Series 2 Jack McNaughton part 2

O.A.S. [postmark] Field Post Office 21 Ap 18

Miss Netta L. McNaughton Granton Ontario Canada

[stamp] Passed by Censor no. 4578 [signature] W. Armstrong

R.R.#1

France, Apr. 19th/18

Dear Sis:- Your epistle of Feby 15th reached me some time ago and sure am sorry I haven't been able to answer more promptly, but it hasn't taken many sand bags to hold our ration of time.

Your sob sister conventions are like a poker game, i.e. it costs one dollar to get in, two to stay, and ten to get out. Why do you say day shirts? Surely there isn't such a thing as a night one.

By all accounts prohibition doesn't seem to stop people from falling from mews and down steps and as those things didn't happen when good spirits could be purchased at the Red Dragon, you will be forced to agree that the old way is the best.

I wrote Jessie last night and expect a terror for an answer. Well, Sis, things are going on in the same old way insofar as we

[centred] 2 are concerned. In nearly all cases things split 50-50. Sometimes it is cold and then hot, buttons on clothes and sometimes not, and so on.

Lately, we have had some good fun playing ball, roll the bat, duck on the rock, and a few more old school games. There are some cinemas in the near vicinity and concert parties drop around occasionally, outside of the programmes arranged by the members and adherents of the different battalions.

There is a stove in our hut and when the wood is gone we know where to get some more, even if excursions do have to be made after the setting of the sun. There are lots of blankets, so one really can say, "it isn't such a bad old war after all."

We had a bath this morning and it was far better than the nearly get wet kind. Of course insofar as the clothes are concerned, sometimes it's a case of discarding old acquaintances for new ones.

[centred] 3 [image Canada Y.M.C.A logo] Lately, I have seen quite a few of the boys from the old battalion including the band which came out as a unit and remains a band. They can make music alright even if the are wearing two ^blue service chevrons to which they are not entitled, at least ^not from the viewpoint of popular opinion.

It has been snowing in spasms today, but after each spasm the sun makes short work of it. I guess we are getting the weather which one would reasonable expect in March.

Oliver is sound asleep so you can judge from that, that he is well and has an easy conscience.

As to what is going on out here you probably know ten times more than I do because of the papers, whereas rumors are all we have been hearing, however,

KINDLY WRITE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PAPER

always bear in mind that the conquering or recapturing of ground is not the deciding factor as long as armies practically remain untouched. If one can account for more Heinies by letting them have a certain place or places, they can have it as long as the price they pay is in manpower, and while Heinies may grow on bushes, our bombers will get after that source just as effectively as the infantry and artillery deal with those who are closer. The war may last a long time, but Fritz will be licked when it is over, you can bank on that.

Well, Sis, writable news are scarce and the censors have a head like a hen - good for picking up things - which he allows to go no further. Hope you all are well and in good spirits. Worry causes wrinkles and grey hair, which every woman should avoid as long as possible.

Please remember me to the folks and with love to all, Jack xxxxxxxxxx