Sunday September 1/18

Same Address

My Darling Mother, Father + Carrie

              Well dears here we are another Sunday and also another month and I think if things keep on the way they are going now that it will not be very long before we are taking the Homeward Bound and believe me that cannot be too soon, as I think everybody is getting pretty fed up with war. I know from now on I am strictly a peaceful citizen.

              I received a letter from Murray written on August 20^th and I was certainly tickled to death to hear from him, as soon as I arrived here I sent him a letter but I was certainly doubtful whether he would ever get it or not. By now you have read about the offensive at Amiens beginning on Aug. 8^th where the Canadians, Australians + Tommies + French made such a wonderful gain. A week before this tarted our Batt. Was in the line at Arras and if you take a map and look at the distance you will see that we were doing some travelling. We travelled part way by rail, part by motors and the greater part as I thought by route marches, we were carrying everything we owned and besides we had our Lewis Guns and ammunition. We when arrived near our position we were sure nearly all in. On the day of the 7^th our Batt. Were quartered in an old town or what used to be a town in cellars etc. or anywhere we could get cover as he used to shell us quite often and that makes us hunt a hole somewhere. About 12 PM on the 7^th we fell in and marched up to our place of going over which was no more than a white tape stretched out in no mans land. We arrived there about two o’clock and I for one stole a couple of hours sleep. The zero hour was 4:20 AM and when that had arrived it was a combination of thunder + lightning and everything else combined. Our battalion had to go to the second objective which was about 11,000 yards away. The artillery was wonderful, and ten minutes after the barrage had started Fritzes were coming in, in dozens of their own accord and they presented such a weird appearance that I had quite a good laugh. They were just on the verge of being frightened to death but no one bothered them and I guess by now they are working on farms in England. We were just going over and had probably gone a mile when he started throwing heavies around and it was one of these that was responsible for my holiday. After our boys got past the first objective they had all the fighting and got to their objective all right. But on the next day they had to go over and help the 4^th division and here they got a bad cutting up. I’ll bet you Murray has seen enough war by now to last him a life time, I was certainly glad to hear from him because I knew our Bttn. had a terrible cutting up.

              To-day is a lonely day and I think a nice walk will just suit me fine. My arm is coming along splendidly, only healing a little too fast for my liking.

              I hope you are all well at home. I was sorry to hear that you had my insurance to bother with and I wish I could be there doing my share.

              I borrowed 4/6 from a chap yesterday and have cabled home for 5 pounds. When I came in here I had absolutely nothing, razor, etc. and in Murray’s letter he said someone had gone through my pack before he found it. There is not much need for money in hospital but I am just as independent as ever and hate borrowing other people’s things. If you can manage this I think we can make it up as I have not drawn a cent of pay for nearly two months and that is adding up all the time.

              Remember me to all.

                           Your loving son + brother

                                         Bob.