France
June 21/16

My Dear Mother,

Well Mother I intended writing sooner but thought I would wait for a letter and the Canadian mail seems to be held up some how or other as we haven't had any for over a week. I don't know what the trouble is, Maybe the trains, ports and the ships have been too busy to bring it over. We haven't been in the trenches since I last wrote and we have got rested up and I am feeling very good an in good health.

I have had a couple of feejs of eggs and chips since I came out but fifteen francs doesn't go very far in this country. I am going to ask you if you'll sent me five dollars. I have been broke now and again and I don't like borrowing money. If you will send it in a letter as we can't get money orders changed in this country and we can get Canadian money changed at the Y.M.C.A. You can take it off my government allowance the next time you get it.

Well today is the longest day in the year and it certainly is a beautiful day and I hope it is good weather in Manitoba. The people around here are haying now and such good hay. It is all rye gradd and a good height too.

So the 179th have gone out to Sewell I guess they won't come over to this country till the fall.

Our battalion has started going back but there are not very many gone yet and they don't send them very fast so I don't expect my leave for some time yet.

I saw Jack Lovett and Tom Brown the other night. Maybe you won't remember them but Frank and [?] will know them. Tom Brown used to work for [?] Westbrook. Mac Woods isn't with us now. His feet gave out and he is back and got a policemans job I think that is what he said. I was glad to see him get the job as every long march hurt his feet.

Arleen will be thro her exams by now and I hope she is successful. Cecil will be having some time this summer holidays. Ask him if he is going to do the [?] this summer. How is Frank getting alonf? Tell him I write next time.

We had brigade sports yesterday and they had all kinds of races and jumping. Both hands were out and the four battalions in the brigade.

Our pipe band [?] brass land play every evening for an hour after supper. Last Sunday was communion Sunday and I [?] it. We held the church service in the open. Major Gordon is very popular among the boys and certainly duty while in the trenches. Well Mother this is all the news for this time. With lots of love to everybody.

From your loving son.
Jim