Dear Mother and Folks,

Just a few lines to let you know that I am still OK. I will start by apologizing for not writing sooner but I have a sore thumb and as you will see by the writing that it is not any too good yet.

Well Mother, we sure have had some fighting lately but I am thankful to say that all the boys from home have come out all OK. Henry Phillips missed this do as he was away on a course and just arrived back. Also Tommy Hickman missed it as he was in the field ambulance with an abscess but is back today. Jim Taylor is jake and at present in gay Paris on furlough.

I am going to bonny Scotland on mine and expect to be away about the time you receive this letter. I will in all probability cable home for funds as I want to have lots of money to have a good time. So if you get a cable don’t think that I am wounded or anything like that. I write this just in case you should have too much of a start knowing what those two messages you received meant to you. I sure am counting on having a good time in the old country after a fill out here.

I don’t know how Archie Taylor and Lew Burns came out as yet but they were in it. I will find out and if they are casualties I will write full particulars to their people. They are both in the 46th battalion and in the same brigade as us.

Well Mother, I sure wish this was all over. All I have got to look forward to is my time for 10 days and then back to France. I only wish it was 10 days in dear old Boissevain, so I could be with you all again.

Do you ever see Jennie Anderson these days? I often think of her and in one way I am glad that my blonde got hooked up for I believe that the old saying of “once in love and only once.” I know that no one will ever be to me what she would have been but I am afraid I am a hopeless case. But one thing I can do if I ever get back and that is to look after you and dear little Evelyn. Believe me Mother this has made men out of us who will live to see it over. And we will be able to appreciate our homes when we get back.

Your loving son,

Cliff.

P.S. I forgot to well you what was wrong with my thumb. I was opening a tin of jam with a knife when it slipped I got the full benefit of the blade.