France
April 2/16

My Dear Mother

Well Mother I suppose you have been wondering what has happened to me but I have been in the trenches and just came out. I sent a field postcard from the trenchs.

We are having splendid weather. Today I am sitting outside the dugout where we are stationed writing. The sun is out fine and makes us think of the spring weather at home. I think most of the wet weather is over now. This is certainly a nice country around here in summer time and in times of peace. The food we get is very good and nothing to kick at. We generally get raw meat and have to cook it ourselves so you can imagine what kind of a cook I'll be when I get home. I got that book alright and a parcel of papers the other day. In fact Igot the book about ten days ago but haven't finished reading it yet. So far it is very good and some of my chums read it and said it was fine.

I got a parcel from Aunt [?] the other day with a pair of socks and a little slice of cake. As I said before you needn't mind sending any more socks for sometime as I have plenty and they are rather hard to carry around in our sack. I guess the 179th will be over in England very soon. I expect George [?] will be over in France very soon in a draft. Did you get that three pound I send from Bramshott? The next parcel you send me will you send a little tin of cocoa as it is very good in the trenches when you come in rather chilly

I suppose when you get this letter the men will be working on the land. Did the snow go away very fast this spring. I guess the land will be very wet on account of having so much snow this winter. I have several more letters to write yet as I haven't written anybody else since I came to France. and I will try to yet now and again as I always like to get them.

Well Mother this is about all the news I have to tell. With lots of love to all.

From your loving son
James