St. Martins plain
Feb 6th/17

My Dear Sister:
I received you most welcome letter on saturday. I hope you will write once every week. I am a very poor correspondence as you already know but I will try to write more often in the future.

We are taking instructions in bombing this week. It is very interesting work I can assure you. There is plenty of excitement to it. We have finished our musketry and firing on the ranges. When we finish this week's bombing and have another weeks bayonet fighting we will be classed as A1 men ready for France at any time.

Our sergeant is now trying to claim us from the ranks to the signal school. I hope he does not make us go back though, as it will delay out getting across. There are only about two men out of our section who wish to go to the school again.

You asked me to tell you about England. Well there is not much to tell you. It is practically the same country here as it is around your part of Ontario. We have had about three weeks of pretty cold weather. It is just about like late fall in Canada. We have had snow on the ground steady for a week past. We were using snowballs for bombs today in our practice.
In the northern part of England they have quite heavy snowfalls. In some countries they had to dig their sheep out of the drifts. We are situated on the south coast, and can see the shores of France on a clear day.
I am pleased to hear that you are getting on so well at school. I would like to have a photo of you. I failed to get mine taken last sat. again, but will sometime soon, then you shall have one. I hope and believe that you will grow up to be a credit to our relations. I have not been much of a credit to anyone yet but I will try and turn over a new leaf when I leave the army.

P.S. I am sorry to hear of Mrs. Robinson's death. She seemed to me a fine old lady. I received a dandy letter from Aunt Frank the other day. Yes I like to read, but I do not get much chance to read any good books, such as shakespeare & scott since joining up as they are too bulky to carry in our kits, so about all we get is the light literary stuff with lots of impossibilities. I hope you will not worry about me out there as I am alright here, and I intend coming back home safe and sound after the war. Sometimes I get the blues, and look back to times when I could have improved a whole lot, but that is all over with now, so we will hope for better in the future. Well there goes supper call so I will say adios for now, give my best regards to all there, and write often to yours Lovingly Don
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

P.S. You asked me why I did not come and see you while passing through Ontario. Well, we came on a troop train and no men are allowed on or off till they get their destination unless paraded. I applied for leave to go and see you but it was no use. I passed through Carleton place and Smith's falls enroute, so near yet so far. [?] I believe you are fourteen years of age now are you not. I am twenty one now as you know.

Give my love to Aunt Birdie & Uncle Matt not forgetting to keep plenty for yourself.

P.S. No I was not tired of reading your letter, but found it most interesting are you living in the country now. Don
I guess you will think me inquisitive, Eh.