In this letter, that “dear little beloved wife of mine to be” refers to his former girlfriend.

Dear Elliott and Ada,

Just a few lines today in reply to your letter which I received a few days ago. Also parcel which I got this morning. Many thanks for same.

I met Lou Burns last night. He has just come across, worse luck, eh?  He is with the 46th battalion but the same brigade as me. Have not as yet got word of the nature of the casualties but believe most of them are missing.

That dear little beloved wife of mine to be is hooked up. What the hell do you know about that, eh? I got done in for $110 bucks by a fair haired barnyard savage. Some fish. I was telling Old Fat about it last night. He casually remarked that if we had it now we could buy a lot of French beer at two cents a pint. We don’t get much money but we do see life!

How is the wee boy and dear little Evelyn? I sure would like to see them all once more but will make all up for lost time when I’m back.

Well Old man, dinner is on so I will have to beat it for now.

Love to all the family,

Cliff

P.S. Tell Ada and Mother not to send any more socks or clothes as we have not time to wash them and only trade them off for clean clothes that are no good.