CEHBates980

Aug 13th 1918
727 Paru St
Alameda,
Cal.

My own dear boy,

This is your birthday, and
for the first time I think in your
life we are far apart and I
do not even know where you
are! Whether on sea or land. Whether
on your way "overseas" to France
or whether still in this country.

A postal card came from you
today to Jocelyn forwarded from Nelson
saying that you were in Canada
& apparently [underlined] postmarked August 7th.

[written in the left margin:]
I hope the books we sent will reach you safely dear
and that you can get some keepsake with the other little gifts
from Jocelyn &
Nor.