Belgium, Jan 30, 1916

Dear Brother,

Received your letter this afternoon after not hearing from you for a long time. I have written you two since the one in Oct. but I suppose you have received them before Nov.

We came out of the trenches yesterday, after being in for sixteen days - quite a stretch (as this is Sundays well we have to attend Church service and have a rifle inspection) It is the main thing in this country and your only friend and we certainly get jerked up if we don't have them in proper shape. It is awful to keep them clean in the trenches.

We have no brigaded the P.P.R.C.R. 42nd and the 49th. We took over the trenches the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and fourth. They went out for a months rest which was sure coming to them. We went in the front line for four days in the supports four, front line four, and then reserves four. Now we are out for seven days. Two Batts go in at a time. We relieved the R.C.R., and the O,.O. on our left relieved the 42nd.

We had the lest casualties of any I believe. You will see in the papers the 42nd had hard luck. They had thirty six casualties the four days in the front line. The first night we relieved the R.C.S. they had all their packs waiting for us to come in when they were shelled pretty heavy and had five killed and a dozen wounded - not a half an hour before we relieved them. Up to that they were lucky. We only had three killed, a few wounded which is good and lucky for six days. The trenches were only seventy five yards apart. We had the wind in our face all the time in, so wasn't looking for any gas attacks. I met Bob Nairn one night in the village. I was asking one of the P.P. transport man in he knew Bob, and he said why that is him standing beside me, but I wouldn't know him, so of course made myself acquainted. I guess I surprised him. He is looking good and fat. He has got a bomb proof job on the transports. I guess he never was in the trenches.

We will be in this country four months on the 9th Feb., then the Batt starts going on pass, so many out of a company each week. They allow you eight days in England. As you know we are all scrambling to be first. I suppose we will draw lots for our turn to go. It will certainly be a swell dish to have a few days amongst civilization and get a few square feeds and try to sleep in a bed, which I haven't been for four months. Hooky must have started to grow since I was home - sports that have joined there, well I can give them a tip not to get excited, and want to rush over here as they might be here soon enough. They want to stay they for as long as they can if they know when they are lucky. Old Doc went to the hospital out of the trenches with rheumatism. He was all crippled up proper with it. His shoulder went out before he might get to Eng. with it. I hear he will be lucky if he does. I received your Xmas box and cigars, also your Fatimas which you can renew as often as you like. I received a parcel from Jim on the 23rd, just before we came out of the trenches which he sent on the Nov. 1st nearly three months on the way. Lila sent me a large home made Fruit Cake. You can imagine how it tasted. I had a letter from Jean, written on the 6th the same news you did in yours. Well I guess this is all I got to say. Hoping you are all well. Answer soon and lots of news.

Love to All,
Bill