday he looks fine he is in the Ent. Battn. but will come to ours soon. Jackson has a good job for a while I don't know how long it will last. He is on the Traffic control that is he stands at a corner where 3 or 4 streets meet and acts like a policeman in a city. just sees that the traffic runs smoothly if he is wise he will stay with it as long as he can. Well I must close now

With Love
From Earl.