France
June 8/16

My Dear Mother,

Well Mother I suppose seeding will be over now and the summer months advancing. It is very nice weather here altho it was raining for a day or two the first of this week. All the leaves will be out and all the blossoms out. How did Arleen come out in her examinations? I do hope she gets through all right.

I rec' your letter a few days ago and am sorry to say put off writing a few days altho I sent a card. Your letter was dated a May 14. It does not take very long for the letters to come now.

Poor Jimmie Sheen got wounded the other day going into the trenches. I suppose you will have seen it in the paper long before this letter reaches you. I think Jimmie will get along alright. He is the first from Belmont in the 43rd.

So your hired [?][ anxious to get the kilts off he was in the trenches a few lines and it raining he would not be quite so anxious especially when the bottom of them get clogged up with mud bit lucky we have had very good weather while in the trenches.

I got that parcel of papers that you sent the other day and was very pleased to get them. I am expecting that parcel anyday now that you said you were sending and you certainly look after me will be sending so many parcels.

It looks like rain now but I hope it doesn't rain. What do you think of the great naval battle our navy had with the Germans. I think that victory will help put this war to an end and I hope that this summer will see the end of it.

Well Mother this is all the news I have to tell now. With plenty of love to all and I am hopgin and praying that we may all see each other again.

With love to all.
From you loving Son
Jim