Canadian Base Depot
Somewhere in France
May 20th / 17

1st C.M.R.
B.E.F.
France

My Dear Betty & Kiddies:

My first Sunday in France; we arrived here from England last Friday morning, & had a splendid trip across, though kind of crowded on the boat; however we survived & are enjoying the change. I reverted in order to get across, could not come any other way - however I have two stripes again & when we get to the battalion I hope to get the third again. The country here is very - very beautiful & we are in a historic part of France of which I will be able to tell you, I hope sometime in the future. I shall have some great stories to tell you (God willing) when I return again, am saving every-thing up. Yesterday I mailed you a "Canadian Base Depot" Magazine, which I think you will find rather interesting (if ever you receive it)

We are all looking forward to joining the battalion up the line at the front line - which will likely be in a few day's time. I received your letters up to No 21 before I left "Blighty" & I suppose it will be a few weeks before I get any more - I shall miss them & be very, very glad when I get my mail again - though from now on I suppose we shall be more or less unsettled shall write you as often as possible even though they may be short letters; you know dear that there is so little one is allowed to say in a letter, it is even more than England in this respect, I suppose however it is a good thing, it would never do to allow us to write everything we see & hear. There is a large prison camp here but we have only viewed them the prisoners from a distance as yet. So Shirley is going to school at last? It is rather hard for me to realize it dear little daughter, I hope she likes it you must tell me all about it - how Billy will miss her, & you yourself. I do hope that I am home before Billy commences to go - it must be an interesting stage in their carreer. Am hoping to hear one of these days that you have safely received the money I sent you. Am enclosing a pressed lilac blossom, I plucked it just as I was going into the station at Lipbook to board the train for port of embarkation, the lilacs are just coming out - the apple blossoms are well out, & they are a gorgeous sight - here are also a few flowers from La France, buttercups & pretty white flowers, the name of which I have forgotten. I hope to get a pass for this afternoon, to go down to a near by town for a few hours, & as I want to write to the English people I'll have to close, Again dearest Betty let me remind you not to worry about me - I am feeling very contented & do not regret having come - & am looking forward to the great day when we shall meet again & enjoy the supreme satisfaction together = the knowledge of having done our duty & made our sacrifice for the good of humanity. God bless you sweetheart, & grant unto you every needful blessing - kiss & hugs my dear kiddies for Daddy, & they will give you hugs & kisses for me.

Fondest love
Will

494
Able to keep.

P.S. I have a chum with me just now. Sg't Hargrave his people live in Wp'g, on Broadway I think he came across with me, & we are chumming together. He is asking his people to call on you he is a nice boy - he is a private now, I was the only one in about 1,500 men to keep two stripes.