Somewhere in France
11/8/17

My Dearest

So many thanks for your dear letters, I am so sorry to have kept you so long without any news. I suppose it is my own fault, but I have been too disgusted with everything lately. We had to return to the Column two days after I wrote you last. We had to walk all the way from the Battery, carrying our kit, & it poured with rain the whole way. I think I told you we were six miles from the D.A.C. but we found out it was more like ten miles than six. We are not used to such Infantry stunts, & I can tell you we were a weary & miserable bunch of boys when we arrived.

It has rained almost every other day since then & I have had a rotten time. I can't stand that outfit at No 1 Sect. They are all nearly from St. John N.B. on the east coast. It is a regular family affair & I would never get a show there at all. I was soon fed up with them so I thought the best thing to do was to get into a Battery & here I am, arrived this morning. My address is 25th Battery, 6th Bde. C.F.A., B.E.F.

Of course I can not tell you whether I like it or not, yet, having been here not more than two hours. But I think I shall be alright, I know one of the Officers & quite a number of the boys.

Anyhow, it cannot be any worse than the Sect. & I am real glad to be clear away from the D.A.C. I expect to stay at the horse lines for a while before going to the guns. Are you surprised, Dearest that I have transferred to a Bty? I think it will not affect my leave, that was the first thing I enquired about. They told me at the rate leave is going now my turn ought to come in Oct. or Nov. so that is not too bad, I did not expect it until Xmas. I hope I shall not be disappointed, it seems a long time to wait, but nobody seems to get leave until they have been here 18 months.

No Dearest, we are a long way from the place where Harold is. You see his Coy. did not come south with the majority of us last summer. We have moved a little nearer since then, but we are quite a long distance away.

Well Dearest I hope you will forgive me for keeping you waiting so long. I must close for the present hoping you are quite well. I am longing to be with you Dearest.

Lots & lots & lots of love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
from Yours only & forever
Fred