France
August 11th 1918

My Dear Mother:

Wrote you last on the 8th and the next day received three Canadian letters one of which was from Isabel and Evelyn dated 11th & 12th July. Yesterday received a letter from Elizabeth so I am not doing so bad. These letters are a long time coming as they are almost a month old so I will be expecting more in a few days. Of course I am never satisfied but mail has not been any too regular lately. How do my letters come? Think you get them a little quicker. Have very little news from this end for the last few days. Have been on duty as usual and there is no place to go worth while and anyway it is too big a task walking anywhere. You would read the news of the last advance and the part the Canadians had in it. It was apparently well planned and a surprise. Expected it but had no idea where it was to take place so it was handled very secretly. Would have liked to have been there in one way, and then again probably we have been as well off where we are. It is evidence at least that we now have things a good deal as we want them although there is a big task still ahead. Anyway it will delay anything the enemy has planned and with the approach of shorter days, time will be all in our favour.

The parcel received was appreciatted very much. The dates were good and also the cake which was quite fresh. The milk is the kind I like but if it costs more than 20 cts a tin you better let me get it here as we can generally get it now as there is now a good supply. We had a few boxes of shredded wheat in our canteen a couple of days ago and I soon grabbed on to one as it is a nice change. Cost about 25cts which is reasonable. They also had fresh Tomatoes & Pears but I did not get any. They should soon be more plentiful.

Apparently the crops are not extra good in Montana, at least the hay. By reports Canada is fairly good and will be at least above average. Note you are making sure of a wood supply for the winter and it is a good idea. A car will be quite a pile and will almost need a guard to watch it, if coal gets scarce.

You will be making the best of the summer weather now and also of the lake. Imagine the house and boat will be having a busy time, especially since the visitors are now arriving.

With the Watch and Fountain Pen I sent home were three bullets British white, French copper, and the other German. Also a few pieces of shrapnel both steel and lead and a few tags and the rest of the pieces in the tin box belonged to the fuse. The piece of type was taken from the ruins of what was a printers shop. The inkstand is made of 77 millimetre German Cartridge case and a fuze and also driving bands of the same shell. If you wish, by plugging the bottom of the fuse it can be used as an inkwell, but I guess it is hardly worth it. By taking it apart you will be able to understand how it works. The piece with the needle point screws out by turning to the left. I did the filing on the case and it was quite a job to make the hole in the end as the metal [?] very tough. Hope anyway [?] you receive the parcel alright [?] was not registered. The pieces of shell are odd scraps I picked up and are of about a six inch shell. Most of the pieces are about this size with also quite a number several times as large. They make plenty of noise when spinning through the air and will travel easily half a mile. Have not stopped any although they have occassionally dropped not far away.

We have very good billets here. The only think is there is a small army of mice that come out at night and make a noise. Meals are very good although in warm weather meat is not appreciatted so much. Have had new potatoes for some time, also carrots and cabbage.

Sorry I have torn off the corner. Today is very warm but on the whole we are having fine weather. Hope to receive a few more letters tonight but I guess there will be none for a few days anyway.

With kindest regards and love to all
Rob