No.7 Can. Gen. Hospital

18 August 1917

Dear Sister and Brother

Not sure whether I answered you letter or not. If I have neglected I have at least the excuse I thought a letter had been written. Does that improve the situation at all?

Glad you were favoured with the sight of an aeroplane. Look pretty fine don’t they? Do you think you would like to ride in one? It is the ambition of nearly every man in the British army to be an air pilot. Must be a clean way of traveling. Needn’t fear getting your Sunday-go-to-meeting dress spotted with mud or your had covered with dust. It is rather dusty though when they go over the enemies lines. A shell bursts with a hellish little wink of flame and bits fly about which may hit you or some vital part of the machine and if the latter, it is a long and rapid journey to the ground. But it would be great to have one on the farm, no danger from autos taking all the road. You can’t get caught in rain storms for if the clouds begin to threaten you can just go above them and sun yourself until the rain is over. After while everyone will be having one. Perhaps Ford will turn them out like his cars. In some distant day the kiddies will have them to slide down hill on and they will not have to search for the hill; they can just go up and slide down upon a hill of air.  …

There is no news. Haven’t been away from camp in nearly two weeks. Then it was to have a swim in the ocean. It was great sport. I could find no way to keep the salt water out of my mouth though and when I got out my tongue felt something like what a salted herring’s must feel. There were hundreds on the sand and in the water, people from different parts of France and the soldiers. 

I hope you had a great harvest and got it all stored away within the barn without mishap. Next time I shall be more faithful in writing if you will be good to me this time. Write soon.

Bro. Frank