Letters From the Front

Dated: April 30, 1917

April 31th,1917-Some Where In France
W.J.McDonald
Dear friend just a few lines in answer two your letter I received & was glad two hear you were having a good time
As for myself I have been in the best of health since I left Canada-well old pal you want to stop that fast life around the Glen-them fairies will spoil you--well I have been to the line & back a dozen times-say its nice to get away from the shot & shell even if it is only for a day or two. Well we are winning all the time. I had a letter from J.R-he expected two be in France anytime soon.-How is Angus [you] stupid head. I wish I could see him now. When he'd see a bunch off German prisoners "I could fight them all myself” is the first thing he'd say. Well what do you think of the Canadians-some class, some day two. A what it makes a fellow feel proud two be a Canadian-I came out without a scratch-Thank the Lord. address-63374 Pte H.R. McDonald 4.C.M.R. France BEF B Co. louis gun section - the Germans held that plase that the Canadians took for over two years. The french tried it & so did the English. oh the mess of blood & iron. Walked right through - all you could hear was 'on we go" & 'never stop". How did Hughie Big Hughie like it when he lost his girl-I'll bet Donald had fun with him. I would like to see him the night of the dance-was he singing the british soldiers grave. Well I had a letter tuesday from the nun-the one I saw at your place last summer -she is an old schoolmate of mine -she sent me all kinds of collers & medals so that will help some because every step you make here is face two face with death. I lost my pal-he was killed in action-he was a good pal - His name was George Harkins - he was from Hawkesbury. Herbie McIntee was wounded. I think you know him. Well, Bill we have fine weather here now but we had an awful dirty spring-oh the mud, but I think we will have dry ground now things is in the open more now. I tell you a fellow sees some sights he could do without seeing again. I wish I was home now. I can picture the sports driving around in the evenings where I used two shine-but oh the war - its not two bad at times but some time you are liable to get caught with a shell-then you pay all due respects to the world - I got tangled up in barbed wire - you would laugh two see me the more I tried to get out the more got mixed up-I said a few words of prayer then if I ever did. Well I had better ring off before I spoil my letter. Remember me to Archie & Allan not forgetting Bonnie Annie. Tell the kids I'd like to have a good scrap with them now. answer soon-give me all the news-I'll try & write you a good letter sometime - Good Bye this time. Best Wishes two all from your pal
H.R McD