6 June, ’16.

If you recall the news in the papers during these last few days, you’ll remember a few things happened to the Canucks up the line — hence no time for letters or anything else but work. Things were sure enough lively for the Pats and the 2d C.M.R’s. according to the stories brought down.

By the way, I saw some Signallers amongst them, the first I’ve seen come in — at least the first I’ve noticed. . . .  

One was attached permanently, owing to deafness caused by shell fire.

It appears a Signaller has the grand-stand view of the war in more or less safety. He sits all day, and all night too I suppose, in a steel-covered dugout. Over his head is strapped a telephone head-piece and he receives messages all the time. That’s all they do, lucky beggars! I wish I were in that corps — they’ll see all the show. I see them come out after it’s over and am told about the “turns”, secondhand.

By you get this, the sea battle will be old stuff. Already maybe you know more than I do, but to sum up the main events so far for these months, namely this battle — a mistake has been made in letting Germany get in her story to the world first.

Victors do not run away. Germany did. Beatty held their main fleet till our main fleet came up, and therefore suffered heavily. He prevented their gaining their object; that’s all, as we had it here. . . .  

I’m on a new job which has, as some of its advantages. two afternoons a week and quit daily at 4 p.m. Active service—I don’t think. Churchill was right, and there should be an alteration as to what constitutes a fighting unit. Convalescents should be doing our work — and the majority of us should be up the line. I am perfectly willing to go at any time, but transfers are forbidden; so many had been asked for that a General Order came out prohibiting it, excepting in very special cases.