Series 2 Jack McNaughton part 1

2. [Six lines of text crossed out at top of page] I am afraid the Granton boys who are going in for the first time will second the motion of war being hell, however we always hope there will be no R.I.P's (rise if possible)served out by Fritz. There is no snow on the ground yet but ^^and in case there is a storm it only makes mud, glorious mud. The weather is not what could be called cold, but is raw and damp and seems to go right through. Personally I would sooner have the Canuck winter even if it is 30 below zero, as this

3. weather. I have not heard from Oliver since I wrote you last, but expect one some of these days. Well Sis guess this is all this time so au revoir. Remember me to the folks Yours Jack

Miss Nettie Mc Naughton R.R No. 1 Granton Ontario Canada

Somewhere in France [??] 30/1917

[Canadian Emblem 'For King and Country 125]

Dear Sir:- Your very welcome epistle of the 5th was received ^and was good, go know you were all in the best of health. Was going to say spirits, but as Ontario is supposed to be dry at present, spirits would seem out of place. It is 7am, so you can see there is no special hour for writing. It all has to be done by candle light anyway. Just had a room issue, but it wasn't enough to know what it was. Was surprised to hear Uncle Scott had more than enough to eat, but glad he had good results for his work in the elections. The rector say somebody wrote me they were celebrating the "heart of the Epiphany," so in answering I said they were very lucky to have a fest of anything, even if it was a [??] should say Holyday. Am afraid the influence of the [??] sisters must be wearing off on account of the cards. Guess I'll have to write an epistle to Aunt Mary telling her how wicked the game is and thereby gracing her with renewed strength and vigour enabling her to be more firm eh? Didn't know Albert Bader was married but suppose now are getting scarce, so that it was a match proposition. If there is conscription on you married men. The preachers must be making money nowadays because marriage apparently is "work of national importance."

2 That was sure some letter the Dutchman wrote. I had a good laugh over that, and anything that causes a laugh is worth its weight in gold.

Tell Jessie to never mind. Men are scarce in Brantford, too, but of course there are men and - Lord knows what.

Well Sis as you will guess, I'm writing this in the front line. I've been in for quite a stretch now and expect to be in for another little stretch, but in the distance see a short rest, andsomeplace where eggs, chips, steak etc, can be purchased. Our resting place is in the woods, but perhaps can get permission to go a few kilometres away. The first of my bunch was [unintelligible] a short time ago. A stray bullet or a chance shot turned the trick. I was glad I saw him before he was taken away.

The weather here according to French people is the coldest it has been for forty years, and although it cannot be compared with the winter at home, [del] it is some cold at that.

We expect to have some warm weather this month, so this means deep sea diving for a while, but who wouldn't be a diver for a few weeks for some