Dated: August 20, 1915

Writes from France

The following is a letter from Billy Thomas, written July 26, from France and which reached here Aug. 11^th. A short letter written later said he had seen Capt. Robinson and Tommy Faught, and talked with Major Britton over the phone. He and Angus McLean are still together.
Dear Mother:
I will try to write a few lines to-day. I am well, never felt better. Hope you are all well too. I am somewhere in France but can't tell where.
There hasn't been much doing since we arrived, but can't tell how soon we will be in it. Expect to go in the trenches this week.
I saw Bill Smith, Mrs. Garvis' son and Tommy Weaver who was over last night. Haven't seen Capt. Robinson but heard he was only a short distance from here.
Fat is fine. We both clipped our hair off.
I have had the pleasure of hearing a few big guns talking. Last night a German plane came in range of our guns. They sure went after it, but I don't know if they got it. It is interesting to watch them. If I pull through I will be able to talk for a month.
We left England before any mail came. No doubt there will be lots when it does come. We had a pleasant trip from England during the night.
This is sure a pretty country. It seems a shame to have it all dug up. Have seen a few ruins.
We were just about asleep one night when one of our big guns opened out and let go a few. Well, for my part, I nearly went through the roof of our billet. I didn't know at first what it was.
We don't drill here, just rest up. Yestaerday we were out with the engineers. We thought we were killing time, but the boss told the Corporal that we had done more that the other fellows had done in two days.
My new address is
Pte. W.E. Thomas
15^th Batt., 48^th Can. Highlanders,
First Can. Division, 3^rd Brigade,
B.E.F. France
Number 47961