March 31st/17

My Dear sister:
I received your two most welcome letters just lately. It sure helps to brighten up when we get mail. I rec'd eleven letters within a week. My pen has gone dry so I will have to finish this with pencil, besides we are not near ink at present. I am back at my old job again over here, and manage to keep my usual good health. We are having very unsettled weather here at present, there for we have plenty of mud. I am feeling rather sleepy as I have been on duty for quite s stretch of time, so you will have to excuse my letter being dull. We still keep giving Fritz what for, but I hope he gets enough soon, then I will be quite satisfied to go back to Canada. Trench life is not so bad for us, but it would be worse in the ranks. I am pleased to hear that you are getting on well at school, also that you like it. It is great to live in a community where there are so many good neighbors, that you mention in your letters. I do not find your letters dull but the opposite, I enjoy reading them. Those are dandy drawings you send me once in a while I do not know exactly which friend you referred to in your last letter, but my school chum who was with me in Tessier is at present home again in Seeley's Bay Ontario where I went to school.

P.S. You asked me when my birthday was. It is on the 9th Sept. I have forgotten just which day yours is in April Which is it on.

My partner on the homestead is over here too. He is in the R.F.A. I saw him the other day. the first time since I enlisted. He visited me at our rest billets. It was something like old times to see him again. I intend going back to work the homestead again if I pull out of this alright. Well here I am once more. I have just finished supper, so I will try to conclude this epistle. You will have to excuse this notepaper being pretty dirty, as there is much mud here. We tramp in mud, sleep in it, eat in it so you will see my difficulty. I have not heard from Aunt Frank or cousin Belva lately, but hope to soon. Yes I would just as leave that you call me Don, although I have got used to being called Jack now, seeing that they have called me that ever since leaving school. Well I'll close this for now, after wishing you all the best of luck over there. Give my love to all there not forgetting to keep lots for yourself.
Au Revoir for now
Your Loving brother Don.
XXXXXXXXXXX

ADDRESS
signaller J.M. Brown
No. 886089
28th Battalion Canadians
B.E.F. France

P.S.I hope you received the photos and badges which I sent you before leaving England. I will wish you a happy birthday & many more of them. I will send you something the first chance I get. Meanwhile best wishes is all I have.
Bye Bye
Yours Don.