Mons Belgium Nov 25/18 My Dear Sister Violet I am so sorry that you were caused such anxiety for my welfare by the non-arrival of any news from me for so long a spell. I can certainly assure you that I wrote at least several times & it is very unfortunate that they went astray at such a critical time, but it is really wonderful some-times that we do not lose more mail than we do under the circumstances. I was dee-lightfully pleased to receive parcel no 100 (Oct 17th) this morning in perfect order Violet! All articles are a terribly high price here. A sq inch of laundry soap costs 5 Frs ($1.00) boots from 80 to 200 frs, sugar 11 frs a pound, Coffee 50 frs a pound & so on almost every article being next to impossible to procure & as a result the civilian population are almost in rags. we try & help them out as much as possible & they do seem so very grateful. Most of them wear their wooden clogs which we associate so much with the "Dutch". Your most welcome letter of Nov 1 also reached me this morning "October" it seems to have come very quickly indeed I was so pleased to hear that you have all recovered from the "Flu" which seems to have been so very prevalent. I also had a letter from Andy Milne lately. While our ultimate destination is Coblenz on the Rhine we are thinking of nothing else but of the day when we shall get back to dear "Old Canada" the demobalisation scheme first takes into consideration occupation then length of service married men & your Home location. We are moving very slowly having only covered about 10 miles since I last wrote you. We hear many tales of how the Old British Army fought here in the first retreat & their silent graves also bear testimony to the fact. Violet I really do not know what to say or how to thank you all for the way you have carried on & been so cheerful through all this long time it is really you at home that have suffered most through so many anxious & trying times & I shall always continue to think of you as the very very best "Father Sister & Brother" that it is possible to be blest with. I trust & pray that you are all continuing in the very best of Health & Spirits while I cannot be with you in person this "Xmas" My thoughts shall be there we are planning on having an excellent "Xmas" Dinner here out of our successful Canteen profits. Hoping you shall enjoy the very very Happiest & Merriest "Xmas" possible. Your Loving Brother Arthur
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