193 Oxford Rd
Reading
4-1-17

My own dear Jack.

Thank you so much for the sweet little broach I think its just lovely & I shall wear it always it was good of you dear to think of ma's birthday I do apreciate your kind thought dear I love to think you think of me Evie gave me a Bottle of Lavender Water & the children a jam spoon & I had several cards & letters. I did feel so sorry for you dear when you said how wet cold & muddy you were how I wish you could come home to a nice comfy fire after a march like that, then it would not seem so bad I too hope & trust the war will be over before another new year comes in & that you will be safely instaled in your own little home again wish Kathy dear & the baby love bless her I am sure she misses all the children. Yes it would have been lovely to have had Vie & Blanche with us dear but I hope some day that will be possible eh. I cant bear the thought of you going back to Canada. when you were at the trains dear I looked at you & though oh how I wish they could settle down here some where near so that you could come home often then again dear you would never do here or make the progress you have in Canada. So you must go back & make your pile & come settle here when Daddy & I get old then you can come & be a comfort to us & take care of us. Eh. in our old age. We hope Freddy Allen gets his transfer alright it will be nice for him to be in England all the Summer & I do hope you will have the same luck dear well dear I will close now as its getting late. Daddy is much better & I am feeling better too but not quite up to the mark all the children are well & sends their love, Daddy joins with me in heaps of love dear
ever your loving mother

Thank you so much again for the little broach it came quite safe & sound XXXXXXXX

good night
Jack dear