Witley Camp
Jan 9th 1917

My Dear Father:

Have not heard from you for quite awhile, but reced Jessie letters last week. How are you all at home; hope you spent a very happy New Year. How did the anniversary come aff? No doubt it was a success, Musq. always succeeds in anything she attempts doesn't she? Hurrha!

I suppose there is skating and sleighing over there now. I would certainly like to have a skate. They have very little winter over here, the winter here is at much like our fall and early Spring, not very pleasant. The mind gets quite deep after a rain. We were down the road a piece to-day to a gas trench, where they put us through the gas which they use at the Front, for practice, with our Gas
Helmets on, just where the went through the thickest part of the gas, the mud was ankle deep. The gas is not very pleasant [?]-ing stuff, but perfectly safe if you have your helmet properly adjusted.

I am having an easy time tonight for a change. I have been quite busy lately, but got clear of night work tonight, this is the first night we have been at night work since we came across and I have such luck enough to be on guard. The guard is over a quarantine hut, quarantined for mumps. I have just been out and [? pontest] my [? ceutries], and came in beside the fire to write you a letter.

How do you get along in the choir without Sadie's assistance? I don't imagine you have such good anthems now. She was certainly a great help to the choir, haven't been to a church service since I came over, with the exception of regular regimental services. Have been on duty or something about every Sunday, I am not struck on their C. of E. (Church of England) service any way. Think I will try and go this coming Sunday if possible. Poor old Capt. Martin is in Hospital, but I think he will soon be out.

Did you get the 85th Batt book A.K. hope you did.

How did Herb [? Reid] and his friends come on with their Trial, [? dirty] [? leuts]. I would just like to have walked onto them with fixed bayonets, There is every opportunity for such men a those over in France today, with out pounding up their neighbors.

How are you coming on? Are you getting a station master? I think Mid. Musq. is entitle to one as much, if not more than Upper.

Well! There is nothing very startling to while. We expect to go to France shortly. Hope you are all well; will close with love to all

Loving Son, Spence