London

18/2/17

Dear Aunt Maggie & Uncle Jay & All - I have been going to write you since some time, but have had so much to do that I had to leave it till now.

You will be glad to know that I am in England for ten days leave. I came over on the 10th of Feb and will be due to go back again shortly. I have been having a good rest from all the noise and worry of trench life and I tell you I appreciate the change more than I can tell you.

I saw Renwick the other day and he is looking quite well he has not gone to France yet, but (?) was under orders to proceed to France at that time and he may be across now. The soldiering is only fun till they go to France and then it begins to get disagreeable in a god many ways.

I also saw some other fellows I know since I came here. Ewen McDonell from Lancaster was one of them. He was looking well.

I am rather surprised at Uncle Jay going to change his barn. What notion did he take for a cellar? Papa used to be after me at home for being fond of changes but I have come to the conclusion that life is too short for such big changes. If Uncle Jay will put the barn behind the house he will have a good side hill for a cellar and I suppose he will clear that field and use the stones in building the cellar.

Have you taken many snaps yet? I often wish I had a camera in France and I could get some good snaps but of course regulations would not allow me. Perhaps it is just as well tho for some of the sights are pretty ghastly there.

I have been in Scotland since coming to England and had a good time as usual. I stayed in Glasgow for two days and a night. Glasgow is a very smoky and foggie ‘city' but it is because there are so many factories and manufacturing establishments there.

I am longing to hear how Eric is. You knew long ago that he was sick I am sure. I cannot think where he would get typhoid unless from some water that he was drinking.

Yes Aunt Maggie the box came to me and the sox were fine. Thank you very much for them and the other things. I truly hope that I can offer my thanks and show my appreciation in a more tangible way later on.

The work in France has been much the same as usual and I suppose It will continue as except that with the coming of the summer things will be apt to liven up a good deal. The weather was very cold in France this winter and It was a change from the mud. I think it was healthier cold than if it was warm. I liked it a good deal better than mud anyway.

Now I must close.

Write Soon

Affectionately

Leslie.