Letter to Mother fragment

[fragment of letter to Mother]

our meeting will be here or with our Saviour where parting is no more. I can see you stand at the door in the yard as you did the A.M. that I drove away last never can I forget how thotfull a mother you were to me manys the time when I was a kid I have stood and thot how much better a mother I had than my boy freinds that I was playing with And when later on in life I could see you were working your very life out I dident realize as I do now how I could have made life a joy to you instead of such a hard life as you have had. I know you never blamed me so you have not got to forgive me but it always fills my heart with pain when I think of my selfishness, that could have made our years such a joy at home. Mother I was so much worse than you or any one that cared ever knew that I have got such a lot to thank God for that I ever was a saved boy. If Mr Peel knew me as I was he would not beleave it no matter if I told him Mother he loved me just as his boy and he could not misstrust me all tho I never beat him out of a cent.

 I had a bad heart for a while and that is what helps to make me value my saviour and praise him as only a sinner can do.

If I had not been what I was possibly I could not do as much among the boys but any way now I have my life entirely surrendered to the service of God and if he needs me here until he calls me, I am only thankfull to give my life my all in his service which is far better than in the King’s service alone with satin. well bye bye Mama dear as ever Laurie

[Saved by transcriber as 17-06-15-fragment, to place it near the only other letter in which he calls Mother "Mama." Also, he uses Y.M.C.A. "On Active Service  with the British Expeditionary Force" letterhead, as in 17-06-17.]