Letter to Mother from Somewhere in France

#782373
Some where France
7-6-18  

Dear Mother:–

I am going to try to give you a detailed sketch of one days life in France

Revallie at 5 A.M.  thirty minute snooze untill 5.30 then I read a few verses in the first of James and memorized the 12th verse, then I lay a few minuites debating on getting up which I did at 6.

I folded my blanket and coat prayed a short prayer, and polished my equipment and buttons,

Went to breakfast at 6.30, had bread, butter, pork and beans, tea, for breakfast,

After breakfast I shaved, put on my puttees, went down to the creek, cleaned my teeth and washed, when I returned I shined my shoes, tidied up my alloted space for my bed and fell in on parade at 8 O.K.

On parade, inspection by cenior Lieutenant of co',. marched two hundred yds to parade ground and piled arms, took off equipment and puttees for P,T. we played foot ball for the hour, two balls and two platoons against two, about a hundred and ten men in the game, we had good fun, then smartening up drill with rifles, mixed with gass drill about five minuits,

From 9.50 to 10 O.K. fall out for recess, after recess. I don't take part in the bayonet fighting so I am writing this. I over looked mentioning the cleaning of my mess tin after breakfast,

11.30 fall in to go to dinner, dinner consists of mulligan biscuits and tea, We lie around the hut. untill 1 O.K. then drill order on parade which proves a batt's ceremonial parade of about an hour or a little more. we like that because the band is there to march to, and it don't last long between rests.

Since parade I have taken off my shoes and rubbed my feet dry and put on my light slippers. and read for about an hour,

The mail came in, received a parcel from you two pair of socks, a handkerchief, and tin of sugar which was a welcome sight in its self.

The supper at 4.30, Bread, jam, bread pudding, tea. After supper I went for a walk out to a grove of trees I walk thru them for a while listened to the birds sing and watched the roses that are nicely in bloom now,

After that I lay down and read the book or Epistle of Peter thru and returned, Went up on the hill to where we meet each night, Arthur Reedman and I had a long discussion on various things before Crane joined us then we read James 1 and talked it over had prayer and at 9.15 we returned to our huts,   I had quite a talk with the boys near me before we went to sleep on various habits and so on.

Then the boys were telling stories that they shouldent, I spoke to them about that in a way that did not offend them. but they will remember the stand I take,

Just before lights out I read the paper and see the States have been made uncomfortable by the U boats,

Sunday   A.M.   9th

Well Mother a dandy day and it has been dry for a long time, there is dust on the road every where,

We are going to have Church parade at 11 O.K. it is 9.37 now I have been all ready for quite a while.

10th   6.10 P.M.

Well Mother the day has been well spent, we were on ceremonial drill for about an hour this A.M. then we had the usual classes till about 11.15 After dinner we had a little march just walking out dress with rifles, saw the boys presented with the medals they had won the last few months,

Yesterday after church parade Arthur R and I took in the communion service, that I always enjoy, in the P.M. I took my blanket and oil sheet out under a tree, after I was there about an hour the wind got up so I come in and red a few articles. and wrote a letter.

11th   10.40 A.M.

I am sitting in the shelter of some trees, the sun is trying to shine, but the wind keeps bringing up more clouds, we all thought it would rain when we fell in at 8 O.K.

I am afraid I am developing a lazy streak these days, but maby it won't hurt me any.

7.10 P.M.

Well Mother we have just finished our little meeting, and Geo Rottan one of the boys that used to take part in the old shell holes on V was with us, He is just with the Batt'n for the night, he has a bomb proof job as guard down the line. He has been wounded and shell shocked once,

I received your letter of May 6th to 13th to night and surely enjoyed it.

I realy do not remember the strawberry plants you speak of,

It will be nice to get the hedge started it is surprising how quick they will grow to look good, how are the trees coming in Horace's garden,? did yours ever come on any good,?

I would just like to be there when Annie and the Children are there just think we would all be there, but how much we have to be thankfull for that we all have good health and none of us are laid beneath the sod, but it will never bother me if I know I am going. I am surely ready, but will do more to accomplish more for the cause of Christ each day that I live, Read Proverbs 3

I got chilly here and moved my blanket over in the shelter of a flint pile, then I took a little P.T. to warm me up,

The boys are having a good game of ball tonight they cheer a lot any way, the pipes are playing to.

Did I ever tell you that I ran across Sandy Robertson once last fall where I was in Oct. he is a piper in 107th, he looked the same as ever,

You wrote on your birthday but I don't know just how old you are now, I think fifty seven.

That was quite a letter that Francis wrote.

Well good night Mother dear as ever your loving son

Laurie