Somewhere in France
Dec 18. 1916

Dear Mother

Well I arrived in France at last but cannot say were, but I do not know where i am yet. We are billeted in a French town some distance behind the line. I saw Fred McGinnis. Douglas Young and Craig of the 53rd and the fellow McConnell who used to work at he Industrial school at one for the [?] in France. I also saw Joe Charreth today. We had quite a trip coming over, we travelled at nights mostly and hung around at rest camps the rest of the time. Where we are now things seem to be pretty quiet but I have not been close enough to know if it is or not but cannot hear much noise anyway. We are some ten miles behind the lines. I did not get that parcel before I left but I guess it will be coming along some of these days. I am attached to the 2nd D.R.C. C.F.A. France, that with 3rd section will catch me alright you would be surprised to find out with how little address at letter will find us. But of course put my number and driver on it. The weather over here seems to be a drier cold than it was in England but if it never gets any worse than this I will have no kick coming. We have a Y.M.C.A. hut hear which is only about ¾ of a mile from our lines, but I could not even buy a pencil or ink tonight. Well I guess I will close now and wait for some letters before I will write again. You know we cannot say much in our letters and there is no use putting anything in that will not pass. The only thing that bothers me is my feet and there are darn sore, but they told me they would fix me up on that line. We got a dandy sheep skin coat without sleeves and believe me they are a dandy rig, nice and warm and are not heavy and we can wear them under of overcoats or our tunics. I hope to write a longer letter next time. love to all from your loving son

Gordon

Dr. G.A DeGear
no 441266