Same address

13/3/17.

Dear Jessie & Stuart, - We have an easy afternoon today and will write you a short letter.

I have not had any letters from Canada lately but expect there are some on the way or perhaps in the bottom of the ocean, that I should have.

Still the war goes on with things looking a little brighter for the Allies. The Mesopotamia (?) Force have been having good success lately, and, by last report they have taken Bagdad. The fall of that place will mean the weakening of the Turks a great deal who I expect have not been getting so much help from Germany lately as they would like.

In the Western front too success has crowned the efforts of our army. It is slow work tho and it will take a god while to finish things yet.

We are still out training and the conditions for same are none too good. The rain and soft snow has made the ground quite soggie and we go slipping and sliding all over the place. This morning we had a Commanding officers inspection and we had quite a good turn out. My men were not just as clean as I would like them, but It was because I was away yesterday afternoon getting some special instruction re Physical training and bayonet fighting. It is remarkable how closely we have to watch the men in the ranks. They have to be kept clean and fed. Their clothes and boots must be kept repaired and new ones (?) for when necessary. If an officer does that and proves to his men that he has a private interest in and sympathises with each under him, they will follow him any place - even to the worst place they could go and I have been near there with them on more than once occasion.

Jessie I am making another effort to get my transfer. I have been asked for by a Canadian Colonel and am awaiting results.

I expect that we will be going back to the line in a few days.

Am quite well

Affectionately

Leslie.

Write Soon.