Somewhere in France
“Bapaume” Sunday Oct. 20th 18
Dear Mary
And so another week has gone by and I am still behind the lines but expect to be moving in at anytime. We came on about another five miles yesterday and are camped in ___, a fair sized place and almost untouched by gun-fire; we are sleeping in the houses and find them very comfortable and fairly clean; the occupants have left all their bulky belongings behind such as furniture, beds, crockery, mirrors, wall pictures, clocks, & etc. & also great numbers of wine glasses; however we are not going to be allowed all these comforts for very long for we expect to be moving out again tomorrow. there has been a light rain all day and the streets and roads are covered with a thin slush. Tues 22nd. Have just made another move forward about 6 miles & to within about 8 miles from the front so getting closer to the Guns some of our guns are firing away quite close to where we are now the weather is still dirty & wet & the
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roads are inches deep in places with slush. We are running a M.D.S. (Main Dressing Stat’n) in this place for the time being. I suppose that will be until the line is advanced too far and then we move up an bit further & so on, a lot of my mates, I mean of the 3rd Amb. have gone to the lines to night to assist No 2 Amb as stretcher bearers & I may be sent up also at any time also. I am sleeping in a pretty open sort of shed to night but I have plenty of dry straw to be on so, that is not so bad. I find the life in this country to be fairly healthy so far though it is somewhat difficult to keep clear of colds especially this sort of weather which resembles that of the month of May in Southland. We always get plenty of good tucker & there is not very much for a fellow to spend his money on while over here in fact, it is hard to get certain things which one requires, even at the Canteens such as “toothpaste” ‘boot blacking’, button polish’ etc. there is always such an rush that the supplies last no time at all. Wed. 22nd. Have just had a very busy day carrying stretcher cases in & out through the dressing room; a considerable number having going through our Ambulance today, the result of this morning’s stunt & several of our own boys (Medicals Corps) were also hit. I believe that our troops have made a fair advance so we, may have to shift ahead again tomorrow. The weather conditions have improved since yesterday. Your affect. Brother. Jack
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P.S. I have posted some Christmas Cards. I hope they arrive in time. J. H.
