France nr. Lens
August 31, 1917

Dear Old Keith:

Thanks for your jake letter. I’m so glad you are going to see about your eyes and it is jake to think you are paying your own expenses. Have a good as time as possible old mush eater but don’t go imbibing any joyful fluid or you are likely to tear down Granville St. according to the way your letters say you feel. If you get into any scraps don’t maul the guy to much. Its best to quit when you have bust his jaw, flattened his nose, punched the wind out of him, and smashed two or three ribs. Comprez?

Thanks old man for your donations in the parcel. The gum was jake. In the future please don’t send any more cigs. Please get mum to send on Dad’s pipe with some good mild pipe tabacco. Please get her to do this as I don’t smoke much but would rather use a good pipe.

Isn’t it too bad Fred Lee was killed? He was such a fine young fellow and absolutely couldn’t be persuaded to drink, smoke, or swear over here.

Write soon you dashed, elongated hunk of meat,

Your loving brother,
Sid

[Editor’s note: Transcription provided by collection donor.]