Letters From the Front

Dated: April 1, 1918

Private F. W. Stokes
654708 B. D.
France, B.E.F.

France, #654708 1 B.D.
Apl 1/18 B.E.F.

Dear Ethel

Just a line to let you know where I am. I left England last week for France and am waiting here, expecting the call any time to go into action.

No doubt you are surprised to know that I am over here, but the fact remains that I am.

George came across over a month ago, and has been up the line now for nearly three weeks. I haven't heard from him since came over but I guess he is too busy just now to write. I don't expect to hear from him until his Batt. Comes out of the line to rest, I think I told you he was in the 18th where Crofford Campbell is. I seen lots of the 18th boys at Bramshott who knew Crofford and they all spoke awfully nice of him. He is back with the Batt now so I guess George has found him long before this.

Well I guess you would enjoy your trip home for Easter. You don't know how I would like to be there with you all. You don't know how much I miss you all and home.

I can't tell you much about this country yet as I haven't seen a great deal of it. We are camped some distance from the line, just waiting the call to be sent up to our unit. The Bates boys left last night for the line. I don't know how little Bertie will make out with those little short legs of his, but I guess he will get there somehow.

I hope this finds you well and that you like your position as well as ever.

Write to me soon as I haven't had a letter for some time now, we have been moved about so much lately. I don't know when we will get our mail.

Well Ethel, I guess I can't say any more for this time, as we can't say all here what we would like. Enough to say I am real well and going to the front along with a lot of old timers in the game. I will close more hoping you are well, and that I may here from you soon.

Your Loving father

Pte F. W. Stokes