France
Feb. 1st/18

Dear Mother and father;

It is somewhat colder the last few days and I am writing this while sitting beside the fire in "my" French house. The old couple have just treated me to a salad which they made and in turn I made them sample a small mince pie which came in a parcel I received from Burlington Presc. To-day, as well as some Reindeer coffee. So you see we get on famously together Who wouldn't be in the army? Why, it's the greatest life in the world - for a soldier.

A Canadian mail came the other day and I got four letters from you. I am so glad to hear you are keeping well. Don't ever think of worrying over us. Why I am just about the safest person in the world. We are still on the wireless work and it looks very much as though we will be here for some time yet. And here am I having a good time, taking in all the concert parties coming along getting my full nights sleep when perhaps you are worrying in a bout poor Vaughan, As for Lester and Duke, They are also having a great time in England during their training of course, flying might be a little dangerous but what does that count these days when the main thing is to get the war over quickly but most of all rightly not half mannered peace for us. This is on altogether too large a scale for that.

First of all I want to thank you awfully much for the dollar bill I received in the last letter. Do you know I almost think it was an act of Providence. I had just about tripence hapenny to my name and was wondering how we were going to meet the financial problems of this war when a long comes your bill to help me bear over the tide. I was terribly sorry to receive the sad news that Bob Corvan is reported missing. Poor fellow I only hope it means he is a prisoner of war. As nothing is definite that I have received, I am refraining from writing his people till I hear more. Bob certainly was a find lad and I will never forget how kind he and the rest of the family were to me when I was alone in Chatham. You say Harry or Fred Crissman is also in the same list. This is an awful world we are passing thro' isn' it? I feel certain it will make much better people of us.

I also got Mary Austin's letter with your note enclosed, father. I am so glad you had such a good time in Toronto on Xmas and with the Chatham people at New Years. After this war, I certainly intend to visit them for they are ever so kind. But till this business is over I couldn't be contented anywhere else except here, helping the most just cause a nation ever fought for.

You attended Hugh Watson's funeral in Toronto. Poor Hugh certainly did make an awful fight of life and almost observed to pull through. However it was nice that his mother was with him in England.

I got a nice letter from Aunt Lillian the other day, as well as one from Kathleen. They certainly are all good in writing to me and I delight to receive their letters.
Here we are into February now. My! But the time is flying why, by this time next year, we will all be back home I feel sure of it. However, as an optimist would say, the longer the separation, the merrier the home coming.

Well, it is just about 9 p.m. so I must "fermez la letter" and get back to my "hotel," I hope this finds you both well and never worry over us, for we are "living like kings, eating under no food restrictions like you are and having the time of our lives." I will write again soon

With much love as ever
Your loving son
Vaughan

P.S. Am enclosing a letter from Pierer which Duke sent me.