Pte J.H Fargey
No 53395 No 2
2 Platoon
43rd batt.
B.E.F
France, Mar 15/16

My Dear Mother

Well how is the weather in Manitoba? I guess at the present time you aren't having as good weather as we are. It has been beautiful weather here for the last few days but it is hard to say how long it will last. Most of this country is either in sand bags or under water as one of the lads in one of our companies was saying, but is will be a nice country in times of peace. The French farmers have some find horses altho their implements are backward but present we are billeted in a pig farm and have some very comfortable quarters and plenty of straw to lie on. The farm we are billeted on is an up to date farm for this country. The house and barn are all lighted up with electric lights and they have a large herd of cattle and sheep. The teamsters around here yet one Franc and a half a day, that is about thirty cents in our money, and they have to work pretty hard too. There are quite a few Belgium refugees scattered around the country working on the farms.

We haven't had any Canadian Mail for two weeks now and the last letter I had was from Frank. Everybody is the same way but I guess there will be a big mail some of these days. Ive had a bath yesterday and a change of under-wear. We get one every time you come out of the trenches and we certainly enjoy a good shower bath. This is the first green envelope we got since we came here and I think we are supposed to get one a week and if you read on the outside they aren't censored here but liable to be at the base. I've also got field post cards but I havent sent any home yet as I have been able to write a letter and have had plenty of time. I will send you one that you see the kind, I suppose by the time you get this letter that you will be preparing for Spring work and Frank back again from College, George Money gotback from the measles the same day ag our battalion moved away from Bramshott and so was unable to get away with us. He is now in the Base company and will likely sent over in the first draft. By the English papers some of the big fellows seem to think that the war will be over this summer some time and I think so myself. Well Mother this is about all the news I have this time.

Did you get that 3 pound I sent from Bramshott. You don't want to hank it but keep it for yourself as spring is coming on and you'll need it for flower seeds and etc. With love to all.

From you loving Son
John